Colin Edwards, (picture © Tom Ward) proved he is still a force in the game by winning the English Mid-Amateur Stroke Play Championship for the Logan Trophy in style at Minchinhampton 12 years after his last national triumph.
The 44 year old from Bath, whose appearances in national events have been restricted by business commitments and a car accident 18 months ago, rolled back the years to lead from start to finish.
Edwards carded a closing 70 for 206, seven under par, and a six-shot winning margin from Cheshire’s Gareth Bradley, who took the runner-up spot on countback also with 70, and defending champion Martin Young with 73.
Edwards’ last national title was a share of the Brabazon Trophy in 1995 but he proved he has lost none of the skills that brought him 86 England appearances between 1991 and 2003.
"This is unbelievable," he said after starting the day three strokes clear of Young. "It is fantastic to win and means the world to me because it proves I can still win at national level. At the start of the week I probably felt I couldn’t win. I was hitting the ball poorly but the opening 68 was a big boost. I wanted to win more than anything and in some ways I probably tried too hard.
"But although I had a comfortable lead I could never relax until the end because II knew how good a player Martin is," added the man with 12 Somerset titles to his credit."
From Young’s point of view, Edwards’ three-stroke lead going into the final day was a gap too far and he never managed to claw it back. Playing together at the back of the field, they both birdied the first but the crucial hole was the par-four sixth where there was a two-shot swing, Edwards collecting another birdie while Young took five after missing the green.
That put Edwards five clear and another Young bogey at the eighth extended Edwards’ advantage at they reached the turn in 34 and 37 respectively.
If the contest wasn’t over, it was as good as when Edwards rolled in another lengthy putt on the short tenth. He could even afford to run up a couple of back nine bogeys and still win at a canter.
"That two-shot swing at the sixth was a big moment and I probably played a bit negatively and left a few shots out there," added Edwards. "But I still felt pressure because I hadn’t been in such a position for such a long time."
Young, 37, who arguably was not firing on all cylinders in the final round, said: "I was pleased with the way I played and it was a good defence of the title. "I had a few chances early on and several putts shaved the hole. If they had gone in it would have given me some impetus."
If Bradley hadn’t shot 74 in the second round he might have challenged Edwards but the 44 year old former captain of Cheshire was happy with his closing 70 for second spot.
John Kemp, another ex-England cap, also finished with 70 including a back nine of 32, for 218 and joint seventh spot but the week belonged to Edwards, who is hoping to add another national crown in the County Champions event at Woodhall Spa next month.
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