Warwickshire Golf
Warren Bladon wins the England Golf Seniors Champion of Champions Tournament played at Woodhall Spa GC 10th/11th September
Bladon's just Champion at Woodhall Spa
This year's England Golf Champion of Champions event was held over the weekend 10th and 11th of September and featured county champions from England counties at Boy's, Men's and Seniors level. This year Warwickshire had two competitors, Ryan Gavin from Coventry Golf Club in the Boys event and Warren Bladon from Kenilworth Golf Club in the Seniors. Warren, who also won the Warwickshire Amateur Championship at Kenilworth back in June, was eligible to play in the Men's Champion of Champions event, but as he could only play in one because of a clash of tee times, opted to play in the Seniors.
The Boy's Champion of Champions event saw Ryan produce two solid rounds on the Saturday of 74 and 73 to finish in a tie for tenth place behind the winner Charlie Croker from Essex who had rounds of 71 and 68.
The Seniors event also over thirty six holes, saw competitors play eighteen holes on Saturday and a second eighteen on Sunday. Warren's play on Saturday was at times a little errant, he only hit three fairways in regulation from the tee, but his characteristic marvellous short game, saw him round in a competitive one over par score of 74. This left him just two shots behind overnight leaders Michael Jones from Shropshire & Herefordshire and Mark Kingsley from Cheshire. Sandwiched between Warren and the two leaders was Richard Tomlin from Kent with a level par round of 73. It was Richard who was setting the pace on Sunday with four birdies in five holes from the 6th hole and a further birdie on the 14th, giving the man from Kent a three shot lead. Warren however was playing better from the tee and his iron play left him with a number of putts for birdies. However his putter had not read the script in the early holes and short putts were missed for birdies on the 1st and 5th greens, but hitting the green on the par five 6th hole in two followed by a two putt birdie, got Warren into red figures and under par for the round. It was a pleasure to walk the opening six holes in the company of England Golf Union President Les Wilson who was keeping an eye on his local man from Lancashire Garry Lacy. So after fourteen holes Richard had a three shot lead over Warren but a bogey five on the 15th hole from Richard and a six foot birdie putt from Warren on the 16th hole saw the lead down to one. Warren's birdie putt on the 17th hole just slipped by and when a few moments later Richard made bogey at the same hole, the two players were level. Warren, playing in the group two holes ahead, hit a solid drive down the 18th fairway followed by a towering 4 iron shot to the centre of the green which gave him a two putt birdie four, a round of 69 and a two round total of 143, three under par. Richard therefore needed to birdie the last hole to force a play off, however his tee shot missed the fairway and he was unable to get to the last green in two. His third shot approach rolled up to about fifteen feet short of the pin and with many spectators looking on, unfortunately his putt slipped by and Warren had won. Richard closed with a round of 71, a two round total of 144, two under par and two shots ahead of third placed Garry Lacy on even par 146 after rounds of 75 and a 71.
In Warren's victory speech he gave a nod to the ball spotting skills of my wife Deb, who found not only his ball but that of his fellow competitors more than once, including those playing in other groups, a sentiment I would like to endorse.
In summary another marvellous afternoon of top quality golf saw a Warwickshire man come out on top in a National event. It was a huge privilege for me and Deb to have been in attendance and great for Warren to win this year after finishing second in this event last year.
Upon leaving Woodhall Spa yesterday afternoon, Warren had a four and a half hour drive to Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club in south Wales to join up with his England team mates to take part in this week's Senior Home Internationals. The seven man team also includes Warren's Warwickshire teammate Steve Creed from Stratford-on-Avon Golf Club, we wish them both every success.
Mark Reynolds
President
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