Hillman Trophy Final
The final of the Hillman Trophy between Sonning Golf Club and Lambourne turned out to be a real thriller. Seven players from each club met head to heat at the beautiful Huntercombe Golf Club in cool, windy conditions.
Kelvin Hodges of Sonning drew with Martin Hamilton of Lambourne in the first match out. Rodney Barrat of Sonning beat Chris Hughan of Lambourne but that result was reversed when Lambourne’s Kevin Murry took a point from Sonning’s Richard Shillito.
After Mark Sawyer (Sonning) had beaten Martin Savage (Lambourne) and John Butts had replied with a Lambourne win over Woburn’s Ian Gale honours were even. Two final green nerve jinglers were holed by Lambourne’s Gary Timpson and Sonning’s Colin Hodges to keep things that way leaving just Felix Quinn (Lambourne) and Paul Siddell (Sonning) on the course.
Both players held their nerve on the 18th to force a playoff which was to be played on the par 3 first until it produced a winner. Both players hit the green despite a hard wind from the left but Paul had a difficult putt over the undulating surface. Having knocked his putt to 8 feet he then watched Felix hit his twenty footer to a couple of feet. Paul’s fantastic 8 foot putt then left Felix with a two footer for the half which he duly dispatched.
Again, for the second time of asking, both players hit fine shots but this time it was Felix who was the furthest away and had a difficult chip from the fringe. he chipped to ten feet but when his putt missed Paul had a four foot putt for the Trophy. He bravely held his nerve and sealed the victory for Sonning.
It’s fair to say that the match was played in a fantastic spirit and was thoroughly enjoyed by players and spectators alike.
Hillman Trophy Champions 2017 – Sonning Golf Club
Hillman Trophy Runners Up 2017 – Lambourne
Click HERE for Draw Progress
Click HERE for Final Result
