On a oddly warm and blustery April day, in the aftermath of Cyclone Ilsa,  the final two protagonists prepared to play off in the 2023 President’s Cup final.

Jimmy Vass, having qualified in 20th place progressed through to the final leaving such luminaries as Sammy Pandarakanu, the Prez, Gavin Pearce and Troy Marshall in his wake.

Peter Marsiglia (the ‘G’ is silent), qualifying 6th,  overcame Micky Waters, the Prince of Yarrambat (Princely), the Romanian tinker (Codini), and the most improved golfer on the “Road to Scratch” Jordy Muscat.

It was set to be an even match, with Peter giving Jim just 3 shots. In a tight opening stanza the match was all square after 4, with each player having chances to take the lead. Jim could’ve taken the 1st but for a dodgy chip, and Peter the 2nd if Jim hadn’t played a magnificent “double skipper” across the water to square the hole in bogey. The next few holes were halved as they felt each other out, but the match got more serious on the 5th when Peter made a great up & down from the front bunker for par and a 1 up lead.

Jim fought back to take the 6th, and the 7th and the halved the 8th (after catching a tree with his tee shot) to wrestle back a 1 up lead. But, despite having a shot on the 9th, Jim struggled against Peter’s consistent ball striking and the match turned square. 

The 10th was halved, and Peter played risk free golf on the 11th to take a 1 up advantage. He tried to throw that away on 12 after finding the hazard off the tee, but after Jim failed to capitalize on Peter’s errant tee shot, Peter reloaded to find the green and put the pressure right back on Jim. The hole was halved and an opportunity was lost.

Both players were greenside for 2 on the the 13th, but Jim caught his pitch thin and left the door open for Peter who parred and took a 2 up lead to 14. 

Jim found tree trouble on the 14th and Peter capitalized to take a conceded 3 up lead. Jim came back well to claim the 15th and stay alive, 2 down with 3 to play.  Jim miscued off the tee to put himself right behind the 8 ball, and Peter played a great tee shot to the middle, taking a well deserved 3 & 2 victory.

A great match that ebbed and flowed and could have gone either way, but in the end, Pete played steady golf to keep the pressure on, and Jim was unable to respond when it counted.

Congratulations Peter  Marsiglia – our 2023 President’s Cup winner!  

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