Sport
Mixed Shepparton side takes out inaugural Goulburn Murray Golf Association district pennant final
Goulburn Murray Golf Association is mixing the pot — and genders — when it comes to the great game of golf.
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On Sunday, a Shepparton Golf Club coed team ousted an all-male Merrigum-Rushworth outfit in the district pennant final played at Hill Top Golf Club.
It was history in the making for the region.
Reaching the final, let alone winning it, was a feather in the cap for the triumphant Shepparton team and the white-knuckled nature of the finishes only enhanced the victory further.
All five matches went to at least the 17th hole to get a result, with Goulburn Murray Golf Association district president Alex Odell stoked at how the day played out.
“In terms of the day, all the matches were super close which was good and exciting to see,” she said.
“It came down to the 18th hole in a few matches to actually determine the outcome, so that was really exciting for us.
“I think if it had’ve been an absolute smashing, one way or the other it would’ve been a little bit disappointing. But it was good to see good competition and good rivalry there.”
It was a stroke of genius to alter the gender-specific stroke play for men and women.
Odell said dwindling numbers among the summer four-ball pennant populace led the association to bust down the divide between men and women.
And, though the response wasn’t exactly overwhelming from the jump, opening the conversation about coed pennant golf was a big step forward considering the sport’s tradition-steeped aura.
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Struck sweetly: Ian Rathjen drives hard off the tee. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 9
Right underneath it: Karen Shannon chips toward the green. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 9
Easy does it: Annie Pegg drills a six footer. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 9
Softly, softly: Simon Doherty looks to ease his way closer to the pin. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 9
Laser focused: Bill Bray lines up a mid-range putt. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 9
Boom: Kelly Cheong admires a drive straight down the fairway. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 9
Just tap it in: Chris Shannon gently guides a putt towards the hole. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 9
Here’s Brucey: Bruce Brown winds up his wedge. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 9
Hot chips: Greg Hall gets up and under a shot on the fairway. Photo by Rechelle Zammit“The concept came about due to a lack of both men and women wanting to play summer four-ball pennant,” Odell said.
“We’ve been running summer four-ball pennant in our district since I can remember, but we’ve just had a real lack in numbers, so we thought we’d take a different approach and offer the ability to enter a medley team.
“Unfortunately Shepparton Golf Club were the only club to enter a medley team this year, but it’s kind of worked in our favour because they have won.
“Hopefully it will push other clubs in our district to enter medley teams next year.”
Odell said the onus was on the association to nurture and grow the coed side of the sport locally — and she’s right.
The association threw the line out in the first season and some were hooked.
Some would say it landed the perfect result with Shepparton’s medley team capturing the flag right off the bat.
But now it’s time to make sure people keep biting.
“We’ve had positive feedback from other clubs already that they’re keen to get a medley team or a mixed team involved in next season’s event,” she said.
“We’re also looking out for individual pennant to hopefully incorporate men and women playing together as well.
“I think we’re only the second district in Victoria to actually do this. We find every other district is still women versus women and men versus men.
“It’s quite progressive for us and for the game of golf, so you can appreciate it’s a very traditional sport. We’ve got to try and change for the better.”
Senior Sports Journalist