Warwickshire Golf
BOYS MATCHPLAY REPORT
FOR RESULTS PLEASE
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Well played Dan Withington (Shirley GC) for making the final and congratulations to Cameron Bridget (Marston Lakes GC) for winning the Boys Matchplay Title.
***REPORT UPDATED 8th AUGUST***
The Warwickshire Boys Matchplay started with the quarter final and semi final played on the 2nd August and the 36 hole final played on the 4th .
The course was prepared in great condition again for this event following the strokeplay event two days prior and the matches started bright and early on the Wednesday morning.
In match one we had Robin Hood’s Joseph McInnes (who at only 13years of age was playing in his first Matchplay Championship) competing against Strokeplay Runner-up Cameron Bridger from Marston Lakes.
Even though the difference in handicap was similar to the difference in height, Joseph had a great match playing steady golf and held a score of either 1up or level for the majority of the match against his older opponent. However, Cameron held in there and took the lead for the first time in the match on the 17th hole which proved enough to snatch the victory from Joseph. Cameron was narrowly through to the semi-finals.
I think we may be seeing more of young Joseph – he only has another four years as a junior to qualify for this event!
Match 2 had Theo Barnes, Stratford on Avon Golf Club playing against home member Will Spencer. The match was relatively even sided with Theo on paper having the better handicap but the local knowledge Will would have levelling the playing field. Even with some fantastic striking of long irons shots from Will, Theo took the lead and won the match 3&2.
In match 3 Lewis Watson from Handsworth Golf Club had to compete against Will’s younger brother and fellow Ladbrook member Alex Spencer. Both players handicaps in this match were matched on 5 however it was Lewis to take the lead and win on the final hole finishing 2up. At only 14 years old It was a great achievement for Alex to make the Matchplay championship and even though he lost he played some great golf and has a few more attempts in the future to get his own back.
In Match 4 our recent Under 16 Champion and Coventry Golf Club member, Rocco Luca, was paired against past Under 14 Champion, Dan Withington from Shirley Golf Club. A good match ensued with Dan playing stronger golf than his opponent and taking the match 3&2.
After a quick bite to eat the players were keen to get back on the course for the semi finals. In the first match we have Cameron Bridger versus Theo Barnes and Match 2 Lewis Watson against Dan Withington.
Match 1 was a good level match with exchanges of holes throughout but Cameron managed to take the lead and beat Theo 4&3. A bit of a common theme now is that Theo is only 15 years old and with his cool, calm and collected manner on the course I am sure he will have a chance of redemption in this event in the future.
In match 2 Lewis’s use of the power game didn’t phase Dan and they both played their own game with both hitting some great shots into the greens but both not making many putts. The hole of the tournament though was on the 1st in this match. Lewis hitting first and clearing the ditch off the tee, with Dan hitting a fairway wood and leaving himself at least 220yards to the flag - uphill and against the wind. Dan opted for a wood and hit what can only be described as a perfect (although cavalier) second shot into this par 5. The ball landed just to the right hand side of the greenside bunker and bounced it nicely left towards the flag which was tucked behind the bunker guarding the green to finish only 10ft from the flag pin high.
But then following this up Lewis weighed up his second shot opting for a short iron and from relatively short range hit it to just outside of his opponents ball.
However, after both players being within 12ft of the hole for their eagle putt, they both ended up with tap-in birdies.
A great matchplay hole.
Dan continued his steady play with some excellent course management decisions to win the match 3&2.
The 36 hole final was Cameron Bridger against Dan Withington, and I’m not sure what Cameron had for breakfast but he came out the blocks firing on all cylinders a took a 5 up lead after only 9 holes. However, you would never have known it as Dan seemed completely unfazed by the score and continued to plot his way round the course to get it back to only 2 holes by lunch and then back to all square by the 24th hole. After a little bit of tree trouble on the 7th Cam conceded the par 5 meaning Dan took the lead 1up for the first time in the match. An absolutely fantastic display of tenacity and to keep trying no matter what.
However, after a few more exchanges of holes Cameron managed to switch on his game again and hold onto his lead from the 30th hole and eventually sealing the victory 2&1 with a winning birdie on the tricky 17th hole.
Very well done to Cameron Bridger 2017 Boys Matchplay Champion! – and true to form, he also gets a chance to defend his title next year as he will still be eligible for Boys golf.
The whole of this event was played in fantastic spirit and all players did themselves proud. What was especially nice to see was that the course management (most of the time) of all players was spot on and I didn’t see anyones head drop throughout. Well done all!
Thanks go to everyone at Ladbrook Park, to the Greenkeepers for their continued hard work and immaculate presentation, the caterers, proshop and office staff for looking after us throughout, and lastly the members of Ladbrook Park. It was nice to have so many members enquiring into the scores and showing interest what was happening on the day – thank you.
FOR ALL PHOTOS OF THE EVENT CLICK HERE
Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
