Thrilling conclusion to Golf Care Matchplay Championship

Winners have been crowned in three categories after the Golf Care Matchplay Championship's three-day Grand Final drew to a close in scintillating fashion at the Els Club in Dubai

Golf Care Matchplay Championship

Winners have been crowned in three categories after the Golf Care Matchplay Championship's three-day Grand Final drew to a close in scintillating fashion at the Els Club in Dubai.

In the Men's Pairs, brothers Mervin and Michael Hehir compiled a 45-point final round to edge out Martin Firth and Andrew Taylor on countback.

The Men's Singles was also a close-run contest, but last year's champion Paul Llewellyn retained his crown with a one-shot victory over Maartens Van Rensburg.

In the Mixed Pairs, Martin Pyke and Anne Wheble stormed to a 10-shot victory over the husband-and-wife pairing of David and Tracey Morris.

"I can't believe it. The tournament has been great and the facilities here at the Els Club and JW Marriott Marquis are truly world class. We've had a fantastic time and couldn't have asked for more," said Mervin Hehir.

Llewellyn added: "This feels great. Defending the title means a lot to me."

The Golf Care Matchplay Championship - the UK's largest amateur tournament - takes 40 players from the UK to Dubai, where they play three rounds at the renowned Els Club and stay at the impeccable 5-star JW Marriott Marquis Dubai.

Rupprecht Queitsch, General Manager of the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, said: "We're delighted to be associated with the Golf Care Matchplay Championship. From start to finish we've been impressed by the organisation of the event staff and the sheer enthusiasm of the competitors.

"It has been a resounding success for all involved."

For details on next year's event - the 11th Golf Care Matchplay Championship - and information on how to enter, visit www.matchplaychampionship.co.uk

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x