VETERAN Ian Frost guided Bendigo to an upset win over Neangar Park in Sunday’s Golf Central Victoria division one pennant final.
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Neangar Park was hot favourite to defend its title, but it was Bendigo to thrived on the big stage at Heathcote Golf Club.
Neangar Park’s Phil DeAraugo defeated Liam Carney 1 up and DeAraugo’s team-mate Kurtis Lynch scored a 3-2 victory over Geoff Viney.
Those wins were cancelled out by Bendigo skipper Brent Rothacker’s 2-1 victory against Justin Williams and David Bilkey’s comprehensive 7-6 triumph over Tom King.
The pennant title rested on the final match between Neangar Park’s Eric Barclay and Bendigo’s Ian Frost.
Walking up the 18th hole, Frost held a 1 up advantage, but Barclay’s approach to the green finished only two metres from the hole.
Frost made a par leaving Barclay with a birdie putt to send the game into extra holes.
Barclay’s birdie putt came up agonisingly short and Bendigo celebrated a stunning grand final win 3-2.
There was to be no upsets in division two, with the undefeated Neangar Park (S) squad thumping Neangar Park (M) 5-0.
Tim Williams defeated Craig Hodge 1 up, Lucas Clark outplayed Jordan Treacy 4-3, Nick Bell was too good for Andrew Drummond 2-1, Dale Oddy defeated Linton Parker 5-4 and skipper Sam Baker completed the rout with a 5-4 win over Marcus Harry.
In division three, Neangar Park scored a thrilling 3-2 win over Castlemaine.
Neangar Park’s three wins came via Mark Flint’s 3-2 victory over Brad Cruise, Shane Gilchrist’s crucial 1 up win over Leigh Campbell and Jarrod Berry’s comfortable 5-4 triumph against Glenn Lorenz.
Castlemaine’s two wins were Lindsay Callaway’s 3-1 victory over Travis Pool and Adam Scoles’ 3-2 win against Jamie Mellington.
Elmore scored its five-straight open division A premiership with a 3-2 win against Rochester.
Mark Bamdford defeated Jesse Cuttriss 2-1, Leigh White was too good for Peter Anderson 2-1 and Mitch Whittle outlasted Des Gallagher 1 up to set up Elmore’s victory.
For Rochester, Peter Lawford eclipsed Ben Duncan 2 up and Ian Clarke outplayed Lindsay Kramer 6-4.
Neangar Park won its third title of the day when it defeated Axedale 3-2 in the open division B final.
Cam Rochester’s 19th hole win over Axedale’s Peter Andrew secured Neangar Park the point it needed to claim the title. Neangar Park’s other points came via Richard Holmberg’s 3-1 victory over Michael Carley and Chris Reid’s 4-3 win against Mark Davies.
For Axedale, Russ McGibbon defeated Damien Short 2-1 and Mark Filan was too good for Todd Matthews 2-1.
Axedale did taste success in the open division C final, defeating Castlemaine 3-2.
Peter Elvey beat Ross Stevens 3-2, Mark Fitzpatrick outplayed Garry Moore 3-2 and Ros Jacobs had a 2-1 win over Grant Thomas. For Castlemaine, Martin Cross thumped Craig Kealy 6-5 and Glenn Carroll was too good for Ros Threlfall 4-3.