Andrew Oldcorn returns to La Moye Golf Club for this week’s Matrix Jersey Classic feeling like he still has a title to defend, following his European Tour success on the Channel Island 15 years ago.
The Scot was the last winner of the Jersey Open in 1995 before the tournament became part of the European Senior Tour schedule and he is relishing the chance to return to the host venue.
Oldcorn, who turned 50 at the end of March, is making only his third appearance on the Senior Tour after finishing tied 27th on his debut in the Handa Senior Masters presented by The Stapleford Forum and playing in his first Senior Major Championship last week, the US Senior PGA Championship.
As the Senior Tour begins a run of four events in the United Kingdom and Ireland, the 2001 PGA Champion is hoping to make a fond return visit to the traditional links of La Moye Golf Club.
“I’ve not stepped foot on the island of Jersey since 1995 since I won the Jersey Classic on the main Tour, then the following year Tommy Horton took it for the Senior Tour so I’ve never defended that tournament,” said the three-time European Tour winner.
“In a sense I will be going back as defending champion to the tournament 15 years later! Jersey was a place that I always loved playing and I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s fantastic in terms of the run of events I’m facing. I’ve missed most of the long haul events because of when my birthday has fallen, and I’ve never been a great long haul traveller anyway so it has worked out great for me.”
While Oldcorn feels he has a record of sorts to protect, the man who actually returns to La Moye as defending champion this week is 60 year old Delroy Cambridge. The Jamaican captured his first title in seven years when he defeated Mike Clayton on the third extra hole 12 months ago after the pair tied on nine under par 207.
Cambridge became the first two-time winner of the event, having also captured the trophy in 2002, and he will attempt to become the only player to successful defend the title.
“I’ve got some very happy memories of La Moye,” said Cambridge. “I’ve had three top ten finishes there – two as winner and one I lost in a play-off so I feel comfortable on that golf course.
“I think I play a little bit more cautiously there because it is a links course.”
Trying to succeed Cambridge as champion will be the in-form Order of Merit leader Boonchu Ruangkit, who won three times in a row – in Brunei, Thailand and South Africa - and finished second in the Handa Senior Masters presented The Stapleford Forum before heading to the United States last week.
Englishman Roger Chapman, who is currently second in the Order of Merit, finished in a share of sixth place last year and he will continue his search for a maiden Senor Tour title.
Tony Johnstone will also have some fond memories of La Moye having captured his maiden Senior Tour title in Jersey two years ago. The Zimbabwean was told by doctors he would never play golf again after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis but he underwent a revolutionary drug treatment programmes and defied the odds to capture an emotional victory.
Jersey resident Tommy Horton, winner in 1997, is also in the field along with other past champions Maurice Bembridge (1996), Jim Rhodes (2004) and Bobby Lincoln (2007). Meanwhile Carl Mason will continue his quest to break Horton’s record of 23 Senior Tour titles – needing just one win more to draw level with the former Ryder Cup player.
The tournament, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, has a new title sponsor in Matrix, the privately owned UK financial services business. There is also a new promoter in Sportcel Marketing Limited, although the venue remains the same as for the past 14 years – the longest unbroken run of any host venue on the Senior Tour.
