Royal and Shandon Ready To Go

   RWGC and  Shandon Set For Duncan Cup Showdown

Royal Wellington and Shandon have named their teams and are set to go in this Saturday’s Duncan Cup final at Boulcott’s Farm Heritage Golf Club.

The prestigious Duncan Cup dates back over 70 years and along with the great history around the man who this trophy is named after, A.D.S. Duncan, the competition is unique in New Zealand – 10 man teams playing 36 holes, 5 foursomes (pairs alternate shot) matches in the morning and 10 singles matches in the afternoon.

Royal Wellington were finalists in 2016, narrowly losing to Paraparaumu Beach and were champions in 2013. Infrequent finalists over the years, RWGC are finishing the season strongly, having handed Shandon their only loss on the Petone club’s way to winning the Otaki Cup, the season’s round robin contest.

Frequent finalists in the last two decades and with 8 titles to their name in this time, Shandon are a little more familiar with what lies ahead.

Royal’s Zabe Orchard says the team has a real belief in themselves, something that wasn’t apparent at the beginning of the year. “Beating Shandon 8 – 7 in the final round of the Otaki Cup was a real boost”. Orchard knows what it takes to win the Duncan Cup having been part of Shandon’s teams previously, Captain in the 2012 winning side.

In Jordan Loof and Brayden Mazey Royal are well lead at the top, and with youngsters Dan Dexter and Nicolas Changarnier rapidly improving and former NZ Rep Aaron Leech at No.10, Royal have in Orchard’s view the strength to find the magical 8 points required for victory. Completing the line-up are Grant Watkins, Tam Slaven, Sam Govind and Sam Clemens. RWGC professional Scott Puddick has managed and lead the side with poise and insight, and is looking forward to the final challenge.

The Shandon roster has a familiar look. The region’s most consistent golfer at the top level over the last two decades, Richard Pegg is joined by long time team mates Jonny Dittmer, Fasi Tuulima, Justin Turnbull, Steve Thomson and Devon Kay, Pegg’s cousin and captain Matt, talented junior Ryan Fahey and newcomers Josef Edge and Ryan Woolly, giving the villagers strength through the order.

Matt Pegg’s team, not unlike Royal, started into 2017 slowly but with new comer Josef Edge at No.1 finding his feet quickly in the province and No.s  3 and 4, Dittmer and Fahey, being unbeaten to date, the top order have lead the team well through the season. Pegg believes this is where the team may hold an edge.

 He has a healthy respect for Royal “they know how to win the 8 points required and have had the wood on us in recent times including the 2013 final”. Pegg has played in just one final although has been part of several championship winning teams in his time in the UK in recent years.

“It will come down to who wakes up in the best state of mind, puts a smile on and enjoys the day’s golf”. The calmness of cousin Richard will go a long way to achieving this, aided by Shandon’s hugely experienced Martin Veale guiding and managing the team from close by.

The newly developed Boulcott’s Farm will be in top condition, General Manager John Freer and his team looking forward to hosting the players and large number of supporters expected.

The foursomes matches get underway at 7.30am and the singles at 11.30am.

Shandon                                                         Royal Wellington

Foursomes

1. Josef Edge & Richard Pegg                             1.  Brayden Mazey & Zabe Orchard
2. Ryan Fahey & Matt Pegg                                  2.  Jordan Loof & Daniel Dexter
3. Jonny Dittmer & Fasi Tuulima                          3.  Tam Slaven & Grant Watkins
4. Justin Turnbull & Steve Thomson                   4.  Aaron Leech & Sam Clemens
5. Devon Kay & Ryan Woolly                                5.  Sam Govind & Nicolas Changarnier

Singles

1. Josef Edge                                                           1.  Jordan Loof
2. Richard Pegg                                                       2.  Brayden Mazey
3. Jonny Dittmer                                                       3.  Zabe Orchard
4. Ryan Fahey                                                          4.  Daniel Dexter
5. Matt Pegg                                                              5.  Grant Watkins
6. Devon Kay                                                             6. Tam Slaven
7. Fasi Tuulima                                                          7.  Sam Govind
8. Justin Turnbull                                                       8. Nicolas Changarnier
9. Steve Thomson                                                      9. Sam Clemens
10. Ryan Woolly                                                          10. Aaron Leech