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2007/08 National Matchplay Grand Final
 Two young golfers from Cheshire defeated a field boasting greater experience to win the 2007/08 Matchplay Championship at the terrific Taba Heights Beach Resort in Egypt. Michael Brockbank, an 18-year-old from Carden Park who plays off 14 and James Lightfoot, 19, from Upton-by-Chester, danced their way to an impressive and colourful victory.
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| The 2007/08 winning teams (details below), with the local wildlife averting its eyes from the painful glare of James Lightfoot's outfit |
Click here for full results: Mens - Mixed
Fifteen pairs of golfers from across the UK and Ireland jetted off to Egypt to compete in the grand final of the prestigious Matchplay Championship, organised by The Golfers Club. The 30 golfers – seven men’s pairs and eight mixed pairs – competed for the title of Matchplay Champions and Mixed Matchplay Champions after beating off competition from more than 1,600 other golfers to win the coveted all-expenses paid trip to the grand final.
Brockbank said “I really don’t think it has sunk in yet. The whole experience has been incredible and the resort is absolutely fantastic. It was definitely the right decision delaying my return to university by a week.” Lightfoot, who plays off nine, added: “We have both had the time of our lives; the hotel, food, course and location are just perfect. To play well and go on to win the Matchplay Championship is really just the icing on the cake.”
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| From l to r: Michael Brockbank and James Lightfoot on the way to victory in the mens event - James Lightfoot demonstrates a really high five |
The players battled for the men’s and mixed crowns on a Stableford basis over 54 holes of the renowned championship course at the luxurious and stunning five-star Marriott Taba Heights Beach Resort. The men’s pair were well in control of the competition after day two, with a lead of 13 points. It would have taken golf of a poor standard which they had not looked like producing on the first two days for them to throw away their advantage and it was not to be the case – although they did drop one point on the final round.
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| Mixed winners Catherine Corry and Ryan Boal celebrate their victory on the final green |
The winners of the mixed pairs event were plus two handicapper Ryan Boal and Catherine Corry who plays off 15, from County Down in Northern Ireland, who won a close fought competition to take the title. Boal said: “The course was challenging, in great condition and positioned in spectacular surroundings. I’m delighted we’ve gone on to win the competition.” Corry was clearly delighted, adding: “It’s a fabulous resort. Everything about the Matchplay Championship was great and the really good news is that Ryan now owes me a holiday, because I paid his £20 entry fee.”
The golfers all had plenty of chance to soak up the wall-to-wall sunshine and relax in one of the most stunning locations on the planet. The region experienced a heat wave while the tournament was being played and temperatures soared as high as 110 degrees on the last day of the competition. Buggies were provided for all competitors and bottled water was in abundance with one golfer drinking six litres in one round! When not pitting their wits against the Taba Heights course, many of the golfers took the opportunity to take trips from the hotel to the Pyramids or Petra in Jordan, or walk the few yards across the sands to the Red Sea where a number of water sports were enjoyed. The Marriott resort, nestled on the Sinai Peninsula on the Red Sea coast, is famed worldwide for its luxurious surroundings, championship golf course and stunning scenery.
2007/08 Matchplay Championship Final results - Mens
133 points - James Lightfoot/Michael Brockbank
121 points - Peter Smart/Neil Keirs
118 points - Ian White/Ben Coombes
117 points - Ray Long/Martyn Timson
115 points - David Jones/Mark Williams; Ian Backhouse/Gareth Whiles; Raymond Par/Colman Scamlam
2007/08 Matchplay Championship Final results - Mixed
119 points - Ryan Boal/Catherine Corry
115 points - Tony Ribeiro/Joy Stephenson
112 points - Gary Cook/Kelly Morley
108 points - Mark Reilly/Claire Surgeon
106 points - Gordon Cairns/Penny Cairns
104 points - Paul Wigley/Gillian Lamond
100 points - Barry Golightly
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