The final of the 2016 Handicap Matchplay Final was played on Thursday 19th May between Rob Eibisch and Bob Jackson with both players agreeing to hold the final on a Thursday.
It was a nervous start from Rob, making some early mistakes to lose the first hole to a fine up and down from Jacko. More good putting on the 2nd and 3rd, followed by dropping a bomb from off the front of the green on the 4th had Jacko 2 up early however wins to Rob on the 5th and 6th had the lead quickly pegged back.
However from this point on it was all Jacko. Producing a master class in course management and lag putting Jacko quickly gained back the lead on the 8th and 9th to take a 2 up advantage into the back nine where he continued to tighten the screws. With his lag putting still being a highlight and his consistent fades off the tee block being as safe as houses Jacko won the 10th and 12th whilst halves were had on the 11th, 13th and 14th, moving him to dormie 4.
Rob couldn't buy a hole, even when he got into a good position, as his short game let Jacko back into many holes. However with the match all but sewn up it was Jacko's lag putting that let him down on the 15th and when his third found the water on 16 Rob had won consecutive holes and the lead was back to 2.
Both players had good tee shots, Rob just short right and Jacko just short left of the 17th green. With Rob chipping first he could only muster a shot into the heart of the green, still 15 feet from the back left pin. Despite losing the last two holes Jacko showed no sign of nerves hitting a sublime chip up to 2 feet from the hole and when Rob's par putt sailed by a concession was given making Bob Jackson our 2016 Handicap Matchplay Champion, winning 3/1.
It was a nervous start from Rob, making some early mistakes to lose the first hole to a fine up and down from Jacko. More good putting on the 2nd and 3rd, followed by dropping a bomb from off the front of the green on the 4th had Jacko 2 up early however wins to Rob on the 5th and 6th had the lead quickly pegged back.
However from this point on it was all Jacko. Producing a master class in course management and lag putting Jacko quickly gained back the lead on the 8th and 9th to take a 2 up advantage into the back nine where he continued to tighten the screws. With his lag putting still being a highlight and his consistent fades off the tee block being as safe as houses Jacko won the 10th and 12th whilst halves were had on the 11th, 13th and 14th, moving him to dormie 4.
Rob couldn't buy a hole, even when he got into a good position, as his short game let Jacko back into many holes. However with the match all but sewn up it was Jacko's lag putting that let him down on the 15th and when his third found the water on 16 Rob had won consecutive holes and the lead was back to 2.
Both players had good tee shots, Rob just short right and Jacko just short left of the 17th green. With Rob chipping first he could only muster a shot into the heart of the green, still 15 feet from the back left pin. Despite losing the last two holes Jacko showed no sign of nerves hitting a sublime chip up to 2 feet from the hole and when Rob's par putt sailed by a concession was given making Bob Jackson our 2016 Handicap Matchplay Champion, winning 3/1.
2016 Handicap Matchplay Finalists: Rob Eibisch & Bob Jackson