Warwickshire Golf
CARMAN SNATCHES THE TITLE FROM SOEN
(Click to enlarge pictures... Left Picture: L-Rob Soen R-Andrew Carman, Middle picture: Andrew Carman, Right picture: L-Andrews caddy Adrian R-Andrew Carman)
Considering the 8 qualifiers for the Seniors Matchplay Championship were known on 1st July 2017, you would be forgiven if you were wondering what had happened to the final. However, following the success of the Seniors team last year in winning their Midland League and attending the National Finals, then long planned holidays, Winter, Christmas and then all the snow and rain.... April 2018 does seem to have come round relatively quickly!
So when the forecast was showing torrential rain for the selected match day it didn't look promising. But patience is a virtue and thankfully the weather took a turn for the better and so the match teed off on time round the Arden Course at The Forest of Arden.
The match was Rob Soen (Walmley) versus Andrew Carman (Coventry), who had both enlisted the assistance of a caddy following the benefits they found by having one at the County Finals. Rob made a solid start with some nicely struck iron shots and some well holed putts, and after Andrews ball ricocheted off a tree on the 3rd never to be seen again, Rob's advantage moved to 3 up.
A perfect regulation birdie three from Rob on the tricky dogleg 4th hole increased his lead to 4up after four with Andrew looking a little bemused - but composed and focused.
With the wind off the right and a pin cut to the back right of the green, the pin wasn't easy (if at all possible) to get close to on the par three 5th hole, but again Rob showed some great touch which his chip and walked off with a conceded par, whilst Andrew could only manage a three putt taking him to 5 down after 5 holes!
The next couple of holes were halved, and stood on tee of the shortest hole on the course it was clear that the wind was going to make distance control difficult. Andrew managed a 3 after a good chip and with Rob's 4, Andrew had won his first hole of the match.
The 9th and 10th holes were halved and after both players found their 2nd shot impeded by trees on the right of the 11th, Andrew saved a par however Rob's par putt slid by, meaning Andrew had clawed another hole back to 3down.
Both players layed up on the long par 5 12th hole and then both of them playing good shots to the middle of the green but past the flag leaving downhill putts. Rob hit a great putt but it didn't find the bottom of the hole and then Andrew, who I'm sure learnt a lot from Rob's putt, holed his putt for birdie and again reduced Robs lead to 2 holes.
Both players must have felt the pressure on the 13th hole as both tried to give the hole to the other thanks to a very tricky pin placement at the front of the green. But a half was recorded.
Andrews driving to this point had been impressive and his tee shot on the 14th was just as good leaving him an easy shot to the middle of the green. Robs tee shot was alittle shorter and to the right but managed to find the green side bunker in 2. 3 shots later Rob walked off with a bogey 5 and Andrew 2 putted for his par. Back to 1 hole!
The 15th hole on the Arden Course is never easy, but both players hit the green, Andrew finding the far right side and Robs tee shot looked to be perfect and straight down the flag. However, on closer inspection Andrew (although putting first) had a far easier putt up the hill and Rob, although closer, had a very tricky first putt back down the hill to the hole. 2 putts from Andrew and 3 from Rob after leaving his first putt further away from the hole than he would have liked.
The match was back to all square.
Andrews driving skills came to good use on the dogleg 16th hole. He had been hitting a very effective drilled low draw shot all day, but here opted for a high one and clearing the trees protecting the fairway cut the corner of the dogleg and left himself in prime position. Rob also hit a great tee shot and opted for the safe route, leaving a longer shot to the green. His second shot found the right side of the green and Andrews approach left him a birdie putt of 3feet. The lie of Robs ball wasn't kind for his chip meaning he caught it a little too well and had another chip coming back the other way. After another attempt Andrews birdie was conceded and for the first time in the match Andrew was 1up.
Again, Andrew hit a fantastic tee shot down the left hand side, and Rob following him down the same line although finished a little shorter and sensibly opted for a lay up with his 2nd. In true fashion Andrew deliberated and cogitated on what shot to hit, finally pulling a wood out of his bag. It was a little surprising to see this club being selected as he was 1up and Rob had played up short of the green making a birdie chance difficult. However, Andrew hit a perfect wood shot safely onto the right side of the green. Rob hit his 3rd to 20feet of the hole leaving himself an uphill putt.
Andrews first putt was very tricky, with it being uphill, across a slope and then downhill at the end. It proved to be just as tricky in practice as it was in theory and Andrew 3 putted for his par. Robs birdie putt was left in the jaws of the hole with his par conceded and the match moved onto the notorious 18th hole all sqaure.
It was Andrew to hit first who missed the green left, but had all the green to work with. Rob stood on the tee knowing he needed a good one, which under the pressure of the match he truly delivered. It headed directly for the pin the whole flight and finished some 20foot from the hole. Great shot Rob!
Andrews chip and run rolled up the green stopping far shorter than he would have wanted, meaning the door could have bene open for Rob to take it to extra holes. Rob hit a good putt but it slipped by the hole but the par was given. Andrew lined up the 10 foot putt for par and the match and calmly stroked it into the back of the hole.
It was a great match to watch with some great shots from both players. Commiserations go to Rob Soen, and congratulation go to Andrew Carman who wins the Seniors Matchplay title and hold the John Whitworth Cup for the 3rd year running!
Our thanks go to The Forest of Arden for hosting the match on what ended up being a perfect day for golf.
To qualify for the The Seniors Matchplay this year you have to finish in the top 8 of the Seniors Championship which is being held at Walmley Golf Club. See HERE for more details.
For the full 2017 Seniors Matchplay Draw CLICK HERE (click show completed rounds to view all match results)
Matt Nixon
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