2003 BMGA British Championships: Results

John 'Big Top Ted' McIver clinched his third British title in a row finishing off his arch rival Tim 'Ace Man' Davies at the fourth extra hole in a tense drama worthy of the bard himself in Stratford-upon-Avon.

McIver arrived late Friday night at the Stratford course to find the course subtly different to the one he had spent a weekend practicing three weeks earlier. Davies in the true spirit of Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club took the next two hours demonstrating and explaining the lines. He made only one proviso and that was a special line on the eighteenth was not to be used against him. This would later come back to haunt him.

Davies and Eagar burst out of the gates, both setting British record scores of 32 for the newly extended course. McIver and Jon Angel settled in three shots adrift. The dangerous Michael Webb and rejuvenated Robert Vallory a further shot behind.

The second round saw Will Eagar continue to set the pace and McIver retained his position three shots off the lead. Meanwhile Davies in the same group was having a round he'd rather forget, an incomprehensible 6 at the first hole set the tone. At one point it looked as though he might not qualify for the last round. Jon Angel wasn't so lucky and crashed out. Nicky Dexter cruised into equal fourth place with a cultured 35 along with the ever consistent Michael Webb.

The third round was probably one of the most unlikely ever seen on the tour. Will Eagar paid the price for lack of preparation as he missed a string of makeable putts which culminated in a four at the final hole. Davies felt that a six shot deficit could be made up and went on to prove his point by drawing level with Eagar and McIver at the thirteenth. The three fought it out over the remaining holes, no quarter given or taken. They came to the eighteenth unaware of the excellent 35 Michael Webb had achieved, thinking only that they needed to beat each other. Davies putting first holed out with a perfect ace and a trademark Grrrr. McIver had to make the shot to stay in the competition and yes he did use the same line and in it went.

A play-off followed, Davies, once again out of sorts played the most atrocious tee shot on the first following McIvers easy two. He recovered to make the two and again at the second, this time playing first, hit a terrible shot but recovered. McIver, much more up for it, just missed the ace and holed a long second. On to the third extra hole, McIver again narrowly missed the ace and holed for a two. Davies, his nerves palpable hit another uncharacteristic shot but somehow managed a two. Then Davies blew up at the fourth extra hole hitting the worst shot of his roller coaster day, the ball finally entered the cup on his fourth attempt. Strangely his second shot was from a position the BBC had asked to film him from, he pointed out to them at the time that he would never be in this position. So when taking his first shot perhaps it wasn't a good idea to picture the consecutive aces he had made on the same hole in front of the cameras. McIver duly rolled the ball up to within a foot and Davies conceded.

McIver was presented with the British Minigolf Championship trophy which he now keeps as remarkably this was his third victory in a row.

Most improved player goes to Stephen Gow for an improvement of 36 shots over his performance in the British Masters. A special mention should also go to Mitchell 'The Future' Vallory not yet double figures in years who posted a highly competitive 40 in the first round.

A great day of minigolf. Our thanks go to the Dexters for preparing the venue perfectly and to Peter Parr and the executive committee for their organisation of the event.

1	John McIver	35	35	38	108**
2	Tim Davies	32*	41	35	108
3	Michael Webb	36	38	35	109
4	Nicky Dexter¹	39	35	37	111
5	Will Eagar	32*	35	45	112
6	Robert Vallory	36	40	36	112
7	Jo Vallory	38	37	37	112
8	Peter Parr	38	36	40	114
9	Martin Dexter	37	38	43	118
10	Jon Angel	35	42		77
11	Graham Southern	38	40		78
12	Steve Vallory	42	37		79
13	Mike Worley	38	44		82
14	Martin Vallory	43	40		83
15	James Dexter	40	43		83
16	Rhys Berry	42	42		84
17	Lionel Bender	42	43		85
18	Don McPhee	44	42		86
19	Brett Lymer	47	41		88
20	Ben Townend	45	43		88
21	Stephen Gow	43	45		88
22	Giles Barnett	40	49		89
23	Ian Martin	47	42		89
24	Scott Coe	44	45		89
25	Will Knight	40	50		90
26	Mitchell Vallory	40	50		90
27	Etienne Bender	48	42		90
28	Keith Cheal	44	48		92
29	Michael King	45	49		94
30	Joe Evertts	54	51		105