Warwickshire Golf
Warwickshire Men's Matchplay Championship played at Kenilworth GC
2022 Warwickshire Men’s Matchplay Championship Final at Kenilworth GC 19th June. Dan comes out on top in the Bardsley brother’s battle. The outcome of the Warwickshire Amateur Matchplay Championship saw a final played over thirtysix holes at Kenilworth Golf Club between the reigning Bainbridge Shield Foursomes Champions the Bardsley brothers Dan and Rob, and it was the elder brother Dan who came out on top in this Father’s Day contest. Dan, a recent father himself, was watched for the afternoon round by indeed his own, and of course Rob's father, John, as well as Mum and Rob's girlfriend. Dan started with pars at the opening two holes to win them both and despite a bogey 5 at the difficult 5th hole stood on the 6th tee with a 1up lead. He then birdied the next three holes to increase his lead to four after 8 holes and after the 9th hole was halved in par 4's, Dan led by 4 holes at the turn. A rare bogey for either player, but on this occasion Dan on the 10th hole, saw his lead cut to three and when suddenly Rob's putter warmed up and he won the next three holes all with birdies of his own, the match was back to level after 13 holes played. Rob then bogeyed the 14th hole to fall behind again. With pars by both players at the 15th and 16th holes, Dan was still ahead standing on the 17th tee. Rob produced a fine birdie 3 to square the match and despite having a shorter putt on the 18th green than his brother, his putt slid by the hole and the pair went into lunch as they had started, with the match all square. The afternoon round saw the opening three holes all halved but Dan went in front again at the par 3 4th hole when Rob missed the green and was unable to get up and down for the half. The next three holes were halved which included birdie fours by both players at the 6th hole and then a further birdie by Dan at the par 5 8th hole, saw him double his lead to two. However, Dan's second shot to the 9th green found sand and he was unable from there to save his par and the lead was back to just hole at the turn. A bogey 5 by Rob at the 11th hole saw Dan's lead again stretch to two, but as in the morning round, Rob's putter came to life and 3 successive birdies, the latter of which was matched by Dan, saw the game all square with four holes to play. The 15th hole was halved in par 4's, but the decisive move came by Dan who was pin high in two shots at the par 5 16th hole and he calmly chipped close enough to make his birdie four and take the lead for what was to become the final time. The 17th hole was halved in par 4's and despite both players finding the putting surface at the last hole, neither was able to make their birdie putt and the match ended with Dan the victor by just 1 hole. The match was played in a very good spirit by both players in what could have been a very tense and nervous affair and it was a pleasure to watch. Dan and Rob had battled through on Friday to get to Sunday's final, along with the six other players making up the quarter final draw. The matches on Friday were played on the hottest day of the year and no doubt took their toll on the players, but in the end the brothers from Moor Hall Golf Club were worthy finalists and provided a great match on the Sunday. My thanks again to Kenilworth Golf Club for hosting our Amateur Championship this year and to Alastair Scott for his exemplary duties around the whole competition and his detail regarding the Warwickshire Seniors Tennis team - thank you Alastair. Mark Reynolds President
Dan and Rob pictured below with WUGC President Mark Reynolds.
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