Mitchell swings from a chump to champ

JACK MITCHELL became one of the youngest winners of the island golf title in the pouring rain at L'Ancresse yesterday, a week after he had received a hammering from the man he beat in the final. Mitchell, 20, lost 7 and 6 to defending champion Nigel Vaudin seven days previously in the annual de la Rue team encounter between the Royal Guernsey and L'Ancresse.

But two nights later Mitchell was back on the course, starting a run of victories which took him to his first title and saw him join a select band of modern-day winners. The last 25 years have produced only six island men's matchplay champions, the title being bounced between Vaudin - three times a winner - Bobby Eggo, Mick Marley, David Warr, David Rowlinson and Nigel Le Noury.

Mitchell had not been behind in any match all week and it was the same against Vaudin, who started as firm favourite, having put out Marley on the third extra-hole on Friday evening, a short while after Mitchell had got the better of Steve Mahy in their semi. Neither finalist thought the de la Rue result had any bearing on the final.

'All week I've been so focused that I didn't have to look back,' said the new champion.

'Nobody has been up on me all week and it was my target never to go down in any of my matches. I didn't feel nervous and felt ready for the occasion.'

'He's a worthy winner,' said Vaudin, who said he had struggled to concentrate in the downpour and lost four holes on the trot from the sixth.

'He played some very solid golf.

'I struggled with my putting all morning and didn't take my chances.

'But I was pleased to be there again,' remarked a man who having had the misfortune to play Eggo in several 36-hole finals, has lost more than he has won.

Mitchell was ahead from as early as the fifth and by the turn had doubled his advantage.

At the 10th, his approach hit the stick and settled down close to the hole for a certain birdie three and he moved four up at the next when Vaudin conceded.

The lead grew to five when he birdied the 16th, but it was back to four by the end of the morning session which Mitchell covered in level par 70.

He was no less consistent at the start of the afternoon round and a six iron to 5ft secured a winning birdie at the third.

Vaudin immediately pulled one back but a hooked drive and duffed second cost him the sixth and, when he lipped out to three-putt the short seventh, the lead was six and the writing was on the wall.