AN undefeated Coomealla side holds no fears for Mildura captain Mark Woodhouse ahead of Sunday’s final of the Murray Darling Golf Association pennant season.
Mildura scraped into the decider by just half a game over Red Cliffs, but the underdogs believe the neutral venue of Robinvale could level the playing field.
The team of Woodhouse, Ash Whitehouse, Cam Stewart, Rob Toms and Joe Rocca have become a solid unit as the competition progressed, but have the tough task of taking on the defending champions of Jacob Slimmon, Garth Doherty, Ben Doherty, Troy Neville and James Daly.
To even make the final was huge for Mildura who didn’t field a division 1 men’s team in the return pennant season last year.
“It’s a very exciting time for the club and resort, obviously we didn’t have a division one team take part in Pennant last year so that was part of my brief in coming across to bring a team back,” Woodhouse said.
“To go from none to being in a final the next year is a fantastic effort, and then to have ladies and one of our division 3 sides in the final is fantastic.
“It’s a great time for the Resort, we’re under new management and there’s some really positive energy around the place, we’ve had lots of support around the club from people who aren’t even directly involved in Pennant.
“I came across with the floods, my home club was Coomealla and and I’d had some association with Riverside as well, but obviously both clubs were out of action.
“I got on well with the Mildura boys and I think it came up in conversation that I would like to help get a pennant side back up and going again. As a team we’ve just gelled really well.”
Woodhouse believes the 18 holes at Robinvale could work in favour of his side.
“I think it’s a course that doesn’t necessarily favour the big hitters, and Coomealla have got two of the biggest in Troy Neville and Jacob Slimmon,” he said.
“That might work to our advantage a bit more and playing across 18 holes, anything can happen and we have the confidence that we can go all the way.”
The Mildura ladies division 1 team of Marg Morrison, Helen Treacy, Sheryleen McGlahan, Kim Ingram and Jenny McCoy will go head-to-head with the undefeated Coomealla team of Angela Plumridge, Salli Fox, Nia Whittle, Jackie Horkings and Kylie Waters.
Robinvale have their division 2 side in the final against Riverside, while Mildura Gold face Riverside in division 3.
Tee off at Robinvale Golf Club is from 9am Sunday.
