The 2024 Riversdale Cup has seen the competitors facing extreme heat and strong winds over the four days.
Riversdale had seven members competing in 2024, a fantastic number that shows the strength of the junior development and pennant programs. Arena Tran, Jiayu Chen and Michael Yuen all competed in their first Riversdale Cups, an experience that will hold them in good stead as they continue to grow and improve their games.
Callum Yates made the cut for the first time, finishing in 35th place on 8-Over. Capping off his tournament with a final round 73 which moved him up the leaderboard as others faulted in the heat.
Nick Horvath shot a final round 71 to finish in a tie for 19th. It was great to see the groundstaff out supporting Nick who holed a birdie putt on the last to successfully close out a great weekend.
Club Champion, Henry Fewell, was lamenting his start, after being 6-over through the first nine on Day 1. He went 9-under for the remainder of the tournament to finish in a tie for fifth. It was a great show of determination from the Riversdale Pennant Captain and a demonstration of continued form that saw him qualify for the Vic Open earlier this year.
With such a talented group of members representing Riversdale, we look forward to seeing as many members as possible out to support them in 2025.
The All Abilities competition was the strongest field we’ve seen which is a sign of things to come for the growing competition. Wayne Perske from Pacific Golf Club came out on top in both the Gross and Nett events, Edging out Cameron Pollard and last year’s winner, Noah Schammer. Wayne Perske is no stranger to Riversdale, finishing runner-up to Aaron Baddley back in 1996.
Both Amelia Harris and Abbie Teasdale were back to defend their 2023 and 2022 wins, however it was Rachel Lee from Avondale who jumped out to the early start on Day 1, shooting a 3-under 70 to take a 4 shot lead on day one. Amelia Whinney from Grange Golf Club went low on day two, shooting 4-under to jump into the lead. A hole in one, into a strong northerly wind, on the 17th by Metropolitan’s Seabil Leong kept her close to the leaders. However, it was Hannah Reeves from the Brisbane Golf Club and Caitlin Peirce from Royal Adelaide who separated themselves from the pack in the heat on Day 3.
With Hannah starting the day with a one shot lead, they reached the 18th tee with that lead still intact. Their drives found greenside bunkers, with Hannah short sided and facing a very tough up and down. Unfortunately, she just caught the lip of the bunker, putting Caitlin in the box seat. A fantastic bunker shot from Caitlin, setting up a short birdie putt, saw the pressure go firmly on Hannah’s shoulders. Hannah couldn’t get up and down from her second bunker shot, leaving Caitlin to calmly sink the birdie putt for the come from behind win. The 85th ranked amateur in the world, cementing her place as one of the best amateur golfers in Australia.
It was a case of familiar faces in the Men’s competition, with perennial top finishers Connor McDade, Harry Takis, Kyle Hayter and Siddharth Nadimpalli looking to go one step further in 2024. While Past Champions Phoenix Campbell and Max Ford were back to get their second wins. McDade shot to an early lead on Day 1, posting a 5-Under 67. He followed it up with a 68 to sit on 9-under after two rounds. Kyle Hayter was close on his tail after going 69, 67 while Blaike Perkins and Phoenix Campbell shot a pair of 66’s to rocket back in to contention. Day 3 turned into a survival of the fittest, with many climbing the leaderboard just by playing to par. Siddharth Nadimpalli and Harry Goakes kept themselves in the hunt with 71’s, while Blaike Perkins assumed the lead heading in to the final day with a 72.
We should have known what was coming when Blaike Perkins asked on the first tee, “If I drive it into the Clubhouse on 18, is it out of bounds or do I get a free drop?”. Showing no signs of nerves, he not only held on to his lead, but increased it throughout the day. Finishing with a 5 shot lead in front of Phoenix Campbell, Kade Webber and Harry Takis.
Despite the lack of rain, the course was in fantastic condition thanks to Baz and his crew. Blaike Perkins made special mention of how much the visit to Riversdale each year means to him, a sentiment that is expressed by all the players. A big part of this comes from the Riversdale members, who volunteer throughout the Cup, making the experience one of the best in Australia for the elite amateur golfers.
