News Archive

4th July 2025

RECORDS – Hole in One, Trophies, Eagles on Par 4s and Albatrosses and Eagles

RECORDS – Hole in One, Trophies, Eagles on Par 4s and Albatrosses and Eagles

2025 Combined Trophy Winners Mens Ladies & Mixed from 1924 to 30 June 2025Record of Albatrosses by

Men & Ladies & Eagles by Ladies to 30 June 2025 updated

Full Chronological Alphabetical HIO by date by hole lists of HIOs Men and Ladies To June 30 2025

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3rd July 2025

Watts and Jepson Storm Home to Claim 2025 Mixed Foursomes Crown

Watts and Jepson Storm Home to Claim 2025 Mixed Foursomes Crown

In a thrilling tale of grit, experience and a touch of golfing drama, the 2025 Mixed Foursomes Championship at Pennant Hills Golf Club delivered a memorable storyline worthy of its place in Club folklore. From a blistering start by youthful front-runners to a storm-delayed twist in proceedings, and finally a vintage comeback performance, this year’s contest had it all.

Youth Takes the Early Lead

Round 1 set the tone with a remarkable display from the promising duo of Jack Sherry and Phoebe Bourne. Clearly unfazed by the magnitude of the occasion, they opened their campaign with a clinical 75 off the stick. Their precision and poise granted them an imposing four-shot lead heading into the second round. The clubhouse was abuzz with talk of a changing of the guard, as the young team looked poised to make a name for themselves.

A Weather-Induced Intermission

However, as is often the case in golf, nature had its own plans. Inclement weather forced a postponement of Round 2, pushing the conclusion of the championship back to June. While frustrating for some, the break provided time for contemplation and recalibration — particularly for one team that had kept its powder dry.

The Calm Hand of Experience Prevails

Enter Paul Watts and Debbie Jepson — two seasoned campaigners with a combined wealth of competitive know-how. Using the enforced delay to reassess and refine their strategy, they emerged from the break with renewed purpose. In Round 2, they turned the heat up to maximum, carding a scintillating 72 — the best round of the championship.

Their performance was not just a masterclass in ball-striking but a demonstration of composure under pressure. With every fairway found and every putt holed, Watts and Jepson steadily erased the deficit and surged past Sherry and Bourne to claim the title with a commanding four-shot victory of their own.

Champions Crowned

As the final card was signed and the dust settled on a championship rich with storylines, it was Paul Watts and Debbie Jepson who were crowned the 2025 Mixed Foursomes Champions of Pennant Hills Golf Club. Their triumph was a testament to the value of experience, preparation and an unyielding belief in one’s ability to rise to the occasion.

Congratulations to Paul and Debbie, whose names now join a long and prestigious list of past champions. The Mixed Foursomes remains one of the most cherished events on the calendar, and this year’s edition will be fondly remembered for its spirited competition, camaraderie and classic Club spirit.

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3rd July 2025

Ryan’s Roaring Revival: A Junior Championship for the Ages

Ryan’s Roaring Revival: A Junior Championship for the Ages

It was a crisp winter’s day at Pennant Hills Golf Club as two of our brightest young talents, Adi and Ryan, took to the course to contest the 2025 Junior Club Championship Final. What transpired over the ensuing 30 holes will be remembered as one of the most dramatic and courageous comebacks in the storied history of our Junior ranks.

Adi Sets the Pace

From the opening tee shot, Adi appeared to be a young man on a mission. With an electric start, he stormed out to a 3-up lead through the first 7 holes. A trio of deft chip-ins—each seemingly more audacious than the last—sent murmurs through the small gallery following the match. His touch around the greens was masterful, and his confidence soared as he rounded out the front nine of the morning 18.

The back nine, however, saw a noticeable tightening of the contest. Ryan, despite being on the ropes, refused to yield and began to claw back into contention. Yet Adi held firm, and it was only a nervy three-putt from 12 feet on the 18th green that allowed him to take a slender 2-up lead into the lunch break. Momentum, though still in Adi’s favour, was beginning to shift.

The Turning Point

After a brief interlude and no doubt bolstered by a hearty meal and perhaps a dose of David Goggins-style determination, Ryan returned to the course with fire in his eyes and the bit between his teeth. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. In the opening stretch of the afternoon’s play, Ryan produced a breathtaking sequence, carding birdies on four of the first six holes. His game was all muscle and nerve, his putter suddenly ablaze, and within the blink of an eye, he had transformed a 2-down deficit into a commanding 4-up lead.

Where Adi had danced with flair in the morning, Ryan now marched with power and poise. Adi attempted to answer the challenge, trying to recapture the magic of his early chip-ins, but the spark seemed to have dulled. His putter, so reliable earlier, betrayed him in the face of Ryan’s relentless pressure.

By the time the players reached the 27th hole, Ryan had surged to a 7-up advantage.

A Champion’s Finish

There was a brief pause at the 12th hole of the afternoon round—by now the 30th of the match—where it was confirmed that Ryan had done it. With a final margin of 7&6, he sealed the Championship in commanding fashion.

This was not merely a win. It was a statement. Ryan’s fightback—marked by guts, grace and great golf—will be etched in the annals of the Junior Championship as a triumph of resilience and belief. Adi, gracious in defeat, should take pride in his remarkable front nine and strong sportsmanship throughout.

As we reflect on this thrilling encounter, we are reminded of the enduring spirit of competition and camaraderie that lies at the heart of Pennant Hills Golf Club. Both boys demonstrated the qualities we hold dear—skill, sportsmanship and a love of the game.

We look forward with great anticipation to watching their golfing journeys continue in the years to come.

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2nd July 2025

Project R&M Update – Progress and Timing

Project R&M Update – Progress and Timing

Dear Members,

The inspiring good news is that the newly constructed holes feature first rate greens with superior surface quality not seen on our course for many years. They have met the significant weather challenges of recent months, and the shaping and finish are remarkable. It has all been worth the money and worth the effort, we now embark on the future stages of the project with confidence.

The launch event scheduled for Sunday, 6 July will proceed as planned, however commissioning of 9, 17 and 18 for general play will be delayed. This is due to persistent and heavy rainfall events over the past few months resulting in saturated ground conditions causing the turf to struggle to take root consistently. The affected areas have drained well but remain patchy in parts and visually inconsistent, Chipping presents a longer-term risk to turf health and would create an undesirable presentation of surrounds that might last for some time. The revised timeline for return to play is as follows:

16A – Immediate

9th hole – early August

17th hole – late July

18th hole – late August

Practice Putting Green – mid-September

The opening of hole 16a will allow us to proceed immediately with Stage 2 starting with the 5th green on Wednesday, 9 July when Craig Brown returns and when Members will be directed to play 5a and then walk down to the 6th tee. This temporary routing arrangement ensures continuity of play while allowing contractors full access to the 5th green site. Signage and directions will be in place to assist.

The Technical Committee make the point that ecological conditions are largely uncontrollable, they test patience and cause frustration, but they must be respected if the long run objectives of project R & M are to be met without compromise. The Board fully supports this view, more so when taking the near-term weather forecast into consideration.

I thank all Members for their patience and continued support during project R & M. It is a massive investment of money, time and imposition. On balance, this short deferral is a sensible decision that can only contribute to the quality objective that drives our project.

Michael Rowan
President

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1st July 2025

2025 Winter League – Round 2 Wrap-Up

2025 Winter League – Round 2 Wrap-Up

Winter League Heats Up – Round 2 Report
As the midwinter chill descended upon Pennant Hills, the competition in the 2025 Winter League only intensified. Round 2, held on Saturday 28 June, saw a reshuffling of the leaderboard, surprise surges from the middle ranks and a breakout performance that may well shape the destiny of this year’s title.

The Format
To recap for new readers: each of the 12 competing teams consists of 8 Full Playing or Flexible Members. Across four Stableford rounds, the best 4 scores from each team are tallied to create their weekly Aggregate. These are then added to form an overall total – and ultimately determine who will be crowned the Winter League Champions. With no reserves allowed, every team feels the absence of even a single unavailable player. The beauty and cruelty of the format lies in its simplicity – every stroke counts.

The Gringos Surge to the Summit
Following a strong start in Round 1, The Gringos have charged to the top of the table with a commanding total of 279 points. Their Round 2 aggregate of 148 was the best of the week, anchored by a magnificent 41 points from Graeme Martin. This effort places them first overall, with a 2-shot lead.

“US” Closes In
Breathing down their necks in second place is Team “US”, who now sit on 277 total points, just two behind the leaders. Their balanced scoring across both rounds (131 and 146) demonstrates consistency, with notable contributions this week from Andrew Mowat (37), Mark Stannard (38), Vasco De Carvalho (37) and David Henricks (34). This team appears to be gaining momentum as we reach the halfway point.

Havacamps Mount a Charge
Another major mover this week is Havacamps, leaping into third place with a total of 273. Their Round 2 score of 145 was second only to The Gringos. The highlight came from a dazzling 40-point round by Gabriel Ormaecheaand was backed up by Murray Fogarty (38).

Mid-Table Mix-Up
The middle of the pack remains tight, with several teams battling to stay in the race:

  • Grubs hold fourth place on 269 points. A tidy Round 2 showing of 137, featuring standout rounds from Andy Oakley (36) and Nick Bell (36), keeps them well within reach.

  • Loft, who began strongly, fell to fifth place despite respectable efforts (266 total), just ahead of Matt Reid’s team, now sixth on 265.

  • The Balled and The Beautiful posted 139 in Round 2, lifting their total to 264, leaving them only one shot behind.

This congested middle section – covering fourth through seventh place – is separated by just five points, setting up an enthralling Round 3.

Down But Not Out
At the tail end of the leaderboard:

  • Forged Irons (254 points) and The Wrinkled Irons (244) are enduring a tough campaign but showed improved second-round efforts, posting 137 and 126 respectively.

  • The Hombres, currently in twelfth place with 242, have struggled to find their footing, despite a spirited 29-point effort from Simon Coffey this round.

With two rounds remaining, these teams will need something special – but history shows that the Winter League has a way of delivering drama late in the season.

Looking Ahead
As we approach Round 3 on Saturday 5 July, the leaderboard remains wide open. The Gringos may be leading, but the chasers are close – and any slip could see them overtaken. The competition’s mix of strategy, reliability and a touch of individual brilliance continues to delight.

Stay tuned next week for another update as we head into the penultimate round of this fiercely contested Member competition.

Click here for Leaderboard.

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