Philips Courtney Trophy Final 2026

Geoff Arthur and Peter Doran v Cec Bailey and Chris Hansen

The final of the 2026 Philip Cortney Trophy was played on a perfect summer’s day, with warm weather and a light breeze. All four competitors were seasoned players and eager to get underway, with Geoff and Peter having the honour on the first tee.

Despite the usual nerves, Geoff, Cec and Chris found the fairway, while Peter finished in the right-hand trees. Geoff was the steadiest from there and the hole was won with a five. Geoff and Peter 1 up.

The second saw all players well positioned off the tee, but excellent chipping from Peter left a steady 2-metre putt, which he converted to win the hole with a four. Geoff and Peter 2 up.

Only Chris found the green on the third with a well-struck 6-iron. A confident putt from 2.5 metres secured a birdie and an immediate response. Geoff and Peter 1 up.

Geoff took control on the fourth, finding the fairway, striking an 8-iron to the green and two-putting for par. Geoff and Peter back to 2 up.

The fifth featured steady play from both Geoff and Peter, with a four good enough to extend the lead to 3 up.

On the sixth, Cec failed to escape the greenside bunker with his first attempt, but an excellent 1.5-metre putt secured a nett 4 and the hole. Geoff and Peter 2 up.

The seventh saw quality short-game shots from Geoff and Chris from the left run-off area, resulting in short putts and the first halved hole.

The eighth offered three shots, but another halve kept the margin at 2 up.

Steady play on the ninth was highlighted by a superb bunker shot from Peter, followed by a 3-metre putt to extend the lead. Geoff and Peter 3 up.

Would this margin be enough, or could Cec and Chris mount a charge on the back nine? The answer came quickly on the 10th when Chris struck a high-quality 6-iron to 3 metres. With Geoff and Peter struggling, the hole was conceded. Lead reduced to 2 up.

The comeback continued on the 11th. Bogeys from Cec and Chris were enough, and when Geoff missed a short putt the margin was cut to 1 up.

The 12th saw steady play again. Chris and Geoff both putted from the left side for four, while Cec saved four from the bunker. With shots applying to both Cec and Geoff, Geoff holed from 2 metres for a nett 4 and the win. Geoff and Peter back to 2 up.

On the 13th, Peter, Cec and Chris found the fairway, while Geoff was in a fairway bunker. With Peter picking up and both Cec and Chris recording sixes, Geoff held his nerve to two-putt for five and another win. Geoff and Peter out to 3 up.

The 14th, always a difficult hole, saw Cec drive into the cross bunker but play a superb recovery from a severe side lie to the middle of the green. Two putts produced a nett 3 and reduced the margin to 2 up.

All players found the fairway on the 15th, but with Cec, Chris and Peter all missing par putts, the hole was halved with bogeys. Geoff and Peter 2 up.

The match entered the business end at the 16th. Geoff, Cec and Chris found the fairway, while Peter was in the left rough. After all missed the green, Geoff pitched to 1.5 metres, while Cec played a superb 65-metre pitch to 2 metres. Cec holed for a nett 3 to win the hole. Geoff and Peter 1 up.

Under pressure on the 17th, Geoff and Peter both found fairway bunkers, while Cec and Chris were safely in the fairway. Good recovery shots left all players with approach opportunities, but both Cec and Geoff missed the green and eventually finished with seven and six respectively. Peter putted from the front edge to 1.5 metres. Chris then played a fine pitch from 55 metres to 2 metres but faced a difficult downhill putt, which slid past. Peter converted to halve the hole in five. Geoff and Peter 1 up.

It was fitting that after such a close contest the match would go to the final hole. All players found the fairway, but none reached the green in regulation. Geoff and Peter made safe bogeys, leaving Chris with a 2.5-metre putt to extend the match. Unfortunately for he and Cec, the putt caught the high side of the hole and slid past.

Congratulations to Geoff and Peter on winning a hard-fought match play contest. A few putts either way could have changed the result, but when it mattered most they rose to the occasion. Despite the closeness throughout, they were never headed.

Commiserations to Cec and Chris, who showed great determination and kept the pressure on throughout.

All four players should be congratulated for the excellent spirit in which the match was played.

John Scheffer
Match Referee

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