THE TEAM Asset Management Island Golf Championships encapsulated the sport faultlessly as teenager Anabelle Lucas- Villar sealed the ladies crown for the first time, while Jersey Golf mainstay Matthew Parkman held aloft the men’s trophy for a staggering fifth time.
The emotion on show from both proved that the novelty of winning never fades. For Lucas-Villar, success at the western links of La Moye, might just mark the beginning of her next chapter in golf, while for Parkman, his remarkable achievement exhibits a rare longevity at the top that few will seldom experience.
An ecstatic Lucas-Villar said: “I’m so happy to have won. It’s my first time, so it feels really special.
“I was really pleased with the way I played in the semi and final.
“My putting was a lot better than the earlier rounds and that is always really important to help keep momentum in matchplay.
“I felt in control off the tee as well, so my game was in really good shape.
“I’m a big fan of matchplay. I love the concept of taking on an opponent head-to-head instead of the whole field in strokeplay tournaments.
“For us, having the variety of formats keeps thing interesting throughout the year.
“I cannot wait for the opportunity to face Chloe Gaudion (also 17 years old) in Guernsey for the Ladies Channel Island crown. I’m sure it’ll be a fun match.”
Astonishingly, on the men’s side, Parkman has never lost a Channel Island final, winning four from four to date.
He will now face 17-year-old Conor McKenna, who is making waves of his own across the pond.
Parkman said: “Winning five of these is something I never really thought about growing up. I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet.
“I have been working hard on mental techniques to stay grounded when the heart rate increased and I really stuck to that during the week.
“There were a couple of times I could feel myself getting overly pumped up and I was able to take a step back and regroup by focusing on my breath.
“It’s not easy to close out these tournaments, no matter how many times you have done it before.
“Cren [Sam Crenan] played some brilliant golf throughout the week and in the final.
“It’s bittersweet to beat him in the final because he’s a great friend.
“He deserves one of these with the golf he’s played over the years.”
Some 18 years after the Royal Jersey member’s maiden win, he and old friend Sam Crenan shook hands on the picturesque 17th green after an enthralling battle to conclude a gruelling week.
For Crenan, who has not played much golf of late, reaching the final was an impressive achievement.
The father-to-be edged past Paul Banahan, brother of rugby star Matt, by just a hole in the last 16, before a much more comfortable 7&6 success over Bob Wickings.
2021 champion Richard Ramskill presented a tough challenge round his home golf course in the semi-final, but Crenan looked assured en route to a 4&3 victory, with a flurry of birdies on 12,13 and 14 to stick the match beyond reach.
Meanwhile, Parkman had more than a scare against Jack Langford in the last 16, edging past him just one up, before more convincing victories over Andrew Clarke (5&4) and Sam Quail (3&2).
A 20ft putt by Parkman for the half at the first proved just the tonic, as the eventual winner reeled off three holes in succession, including a birdie at the tricky third.
Crenan bit back with birdie at five, before also winning nine.
However, a downhill left to right 25ft-putt from Parkman found the bottom of the cup to change the momentum once more.
The next three were halved before Parkman’s par at 14 gave him a 3up advantage with four to play.
Crenan birdied 15, while Parkman’s try from five feet went begging, but the latter would seal the win on 17, as Crenan’s short birdie effort after a wonderful approach fell low.
In a touching moment, Ramskill took home the medal for the lowest 36-hole qualifying score, which is named in memory of his late father Geoff.
Elsewhere in the ladies draw, Lucas-Villar’s stellar qualifying round of 76 (+2) in howling winds steered her to the position of overall number one seed.
The weight of expectation would not hamper the teenager, who dispatched Lesley Hill 5&4, before edging past home course hopeful Abi Harris just 1up – who would proceed to caddy for Lucas-Villar in the latter stages.
The youngster kept momentum against Jersey stalwart and La Moye member Virginia Austin-Walker in the semi-final, before squaring off with the fairytale story of the event in Brona Lambert.
The ten-handicapper defeated former champion Helen Gray and defending champion Iman Hamid-Wilkinson, who plays off 3 handicap, en route to her first Island final.
The home player earned deserved plaudits from players and spectators alike for her dream run. However, the power and class of Lucas-Villar proved a bridge too far.
The match hung on a knife-edge in the opening stages, with players deadlocked at all-square after five holes.
However, the one-handicapper began to pile the pressure on Lambert, with a birdie at the par-5 sixth, before wins at eight and nine to establish a commanding 3up lead at the turn.
Further wins at the 12th and 13th left Lucas-Villar 5up with as may holes left and a rock solid tee shot with a hybrid at 14th and a putt stone dead for par was enough for victory.
Elsewhere, there was plenty more action taking place.
In the Ladies Bronze final, Sue Thomas got the better of Lynn Hopfinger, while it was Andrea Cunningham who reigned supreme in the Ladies Nett over Gudran Bjarnadottir.
Meanwhile, on the men’s side, Jersey Bulls winger Fraser Barlow showed he is pretty handy at golf also, securing the Men’s Nett win over Nathan Maguire.
