The Matchplay Championship Testimonials
Jason & Andy - May 2011
All,
We would also like to thank all the organizers/camera crew & all the fellow competitors who made the trip to Dubai such a memorable one. Lets hope it looks as good on TV as it did playing.
Hope to see you all again.
Jason & Andy
Craig Sullivan - Mens Pairs (Non Active) Winner 2011
Hi all,
I just wanted to add my thanks to the organisers, sponsors, the sky team and all for a truly memorable trip of a lifetime. Looking forward to the tv coverage to bring back the memories.
Thanks and hope to keep in touch, preferrably again out in Dubai :)
Craig Sullivan
Jeff & Lynne James - May 2011
Hi Folks
It has taken a good few days to come down to earth!
I would like to say what a wonderful time we all had during our week in Dubai. From the time Stuart & Craig qualified for the Regional Final at St Pierre the organisation and professionalism shown by your Team has been 1st class. It is a brilliant competition for all amateur golfers. To include a non-active section for the golfing enthusiasts who are not able to belong to a golf club is both innovative and inspiring allowing people like Stuart & Craig achieve something they would normally only dream about. For a week the finalists have a chance to become and be treated like the professionals that they all admire.
The flights and transfers to and from the Dubai Marriott Harbour hotel were well organised. The Marriott Harbour Hotel was just fabulous. The staff were courteous and extremely helpful at all times. The food was very good all week. The observatory bar on the 52nd floor was awesome and lastly the Concierge was the best we have ever come across. The Els club was also excellent. The staff at the club were all very helpful and made the competitors and spectators feel very special. They have a fabulous course and set up and when the new clubhouse opens it should be even better. The camera crew were also a great bunch of guys who added to the occasion and we are looking forward to the programme on Sky on 1st June.
Stuart & Craig will certainly be entering again as we want to come back next year. No pressure on them!
Thanks again for making memories for a lifetime!
Jeff & Lynne James
Elliott Bates and Shaun Welch - May 2011
I just wanted to drop you a line of thanks after our trip of a lifetime to the Grand finals at the Els club in Dubai. Myself and Shaun had a fantastic time throughout the whole process of getting to Dubai in the competition.
The professional way in the running of the Matchplay Championship during the knock out rounds was faultless, being at the regional final was an experience and winning our place into the Grand final was amazing, the team and other competitors in Dubai were a great bunch.
Walking into the room in the hotel was exciting enough, and to be in a suite, superb and as for the Els course well, condition of the course, practice areas, staff and service were second to none. I would recommend this to anyone and a number of people i have told about it have already entered for next year. Thanks again for every bit of your time and effort.
Yours sincerely,
Elliott Bates and Shaun Welch
David & Tracy Morris - May 2011
"Guys I would just like to say a big Thank you to you and the rest of the matchplay team for making it such a great event in Dubai last week.
Myself and Tracy had a great time on and off the course and everything was perfect. Last year was great but this year you went one better with how it was run. Dubai was a great place to visit and will stick in the memory bank for a long time.
We have just entered for 2012 and we hope to see you again next year...
Kind Regards
David & Tracy Morris"
Paul and Jo - May 2011
"Jo and myself would just like to say a massive thank you for the week we had in Dubai. The Hotel, Golf Course, organisation, weather and all the sights were just out of this world. We met some lovely people and winning the Mixed Doubles was just an added bonus. The highlight for me was going up the Burj Khalifa tower and watching the fountains. We hope to defend the title next year but now knowing how great the prize is its going to be even harder."
Chris and Mike - May 2011
"Dear all,
Still trying to come down after the most amazing week in Dubai, but I just wanted to drop you a quick message on behalf of both Mike 'Lawrence of Arabia' Ankers & I to thank you all for giving us the golfing experience of a lifetime! I feel it will be difficult to put everything into a couple of short paragraphs but will do my best...
It was a real privilege to be part of such a well organised event so our thanks first of all go to the organisers and sponsors. You really deserve a huge pat on the back and can be very proud of making it all happen. Our thanks also to Matt & Ian for being friendly and efficient in their roles as Officials, and to the Press and TV guys for making us look so good (... please be kind on the cutting table guys!). Of course we must mention everyone at The Els Club and the Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel. I don't think we will ever experience service and hospitality like it again.
Finally to all the other competitors who made the week so enjoyable - we have made some great friends and look forward to seeing some of you again in the future. Well done for qualifying for the 2011 Grand Final and congratulations to the Winners in all the categories, especially our last round partners Andy & Andy who's golf was as blistering as the temperatures on the final day! It was a pleasure to watch and also inspired us to play well too.
We have no doubt that based on the success of this years Grand Final that the Matchplay Championship will turn into one of the World's (not Europe's!) largest Amateur golf events.
Bring on the 2011/2012 Qualifying rounds...
Best regards,
Chris & Mike"
Chris Scott-Douglas - April 2011
"Firstly apologies for the delaying in writing to you... it has taken several days to come to terms with the fact that Mike & I have made it through to the Grand Final in Dubai!!!
I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say how fantastic the day was at St. Pierre last Wednesday. Obviously the weather played its part (...the complete opposite of Tuesday's practice in the wind, mist and rain!) but I have to commend you and the team on how well the event was run. We were made to feel like Pros from start to finish, especially by Tom and his gang as well as the guys from Sky Sports. The course was in excellent condition and the facilities were amazing.
We can't thank you all enough and really look forward to the week in Dubai.
With best regards,
Chris"
Chris Ottaway - April 2011
"Both Mark and myself had a great time - a very well organised event at a superb venue.
We both left a few shots on the course and will be working hard to return!!!!!!!!
Well Done and Regards,
Chris Ottaway"
Steve and Emma - April 2011
"Hi All
We just wanted to thankyou for organising the tournament this year - we had a thoroughly enjoyable time playing at a number of different clubs and meeting some great people. Not least of which was the time we spent over the weekend at Hollins Hall.
Unfortunately our golf just wasn't quite good enough yesterday but to miss out by a point given the number of putts we missed was disappointing! We wish the 3 pairs that qualified the best of luck in the Finals.
We are looking forward to playing again next year -when we hope " Team Bravery " can go one step better.
Kind Regards
Steve and Emma
ps. if you hear of anyone struggling for caddies let us know !!"
Mr M Rourke - April 2011
"Just a short note to thank you and the rest of the team for letting Peter and I compete in yesterday’s northern final. Unfortunately we didn’t play to our expectations but have come straight back and entered the 2011/12 competition.
I have played in a lot of National Competitions over the years and can confirm that yours is the best run.
I hope the Final in Dubai runs smoothly and look forward to watching the coverage on Sky later."
Richard Astbury - January 2011
"I just wanted to send an email to say thank you and say how good the competition is and although we have been knocked out congratulate you on how well organised it has been. Thanks and we will definitely be entering again this year!"
Thanks once again...
Bob Gee
"From a competition point of view thank you for all you hard work and the way the comp has been run. Both Michelle and I have had some great games and meet some really nice people along the way. Looking forward to next year.
Once again good luck to our victors, Tracy and David."
Mark McQuoid
“As long as I live I will never forget this experience. As a golfer I never imagined that when I entered this tournament it would bring me to another level in handicap golf. Fantastic memories, met great fellow golfers both in the Matchplay rounds and at the finals.
Anybody that does not consider entering this tournament is missing out on the chance of a lifetime.”
Declan Quigley
“The best sporting experience of my life. A competition that any handicap golfer cannot afford to miss. A week that I would dearly love to repeat. I can’t wait for this year’s competition to begin.
I have no doubt that Matchplay will become one of the most sought after competition on the handicap golfers calendar”.
Cyril Morris
“I never thought at my age and my level of golf I would win a prize in golf that will live long in the memory and that I will talk about for many a year to come. Playing in this tournament was the pinnacle of my golf and can only hope that maybe this opportunity will come again. I have no doubt that within the next year or two this event now going to Dubai will be the premier handicap golf competition in Ireland and the United Kingdom”.
“Watching golf on television is one thing being part of the action on the television is something else and the beauty of the event is that no matter your standard of golf everybody has an equal chance of winning that trip of a lifetime”.
Patrick Turtle
“This competition is probably the best kept secret in handicap golf. From the first round of the Matchplay series to the qualifying rounds at Hollins Hall in Bradford to The Marriott Hotels resort in Egypt it was a roller coaster all the way. For excitement and competition Matchplay have got the balance just right and have given the handicap golfer what can be best described as the best memories I have had in golfing terms.
Not just do they provide an exciting competition but also provide worthwhile product that every golfer needs. Check out their website just to see what’s on offer and my advice while you are there don’t forget to enter the competition”
Frank McCarthy - Men’s Pairs - Grand Finalist 2010
"We entered not having a clue what it was all about. We thought "pay £20 have a good round of golf and gain some experience of another course!"
Little did we know! As we progressed, each game was a new and exciting adventure and we started to dream of getting to St Pierre. When we finished our round and discovered we could be going to Egypt I was speechless. This just did not happen to me. It was like winning The lottery.
Egypt was a unique experience. From our arrival and the bus trip down to the coast it was awesome! The accommodation was excellent, the resort superb, the Golf course beyond words... Our fellow competitors were such a friendly bunch I felt as if I was in a club
environment. The organisation from yourselves again left us feeling relaxed and welcomed.
I have completed my entry for next year and I shall endeavour to see you in Dubai!"
Gordon Livingston - Men's Pairs Winner 2009
"To win is incredible and it’s not really sunk in yet. It's been a fantastic week and winning the competition is the icing on the cake. The course is a difficult test of golf, but one that can be enjoyed by any standard golfer. The hotel is superb and the weather fairly hot – but we knew that was going to be the case here in Egypt.
It has been a great experience and one that we will never forget. We played pretty well throughout the competition and coped well with the tough course set up on the final day…"
Ian Brandon - Men's Pairs Winner 2008/09
"The other players have been tremendous, all so friendly; it's like we've known each other for much longer than the few days we have been together.
We'll certainly be signing up for next year's competition as soon as we get back home and would urge others to do the same. We certainly can't argue with the value for money.
That's certainly the best £20 either of us has ever spent."
Steve Aylott - Mixed Pairs Winner 2009
"We've had a wonderful time and have really enjoyed playing the course.
It’s 7,100 yards long and is challenging for any level of player. This is now becoming one of the most popular competitions around - meeting great people, playing fantastic courses, and ending at one of the best golfing resorts in the world: all for £20…"
Lesley Misfud - Mixed Pairs Winner 2009
"I have made some wonderful friends, some of whom I know I will see again. We have all had fun both on and off the golf course together. They're such a great group of people.
The course is beautiful, like an oasis in the middle of the desert, surrounded by stunning backdrops. And the third hole, across water, is the most difficult par-three I have ever played."
Paul Fell - Mixed Pairs Runner Up 2009
"The hotel, golf, weather and food were all brilliant. We want to go back there as soon as possible. After a couple of days with the Sky Cameras filming us it was a little scary, but after a while, especially after a good shot, we were hoping the cameras were there! Bring on next year.
I know how hard it is to qualify but we know what a great prize we are playing for.
Thanks again."
Michael Brockbank - Mens Winner 2008
"We were delighted to have won the competition, it surprised us how serious everyone took it, we were there to win but thought a few pairs might take the foot of the gas once they made the finals, but that just wasn't the case!
The tournament was extremely well run and James and I loved the whole experience, the Marriott Hotel was fantastic, the golf club and course were great and we met some great people along the way who we will keep in touch with. Fingers crossed for next year"
Gareth Whiles - Mens Finalist 2008
"We have had a fantastic time. The course is in great condition, the resort beautiful and its location spectacular. Everyone who was lucky enough to make the trip out here is a winner.
We are disappointed not to have won, but to be honest just to have made it here is a real achievement, and all for £20. We have had great fun and will definitely be taking part again next year."
Rob Vesty - Regional Final Runner Up 2008
"We have really enjoyed the championship and although we are disappointed to get so close to Grand Final in Egypt, we are proud to have made the regional final."
Wayne Livesey - Regional Final Runner Up 2008
"I have made some wonderful friends, some of whom I know I will see again. We have all had fun both on and off the golf course together. They're such a great group of people.
The course is beautiful, like an oasis in the middle of the desert, surrounded by stunning backdrops. And the third hole, across water, is the most difficult par-three I have ever played."