Difficult conditions greeted players at the Port Lincoln Golf Course yesterday for the 2019 staging of the annual Interschool Golf Challenge between Port Lincoln High School and St. Joseph’s School. Aside from the obvious challenge of trying to master an incredibly difficult sport, participating students also had to overcome high temperatures, strong northerly winds and raised dust.
PLHS fielded two Ambrose teams against one from St. Jo’s. Experienced Year 8 golfers Cody Manuel and Shane Sharman combined strongly, carding a highly respectable 94 off the stick, leaving them with a nett 76.3. These two have a promising future in the sport if they can continue to develop and refine their game.
Our Year 10 foursome of Joel Edmonds, Zoe Kooistra, Cody Rawlings and Bailey Sharman battled hard to return a 102/82.9 scorecard – although lacking competitive golf experience, they listened and learned quickly, showing considerable improvement throughout the day.
Unfortunately, our teams were no match for the St. Joseph’s quartet of Sam Pearce, Brock Davies, Hamish Newman and Cooper Perham – ably led by talented junior Sam (handicap:17), their impressive 78 off the stick resulted in a 62.4 strokes total and a commanding victory. Congratulations to SJS for claiming the 2019 pennant.
Pleasingly, all participants played in the right spirit throughout the day, acknowledging good shots, displaying correct etiquette and enjoying the company of their playing partners. Congratulations to all for your positive involvement; anyone who completed eighteen holes in those conditions can consider themselves a winner!
Many thanks to the Port Lincoln Golf Club for their hospitality, to Mr Matt Keatley for his organisation of the SJS lads, and to the parents for their support of the event.
~ Mr Shaun Thomas (Organising Teacher)