Calendar highlight to benefit from backing

THE men's and women's Island Championships have a new backer after Fortis Guernsey agreed a three-year sponsorship deal with the Guernsey Golf Union. The highlight of the local golf calendar sees the matchplay events held back-to-back over consecutive weeks at L'Ancresse to determine the Guernsey champions.

The men's competition is open to anyone, while the women have silver and bronze division sections, the former being open to those with a handicap up to 19 and the latter for those higher.

All matches are played off scratch.

Last year Jack Mitchell, at 20 years old, became one of the youngest winners in the history of the men's island title when he confidently beat defending champion and three-time winner Nigel Vaudin.

Sue Wellfair retained the women's crown in 2007, beating Di Hudson in a competitive 36-hole silver-division final.

Young Beki Le Cheminant made her mark in last year's event and is an up-and-coming player to look out for in future.

Aged only 13, she reached the bronze division final and, although she was defeated by Wilma Nicolle, she impressed everyone throughout the competition.

'The Island Championships feature the creme de la creme of Guernsey's golf and are widely regarded as the most prestigious competitions of the year,' said Alan Mahy, president of the GGU.

'Last year we had the highest number of competitors we have had in a long while and, with Fortis Guernsey's support, we are hoping to build on that to develop the event even further.'

Rick Denton, director of business development and marketing at Fortis Guernsey, said: 'We are thrilled to offer our support to the GGU for this event. I am looking forward to seeing what this year's competition brings.'

The Fortis Island Men's Championship begins on Monday 19 May, with the 36-hole final the following Sunday.

The Women's Championships start on that Sunday (25 May), with the finals on Friday 30 May or Sunday 1 June.

The winners will go on to play their Jersey counterparts in the Channel Islands Championships on 15 June 2008 at home.

The Royal Guernsey Golf Club will host the player draws - the men's will take place on 11 May and the women's on 18 May.