A WIN!

It can never be known what conjures up a result that turns a tide. A team that has battled all year sometimes needs a little luck to fall there way, an inspiration from a unrelated source that strikes a chord of emotion or just the golfing gods finally decide that yes, it is time.

Whatever the reason was, Spring Valley was the venue of the first win of the season for the Men’s GV side and what a great result it was. Winning isn’t everything as representing the club is the main reason pennant means so much to the players but it sure helps the energy of the squad.

Fraze had to step out due to a family illness that we hope is going well. It is an awful time when someone close is in danger and we all hope that your step dad pulls through and are sure you are providing comfort to your family in this difficult time. You were there in spirit and maybe the emotion was part of the reason the tide turned.

Cam Hocking stepped in from the reserves bench with Eren Ozdemir gaining his first game for the year as well. They kicked us off and the pair of them played fantastic, both thriving on the chance to do their part this year. It is a great boost to the following team to know the lead matches are going well, it gives hope and with hope you gain energy. When they both clocked up wins on the 17th hole, suddenly Latrobe was in a position to gain that first win.

We needed 2 of the last 4 matches and with Pagey and Trob struggling, it would be up to the veteran and Streets to find the way. What was to follow was remarkable.

Firstly SMac was reeling on the 19th tee after the mental anguish of a 17th hole disaster and a loss on 18 to lose the momentum of his match. Playing a former young Latrobian, his deft bunker play on the short but difficult Spring Valley 10th saw him face a 6 footer to win his match. The calm stroke was good enough and as the ball dropped for the win, the anxiety of the previous 2 holes washed away and a gutsy 3rd win was in the bag for the team.

As this was happening, Streets missed on 17 to be heading up the last 1 down with the match at 3 all. Time comes for some and when you want to be the person in the gun at this time, you have a competitive nature that finds a way.

It is the toughest hole at Spring Valley and with a withering 4 iron to 6 feet above the hole, Streets was faced with a superfast downhill putt that was needed to secure a birdie and the hole. The roar was loud as the ball dropped and Latrobe stood on the verge of its first win.

The bunkers are daunting, the downhill hole of similar length to our 9th is a searching test at any time let alone with a match at 3 all and it’s your turn to step up. Another clutch shot to 10 foot produced the anxiety to disturb his opponent, who blinked and found the bunkers. In the end 2 putts was enough and finally Latrobe had their first win and Streets proved again that he thrives in competition.

It has been a long year with many disappointments along the way. However as mentioned last week the phone call still came deep into the season to try and organize more practice. The team had not given up. It is fitting in a way that the phone call came from Cameron Hocking who had yet to play. He got his chance this week through the mixture of great form and sad circumstance. He won and the team won. It’s funny sometimes how things turn out.