Danny Blondel has been crowned Guernsey Island Golf Champion for the fourth time, beating Bobby Eggo in a tight final on Sunday afternoon (23 May).
Although blighted by rough weather causing the format to be cut from a 36-hole medal to 18 with no play on Friday, Blondel overcame Eggo despite some resilient golf from former 11-time winner of the match play event.
The final for the men’s match play championship was between the top two players in Guernsey both playing off +2 handicaps. Excellent golf was witnessed by both players with Blondel ahead after nine holes, three up. Despite a brief comeback from Eggo, Blondel kept a cool head to win on 15th green with a par putt.
The event, sponsored by DJW Prestige Vehicle Sourcing, also saw Andrew Boyd take the plate title off handicap, beating youngster, Connor McKenna on the 18th.
“In the semi-finals Blondel beat Mick Marley three and two with some brilliant golf,” said Geoff Orme, President of the Guernsey Golf Union (GGU). “Mick was one over par when the match ended which any other day would have secured him a final place.
“In the second semi-final Bobby Eggo showed his class by beating Steve Mahy five and four with some terrific golf.”
In the plate semi’s McKenna showed his future potential overcoming Wayne Harwood five and four. Although in receipt of four shots on his opponent, McKenna’s fearless attitude never gave Harwood a chance.
The second semi-final saw Andy Boyd play fellow nine handicapper, Graeme Falla in a tense match which swayed either way until, finally Andy secured his win at the first extra hole.
The final between Boyd and McKenna was not straightforward. McKenna at one point seem to be aiming for a quick win, being three up and holes running out. Boyd dug deep to get to all square with just one hole to play. It seemed that extra holes would be needed but McKenna missed his putt to hand victory to Boyd on the 18th.
Despite the weather some excellent golf was played by all competitors which was witnessed by a good crowd on the Sunday afternoon before the rain set in.
Geoff Orme thanked all the people from Royal Guernsey Golf Club (RGGC) and L’Ancresse Golf Club (LGC) for their help not least the green staff who worked behind the scenes to get the course in a reasonably good condition.
Next up is the Ladies’ Guernsey Island Golf Championships which begins tomorrow(Monday 24 May) in a straight three division match-play knockout format. Played at RGGC, matches begin at a rescheduled time of 4pm.
The Ladies event will be played over three days culminating in the final which will be played on Sunday 30 May.
