Fixtures/Results

Match Play Champioship 2010
Exeter Golf & Country Club

Winner
Paul Hendriksen Fingle Glen
Runner up
Barry Austin Downes Crediton

Semi Finalist`s
Iain Parker Royal North Devon
Neil Holman Torbay DR

The Semi final and Final of the Devon PGA Matchplay Championship were played recently at Exeter Golf and Country Club, the course as usual was excellent with the greens putting fast and true. The club and greenstaff always make a special effort when they host a professional tournament, and all the players very much appreciate that.

The semi final line up pitted Barry Austin Devon`s OOM No 1 against Matchplay specialist Neil Holman, the other matchup was between Iain Parker from RND and Fingle`s Paul Hendriksen.

In the first match Barry took an early lead 3 up after four holes but was pegged back around the turn, by the gritty Holman. Barry decisively birdied 2 of the next three holes and after a short missed putt from Neil he wrapped up a 4 and 3 victory with a par on the tough 15th hole, the match was closer than the final margin, and Barry felt that he was fortunate to get the right breaks at the right time.

The second semi resulted in a similar score line victory by 4 and 3 for Hendriksen, The match was close for 9 holes but Parker hit some poor shots at the wrong time, and gifted Paul three holes in the space of four. Hendriksen then hit form and closed out the match with a couple of birdies on the short par fours 13 and 14 and a good par on 15.

The final between two of Devon's best players was eagerly anticipated, Paul made a great start his opening tee shot being his shot of the day he launched his drive on the 315 yd hole to 18 ft and two putted for an opening win, he followed up with two more early birdies and took a commanding 4 hole lead. Barry then fought back bravely and the match was all square just after the turn, Paul commented "After such great start I went to sleep a little and Barry gave me a big wake up call "

The match then became very tight and hinged on a couple of crucial putts, the match swung on the 16 green were Barry three putted from distance and Paul took a decisive 1 hole lead. He then closed out the match with a 4, 4 finish and claimed the Matchplay Title for the first time.

In the Chairman's Salver Presented by Cliff Strange, For players finishing in 17 th to 24 th in the OOM Stewart Disney defeated Duncan Arnold by the margin of 3 and 1.