Experience was forced to give way to the vigour of youth as Matthew Colcombe stepped up to claim his second Union Matchplay Championship.
The 22-year-old Woodsome Hall man continued his run of solid play to beat Bradley Hall’s Andrew Whitworth 5&4 over 36 holes at Halifax’s West End.
Colcombe’s father Michael had the satisfaction of watching his son’s victory over the Bradley Hall legend exactly 30 years to the day since Whitworth beat him in the final to take his first title.
Colcombe was quick to pay tribute to his opponent: “Andy is a brilliant competitor, the skills he has in matchplay are fantastic, and the way he gets up and down – I feel I have learned a lot playing against him.
“The game was played in a fantastic spirit and we had good support. Afterwards Andy was cracking jokes with my dad and said there was no way he wanted to play against a son of mine!”
Whitworth got off to a good start in the morning, getting 2up after five holes. Colcombe fought his way back and birdied the 16th to go one up, which was the score after 18 as the last two holes were halved.
After lunch, the Bradley Hall man again started with the advantage, being 1up after five.
At this point, Colcombe takes over the story: “I gave myself a good talking to, psyching myself up for a big finish. I knew I had the advantage of youth over 36 holes.
“As the round got going, I felt better and better about my game. When Andy was making a par, I was making a birdie and ended up winning six of the last nine holes we played.”
After a couple of drinks at West End and the presentation of the JR Crawshaw Memorial Trophy, the down-to-earth Colcombe celebrated with a curry and an early night before starting work at Tesco at 4am the following day.
He added: “Everyone was very proud of me, and I feel proud of myself. I will definitely be back to defend the title next year.”
Match referee was Union President Phil Tatlock, of Outlane Golf Club. The final was sponsored by BM Howarth Chartered Accountants, Halifax.
