The Links Shell Cove won their third A Grade Illawarra District pennant title in seven years with a tight victory over Port Kembla in Sunday’s final at Wollongong Golf Club.
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With five players representing each team in the final and a point for each 18-hole singles win, Shell Cove won three matches and tied a fourth for a 3.5 points to 1.5 points victory.
Kiama claimed the B Grade pennant with a 3 and 2 win over Port Kembla, with Kiama also taking out C Grade with a 4 and 1 victory over Wollongong.
Jamberoo won the handicap match-play Whitehorse Cup, beating Worrigee 4 and 2.
In A Grade, two matches went to an extra hole playoff after being tied at the end of 18 holes.
Shell Cove’s Nathan Whiteman beat Matt Ward with a par on the first extra hole, the par five first at Wollongong.
Ian Armer (Shell Cove) and Jack Kessell (Port) were also tied after the regulation 18 holes and were playing their second extra hole when they shook hands for a draw with the overall final decided.
Shell Cove’s Anthony Brunero had a 4 and 2 win over Mark Crossingham, while Danny Nesbitt was the third Shell Cove victor, beating Jason Ward 5 and 1.
Dennis Allen was Port’s lone winner in the final beating Grant Meredith 2 and 1.
The Illawarra A Grade pennant competition featured the region’s top mens golfers from nine local clubs.
Rising Illawarra star Jordan Zunic - who won the New Zealand Open in his first year as a professional - played for Port Kembla early in the pennant season before becoming ineligible after turning pro.
Chris McGrath, who caddied for Nathan Whiteman said it was an outstanding win by The Links Shell Cove.
‘‘This is our third win since 2008 and shows the consistency of the club,’’ McGrath said.
‘‘A couple of the matches were blow-outs but two went into a playoff and there was some terrific golf from both clubs.
‘‘Nathan (Whiteman) and Matt (Ward) had a great battle, there was never more than a couple of holes in it all day.’’