On April 25th, 2026, blessed with bright sunshine and gentle spring breezes, Foshan Golf Club officially teed off its annual Men's Match Play. Sixteen outstanding players, having qualified from two Member Monthly Medals, gathered on the lush spring course. They joined defending champion Mr. Raymond for the 14th Men's Match Play, kicking off an exciting round of competition.

The Men's Match Play is very unique in the Club's traditional events and it is exclusively for male players. The best part of the event is that it allows players with different handicaps to compete and enjoy the game together.

The match kicked off promptly at 7:30 a.m., with all players arriving at the No.1 Hole tee on time. Mr. Rob Eastwood, the Club's Director of Golf, thoroughly briefed each group on the competition regulations and match play rules.
Adopting a four-round knockout format, each round consists of 9 holes. Winners from every group advance in pairs to compete round by round, battling through successive eliminations to determine the final champion.

It has been 13 years since the launch of the Club's Men's Match Play. The gleaming perpetual trophy is engraved with the names of every past champion, standing not only as a testament to individual glory, but also weaving together the splendid history of this time-honoured tournament.
In this year's event, promising rising stars shine with great potential, seasoned veterans maintain their elegant form, and skilled players in their prime deliver outstanding strength.Gathering on the greens, all elites compete hole by hole in fierce contention. Who will break through the tight competition, inscribe a new name on the trophy, and write a brand-new chapter for the event?

This match adopted a well-established and accurate handicap system to arrange matchups, ensuring complete fairness throughout the competition. Every head-to-head contest remained full of suspense and closely contested, with most matches going down to the final hole before a winner was decided, making the competition exceptionally intense.After two rounds of fierce competition, the final four players were confirmed: Zhang Dongxian, Xu Zuoxun, Chen Jichang and Zhang Zeping. The two semi-final duels were tightly fought and highly exciting. Following intense head-to-head battles, Xu Zuoxun and Chen Jichang each defeated their opponents and advanced to the final, competing for the championship and runner-up titles.

The final stage required a grueling 36-hole challenge, placing extreme demands on the players' stamina, concentration and mental resilience. Xu Zuoxun boasts 24 years of golf experience, while Chen Jichang has honed his skills over a decade. With abundant course expertise between them, the two seasoned competitors made for a highly anticipated title showdown.

The final kicked off at the No.10 Hole. Xu Zuoxun maintained a composed pace and steady play with balanced offense and defense throughout. Chen Jichang was equally impressive, fighting tenaciously with solid skills and a calm mindset. The two were evenly matched from the start, keeping scores neck-and-neck with multiple ties in a tight back-and-forth contest.
Xu Zuoxun claimed the opening No.10 Hole, while the No.11 Hole ended in a draw. Chen Jichang secured victory on the No.12 Hole.

As the match continued, Xu Zuoxun seized the initiative with consistent rhythm to win both the No.13 and 14 Holes in a row. Chen Jichang fought back strongly on the No.15 Hole to close the gap. Though trailing, he remained composed and focused, handling every shot with poise.
On the No.16 and 17 Holes, both players stayed solid and evenly matched, keeping the championship undecided and building suspense all the way to the decisive final hole.

The decisive showdown unfolded on the No.18 Hole, drawing numerous non-competing members to stop and watch. All eyes were fixed on the green as everyone gathered to witness the crowning of the champion.
The two players carded identical scores on this final hole. In accordance with tournament rules, Xu Zuoxun claimed overall victory by virtue of his superior performance in the nine-hole final round.
Both competitors delivered outstanding and fighting performances from start to finish. They completed the challenge with full dedication, embodying the true spirit of golf with solid skill and sportsmanship, bringing this thrilling 36-hole showdown to a fulfilling conclusion.

Golf is not merely a contest of individual skills，but also a harmonious collaboration between the golfer and the caddy. In this fierce match play, every golfer was supported by a caddie providing expert guidance, meticulous service, and unwavering support，their partnership warming each swing of the competition.

Awards

Congratulations to the Champion Mr. Xu Zuoxun and the Runner-up Mr. Chen Jichang, and also all the other players! 

Sincere gratitude shall be expressed to our sponsors, Qingfeng Group, Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance - Foshan Auto Town Branch and Guangyi fine wine!