What a difference 12 months makes.
In July 2017, Mount Lawley scraped their way into a Division Two final.
Finishing equal-second with Hartfield on matches won, the finalist was decided by their previous meeting, meaning Mount Lawley went through on a stroke of luck.
The side would take on the juggernaut that was Royal Fremantle, a team unbeaten and at the peak of their powers.
An inspired performance resulted in a victory not many saw coming, meaning Mount Lawley would play in Division One for 2018.
Fast-forward 12 months and that very same side will compete in the Division One final, completing a stunning rise to the top of Men’s Pennants.
Adding to the excitement is a 51-year drought that currently stands for Mount Lawley, with their last Division One victory coming in 1967.
The finals berth was nearly snatched away from them on Sunday, however, if not for some Jordan Doull heroics during the closing holes.
Needing a victory over Cottesloe to reach the final, matches were tied at 3-3 with Doull and Tom Patterson heading down the 17th.
Doull was 1-down, however secured a birdie to square the contest heading onto 18. A long drive and 5-iron later, Doull had a 6-foot eagle putt for a place in the final and, if form was anything to go by, he was never missing.
The Columbus State University student calmly nailed the putt, sending the Mount Lawley crowd into raptures.
“It is pretty exciting,” Doull claimed.
“We are pretty pumped up especially coming up against Lake Karrinyup; we have had some tough battles with them in the past.”
“We got done 6-1 earlier this year but it was closer than that. It will be great to have a lot of the members down from the club to support too.”
Standing in Mount Lawley’s way is the reigning premiers Lake Karrinyup, a side who themselves broke a record premiership drought last campaign.
Lake Karrinyup’s top four players are as good as any and will provide difficult opposition come Sunday, with the likes of Joe Owen, Matt Bowra and Simon Liddell drawing on last years’ experience of winning.
“We have some pretty solid golfers and we are a pretty tight bunch,” Bowra explained.
“We all want to win it for each other – being great mates outside of the course.”
“Of course we are going to draw on the experience of last year, we are confident of a positive result.”
Mount Lawley’s Doull sung similar praise on his side claiming the mateship has been a determining factor in his teams rise to the top.
“I think it comes down to comradery,” Doull said.
“We all play together frequently and working with some great coaches in Ric Edwards and Alex McKay over the past few years has certainly benefited.”
McKay, who took over in season 2018, has stressed the importance of pressure play around the greens standing the team in good stead during the clutch moments.
“He (McKay) put a big emphasis on team work and pressure play around the greens,” Doull mentioned.
“It has clearly helped us a lot this season given we have won every one of our games 4-3.”
The former WA State representative returned purely for the Pennant season as well as a rest from the busy college season, leading from the front in his team’s finals charge.
“The big goal for me was to come back and play the whole pennant season – getting into the finals has been a great ride.”
“It would mean a lot (to the club) especially after 51 years, it’s been a while.”
“It would be huge for us.”
Lake Karrinyup will become the third side in a decade to go back-to-back if they are successful. A win for Mount Lawley will see the club take out the unprecedented double for both men’s and women’s Division One Pennants.
“We are all really excited,” Bowra said.
“It is pretty big for the club considering we went so long without a title.”
The 36-hole finals for Divisions One, Two and Three will take place at Gosnells Golf Club with the first pairs teeing off from 7.15am.
