SAM QUAIL successfully defended his Men’s Island Championship crown while Melissa McMahon lifted the Ladies’ title after an enthralling weekend of matchplay golf in testing conditions at La Moye Golf Club.
Fog, persistent light rain and strong winds provided a stern examination for the island’s leading golfers, but the quality on display never wavered as several finals went right to the closing holes.
Men’s island captain Sam Quail (left) retained his title by defeating Alex Guelpa on the 17th hole in a high-quality final between two players who had already survived dramatic semi-finals earlier in the day.
Quail overcame Jack Langford in Saturday’s quarter-final before needing all 18 holes to edge reigning Senior Island Champion Jeremy Philips in a fiercely contested Sunday morning semi-final encounter.
Guelpa meanwhile battled past William Wycherley before also progressing to the final at the last after overcoming promising youngster Oliver Allchin.
With both finalists already battle-hardened, the championship decider produced another absorbing contest before Quail’s championship experience told to successfully defend the title he claimed 12 months ago.
The Ladies’ Championship was every bit as compelling, with McMahon eventually overcoming teenage star Anabelle Lucas-Villar on the 18th hole to seal the title.
Lucas-Villar, one of the island’s brightest young prospects, made her was through Helen Gray in the quarters before an impressive display to best fellow youngster Iman Hamid-Wilkinson to qualify for the final.
The youngster then produced a superb final to make life extremely difficult for the eventual champion.
Her sharp short game kept her in contention throughout and she held the advantage over the opening nine holes.
But McMahon showed Championship spirit to fight back and edge a thrilling contest.
Earlier in the day, McMahon (right) had booked her place in the final with a 3&2 victory over Andrea Cunningham, after getting the better of Suzy Cornic in the quarters.
Cunningham, competing in her first Island Championships, impressed throughout and produced a display that pushed McMahon all the way.
There was more late drama in the Handicap Championship as two of Jersey’s rising stars served up another contest that went the distance.
William Stratford, regarded as one of the island’s most promising junior golfers, defeated Chris Thomas on the 18th hole after a superb final.
Thomas, another exciting young talent from Les Ormes, underlined his potential with an impressive qualifying round of 72 before pushing Stratford all the way in a match that showcased the bright future of Jersey golf.
The Ladies’ Handicap Championship saw Hazel Cunningham defeat Titi Hollick 3&2.
Representing St Clement’s, Hazel Cunningham continued her impressive form at La Moye, where she also remains in the Senior Knockout competition.
In addition to the Island Championships, the Geoff Ramskill Medal was also presented to the number one Men’s qualifier from Thursday and Fridays qualifying rounds – which was awarded to Josh Ozard, with rounds of 69 and 74.
Jersey Golf president Juanita Adlington praised the standard of golf produced despite the difficult conditions.
“One of the highlights of being president is to have a ringside view of such high-quality golf and it did not disappoint this year despite the testing conditions,” she said.
“We now move onto next weekend when we crown the men’s and ladies’ senior island champions and also our junior champion before the Channel Islands finals in Guernsey on 15 and 16 August.
“We have high hopes of coming back with the Channel Islands titles after the standard of golf seen at the weekend.”
Attention now turns to another busy weekend at La Moye, with the senior and junior championships to be decided before Jersey’s leading golfers travel to Guernsey aiming to reclaim the Channel Islands honours.
