Cromer Claim 2022 Encourage Shield
(9:30am - Monday 5th December 2022)
Cromer Golf Club have won the 2022 Encourage Shield with a hard-fought victory over Oatlands Golf Club on Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Golf Club Camden.
After dramatic semi-final victories the previous week, both teams were confident heading into the final with many players on both sides representing their clubs and playing matchplay for the first time.
Henry Gee got Cromer off to a fast start with a 7&5 victory over Jonathon Le, before young-gun Alicia Luo responded for Oatlands with a 7&6 victory over Alex Cleminat. In the number one match, Blake McManus recorded a comfortable 5&4 victory over Christian Fong which saw Cromer edge back in front 2-1, with the remaining three matches all going down to the wire.
Incredibly, those final three matches went the distance with all matches not decided until the 18th hole. Donovan O'Connor struck the first blow for Oatlands, securing a vital 1up victory to see the contest levelled up again at 2-2.
With the contest now tied up, it was Cromer who edged in front yet again when Jake Garrod defeated the impressive Ricky Fang 1up. Cromer could now taste victory and it was secured shortly after when Toby Clear defeated Jerry Qin 2up, giving the Northern Beaches club a 4-2 victory.
Cromer will now represent all Sydney Metropolitan Clubs at the State Encourage Shield Finals, set to be played at Horizons in late January.
