Boys & Seniors County Matchplay Champions Are Crowned At Kings Norton Gc

Boys & Seniors County Matchplay Champions are Crowned at Kings Norton GC

BOYS MATCHPLAY REPORT

Cassius Blake (Kings Norton) receiving the John Fraser Trophy from WGC Ltd Director John Whitehead, for winning the County Boys Matchplay Title.

The event is open to the top 16 qualifiers from the Boys County Strokeplay Championship held earlier in the year, and is played over two days. This year the event was held at Kings Norton GC, which was presented in immaculate condition for the Boys. Over 3 rounds Cassius was to visit the 18th hole on every occasion, including a visit to the 19th in the semi final.

Cassius was one down playing the 18th in his semi-final against Harrison Leaver (Worcester G&CC) but comfortably found the heart of the par 5 18th green in two and rolled his eagle putt up to a couple of feet, to ensure the match went to extra time. Cassius went on to win on the 1st extra hole when Harrison narrowly failed to get up and down from long distance.

In the other semi final Louie Stott (Bewdley Pines) and Thomas Lennon (Halesowen) both played some excellent golf, but Louie just edged ahead in the final stages to take the match 2up.

Boys Matchplay Finalists, Louie Stott (left) and Cassius Blake (right) seen here with Match referee, Tony Edwards.

Both Cassius and Louie continued to strike the ball beautifully in the final, impressing all who watched. Louie held a narrow lead on the 14th tee but although he played the last 5 holes in level par, he succumbed to a stunning birdie, birdie, par, birdie, par finish from Cassius, who won 1up.

Full Boys Matchplay Score Board.

SENIORS MATCHPLAY REPORT

Anthony Hill (Moseley - left) & Bill Thompson (Kings Norton - right) with Match Referee and WCG Ltd Director John Whitehead, share the Senior Matchplay Salver.

8 players qualify for the Senior Matchplay Championship through their finish in the Senior County Strokeplay Championship, which was held at Worcester G&CC earlier in the season. The finals are played over 1 1/2 days, over 3 rounds. This year the semi finals were to be between Brian Heap (Worcester G&CC and County Strokeplay Champion) & Anthony Hill (Moseley) and Bill Thompson (Kings Norton) & Nigel Taylor (Redditch Kingfisher).

The first semi final was a tight affair with plenty of solid golf being played, and with two exceptional short games on display. In the final stages Anthony Hill managed to sneak ahead and take the victory 2&1.

The second semi final was also expected to be a close match, but the re-occurrence of a long standing injury meant that Nigel could not continue past the 9th hole and, being well behind at that stage, conceded the match to his opponent.

Thus the stage was set for a high profile final, between the County Director of Golf, and 1st Team Captain, Anthony Hill, and County Chairman and Senior Team Captain, Bill Thompson. To say that the match ebbed and flowed would be an understatement, with only 1 holed halved on the front 9! Both players short games were excellent, with both players making several superb up and downs, to keep the match tight all through the back 9. Unsurprisingly, the match came up the 18th all square and with both players making steady par 5s, it looked like extra holes would be required. However, after some discussion, the two exhausted players agreed to share the trophy and title.

Full Seniors Matchplay Score Board.

During the presentation for both events, John Whitehead thanked Kings Norton Golf Club for hosting the event and, on behalf of the players, praised the excellent standard of the course and the welcome provided by the bar and catering staff. On behalf of the County, Stuart Pritchard thanked the two referees John Whitehead and Tony Edwards without whose support the Championship could not have been run.