Squash Remain Unbeaten for the 4^th year in annual Golf Tournament with Tennis (by John Thompson)

Annual Golf Match:  Squash Section vs Tennis Section by John Thompson

In November, the Squash section had their annual golf match with the tennis section on the North course at Kai Sai Chau.  Now in its 4^th year, teams of 12 were recruited from the two sections to battle it out to gain bragging rights for who are the best all round sports team (or at least golfers) and to have the (rather heavy) trophy adorned in their own cabinet. With the squash section still being unbeaten after 2 wins and a very close draw last year the tennis society looked to be favourites to get the title for the first time putting out a very strong team. The fourball better-ball match play format was always going to mean that the team match ups were going to be key.

Jason Waldie and Nick Shultz were the first pair out representing squash, they were up against Adrian Leung and Nathan Booth. With Jason and Adrian playing quality golf throughout the round and getting their fair share of names early on the closest to the pin and longest drives competitions it was always going to be a tight game. Adrian and Nathan turned up the heat on the back nine and secured the first points for tennis by winning 2 and 1. With Adrian putting in the best Stableford score of the day at 40 points.

Arun on the first tee

Out second for the squash team was last year’s star player Chris Burley and newcomer Arun Kirpalani against Andy Ho and Toby Clark. Again this was also a very tight ding dong battle with the scores being close all the way through the round. With the squashers being one down on the 17^th they had the opportunity of a two putt to win the hole and take it down to the last all square. Unfortunately with this tournament having bigger pressure than the Ryder Cup, the two putt to win turned into needing the third putt to half the hole which was unfortunately missed to make it four putts to lose the hole and give the second points to Tennis winning 2 and 1.

Captains for the day were pitted against each other next with the squash teams John Thompson teaming up with his dad Keith against tennis captain Anatole Le and Henry Lai. A close front nine had the squash team 1 up with the tennis players unluckily missing a few putts that would have put them in the lead. The back nine saw the Thompson duo mainly carried by Keith put in a great run of pars and bogeys to win the game 5 and 4 and get the first points on the board for the squash team. This left Anatole and Henry winning the inglorious prize of largest losers of the day.

Squash Chairman David Cross and Andrew Wood were pitted against tennis’ Duncan Spooner and Mel Watt in a high class game. David and Andrew did well to keep the game tight on the front nine but some great long putting and close approach shots by the tennis pair some them move ahead on the back nine to win the game 4 and 2.

With tennis leading 3 points to 1 with two games out on the course the growing squash crowd perched on the 18^th green were worried that this year could see their first defeat with the tennis team only needing half a point to secure the win. The tennis team looked relaxed while sipping their well-earned beers knowing that this could be their year.

The wily team of Stephen Sung and Lam Wai Ming for squash were up against tennis chairman Greg Brutus and YP Soo in the penultimate pairing. Wei Lam who secured the point to get the draw last year did not let the team down with him and Stephen using all their experience to win the game for squash 3 and 2

Tennis chairman Greg Pictching Close

With it all coming down to the last pair. Austin Leung and David Lindsay representing squash were against Ringo Leung and Job Tang. Watching the teams walk up the 18^th it was difficult to read the body language and know who had won the game and secure the points. The tennis team were quietly confident that they would win the game and secure the match. After a slow trudge up the 18^th it soon became clear that the squash team had already won the game 3 and 2 and had therefore secured the point to draw the match 3 all…. Exactly the same as happened the previous year.

The Chairman share the cup

The squash team were jubilant as they secured a draw from the jaws of defeat and remain unbeaten for a fourth year. Prizes were presented at the KSC coffee shop and the teams returned to the Sportsman’s bar to further go over their games.

Keith Thompson winning closest to the pin

Adrian’s family collecting his many prizes

Many thanks to all who played and special thanks to the Chairman’s David Cross and Greg Brutus for supporting the match and to Anatole Le from tennis for his organisation for the day.

Squash vs Tennis Report

Prize Winners

Longest Drive: Adrian Leung (men) Mel Watt (ladies)

Nearest Pin, par 3: #3 Jason Waldie, #7 Adrian Leung, #14 Mel Watt

Nearest Pin Par 4, second shot: #6 Keith Thompson, #13 Adrian Leung

Most Stableford Points: Adrian Leung

Highest team defeat: Anatole Le and Henry Lai