IT was a dramatic conclusion to a season of high quality MDGA pennant golf on Sunday as Coomealla and Riverside emerged victorious in their respective division finals that were both closely contested.
Held at Coomealla Golf Club, the 36 hole match play proceedings were opened with Division Two action where Riverside Green secured a three-and-a-half to one-and-a-half win over Mildura, capping off a defiant campaign marked by their consistency and superiority in depth.
Mildura gained the early ascendancy by way of a Nathan Lever triumph against Simon Dale five and three.
This prompted an emphatic Riverside response as Nick George continued his excellent form this season with a two-and-one win against Paul Leonard.
Mildura’s Greg Toma battled with Kendall Marchment all the way through to the final hole eventually finishing all square, but a win from Scott Webster and a crucial comeback from Josh Bailey had already sealed the victory for Riverside to crown them Division Two pennant champions.
“It was a very, very close contest,” said MDGA president Garth Doherty.
“Even with about three or four holes to go, there was no certainty on who was going to win.
“Josh Bailey was behind for a lot of the day, then came back and got in front.
“That really changed the context of who was looking like the favourite.”
Riverside Green’s team based strength throughout the campaign proved to be the difference maker.
“Scott Webster and Josh Bailey have been there the whole way through and played very well to create a strong consistent side,” said Doherty.
“And Nick George, I believe has been the most consistent performer all season.”
In the other final, Coomealla Navy delivered a composed performance on their home course for another three-and-a-half to one-and-a-half result defeating Riverside’s Division One team.
A comfortable display from past Coomealla club and district champion Troy Neville gave his team early momentum winning seven and five against Steve Wilmann.
Coomealla’s Jacob Slimmon got an initial lead on Jarrad Stokker until the Riverside golfer reeled him back in with a strong long game with his drive and irons which made short work of the course.
Stokker was Riverside’s only sole winner from the game as Jim Daly and Justin McPhee solidified Coomealla’s position with victories of their own.
Daly gave up an early advantages to Brendan Rouse who got within touching distance before falling just short on the second last hole.
An up and down game between Coomealla’s Matt Bottomley and Riverside’s Ash Whitehouse saw them eventually end the day square as Coomealla Navy clinched the 2025 Division One scratch pennant title.
“It was a very evenly contested pennant season across the board,” said Doherty.
“Riverside relied heavily on Whitehouse, Rouse and Wilmann all year and they earned their spot in the final through consistent performances.”
This year’s season marked the return of scratch pennant competition to a winter format, a change Doherty said has been widely embraced.
“It’s been very well received by nearly all of the golf clubs,” said Doherty.
“The cold weather wasn’t fantastic, but that’s part of playing golf in winter.
“There’s a real sense that the competition will only get bigger, better and stronger moving forward.”
