Warwickshire Golf
Bladon comes out on top in the Amateur Championship at Kenilworth
Warren Bladon has won the Warwickshire Amateur Championship for a second time, a mere 35 years after his previous win back in 1987.
The venue for this year's success was the same course too, with both his wins now being at Kenilworth Golf Club, although Warren was representing Leamington and County Golf Club the first time around.
72 of the County's best golfers played two rounds of golf on Thursday 9th June to determine this year's Champion, however the 36 holes did not prove to be enough and indeed after a three hole playoff left two men still tied, a further sudden death extra hole was necessary to find a victor. On a day that began brightly with sunshine the afternoon turned a little cooler as the wind increased bringing the odd rain shower and when all the scores were in, it left Warren and Tom Cleaton from Rugby Golf Club both sitting atop the leaderboard with similar scores of 72 and 68, giving them both a 2 under par total of 140. They had a one stroke advantage over four players who tied for third place including Gareth Jenkins from Stratford-on Avon Golf Club with rounds of 72 & 69, Rob Bardsley and his brother Dan both from Moor Hall Golf Club with rounds of 70 & 71 and Nick Brooker from Olton Golf Club with rounds of 68 & 73.
The three hole playoff was over the 1st, 2nd and 6th holes, with Warren leading by one shot after the first two holes. A healthy crowd was present to see Tom hit two shots to the verge of the par 5, 6th green and after getting the ball up and down for a birdie four, it was left to Warren to see if he could match Tom's birdie and seal the win. Unfortunately his putt from about 12 feet slipped by and the two men were still level so they returned to the 1st hole to now play sudden death to find a winner. Tom's tee shot found the trees on the right and left him with no option to go for the green but to only pitch the ball back into play. Warren's drive had found the fairway and his second shot finished just shy of the green on the right. Tom had a third shot of some 165 yards and although he found the green was unable to hole the putt for his par. Warren chipped the ball to about seven feet and holed the putt to seal the win.
Warren's win followed his tied 4th place finish last week in the English Senior Men's Stroke Play Championship in Hertfordshire and he will be defending the Warwickshire County Seniors Championship in a couple of weeks time at Robin Hood Golf Club.
This win has secured him a place at Woodhall Spa in September where he will compete against all other County Champions from across the country, we wish him well.
Moor Hall Golf Club retained the Team Challenge Shield when their trio of Rob Bardsley 70 & 71, Dan Bardsley 70 &71 and John-Paul Banbury 71 & 76 gave them a three over par aggregate score to beat Stratford on Avon Golf Club by seven shots.
On what proved to be a very exciting day, I would like to thank on behalf of the Warwickshire Golf Union all the players for playing and their caddies and supporters for contributing to the event.
To Kenilworth Golf Club, Stuart Leech and his Clubhouse staff for keeping everyone fed and watered throughout the day and Richard Dorrington and his course staff for providing a very fair but challenging test for the players. I would also like to thank Club Captain Ravi Baga for his welcome and participation at the presentation.
In closing a warm vote of thanks to Alastair Scott, for his help in the run up to, and on the day, as Tournament Director.
To Phil Croft and Tim Knight acting as our referees and to my fellow starter Giles Fellingham, for making the event run so smoothly and also to Past Presidents John Duncombe, Graham Barton and Bob Harrison for their attendance.
Pictured (l to r) are:
County President, Mark Reynolds and Warren Bladen &
County President, Mark Reynolds, Dan Bardsley, Rob Bardsley, John-Paul Banbury (All from Moor Hall Golf Club) and Ravi Baga, Captaoin Kenilworth Golf Club
Mark Reynolds
President
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