Tunnicliff triumphs again

Paul Tunnicliff may have to build a bigger mantlepiece after winning yet another club trophy on Saturday (July 2).

The 15-handicapper added to his already impressive collection by securing his first Individual Matchplay title, but he was made to work very hard for it by Callum Hogg .

In what was always a tight contest, it took Paul - who had to give Callum five shots - to the 18th hole to finally get the better of his persistent rival before prevailing 1 up.

In the end Paul's greater accuracy and his superior short game gave him the slight edge over Callum's power off the tee.

It was always going to be a hard slog off the blue tees on a course still heavy from lots of rain despite the sun making a welcome appearance, so it was no surprise that the longer-hitting Callum drew first blood with a winning bogey at No 3. He gave it right back when he mucked up No 4. Another bogey with a shot at No 6 edged him ahead again, but Paul countered with a par at No 7 to even it up. They swapped holes again to go to the turn all square.

Bogies at No 12 and No 13 were good enough to push Paul out to a two-up lead, but Callum parred the next two to wipe out the deficit. Paul grabbed the lead again with a par at No 16 only for Callum to do the same at No 17 to tie it up again going to the last.

With a shot, Callum had the advantage but faded his iron into the trees and took two to get out, while Paul hit two solid shots down the middle. When Callum thinned a wedge over the green and narrowly failed to get up and down, it was all over and Paul was the champ.

The flight final between Keri Kotua and Peter Watson - who both played off a 8 handicap - was also decided at the 18th. Both men were just short of the green in two but Keri almost holed his chip for a conceded par, while Peter's wedge ran 16 feet by and he just missed his putt to extend the match.

Earlier, while neither played good golf Keri built a three-up lead after eight holes as Peter went through a horror patch. He steadied the ship by winning No 9 with par and did the same at No 11 and No 13 to get back on even terms. However, Keri made a miraculous par from the trees at No 15 to go in front. Peter then won No 16 with a par and stayed in the match with a bogey five at No 17 after going in the creek, setting up a final hole showdown which ended in a 1 up win to Keri.

In the match of the day, a net round off the white tees, Barry Rhodes made no race of it. His excellent 67 was five shots better than Dave Slow (72) in second. Peter Green took third on countback from Dean Goodman after both returned 74s. The round carried Barkman Trophy points and also counted towards the Shootout.

Peter Green and Andy Isle shared the twos money.

Next week (July 9) we play another round of the Barkman Trophy and Shootout.