Midland Men’s Closed Championship success for Spalding star
A last-minute decision to play in the Midland Men’s Closed Championship proved a very good one for Spalding’s Hugo Kedzlie.
FORMAT: 36-hole stroke play
The 21-year-old was due to fly back to the USA last week to complete his degree at the University of Delaware but delayed his flight in order to see his sister, who was coming the other way.
It meant he could take part in Saturday’s 36-holer at Coventry Hearsall and he ended up winning by three shots from The Leicestershire’s Richard Wale.
The Lincolnshire player has not enjoyed the best of seasons but things improved dramatically after he spent a day watching the pros at the Cazoo Open at Hillside at the end of last month.
“I have struggled for most of the season and it has essentially been a mindset issue,” said Kedzlie.
“My process has become too results orientated and watching the pros made me realise that.
“I spent quite a bit of time watchin Jordan Wrisdale, who I grew up playing with, and the whole experience just really helped me make sense of what I needed to do.”
The Spalding star was certainly in the right place as he fired a bogey-free 65 in the second round to overhall Wale, who unfortunately bogeyed the final two holes.
But Kedzlie, who opened with a level-par 70, got to two under after nine but felt good with the back nine “expected to yield birdies”.
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He added: “I just stayed patient and waited for the birdies to come and it was really nice to go bogey free and also keep a five off my card. I think it is the first time I have ever managed that.”
An excellent tee shot at the short par four fourth kick-started his march to the top. His two iron found the back of the green and he got down in two from 50 feet.
At the ninth a poor drive left looked to be heading into serious trouble but he hit a tree and the ball richoted kindly. He was then able to get within 50 yards of the putting surface in two before pitching to a foot.
A beautiful eight iron right over the pin at ten set up his third birdie of the round and he then took full advantage of the short par four 13th to get to four under. In the morning a two iron had proved too much club so a four iron left him with straightforward chip and he got up and down.
At the par five 15th he found sand with his approach but stiffed the bunker shot before nerves kicked in at the last.
Kedzlie added: “Coming down 18th I was fully aware about not having had a five so when I left myself ten feet for a four, I was like ‘oh no!’”
However Kedzlie rolled it in to complete the round of the day, eclipsing the 67 of first-round leader Jack Severn (Cleobury Mortimer).