Our 11th Matchplay Masters took place at Nailcote Hall on Saturday September 13th. Once again our favourite event produced lots of thrills and spills, close matches and great golf along with the fun and laughter that has always epitomised it.
Although the long dry summer was long forgotten during the week leading up to the event, we got fairly lucky on the day, just a couple of heavy showers got in the way of the sunshine.
Our maximum field of 16 pairs was as mixed as ever, defending and ex-champions, husband and wife teams, greenkeeper duos, society pairs and a few new wide-eyed players who had never previously faced the challenge of the hotel’s tiny terror of a golf course, The Cromwell. It only just tops 1,000 yards in total length, so first time players could be forgiven for anticipating a comfortable time of things. They were soon to be found out the hard way!
The Matchplay Masters day consists of – 16 pairs in betterball matchplay knockout over 9 holes per round. First round tees off at 10 am – first round losing pairs form a second ‘Plate’ competition to run alongside main comp – meaning everyone gets a minimum of 18 holes. Semi-finals and finals of both comps follow on after lunch.
We were blessed too by the introduction of our new clothing sponsors, Kaluza Brand who brought colour to the occasion with their difficult to ignore attire. As it turned out, Martin and Mike from the company actually took to the Cromwell like the proverbial ducks to water on debut and made it through the early rounds of the contest.
With previous winners falling by the wayside it was clear after two rounds that a new named pair on our precious ‘Shield of Dreams’ was going to be etched, (we’ve still never had a two-time winner.) New MG ambassador James ‘Griff’ Griffin had brought a strong four player squad including himself over from Worcester, representing their NASS (Nice and Slicey Society) and their two pairs in different halves of the draw made it effortlessly into the semi-finals.
The banter was high at lunch, all about a NASS vs NASS final – but Kaluza had other ideas, vanquishing Griff and his partner Phil in the semi-final. In the other half of the draw the other NASS pair Ollie and Andrew did make it through vs hubby and wife team Nigel and Stevie Parker.
The final was high class from start to finish, a nip and tuck affair that went right to the final hole. Ollie and Andrew eventually took the lead, and a finishing solid team par was just too much for Martin & Mike who failed to get the birdie required between them to take it to an extra hole. So as it turned out, the NASS trek was more than worthwhile with Ollie and Andrew becoming our 11th winners of the Matchplay Masters.
As always we held a second chance ‘plate’ competition as well for the first round losing pairs to try again and MG’s own Mandy and husband Jean-Louis accompanied by faithful friend Bella the MG hound made it all the way to the final. Eventually though they were defeated by father and son duo Matt and Paul Davies on their first appearance at the competition – well done to them also.
Yet again we had a brilliant day at an event that never disappoints, a big thanks to Nailcote Hall owners and our friends Rick and Sue Cressman and all of the staff. MG’s Matchplay Masters part 12 will return in 2026.
