Sam Quail and Melissa McMahon prevailed at the Royal Jersey Golf Club to win the 2025 Jersey Golf Island Championship.
An Island Championship brimming with home-grown talent was held over the past week at Royal Jersey.
Qualifying rounds for the Jersey Golf Championships took place last week, with the ladies competing on Thursday and the men across Thursday and Friday.
There were standout performances throughout, but the highlight came on Friday from Sam Quail, who followed up his opening round of 74 with a superb 65 (-5). His two-round total earned him the prestigious Geoff Ramskill Medal for the lowest scratch 36-hole score in qualifying.
In the ladies’ field, the best scratch score was posted by Anabelle Lucas-Villar with a 74, narrowly edging out Melissa McMahon, who carded a 76.
Jersey Golf president Juanita Adlington praised the turnout, particularly in the men’s competition, noting broader trends influencing participation.
“It was really pleasing to see such a high number of entries in the men’s championships, although that was counterbalanced by a slightly lower turnout in the ladies’ field, something we’re seeing across the game, not just here in Jersey,” she said.
“That said, for any women interested in trying golf, there are plenty of pathways into the game here in the Island.”
Adlington also expressed gratitude to sponsors and supporters: “The continued support of Team Asset Management has been instrumental in the event’s success. Their commitment to local sport helps us deliver a championship that highlights the skill, sportsmanship, and competitive spirit of our top amateur golfers.”
It was encouraging to see fresh talent emerging, with junior player Jacob Townsend, La Moye’s Kris Fogg and Matt Atkinson-Wood all earning spots in the last 16.
They were joined by some familiar faces, including five-time champion Matthew Parkman, last year’s Senior Island and CI Champion Jeremy Phillips, and 2025 Strokeplay Champion Charlie Kiberd, also of La Moye.
There were some great matches many going to the 18th hole but the final between Quail and Parkman was of the highest quality, and eventually saw Quail crowned as the new Island Champion.
Quail’s electric form continued throughout the weekend. He won 3&2 over Parkman in the final, marking his fourth victory of the weekend.
Quail expressed his gratitude for winning the Championship: “I think these events are really special. People don’t realise how much golf it actually is. It takes a lot of resilience and effort. They are really tough competitions and I do not take lightly the achievement and how special it is to finally win my first island title.”
He continued to discuss the difficulty of the competition: “I think everyone who played this week can appreciate how much of a slog it is. It is so hard to remain focused and resilient, especially when things don’t always go your way.”
Quail competed against the best golfers in Jersey to earn the right to his crown: “When the course plays as tough as it does it’s really important to stay patient especially in match play as momentum can switch so quickly. To play someone like ‘Parky’, who is arguably the best golfer Jersey has had for a long time, is amazing.
“He [Parkman] is a really good mate of mine, I’ve learnt so much from him through playing foursomes, and I’m sure that he is over the moon for me along with lots of the other lads. We are all appreciative of how much effort we all put in over the season.”
The ladies matchplay went to form with Lucas-Villar, the 2024 champion, taking on 2025’s strokeplay champion, Lily Buckley, in the top half of the draw.
Lucas-Villar was triumphant and found herself in a final against Melissa McMahon, a former Dorset County Champion. McMahon beat the 2023 Champion Iman Hamid Wilkinson to make her first island final.
The ladies final was a masterclass of matchplay golf, McMahon closed out her round with three birdies in the last five holes to take the match down to a tiebreaker 19th hole, where a fourth birdie in six holes from McMahon was enough to win the 2025 Championship.
McMahon was delighted with the outcome of her weekend: “Securing the Jersey Ladies Championship title on my debut and on my home course was a truly special moment. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone at Jersey Golf and the Royal Jersey Golf Club for the warm welcome and support since moving to the Island.”
Looking ahead, Juanita Adlington confirmed anticipation is building for the Senior Finals Weekend, set to take place at Royal Jersey on 2–3 August. Defending champions Jeremy Phillips and Brona Lambert will both be back in action, facing strong fields as they look to retain their titles.
The same weekend will also see the crowning of this year’s Junior Island Champion, with young Jersey star Townsend set to face Gabriel Ridgeway in what promises to be an exciting showdown.
These events serve as a key lead-up to the Channel Islands Finals at La Moye on 9-10th August, where Jersey’s five island champions will take on their Guernsey counterparts.
“This year’s competitions have really highlighted the strength in depth across all levels of the game in Jersey,”
Adlington said. “From senior to junior, it’s been encouraging to see such quality on display, and it bodes well as we look ahead to the inter-insulars in September.”