Ian Redford won the Challenge Tour Matchplay final on 26 June. The match was very popular with a full field competing in the scratch event which rewards the finalists with a round on the Old Course.
The competition was thrown wide open when in the second round last year’s winner, James White, was beaten by Cammy Joy who after a thrilling win over Alan Tulleth in the semi final joined Ian Redford in the final. After overcoming Iain Watson in the quarter final, Ian Redford enjoyed an excellent win over Ewan Scott in the semi and arrived at the final looking confident.
The final was played on a cool evening more reminiscent of autumn than summer with a nasty north easterly wind. However, both players made light of the conditions and played some superb golf, at the turn Ian had dropped only one shot and was 1 up. Over the back nine Ian forged ahead as he remained extremely solid throughout and Cammy couldn’t get any ‘joy’ on the greens. Both players put on a tremendous match which was a pleasure to watch.