2026’s Matchplay Masters, Midlands Golfer’s longest running and favourite event provided us again with what we’ve become accustomed to over the years over at Nailcote Hall on Saturday June 13th.
Three normal matchplay traits, namely, that the weather treated us very kindly as it almost always does, we saw many keenly contested ties between very similarly talented golfing pairs, and yet again we ended up with new names on our ‘Shield of Dreams’ trophy for the 12th year in succession.
No-one has ever successfully defended the matchplay title and 2025’s winners, Ollie and Andrew from NASS society followed on the trend in the unluckiest sense, losing their first-round match on a play-off hole against a new pairing, Tim and Chris from Stoneleigh Deer Park. More about them later, but during the next round, a first, as Ollie and Andrew, now taking part in our ‘plate’ competition for the eight first round losing pairs actually lost another extra hole play off in the first round of that comp, vs Matt and Callum (Greenway Hall.) Not sure we’ve ever had unluckier losers than Ollie and Andrew.
The Matchplay Masters features 16 pairs in all, battling it our Matchplay style over 9 holes per round on Nailcote’s fearsome Cromwell course. It all happens in one day and the finalists usually end up playing at least 36-holes. Sounds easy on a golf course that measure just over 1,000 yards in total, but the Cromwell has a habit of mentally wearing out players, such is its demands.
Close games came and went as we headed towards the lunch break. A couple of second round games took more than extra hole, more chips were needed in Charley’s clubhouse for the eight players who came in late!
With the unpredictable nature of these match ups and the possibility that many of them can go to sudden death holes, as many as is needed to find a winner, timing the lunches for all 32 players can be something of a task!
Eventually we had two semi-finals to tee off the afternoon with. NASS had come mob-handed with six players in all, and the other two pairs Griff and Ant + Andy and Rosey were still in, albeit in different halves of the draw. But hope of a NASS final were dashed entirely as both pairs were defeated. Griff and Ant by Tim and Chris, Andy and Rosey losing out to local greenkeeper Malc from South Staffs GC playing alongside his pal Tom from Cleobury Mortimer. The deserved finalists had produced quality golf all day long and there was more to come.
Despite the ‘Plate’ competition being the lesser affair, no-one ever tells the players as, despite their ‘Shield of Dreams’ hopes dashed earlier in the day, there’s no let up in effort and competitiveness. Everything means something in the Matchplay Masters.
Despite the ‘Plate’ competition being the lesser affair, no-one ever tells the players as, despite their ‘Shield of Dreams’ hopes dashed earlier in the day, there’s no let up in effort and competitiveness. Everything means something in the Matchplay Masters.
So in that competition we ended up with a final between Matt and Callum and another new pair to the matchplay, Jaffa and his friend Tom. Jaffa got to know Midlands Golfer through his involvement with Mandy’s Mulligans Golf Society, and as such was our second organ transplantee (kidney) to play in the event. The plate final, a close one was eventually won by Matt and Callum on their ninth hole.
The main final was high quality, all four players played their parts and holes were won by birdies rather than conceded with bogies. A joy to watch and Malc and Tom played their hearts out and got themselves in great positions to win holes. Yet somehow, our Stoneleigh Deer Park pair had all the answers, constantly chipping stone dead or holing unlikely length putts to win or save holes.
It eventually left Malc with little option other to raise his white flag sportingly on the sixth here as yet another hole slipped them by. On the longest hole, the seventh, the match was over and Tim and Chris became our 12th Matchplay Masters winners.
We presented the prizes in the clubhouse afterwards and everyone went home happy, if a little tired.
Well done to everyone who took part and supported the event. Special thanks to Kaluza Brand for the shirts for the winners and their accessories on the day, and to all the local clubs who supported the prize table with fourballs.
Thanks also to Connor and Bradley for the food and on the bar, we kept them busy on such a warm afternoon! Finally to Mr Rick Cressman, Nailcote Hall owner for supporting this event over its many years and working so hard personally to present the Cromwell course in great condition for us. Our 13th Matchplay Masters returns in 2027.
