European Men’s Club Trophy proves a tough ask for Moor Hall
It wasn’t quite what they hoped for but Moor Hall finished a highly respectable eighth out of 22 at the European Men’s Club Trophy in Portugal at the weekend.
FORMAT: 54-hole team stroke play
The Warwickshire and first-time England champions finished 24 shots back of overall winners Cannes Mougins, who were able to call on the leading individual Tom Valliant (-2). The French international made the cut at the DP World Tour French Open at the end of last month.
Dan and Rob Bardsley plus John-Paul Banbury recovered well after a slow start. After a rain-interrupted day one, Moor Hall were down in 15th and jumped seven places on the final day as all three shot 74 or better.
The renowned Lisbon track, known locally as ‘Troja The Destroyer’, has a continent-wide reputation as one of the most difficult in Europe with its length, tight fairways and tiny greens.
And Rob Bardsley and his team knew they had their work cut out before the event started.
He said: “In the first practice round none of us managed a birdie so we all thought… ‘ok this is going to be difficult’.
“On top of that it was pretty windy and we had to cope with heavy rain but that said I think we under achieved. On paper we should have finished fourth or fifth.
“But when you looked across the teams there were not many golfers over the age of 22. There were lots of full-time golfers and those who had been at college in America. I think the individual winner (Valliant) turned pro the day after the event so there were some top, top players in there.”
The tone for the event was set on the first morning where the Moor Hall trio were out early. Rob Bardsley had to wait on the first tee before starting in heavy rain.
Behind him Banbury put his opening shot into water after play had been stopped. A mix-up on the tee meant he started after the rain delay had begun.
With two from three scores counting, it was the Bardsley brothers’ 79 (Rob) and 78 that left them 12 shots behind Italy.
In round two Rob Bardsley was one under with two to play but a lack of course knowledge cost him dear at the last and he would close with a 74 while Banbury birdied 16 and 17 to close with a 78.
On the final day Banbury posted a level-par 72 while both Bardsleys managed a 74 to ensure the trip ended with a big positive.
“Ironically enough the final day was the hardest in terms of conditions,” added Rob Bardsley.
“It just goes to show how important it was to get to know the course and overall it was a great week and a good experience.
“Hopefully next year we can win again in Warwickshire and give ourselves a chance of getting back to Troja again.”