TEENAGER Anabelle Lucas-Villar kept her cool to become ladies Channel Island champion, after an engrossing affair at L’Ancresse with Sarnian Chloe Gaudion.
The two juniors, both appearing in the final for the first time, showcased the very best of local women’s golf, in a 36-hole battle which boiled down to the penultimate hole, eventually going the way of the Caesarean draped in red.
However, there was plenty to cheer for the partisan crowd in the men’s final, as yet another teenager took centre stage.
Conor McKenna’s imperious short game was on display for all to see, as the home player defeated four-time champion Matthew Parkman 8&7, after taking a six-hole lead into the final round.
Once the men’s match was wrapped up, all eyes descended on the women’s match, as both juniors refused to give an inch.
Lucas-Villar, who was 5up on her Guernsey counterpart after 16 holes on Saturday, found herself a hole behind after 28 holes. With the weight of the world seemingly on the young Royal Jersey member’s shoulders, she responded admirably to secure her first Channel Island crown by a margin of 2&1.
Lucas-Villar said: “I was really nervous down the stretch, but so proud of the way I kept control of them. I played really well on Saturday and was in control for the most part, but Chloe kept fighting.
“She won the last two holes to finish the first round and seemed to take that momentum into yesterday.
“I didn’t do much wrong, but Chloe had three birdies on the front nine yesterday and really came back well.
“It’s easy to start spiralling and I just needed to calm myself when I found myself down for the first time in the match. Abi [Harris], my caddie was a massive help.
“She helped keep spirits high and we just focused on the present and playing my game.
“It’s easy to get caught up in what your opponent is doing, but I had faith in my game and it ended up paying off.”
Playing an away Channel Island final is a daunting prospect and naturally the partisan crowd was right behind Gaudion during her fight back.
“It is difficult playing in that away environment,” added Lucas-Villar.
“The home crowd really does make a difference.
“Chloe is a brilliant player and she really did pile the nerves on.
“But to put that tough spell behind me, on an away course and come out with the win, shows I have that fight and the ability to handle those occasions, which I’m really proud of.”
Meanwhile, on the men’s side, McKenna’s victory underpins the strength in the Sarnian junior program of late, with many breaking through into the men’s team at a young age.
The teenager’s strong short game propelled him to a large lead after the opening 18 holes, which featured a remarkable eight up and downs on the day.
Parkman, with my far the superior long game could only watch on as McKenna’s magic got him out of jail time and time again.
In contrast, the Jerseyman struggled to get the pace of the L’Ancresse greens.
Matchplay, so often, is a game of momentum and despite finding himself out of position regularly, McKenna showed grit and resolve to dig deep and frustrate the four-time champion.
The 10th and 11th holes during the opening round proved a microcosm of the affair, as Parkman was on the green in regulation, with McKenna well of out the position.
The latter escaped both times with par, while the Caesarean walked off both holes with three-putt bogeys.
When a fast start to the second round was pivotal for Parkman, bogeys at two, three and four took the contest firmly out of reach.
The Royal Jersey member continued to fight, but McKenna would close out his debut CI title in style with an 8&7 win.
Parkman said: “I’m definitely a bit down at the moment, but that’s a natural reaction after a loss.
“But I think when the dust settles and I reflect on being a five-time Jersey champion and four-time CI champion, I know I’m very fortunate to have that record.
“There are many people who would love to be in that position and I certainly don’t take it for granted.
“The way I putted was disappointing, but I’m really pleased with how I drove the ball.
“That aspect has been a struggle for me in the past.
“I kept fighting, and plugging on and most importantly, I kept a smile on my face, which was my main goal entering the weekend.
“I’m very proud to represent Jersey and to be involved in these matches.”
Elsewhere, there was late drama in the men’s senior final, between Jersey’s Jeremy Philips and Guernsey’s Daniel Griggs.
The tussle looked a forgone conclusion, with the home player 4up through 12 holes on the New Zealand-born Philips.
But what ensued, was a fightback that will be talked about across local golf for years to come.
Birdies at both 13 and 14 would reduce the deficit to two holes, before Philips would also win 15, 16 and 17 with pars.
Following a historic run of five consecutive holes, Philips stood over a 50-foot birdie try at the par-three 18th for the win.
The putt tracked up and over a ridge, swinging hard downhill from right to left, before disappearing into the cup for the most fitting of conclusions to a breathless contest.
Victory for Philips marked his first at CI senior level and an 18 holes he will be hard-pressed to forget in a hurry.
It was sarnian success in the remaining two matches, as Di Aitchison lifted the senior ladies title with a 4&2 victory over La Moye’s Brona Lambert, whose remarkable season also saw her reach the Jersey ladies final.
Meanwhile, in the ladies bronze final, Jersey’s Sue Thomas fell 6&4 to Sarnian Jill Pritchard.
The lone remaining Channel Island final, is the junior contest, with both the men’s and ladies champions in McKenna and Lucas-Villar facing off next month.
