Links licks Lakes to take top spot

GOLF

A GRITTY Chisholm Links outfit flexed its muscle defeating St Clair at the beach on Saturday and now leads the Metropolitan Senior A Pennant series.

Meanwhile, the Otago Bombers finally kicked off their campaign with a comprehensive win over secondplaced Taieri Lakes, while the Otago B52s nearly caused a boilover at Island Park.

At the Links the home side was in control from the outset and it was a return to form for the evergreen Peter Rae at No 6, who defeated Callum White, kicking it off for the Links.

Mackenzie Gibson added to the tally with a hardfought win in the captain’s battle with Matt Crawford, while brothers Kyle and Sean Geary had their putters running hot on the last green — holing lengthy putts for a win and half, respectively, over their opponents to seal the result. Links’ No 1 Matt Tautari added another win to the tally, while Ryan Bellamy secured the St Clair side’s only win over the wellperformed Jason Pegler.

At Balmacewen the Bombers barely raised a sweat almost cleansweeping the Mosgiel side. Bombers players Brandon Hodgson, Ben Patston, John McIntee and Callum Judkins all had commanding wins, while Taieri’s Ryan Rosevear went to the last before losing to Will Young and Brett Kennelly clinched a half against Luke Murdoch for Taieri’s .5 point.

At Island Park the B52s looked on target for the upset of the round but came up short thanks to Chris Snow, who is making a habit of getting his side out of jail.

Wins for Will Maclauchlan, Henry Hodgson and Tom Lee set up a result for the visitors and with Matt Weir one up heading down the 17th against Snow, things were not looking too good for the defending champs.

Snow found trouble off the tee but recovered for par, while Weir threeputted for bogey and headed to the 18th all square.

After both found the fairway, Snow found a handy position near the pin, while Weir went long and could not get up and down — effectively handing Island Park a share of the points for a 33 draw.