The Men’s Division 1 Pennant has the final it richly deserves, with so many different storylines over the 2018 season; Mount Lawley and Lake Karrinyup are set to battle it out for the ultimate crown in pennant golf.
Mount Lawley has been the fairy-tale story of the campaign after only being promoted to the top division this season, as they attempt to break a 51-year title drought. Remarkably, the side clinched all five of their wins with a score line of 4-3, underlining the narrow nature of season 2018.
Their only loss came at the hands of fellow finalists Lake Karrinyup; however that will count for little when the two teams meet again on Sunday at Gosnells Golf Club.
Lake Karrinyup has forged a different path, maintaining their stranglehold on the competition as they search for back-to-back titles.
The side very much picked up where they left off last season, securing three wins straight before a shock loss to Gosnells halted their run. Two more wins would see the side comfortably finish top of the table.
In the 2000’s, five teams have secured back-to-back titles bearing a strong omen for Lake Karrinyup, with a settled side and finals experience to count in their favour.
Their finals positions certainly weren’t gifted to them in the last round of the season as Cottesloe made Mount Lawley work for their shot at history.
Both sides traded match victories on Sunday at Gosnells culminating in a 3-3 score line with one match remaining. A loss for Mount Lawley would see them finish third, but Jordan Doull had other ideas.
The spritely 19-year-old college student has produced a number of clutch performances in his young career, this moment was no different.
An eagle on the last catapulted Mount Lawley into the decider and a chance at their first Division 1 title since 1967.
Lake Karrinyup had it slightly easier on Sunday with a dominant 5-2 win over last-placed Mandurah.
Joe Owen, Matt Bowra and Nick Curnow showed their class to secure a top two position and favouritism heading into next week’s final.
Mandurah’s loss to Lake Karrinyup was enough to see them relegated to Division 2.
In a battle between Joondalup and Mandurah, a win for Tom Addy on the 19th hole was enough to keep his beloved Joondalup in the top grade.
Despite going down 4-3 to Royal Perth, Joondalup finished on 18 matches won, just one ahead of Mandurah.
Royal Fremantle will have their chance at finals redemption in Division 2 after claiming top spot at Lakelands Country Club on Sunday.
In 2017, the side suffered a shock loss in the finals to Mount Lawley after going undefeated throughout the season. Promotion has been the goal in 2018 and Melville Glades is the only hurdle standing in their way.
Melville Glades found their way into the Division 2 Final with the side searching for a return into the top division after being relegated last season.
Their 5-2 “semi-final” win over Bunbury at Lakelands Country Club secured a shot at promotion with the winner of the match taking on Royal Fremantle next weekend.
Brad Taylor and Gerardo De Leon gained early victories and Melville Glades never really looked back, as Brandon Allenby and Ethan Lim putting the finishing touched on a stunning win.
Royal Fremantle will enter the final in strong form themselves after a 4-3 victory over a relegation-threatened WA Golf Club.
Lakelands have unfortunately been relegated to Division 3, with WA Golf Club’s three matches enough to keep them in the competition.
Rockingham and Nedlands will face off the for Division 3 crown after finishing the regular season with strong victories on Sunday at Sun City Country Club.
Nedlands claimed their fourth win for the season with a superior match’s record enough to reach the final.
Rockingham coasted into the final losing just one game for the season to finish at the top of the table.
- Division 1: Lake Karrinyup v Mount Lawley @ Gosnells Golf Club – 1st Tee – 7.15am
- Division 2: Royal Fremantle v Melville Glades @ Gosnells Golf Club – 10th Tee – 7.15am
- Division 3: Rockingham v Nedlands @Gosnells Golf Club – 6th Tee – 7.15am
- Division 4: Royal Fremantle v Cottesloe @ The Vines Golf & Country Club – 1st Tee – 11.00am
- Division 5: Wanneroo v Bunbury @ The Vines Golf & Country Club – 10th Tee- 11.00am
- Division 6: The Vines v Hartfield @ The WA Golf Club – 1st Tee- 11.30am
- Division 7: Lake Karrinyup v Gosnells @ The WA Golf Club – 10th Tee- 11.30am
- Division 8: Chequers v Kwinana @ The Vines Golf & Country Club – 1st Tee – 11.45am
- Division 9: Sun City v Wanneroo The Vines Golf & Country Club – 10th Tee – 11.45am
