Chedhomme next up for defending champ Blondel

Top seed and defending champion Danny Blondel will be up against the 2021 Guernsey golfer of the year Ollie Chedhomme in what promises to be a battle royal even at this early stage of the competition.

The current holder of the Bachmann Trophy got his defence off to a sound start yesterday, although Guernsey senior team member Mark Allez kept Blondel’s mind on the task rather than allow him an easy ride.

Allez had shown some impressive form in coming through Sunday’s preliminary round and he maintained that solidity to keep within touching distance of the champion over the front nine.

But Blondel then shifted up a gear and three successive birdies from the 12th saw him close out the match with plenty to spare.

On paper, Chedhomme’s clash with 2016 champion Steve Mahy looked the pick of the first round and it did not disappoint.

The 17-year-old had established a two-hole lead by the time the pair reached the 12th and he retained that advantage by making a nice up-and-down to save par.

However, Mahy hit a terrific approach into the 13th to set up a birdie that narrowed the gap to one, only to suffer the misfortune of seeing his third at the long 14th bounce through the green and he was quickly back to 2 down.

Knowing Chedhomme was unlikely to make unforced errors, Mahy pushed for more birdies and came close on 15 before holing a lengthy par putt at the next to keep his hopes alive.

They were dashed at the 17th, though, as he could not better Chedhomme’s par and the teenager progressed.

The best golf of the evening was provided by two more Island players as Daniel Griggs and Tom Pattimore had a real ding-dong battle that saw them make nine birdies between them.

The final one of those proved decisive as Griggs made a brilliant two at the last having hit his tee shot to 5ft to edge out his unfortunate opponent.

There were also wins yesterday for Dave Jeffery, Andy Eggo, Chris Hurley and Arthur Evans while Rory McKenna had a walk-over after Ross Bateman withdrew through injury.

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Men’s Island Championship

First round

Top half results

D Blondel beat M Allez 5 & 4; S Mahy lost to O Chedhomme 3 & 1; D Jeffery beat J Tucknott 5 & 4; A Martel lost to A Eggo 5 & 4; D Griggs beat T Pattimore 1 up; R Bateman gave a walkover to R McKenna; N Tanguy lost to C Hurley 3 & 2; A Evans beat J Nicolle at the 19th.

Bottom half

Tuesday (from 4.15pm)

J Blondel v M Knight; B Hibbins v M Marley; L Marley v CJ Elmy; C McKenna v D Bisson; T Le Huray v W Davidson; P Rogers v A Boyd; G Falla v W Harwood; J Savident v R Eggo.