On an extraordinarily dry, warm and sunny Easter 66 golfers took on the Southerndown links at Bridgend in Wales for the 50th playing of the historic Duncan Putter. The Putter has been won by Peter McEvoy, Gary Wolstenholme, Nigel Edwards, Phil Price, Bradley Dredge, Stuart Manley, Jamie Donaldson, Mark Pilkington and Stephen Dodd, many of whom have gone on to have successful professional careers.
Unusually, the close run event ended in a 3 way tie. And, as is the tradition of this event the spoils and honours were equally shared by Sam Matton (Bowood) Ben Westgate (Trevose) and Matt Haines (Rochester & Cobham) all 3 recording a Championship record equalling score of 274, 6 under par.
Sam Matton in action early in the season. In the first round, Westgate, a Welsh International, had reached the 14th hole at 6 under par but finished disastrously dropping 7 shots over the closing 4 holes for a 71 (+1). Haines, an England Squad member, playing with England "A" Squad member Matton, carded a 67 (-3) whilst Matton at 3 over par through 12 holes eagled the 13th and birdied the 14th to finish with a level par round of 70. Ben Enoch, also a Welsh International, led the 1st round with a superb 65 (-5). In round 2 Westgate played flawlessly for a 65 (-5) placing him tied for 2nd place with Mark Thisleton (Hayling) both on 136 (-4) 2 shots behind the leader Ben Enoch 134 (-6). Matton scored 67 (-3) to be a further shot behind in 4th position on 137 (-3). Haines reversing the morning round fortunes suffered a 74 (+4) to be placed 11th on 141 (+1). The halfway cut of 147 (+7) reduced the field to 37 In the third, both of the leaders slipped away, Westgate carding 72 (+2) and Enoch 71 (+1). Matton, surged forward with a 66 (-4) giving him a 2 shot lead on 203 (-7) over Enoch 205 (-5). Westgate along with Tommy Fleetwood (Formby) were 5 shots adrift on 208 (-2) and Haines with Mackman a further shot away on 209 (-1).
Round 4 saw Haines produce a superb closing round of 65 to post an early clubhouse lead of 274 (-6) Matton after 16 holes had slipped to 2 over par but birdied the 17th and found the 423yard 18th hole in 2 setting up an outside birdie chance from 60ft. The putt missed and Matton was forced to hole out from the remaining 6ft to tie Haines. Westgate, playing in the last group, needed to birdie the 18th to win. He too found the 18th green in 2 shots but his birdie attempt from 25ft lipped out and he also holed out to tie. Wiltshire golfers Miles Mackman (Broome Manor) finished well in 7th place on 279 (-1) and Ali James (Cumberwell), the Wiltshire Captain in 27th on 293 (+13), unfortunately Matt Swales (Cumberwell) and Ben Loughrey (Wrag Barn) both missed the halfway cut. The full result can be found here. This Saturday (18th), sees Matton, Mackman, Swales and Loughrey back in action at Blackmoor Golf Club for the 36 hole, Selborne Salver, followed on Sunday by the Hampshire Hog played at North Hants Golf Club, also over 36 holes. Ben Stow, the current holder of the Wiltshire Men's, Colts and Boys Championships, joins this quartet in the Hog.