Mr Michael Webb wins British Championship

British Championships, Clambers, 8th May, 2004

Under leaden skies, Britain's finest minigolfers gathered at the Clambers course, Hastings, on Saturday 8th May, to contest the British Championships 2004. Overnight rain had altered playing conditions from Friday's practice day, but few, however, were looking beyond Hastings-based pair Welshman Tim "Ace Man" Davies and Scotland's John "Ted" McIver, for the eventual winner of the Mens' Championship. Tim, British Champion in 2000, had finished runner-up in the British Open at Clambers the previous September, while Ted was, remarkably, aiming for his fourth consecutive title - three straight wins meant that the original Championship trophy would now be sitting proudly on his mantlepiece forever. With the tournament to be played over 36 holes, followed by a cut, with the top nine players going into a final round, home advantage was expected to be crucial. As for the Womens' title (played over 36 holes), defending champion Ruth Bullin was expecting a stern test from several potential challengers.

Play began with a shotgun start at 11 a.m.. In the first group, Josh Crunden shot an excellent 46, the highlight being a terrific ace on the difficult 10th. Jamie Clarke was hot on his heels with a fine 48, while Mitchell Vallory scored 60, marred by two consecutive sevens from the 9th. In the following group, Bill Bullin shot a consistent 41, while his Hastings' colleague Eric Hardwick took 45, the damage coming from a five at the 15th. After a rocky start, experienced Steve Vallory recovered well, only to take a six at the 12th, to leave him on 49.

The next group featured the much fancied Tim Davies. After a couple of twos to start, three threes in a row from the third did "Ace Man" no favours. Despite two homeward aces (including one on the tricky 10th), another three left Tim on 38. Stephanie Mansell and Richard Redman shared similar fates. Although they both played steadily, a few bad holes made all the difference. Richard took 52, Stephanie 58.

B.M.G.A. Chairman Peter Parr was drawn in the next group with Sally Weddell and Martin Vallory. In an excellent round of 37, his four at the 5th and three at the 15th were countered by two aces. Sally had an excellent opening nine, but had two fives and a seven on the way home for a 51. Martin played consistently to shoot 44, his problem holes being the 10th and 15th, where he took two fours.

In the fifth group, defending Womens' Champion Ruth Bullin was on fine form to shoot 40. Lionel Bender, the most popular player on the B.M.G.A. Tour, shot 45, despite three consecutive aces from the 6th, the damage coming from a costly five at the 4th and a seven at the 10th. Steve Garton had a similar story to tell with his 46 - a seven at the 10th and a four at the 15th marred an otherwise fine round.

Two-time British Masters Champion Robert Vallory appeared in the following group. He got off to a flying start with an ace at the first, but two fours shortly afterwards left him on 43. London's Russ Dent did well to register a 45 after taking a four on both the 3rd and 14th. Simon Rogers had a tough first few holes, which sank his hopes. He took 59.

Two London Minigolf Club players, club captain Jon Angel and Steve Gow, were paired in the next group with Chris Raeburn. Jon did not get off to the best of starts, but played the last thirteen holes in twenty-six shots to shoot 40. This score was matched by Steve, who registered fifteen twos on his card. The highlight of Chris' round was an amazing ace at the 15th, but, unfortunately, two sixes on holes 9 and 10 left him on 44.

Defending Mens' Champion John "Ted" McIver, whom to many is the embodiment of British minigolf, was the star attraction of the penultimate group. He battled through the tricky conditions, finishing with aces on the 16th and 17th to record a 39. Robert Smith (one of a batch of talented young players) and London's Keith Kellard had the same tale to tell. Consistent throughout, their scorecards were spoiled by a couple of nasty sevens on the 10th. Keith took 43, Robert 47. A seven on the 10th also featured on Brian Williams' card. He started well, but struggled from the ninth to finish on 58.

The final group achieved a unique feat, when all four players scored a two on the par-3 5th. Andrew Raeburn was delighted to shoot a lifetime's best 39 (which could have been even better, but for a five on the 10th). Jo Peedell played very nicely to record a fine 40, a round that included two aces. Playing his first tournament on the course, Michael King did himself proud with a 43. The last player in the group was B.M.G.A. Tour regular Michael Webb. Never having won a domestic title, the Tynesider did his best to stay out of trouble and even managed three aces to register a score of 34.

So, after the First Round, Michael Webb was the surprise leader with a three shot advantage over Peter Parr, with Tim Davies on 38 and "Ted" McIver and Andrew Raeburn both on 39. The Womens' Championship was very nicely balanced, with both Ruth Bullin and Jo Peedell on 40.

The groups were rearranged for Round Two, with the leaders going out last.

Both Mitchell Vallory and Simon Rogers improved greatly on their First Round scores, registering a 46 and 40 respectively. However, Brian Williams, Stephanie Mansell, Richard Redman and Sally Weddell continued to struggle in the overcast conditions - none of them managed to break 50.

In the third group, Steve Vallory did make a considerable improvement, registering a 40, while Jamie Clarke and Robert Smith battled gamely for 53 and 49 respectively.

Steve Garton was the star of the next group, with an incredible five aces in seven holes. Unfortunately, for the second time he took seven on the 10th to finish on 41, a score matched by playing partner Eric Hardwick. Josh Crunden shot 50, with thirteen of those coming on the 9th and 10th.

In Group Five, Lionel Bender put himself in contention for a place in the final round with a terrific 38. Russ Dent took 46, his steady play undone by a seven at the 10th. Chris Raeburn battled to shoot 49.

Both Martin Vallory and Michael King struggled to match their First Round scores, taking 50 and 48 respectively. Keith Kellard, despite a six on the 3rd, did his chances of making the cut no harm with a round of 41.

Meanwhile, Robert Vallory eased through to the final 18 holes with three aces in his 41. Bill Bullin faded, however, to a 49, the trouble coming with a seven on the 15th. Steve Gow also dropped back with a 45. He was to later rue a four on the 17th.

The Womens' Championship was decided in the penultimate group. With both Ruth Bullin and Jo Peedell shooting First Round scores of 40, things were finely balanced. While Jo struggled over the opening holes of her second round, Ruth reached the turn in a terrific 19 shots. However, the back nine saw a dramatic turnaround - Jo hit two aces while fours began to appear on Ruth's card. In the end, while Ruth slipped to a 47, Jo finished on 43, becoming the Womens' Champion for 2004.

The two remaining members of that group, London stalwart Jon Angel and Andrew Raeburn, had contrasting fortunes. Jon shot 39, a fine score after his rocky first few holes. Sadly, Andrew could not repeat his terrific opening round, as he faded to a 49.

In the final group, Peter Parr got off to a bad start with an opening four. Tim Davies, biding his time, waited until the 3rd to make an early move, holing for a superb ace. However, the fireworks really began when "Ted" McIver spectacularly aced holes 5, 6 and 7. His charge was brought to an abrupt halt on the 9th though when he ran up a four, a score he repeated on the 10th. A five on the 12th finally dashed his hopes of a fourth consecutive title - he was to finish with 40. Meanwhile, First Round leader Michael Webb opened with a two and continued in the same vein thereafter. As Tim and Peter tried manfully for aces to make up ground, Michael was quite content to make two. And he kept on going until, remarkably, he managed to complete his round with a two on every hole. His score of 36 was one better than Tim's and three better than Peter's.

Nine players made the cut, which fell at 84:

Michael Webb       34 + 36 = 70
Tim Davies            38 + 37 = 75
Peter Parr              37 + 39 = 76
Jon Angel               40 + 39 = 79
John "Ted" McIver 39 + 40 = 79
Lionel Bender        45 + 38 = 83
Jo Peedell              40 + 43 = 83
Keith Kellard          43 + 41 = 84
Robert Vallory        43 + 41 = 84

Steve Gow was the unlucky man to finish on 85, though Steve Garton, who shot 87, was left to regret the 14 shots he had played at the 10th hole alone.

In the first of the three final groups, Keith Kellard improved on his earlier rounds, shooting three aces in an excellent 38 to finish on 122. Robert Vallory shot another consistent 42 (totalling 126), while newly crowned Womens' Champion Jo Peedell even managed an ace on the difficult 10th to round off a terrific overall performance. Her 44 was matched by the second group's Lionel Bender, whose consistent round was marred by a six at the same 10th hole. He and Jo were both to finish on 127. "Ted" McIver was nine shots behind Michael at the start of the final round, but alas, could not mount the charge required. Two aces did give him a fine round of 37 though, for a total of 116.

The final player in the penultimate group was Jon Angel. Like "Ted", he too was nine shots behind the leader. A fast start was required - and he got it! Streaking out of the blocks, the Londoner secured three aces in the first seven holes.

This fact, however, was unknown to the three members of the final group. Michael Webb opened nervously with a three (his first in 27 holes), but neither Tim Davies nor Peter Parr could mount much of an early challenge. Indeed, Peter started slowly and faded, with shots dropped on the 3rd and 5th holes, as he closed with a round of 41 and a total of 117.

Michael meanwhile resumed his habit of taking two on every hole from the 2nd. But Tim began to chip away at his lead, acing the 6th. They matched each other over the next three holes and then came to the difficult 10th. Tim knew that if he could make an ace and Michael slipped up, the title could still be his. He bravely attacked the hole... and missed! Having to settle for a three, he then saw Michael lag up short and then stroke the ball up the slope, across the plateau and into the cup for a two. He led again by four.

Lady Luck swung Tim's way on the 12th though, as he gained a fortunate ace, his ball toppling sideways from the plateau into the hole. Michael refused to let this rattle him however. He made a solid two, a score he repeated on holes 13 and 14. Tim matched him, shot for shot.

They then came to the 15th - the last hurdle in Michael's quest for the title. With now only a three shot lead, an attack of nerves on the tee here could hand the Championship to the Welshman. Unexpectedly, it was Tim, on his home course, who succumbed to the pressure - his first putt missed the bridge and fell into the stream, trickling down onto the middle tier of the green. Not all was lost though. With a good second shot into the pipe leading down to the lower tier and then another good putt, he could still make three. He stroked the ball into the pipe and then - sensationally - it whizzed into the cup for an amazing two! The pressure was back on Michael. Taking his time, he got his ball over the bridge and down onto the lower tier with his first shot. His second was tentative though, falling short of the hole. Tim was now only two behind, with three holes to play.

Concentrating on their own private battle, neither Michael nor Tim knew of the excitement in the group in front. Jon Angel was playing the round of his life. An ace on the 11th and twos on every hole thereafter left him only three behind the leader. He then proceeded to ace both 17th and 18th holes in grand style, for a best-of-the-day round of 31 and an overall total of 110. Michael could afford no more mistakes - he needed to close with no worse than three pars to clinch the title.

Tim's relentless attack continued on the 16th, where he went for the ace, but missed. Michael's effort slipped just by the hole. He matched Tim's two and remained two ahead of his playing partner, but only one in front of Jon. On the 17th, Tim's first putt went wide, but he made the next for his two. Michael lagged carefully up to the hole, making a safe two. Once again at the 18th, Tim went for the ace but to no avail - he made two. Michael played close to the hole and then, with evident relief, tapped in the winning putt.

It was only then that the new champion learned that his victory was by the narrowest of margins. His last round of 39 gave him a final total of 109. Jon was on 110, with the gallant Tim Davies, who had closed with a fine 36, a shot further back on 111.

"I'm just relieved to have crossed the line first" said Michael afterwards. "When you're five shots ahead, everyone expects you to win. But it's never that easy!" He went on: "To be national champion is a great honour. I'm really thrilled." When asked for his thoughts on the secret of his success, Michael would say only: "I'm especially pleased with my second round of 36. To score a two at every hole in competition is something I've always wanted to do. It's not quite as good as Nick Faldo winning the 1987 Open with 18 pars in his final round... but it's the best I can do!"

Jon Angel was delighted by his performance. "Coming to Hastings my goal was to finish third at the British Championships behind Tim and Ted, but after my 40 in the first round, I felt I had very little chance of achieving this. Luckily for me other scores were high too, so I was still in with a shout - or perhaps just a whisper." He continued: "After the second round [of 39], any sort of a comeback was unlikely. Nevertheless I felt confident and confidence is usually the catalyst I need. By the time I got to the 8th tee I'd aced 3 holes. I knew that if I could par the 8th - my bogey hole at Clambers - I would be on course for a PB. Indeed I sunk my second putt and reached the 16th in 27 shots. From here, one is expected to make at least one hole-in-one, but I made two - my best ever round of minigolf in the UK."

As the spectators gathered for the prize giving ceremony, course superintendent Ted Skelton led the presentation party. He presented Michael with the magnificent new British Championship trophy and the winner's cheque of £300. Jon Angel received the runners-up prize of £100, with the third prize of £50 going to Tim Davies. Womens' Champion Jo Peedell collected her fine trophy and a cheque for £50 as leading novice player.

It was only fitting that the last word should go to the new Mens' Champion. Michael said: "I'd like to dedicate my win today to my Mum and Dad who I love very much."

The B.M.G.A. and all the competitors would like to thank course owner and tournament sponsor Chris Richards for his generosity and course superintendent Ted Skelton for presenting the course in such excellent condition.

Thanks are also due to Peter Parr, Jon Angel and Scott Coe for their excellent organisation of the tournament.

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