The Brisbane Golf Club’s Division One Men’s team has won the 2024 Brisbane District Golf Association Pennant, making it three titles in succession and five in six years.
“I am very proud of all the players, caddies and organisers, led by Men’s Captain Ash Sturmer. Together, they provided inspiring displays of golf and sportsmanship every week to bring back the Pennant once again.
“Thanks also to the families and friends of the players, as well as the BGC members, who added to the camaraderie each week. They lived every tense and high moment with the players.
“This was another fine example of team BGC in action,” acknowledged Club President, Deb Kember.
Two excellent away wins against Royal Queensland and Keperra, and a determined away draw against Indooroopilly, meant BGC had the Men’s title wrapped up with one round of the six-round season still to be played.
The final match was an 11-10 loss to Indooroopilly, but the previous four wins and a draw – 15-6 and 14½-6½ against Royal Queensland; 11½ -9½ and 14½ and 6½ against Keperra; 10½-10½ draw with Indooroopilly – gave BGC a comfortable 2024 victory.
David Raman, BGCs Pennant and Elite Player Manager, said he was extremely proud of the way team members had once again brought a special mantra to the 2024 Pennant season.”
“That mantra was ‘I will do whatever it takes to win games, whether it is cleaning clubs for a teammate, running the drinks cart, or holing the match-winning put’,” he explained.
“Team members who were not selected to play were at every match, caddying, scoring, or supporting the team in this manner.”
Dave said that because golf was an individual sport, to be suddenly involved in a team sport can be a difficult transition for some players.
“However, it was extremely pleasing to see the development and maturity of our squad this year, and by embracing the team aspect we saw the benefits of that,” he said.
A feature of the successful season was the debut of 11 players in the Men’s teams, headed by Club Champion George Giblett and Junior Champion Elijah Rohas-Smith.
Other first-season Pennant players were Matt Field and Josh Liston in the Opens, Steve Ward, Reg Hutchinson, and Peter Lansom (Masters) and Tony Cho, Thomas King, Daniel Brown and Caleb Marschke (Juniors).
The Opens also won their individual Pennants and were led by several players who had an undefeated season. This is the first time BGC has finished a season with its Opens unbeaten.
The Juniors finished second behind Indooroopilly and Masters were third, behind Indooroopilly and Keperra.
And the convincing 2024 result proved a fitting finale for Men’s Club Captain Ash Sturmer, who will complete his term in December.
During his tenure the Pennant team has won an unprecedented three Division One titles, and Ash has been an integral member of the Masters team. – TONY DURKIN