CI champion survives a dramatic opening night
WASIF ANEES came within just a yard or two of causing a huge shock in the first round of the Ravenscroft Guernsey Open Matchplay last night at La Grande Mare.
However, with his opponent Gavin O'Neill, the Channel Islands champion, having hit his drive at the 18th into a ditch, Anees proceeded to follow him in and both were forced to take a drop.
O'Neill then hit two superb shots on his way to a par that the home player was unable to match and Anees, who had been three up on his illustrious opponent at the turn, was out.
The CI champion now plays his fellow Jerseyman Matthew Parkman in tonight's quarter-finals.
With O'Neill escaping, the shock of the night came when Royal Guernsey's Roland Mills beat La Grande Mare professional Ben Mellon to earn a quarter-final with Bobby Eggo.
The other professional in the draw, RGGC's Michael Durcan, progressed safely and will now face Daniel Griggs while Dave Jeffery got his title defence off to a winning start against Tom Weatherburn and will now meet Danny Blondel.
The quarter-finals tee off at 5.30pm today.
More in todays Guernsey Press.
