Nailcote Hall hosted a welcome return for MG’s Matchplay Masters last month as 16 golfing pairs took on the fearsome Cromwell course on what was a quite glorious mid Sept day for weather.
The sun shone throughout and showed off the course at its finest, with the golfing match ups as closely contested as ever.
This was our eighth running of the event which saw some of our younger players shining yet ultimately it was one of our oldest competitors ever who concluded proceedings in the best possible way.
Mandy and husband Jean-Louis brought a contingent over from their home club, including three juniors. Of them, Arthur Allerton and George Eastham teamed up to great success overall despite losing their first-round tie in the morning, their first experience of the Cromwell.
Once course knowledge was gained there was no stopping Arthur and George as they took part in our ‘second chance’ plate competition along with the other first round defeated pairs. They eventually reached the final of the plate comp, taking part in a Trentham ‘Derby’ against Dan Minor and his partner Sean Bradley from neighbouring Trentham Park GC. The youngsters turned around an early two-hole deficit to win the plate comp 3 & 2 in the final.
At the same time the main competition, a little delayed due to some games that went to play off holes earlier, had a final to remember too that went all the way to the closing hole. Maxstoke Park golfers, Roy Brown (79 years young) and his partner Ian Robinson were new to the event but had fought their way to the final and were perhaps underdogs vs Matchplay Master regulars Nigel Whitaker and Mark Young from The Abbey Hotel and Golf in Redditch.
The game ebbed and flowed and when Nigel and Mark fought back late to take it all the way to Jacklin’s Falls, the ninth hole, they were looking the likelier winners. But Roy wasn’t having any of that, firing his tee shot to 12 feet from the pin and sinking a downhill putt to scoop the title along with Ian.
Take a look below at the winning moment.
After a long old day, Roy and Ian lifted our ‘Shield of Dreams’ (top picture with Mandy) in Charley’s clubhouse at the presentation along with the other finalists on the day and spectators. Having come close to the title in previous years, Nigel and Mark had to settle for the runners up spot again but at least Mark (L) had the consolation of winning both nearest the pin awards offered on the day.
A wonderful occasion that we were delighted to bring back following the Covid affected years. We’d like to thank all of the 16 pairs who took part, competed fiercely but had a great time together which is what this event is all about.
Finally to owner Rick and everybody at Nailcote Hall for the use of the course and the catering on the day. MG Matchplay Masters will return in 2023.
