The Boys Matchplay Championship took place at Copt Heath Golf Club on Monday 19th and Thursday 22nd August.
All the matches were played in great spirit with all of them being a close contest which could have easily gone either way.
In round one, Rhys Wallace (Handsworth) took on Finley Stokes (Atherstone), where Finley had to deal with playing someone with a handicap 5 shots lower and 3 years older than him. However, this didn't put him off and he converted a fantastic up and down par save on the 18th hole to take the match 1up.
Charlie Lamb (Hearsall) played Adam Perks (The Belfry), with Charlie taking control and winning by the biggest margin of the competition 3&2.
In match 3, Chanon James (Kenilworth) came out marginally on top against Lucas Laurie (Robin Hood) winning his match on the 17th green 2&1.
For match 4, 2018 Matchplay Champion Rocco Luca (Coventry) managed a 2&1 victory against Alex Spencer (Ladbrook Park).
Onto the Semi Finals... Finley continued with his wish to ensure he played every hole on the course in both matches by keeping the match against Charlie going to the 18th hole again. Charlie finished in style and took the hole and the win 1up.
The age gap in the next match was also noticeable with Rocco being 4 years older than his opponent Chanon. But, yet again this didn't seem to matter as Chanon had confidently clawed back a deficit to stand 1up with three to play. Chanon then found a fairway bunker off the tee to lose that hole and the next to find himself 1 down on the 18th tee. Both players hit good tee shots with Rocco to hit first leaving his ball on the green around 15-20 foot away. Chanon also found the green but was putting first from 30ft which he casually knocked in for birdie and took the match to the 19th.
With the first playoff hole being a 440 yard par 4 it was always going to be tough for both players, but Rocco's strength prevailed by securing a par from the fairway bunker to win on the 19th hole.
On to the final!
For those that read the stroke play report, you will remember how tough the opening stretch of holes is at Copt Heath, so it would be no surprise that by covering the first 6 holes in level par, Rocco found himself 2up on Charlie, then with 2 birdies and a par later he closed off the front nine on 2 under par and 3up. Charlie then produced some great golf to par the 10th against a bogey from Rocco and then produced two consecutive birdies to bring the match back to all square. But two more birdies from Rocco in the space of 5 holes saw him back in control of the match at 4up.
After a swift bite to eat, Charlie hit back early by bringing it back to 3 holes on the 2nd and back to 2 down after the 5th hole. Both of them missed the fairway on the tight 6th hole where they shared a bogey. On the par 5 7th both hit long tee shots with the wind blowing in their favour, however Rocco hit a missile like drive to leave himself a simple wedge into the green where he knocked his short putt in for eagle and took the match back to 3. But again showing his character Charlie kept at him and won the 11th to bring it back again to just 2 holes.
Down the tough par 4 12th hole Rocco hit a drive that looked in trouble whereas Charlie again had split the fairway. However, Rocco managed to get his ball into a good position and convert a birdie and then followed it with two more birdies in the next three holes (which included a holed bunker shot on the 14th!) which was enough to keep Charlie at bay and retain the Boys Matchplay title with an eventual win of 4&3.
The standard of golf in this final was very good with the attitude to match. It was clear that although Rocco was this years winner, on another day Charlie could have easily taken the mantle. The way Charlie goes about it golf is a pleasure to watch, he plays without delay, his setup is superb and his swing is simple and solid making it easy to repeat in pressure situations. But also his temperament is first class, he doesn't let his emotions control his golf and he keeps very 'level' throughout the round (however, this also means he doesn't smile or celebrate much either!). It obviously works though - and as he is only 16 he will get another 2 opportunities to take the title!
For Rocco his golf has progressed a lot over the last few years. He narrowly missed out on the Boys championship last year and his game is improving all the time. But his strength and length off the tee is seriously impressive. The ability to reduce some notable long holes at Copt Heath to a drive and a wedge is something that anyone would give alot of money for! That said not every tee shot was straight, but it was straight enough to still find the green and make the putts when it mattered. Congratulations Rocco!
Thank you again to Copt Heath for allowing us to use the course and your hospitality throughout both the stroke play and matchplay events. The course was in top condition which was commented on by many of the players.
FOR ALL MATCHPLAY PHOTOS CLICK HERE
Matt Nixon