Dondi Vs Lemay (5&4)
Maurizio Dondi and Tim Lemay headed out for their singles match, the season's first for each, on a warm sunny Sunday at Schoenfeld. It had rained the night before so the greens and fairways were in good shape. Thunderstorms predicted for the afternoon never materialised. Maurizio had nine strokes from Tim, five of them on the front nine, but this was his first time playing the course. He was able to capitalise on two but with some lucky iron shots on Tim's part combined with bad luck on Maurizio's, Tim found himself up five at the turn. The play was more even on the back, with the opponents in a net tie for the back after putting out on # 14. Unfortunately, the four remaining strokes that Maurizio might well have used to remain in the hunt were on the last four holes, and by that time the match was out of reach with Tim still up five. Had match play continued after #14, there's a good chance Maurizio could have won the back nine (evidence: Maurizio's approach shot on 18 set down nicely near the green; Tim's went in the water). This twosome would make for a good re-match, when the skewed start on the front nine - which made all the difference - could well go the other way. The rain didn't start until the drive home, so it was a perfect day.
Tuley Vs Kenkins (3&2)
“Duel in the Sun"
Forget Watson and Nicklaus at Turnberry; forget Ali vs. Foreman in Zaire; Tuley vs. Jenkins had all the ingredients for a classic confrontation. Perfect sun, the course in excellent condition, closely matched competitors, and the flight completed by two lovely ladies – Irene and Sabine. The smooth swinging David with the Hogan waggle soon took control and was 3 up after 5. Neil did not know what had hit him and was looking very ragged, but scrambled a win on the 6th. He thought he had hit a great tee shot on the par-3 7th to about 4 metres, but David hit his to 2 metres (!) and sank the putt for a birdie to go back to 3-up. Neil was on the ropes but hanging on. Slowly Neil started to find some rhythm and got back into the game, winning the 8th and 9th. The next two were halved and then Neil won the next 4, aided by some bad luck for David, to go Dormie 3. As the sun was setting over the Turnberry lighthouse (poetic licence) Neil held his nerve and sank a 3-footer to halve the hole and win the match 3 and 2. It had been a great contest and in the end a crucial factor was that David was not able to use 2 of his 5 handicap strokes, due to the Suessenbrunn set-up with the 17th and 18th being two of the most difficult holes. All retired to the bar, via the water on the 17th and 18th in some cases, for a well-earned drink. Thanks from the gentlemen to the ladies for providing excellent company and rules advice where necessary.”
Second round of single!
Maurizio Gazzola Vs Mathew Geertseen (2 up)
This time the bandit ( Mathew Geertsen) played one of the organizers (Maurizio!) on the wonderful course of Suessenbrun early Saterday morning may 12. Tee off at 0840!! Before Mathew really woke up, Maurizio went already two up!! However, with a nice par on the third hole ( and 1 of the 9 extra strokes he got during the game!) Mathew woke up and brought back the score to 1 up. However the 4th,5th and 7th hole went to Maurizio again, being able to par them. Mathew took the hole nr 6 and the last two going out where halved.
At the return Maurizio was 3 up, but...then he lost his drive! They went everywhere except on the fairway and he struggled throughout the next 5 holes. Mathew was able to come back with 2 bogeys and two pars which made the score even at hole 12 and the score stayed that way during 13 and 14.
Mathew took the lead for the first time in the game by winning hole 15 with a solid putt. Hole 16 - was decided afterwards - became the decisive hole of our battle. Maurizio went too far right through the out of bound zone ( and inbound again!)but managed with a second safety shot to get back on track. Mathew also went too far to the left and brought his bal back into play with a second safety shot. Both made a solid third shot, but the fourth of Mathew hit a tree and he lost considerable lenght and needed an additional shot to approach the green. Maurizio kept his nerve and made the hole with a bogey putt. All square again!!
Hole 17 and 18 needed to be played well in order to finalize the game in the regular 18 holes, so Maurizio - the smartest one of the two! - went back to his irons to play both holes safe and solid. On 17 he hit the green with his T- off. Mathew took too much risk and ended in the water, not finishing the hole.
18, last chance and Maurizio 1 up! He took an iron ( good course management!!) and safely hit the middle of the fairway against the strong wind; Mathew needed the hole, took his wood and put it safely at the left side of the fairway. Both ironed their second shot towards the green, but couldn't reach it because of the strong wind. Mathew was closer but the third shot of Maurizio landed on the edge of the green. Mathew only needed to cross a distance of about 50 meters over the bunker to the middle of the green (and he had one extra stoke on this hole!). All options to win this one were still there. He took a wedge aimed and.....looked up too fast; the ball was hit on the head, flew over the green ....out of bound!! Maurizion two putted, won the hole and the game by 2&0
Let me congratulate him with his solid game, his fair play and ...his paying for the coffee afterwards.
The slogan : "may the best win" came out again. He really was the best!
(let me also thank Viorel for joining us on the first nine!)
Goeran Applegren Vs Vioerel Guenwald (19th SD)
Suessenbrunn was hot already at 11 AM as we teed off with Sabine Sturm playing along as a witness and as an inspiration. Although Goeran won the first and Viorel the second, both players seemed somewhat reluctant to win holes during the first half of the round. G conceded the fourth after having sent his drive OB and the second on his provisional OB as well! V one up. G took the seventh with a bogey and headed hopeful towards the eighth tee where he would get his first handicap shot. Well, an absolutely massive drive from Viorel followed by an excellent iron to the green stopped all dreaming and V won the hole. Ninth was halved so V one up at the turn.
On the back nine, the quality of the match improved considerably. On 11, G sank a putt from the fringe for par while V three-putted for a bogey. All square. This would not last long as V won the next two to go two up. On the 14th par 3, V sent his tee shot way left and was left with a difficult pitch. G made a safe bogey and reduced to 1 down. On the 16th par-5, V had some trouble in a gree-side bunker and G could win the hole. All square again. However, on the water hole 17, G pushed a shaky tee shot into the water and that was the end of that. V one up with one to play. But G has a shot on 18. V hooks his drive OB and his second drive finds the water. G only had to push the ball along and collect a double bogey to win the hole and go into sudden death. Hole 1 again: G pushes his drive way right... probably OB... V smashes one of his colossal drives down the fairway and ends up in the semi. G plays a provisional which is OB for sure! Incredibly, G's first drive had stopped 10 cm inside the white stakes and in a good lie! Two wedge shots later, he is on the fringe of the green while V is in the green-side bunker on two. Again the sand became V's enemy so the hole and the match went to Goeran.
Thanks a lot, Viorel, for a nice day on the golf course and an interesting game! And thanks to Sabine for the company - and the inspiration! Hope to see you both again some time soon.
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