Anderson is crowned matchplay champion

MARTIN Anderson (Kibworth) is the new county amateur matchplay champion.

He won the coveted Phillip R Wykes Bowl for his battling play over two tough days at Market Harborough GC in the climax to this year’s competition, from which the leading finishers in the county amateur championship at Birstall qualified.

Anderson beat Zak Stafford by 2 and 1 in the 18-hole final to emerge the winner.

He was runner-up in the 2014 season at Scraptoft to Ollie Booth, now a professional over Booth’s home course.

But Anderson, the former county first team captain, has won many county majors over several years of amateur golf.

He has played regularly for the firsts in inter-county matches and tournaments, with great success.

In the closely contested final, Anderson birdied the 16th and 17th holes to secure the title.

Anderson beat Tom Roberts (Rothley Park) by 4 and 2 in the first round, before his 5 and 4 quarterfinal win over emerging junior Charlie Box (Beedles Lake).

In the semi-finals, Anderson won at the 20th. against Freddie Macarthur (Ullesthorpe Court) – his closest clash of the event.

Macarthur birdied the 13th and eagled the 14th hole, before he won 17 and then forced the extra holes.

But after they halved the first playoff hole, Anderson won the next to grab his place in the final.

The other semi-final saw Stafford win by 2 and 1 against Luke Marvell (Birstall). Stafford had put out Scott Wormleighton (Birstall), the strokeplay champion this season who was chasing the elusive double by trying to win this knockout tournament too. Stafford won at the 19th hole.

Then he was a 5 and 4 quarterfinal winner against Luke Burrows (Cosby) to reach the semi-final.

The opening day of the championship was cool and showery, but it was much brighter and milder as it reached its climax.

Richard Barker, the county golf union president, congratulated Anderson on his success and all the other competitors on their performances throughout this well-fought county climax.

Round 1: Z.Stafford (Glen Gorse) beat S.Wormleighton (Birstall) 1-hole; L.Burrows (Cosby) beat J.Billingham (Cosby) 4 and 2;

L.Plant (Cosby) beat S. Sansome (Birstall) 2 and 1;

L.Marvell (Birstall) beat J.Merry (Birstall) 3 and 1,

J.Hack (Lutterworth) beat A.Mee (Lingdale) 3 and 2; F.Macarthur (Ullesthorpe Court) beat O.Lewis (Kibworth) 5 and 4; M.Anderson (Kibworth) beat T. Roberts (Rothley Park) 4 and 3; C.Box (Beedles Lake) beat F.Jones (Kirby Muxloe) 7 and 6.

Quarters-finals: Stafford beat Burrows 5 and 4, Marvell beat Plant 3 and 1;

Macarthur beat Hack 2 and 1, Anderson beat Box 5 and 4. Semi-finals: Stafford beat Marvel 2 and 11.

Anderson beat Macarthur at 20th. hole.

Final: Anderson beat Stafford 2 and 1.