27-06-2025
Club semifinal time
Michael Minty previews today's Dunedin golf Senior A Metropolitan semifinals.
Last year's finalists are on a collision course to meet again in the 2025 edition of the Senior Metropolitan pennant series final.
St Clair Saints and Otago Bombers will host Otago B52s and Chisholm Links today respectively, finishing 1st and 2nd on the ladder with clear air back to the chasing pack. At St Clair Golf Club
St Clair Saints v Otago B52s
1. Parker Aluesi v Brian Helton
2. Logan Clarke v Lachlan Coutts
3. Jake Bleach v Lewis Harper
4. Connor Howes v George Prendergast
5. Albie Reed v Andrew Hobbs
6. Tony Giles v Isaac Hobbs
This year has been a coming of age for the St Clair Saints, with the introduction of new young faces which resulted in a remarkable season with 10 wins from 10 games — a statistic that is a rare feat in Senior A pennants.
The Otago B52s comfortably finished 4th in the end despite a mixed-bag season with different line ups week to week.
Despite this they have had some positive individual performances, and veterans like Brian Helton and Andrew Hobbs will spearhead their chances against a red-hot Saints side.
However, they will have to be at their absolute best in their matches against Parker Aluesi and Albie Reed respectively, with St Clair looking particularly strong from 1-6, while Connor Howes (Saints) jumps into a provincial rep match with Southland's George Prendergast.
With the target being 3.5 games, it is hard to see the B52s upsetting the form side of the competition.
A good result for them might be scraping a couple of games — we expect to see the Saints comfortably through to the big dance.
Prediction: 5-1 Saints. At Otago Golf Club
Otago Bombers v Chisholm Links
1. Callum Judkins v John McIntee
2. Luke Murdoch v Kai Koni
3. Ryan Rosevear v Mike Weastell
4. Ben Patston v Mackenzie Gibson
5. Duncan Croudis v Luke Worthington
6. Brandon Hodgson v Jason Pegler
This match looks an absolute ripper on paper. The visiting Chisholm Links have been building nicely, and playing at Balmacewen holds no fears, particularly if the weather cuts up rough.
The Bombers have had one of their better round robins — only to be overshadowed by an outstandingly rare season from the Saints, who inflicted both their two losses.
On paper, you could make a case for every match going either way, with maybe a couple of matches equally favouring both sides.
If the match goes down to the wire, the Links have former Balmacewen member John McIntee up against Callum Judkins at No 1.
McIntee has been in fine fettle and will be hard to beat, while Duncan Croudis and Luke Murdoch perhaps look the Bombers' best chances.
The battles at 3, 4 and 6 could be anyone's and are likely to go at least 17 holes, so expect a half or 2.
With that being said, we see this heading to extra holes, and as usual the home side finishing the better.
Prediction: 3-3 (Bombers in play-off)
