Will Haddrell was crowned the men’s champion at the Bermuda Match Play Championships yesterday after a 2 and 1 win over Jarryd Dillas in the final at Port Royal Golf Course.

Haddrell denied Dillas a ninth title in the process as he completed a good weekend after a semi-final win over Damian Palanyandi 3 and 2 to book his place in the final. He eventually proved too strong for Dillas, wrapping up the title with a hole to spare.

Haddrell admits it was a joy to beat his longtime opponent, finally gaining the upper hand on the back nine after they were all square through nine holes. “Jarryd and I have been playing against each other 15, 16 years and we’ve have a lot of tussles over the years,” Haddrell said.

“We’ve both won a few, he’s won more of late so it’s nice to get a victory against him. Match play is a tough game, I came out on top so I’m very happy.

“We both birdied 9 to stay all square and then Jarryd won 10 and I won 11, 12 and 13 and then there was toss and turn from there and I won 2 and 1 in the end. I think we had four birdies each so a few birdies in the match is good golf. I’m sure he’ll look to get me next time.”

The tournament had a big upset in the first round on Saturday when Jevon Roberts, the defending champion, was knocked out by LeRoy Robinson (2 holes), although Robinson’s joy was short, beaten later that day by Damian Palanyandi 6 and 4 in the quarter-finals.

Palanyandi then went down to Haddrell 3 and 2, while Dillas got by Spencer Wideman 2 and 1 in the other semi-final yesterday.

Katrin Burnie retained her title in the women’s division after a 2 and 1 win over Kim Botelho in the final. Burnie set up the final with a 4 and 3 win over Katyna Rabain while Botelho beat Tracy Burgess 5 and 3 in the other semi-final in the morning.

“I’m super happy, I’ve been in Europe for a month and haven’t played much golf, so I wasn’t sure how it was going to go,” said Burnie, who was all square with Botelho going into the back nine.

“I came back when Kim was up fro the beginning and I managed to win a few holes. I won on 11 and 14 and then was two up with one to go on 17. Kim is a nice person to play with.

“Yesterday I felt the heat but today was a little bit better, which was good because we played two rounds.”

Calvin Hendrickson added the senior men’s matchplay title to the Bermuda Stroke Play Championship he won last year when he defeated Craig Christensen 4 and 2 in the final.

Hendrickson stopped Barry Brewer 3 and 2 in the semi-finals, while Christensen got past 2020 winner Ian Page by the same score in the other semi-final.

Hendrickson was 5 up after nine holes in the final but Christensen fought back on 12 and 13 to stay in contention before Hendrickson sealed the win on the 16th.

“We halved 10 and 11, then I lost 12 and 13,” Hendrickson said. “At 15 he was still three down, we halved 15 and I won 16 to win 4 and 2.”

It has been a long journey back into golf after being away from the sport for about 20 years. “It’s a pleasure being back playing golf again, I stopped for 20 years and have been back for three years,” the 62-year-old added.

“I won the senior stroke play last year so it’s just a joy being back playing again. Today was a joy, I had the opportunity to play today with two of the guys I came up in junior golf with at 7 or 8 years old — Craig Christensen and Barry Brewer.

“I’m just glad to be back, I’m playing better golf now than when I was 30, 40 years old. I’m having the time of my life.”

Hendrickson also singled out his caddie, younger brother Simon, who has been with him through it all.

“The one guy who has made the difference in all the golf that I have played is my brother Simon who has been my caddie since I was 7 or 8 years old,” he said. “He does a hell of a job.

“He tells the story that my dad groomed two golfers, one to play and one play and one to carry the bag.

“I also want to thank Gary Venning for all that he’s doing for Bermuda Golf Association, and I really would like to see golf the way it used to be. I’m coming back into the game and finding that nobody plays the BGA tournaments any more.

“A long time ago this course would have been packed with golfers. It would be nice to see everybody come back out.”

RESULTS

Men’s Championship

First round

LeRoy Robinson bt Jevon Roberts 2 holes

Damian Palayandi bt Rajesh Pachai 6 and 5

Adam Perry bt Robbie Bailey 5 and 4

Will Haddrell bt Matt Gorrell 5 and 4

Jarryd Dillas bt Stephen Roberts 5 and 3

Joshua Cabrera bt Samson Douglas 2 and 1

Eric West bt Gordon Cox 3 and 2

Spencer Wideman bt Derrick Irby 6 and 5

Quarter-finals

Damian Palanyandi bt LeRoy Robinson 6 and 4

Will Haddrell bt Adam Perry 3 and 1

Jarryd Dillas bt Joshua Cabrera 5 and 3

Spencer Wideman bt Eric West 1 hole

Semi-finals

Will Haddrell bt Damian Palanyandi 3 and 2

Jarryd Dillas bt Spencer Wideman 2 and 1

Final

Will Haddrell bt Jarryd Dillas 2 and 1

Senior Men’s Championship

First round

Barry Brewer bt Millard Beach 3 and 1

Calvin Hendrickson bt Zane DeSilva 2 holes

Craig Christensen bt Ed Frey 6 and 5

Ian Page bt Steve Hickmott 5 and 4

Semi-finals

Calvin Hendrickson bt Barry Brewer 3 and 2

Craig Christensen bt Ian Page 3 and 2

Final

Calvin Hendrickson bt Craig Christensen 4 and 2

Women’s Championship

Semi-finals

Kim Botelho bt Tracy Burgess 5 and 3

Katrin Burnie bt Katyna Rabain 4 and 3

Final

Katrin Burnie bt Kim Botelho 2 and 1