A huge congratulations to our 2025 Encourage Shield team, who have taken out their division after finishing undefeated in all five matches against Woolooware, Randwick, The Coast, Cronulla and Brighton Lakes.
It was an incredibly tight competition that often came down to the final holes. Heading into the last round with only a slender lead, our team faced the tough task of playing Brighton Lakes on their home course, needing at least a win or a halved overall match to top the Division.
After early losses in matches 4, 5 and 6, the pressure fell on games 1, 2 and 3 and our boys delivered. Matthew secured our first crucial point with a 2 & 1 victory on the 17th. Cameron and Ben both stood 2 up on the 17th tee, each needing just a halved hole to clinch their matches, but both dropped the 17th to add even more drama.
Standing on a daunting par-3 18th with the tournament on the line, and a gallery watching on, both boys showed impressive composure. Ben hit a superb tee shot over the pin to the back of the green and then produced one of the best lag putts you’ll see, before calmly tapping in to secure his win. Cam’s shot found the right bunker after a harsh bounce, leaving him with a brutally difficult up and down. Showing real class under pressure, he played a beautifully controlled bunker shot to six feet and closed out the match for a crucial half.
With the job done, the team waited anxiously in the clubhouse as Cronulla and Randwick finished their match. Cronulla’s narrow 3.5–2.5 win confirmed Hurstville as Division winners on 18.5 points and secured us a quarter final against Camden at Oatlands Golf Club on Sunday 23 November.
Congratulations to our team:
- Cameron Hardiman (Captain)
- Ben Ridley
- Matthew Evans
- Harry Singh
- Dom Occhipinti
- Reagan Heffernan
- Brendan Pang
- Levi Zipevski
A fantastic achievement from a talented and hard working group, well done team!