Næstved provided great weather and a great pitch for the end of the season for the boys' team, who in the national finals would meet the champions in Vest from Trehøje, who were also the defending Danish champions from 2023 – which their T-shirts bore the imprint of. Undeniably a tough opponent for the boys. There was good support from almost the entire KGK team in Næstved, and it really was a highly dramatic final.
The day unfortunately started off badly when a Trehøje player sprained his knee during warm-ups and had to withdraw from the first single in great pain. A boring way for KGK to get ahead early, and 2-0 is a dangerous lead, as we know.
KGK's second single started nervously from shore and had to play the first hole. However, it was already equalized on the second hole with a birdie, and then everything was set for a match that will be remembered for a long time on both sides of the Great Belt - dare we say it. KGK came 3 up at the turn, where the difficult greens decided most holes in KGK's favor based on a scorching putter and several "birdies" for the account. Their sent-out therefore concentrated for a while on the foursome in the relative certainty of a safe lead to the single. The foursome was in difficulty throughout the morning, and support was needed. On the 9th, Trehøje, on the other hand, had difficulties around the difficult green. It seemed that KGK could get back into the match and equalize with A/S. Hole-in-one is a tricky thing when you smell an advantage. Where there was a prospect of equalization, it instead turned out to be a KGK rubber arm and 2 down!
It seemed as if nothing would go the foursome's way, so the concentration had to return to the single, which could actually decide matters. The three holes 10-11-12 had almost become match-deciding in the single, both on paper and mentally. Trehøje fought back superbly in a very well-played match. On the 12th, Trehøje even had a 1-meter putt to equalize the match! However, it was missed and the KGK single brought the match back to 2 up shortly after, and calm was able to return a little. This lead held until dormy 2 up. The 17th hole had to be nervously surrendered on a nice birdie to Trehøje. The match had to go down the difficult 18th hole with water on the right and out-of-bounds on the left along the entire hole. A tied hole would give KGK the overall victory. Trehøje hits a tree from the tee, but the ball is playable. The pulse rose when KGK's drive landed a few meters from the penalty area on the right. There was safe play on the green from both sides in regulation. The putt was to decide it again. KGK leads with an aggressive putt for the victory to a 1m return downhill. The Trehøje player's putt is directed towards the hole, but hits an unevenness to stop just short – wow, almost back-to-back birdies! KGK then putts for the overall victory. The club that has effectively ensured KGK's presence in the match all day becomes decisive again. This time the putt sneaks around via the edge of the hole, and Trehøje has vitally equalized the single. The overall match is now not decided – but completely open. A completely crazy development.
The foursome gets three down early on the back, but fights back exemplary on A/S, only to have to give up a single hole again before 17. Both teams are on the 17th green in two – but without threatening the hole. KGK far from the hole and Trehøje with a medium-long downhill putt. Then two things happen that should not happen on such a day and at such a time. The rubber arm returns to KGK. After which Trehøje moves the ball after addressing. A longer rules situation arises, which could potentially decide the hole and the match. In the end, it does not matter for the outcome. Trehøje manages to gather itself and win the 17th for a narrow 2-1 victory and thus the overall victory 4-3. Fortunately, one is tempted to say. Because if there is one thing KGK does not want, it is to win on a rules decision inside the clubhouse. It is thought-provoking, however, how easily one might go wrong, especially in match play.
It's not fun to lose, and it's certainly not easy to lose like that. On the other hand, it's with a feeling of pride from everyone around the team that KGK's boys give the reigning Danish champions a fight to the finish and actually lose honorably by – yes, only one measly stroke after a whole season of golf. The hours after the defeat were not easy for KGK's deeply disappointed boys. With a great 2nd place nationally, there is more than usual good reason to congratulate the boys on a formidable effort in every way. The level has been raised all the way, culminating on the final day. We hope that the boys will soon see how great their performance really is, that their chests can be pushed forward and their self-confidence will return. It's close at the top; very close – but the boys had the skill to be there. A chance can feel wasted. But it is only the first of many chances, and a valuable experience has been gained. We look forward to 2025 with butterflies in our stomachs! BIG CONGRATULATIONS ON THE SILVER MEDALS BOYS – SUPER GREAT COMPETITION!
The picture from the victory ceremony: Conrad von Holstein, Piet Saunte, Frederik Hove-Andersen, Philip Tiger Hamilton, Victor Holstein Arnesen, Johannes Noye Ostenfeld (absent Theodore McGregor)