British Senior Minigolf Championships 2004 Results

Clambers, 31st July

Saturday afternoon at Clambers saw the 2004 senior trophy being decided.
Local players, Eric , Ruth and Bill Bullin had home advantage, but Lionel Bender the star of Andy Miller's book "Tilting at Windmills" had many many years of minigolf experience to aid him.
In the first round Lionel had a miserable start, culminating in a dispiriting 5 on the fifth-this would have broken more callow players, but the 2002 Players Champion, bears the scars and wounds of many previous campaigns.
The Bullin family, Bill and Ruth were surging ahead over the first dozen holes, Eric and David struggled to keep up with them.
Suddenly not only did the clouds that had obscured the August sun lazily drift away but also the nebulous fog surrounding Lionel vanished letting the dazzling brilliance of his minigolf nearly blind the spectators.
Three successive holes in one including a tremendous ace on the 15th-Bender it like Beckham indeed.
At this moment Bill's human frailty betrayed him -he ended up 5 strokes adrift of Lionel and Ruth -whose good play backed up her credentials as Hastings leading player of 2004.
In the second round David and Eric battled away, while in the top group Lionel and Ruth battled against each other the lead swopping from one to another.
On the 15th though Ruth faltered, taking a five. Lionel scented blood -like a slavering Tyrannosaurus Rex he showed no mercy, no pity. His tee shot flew straight, deviated not one iota, flew down the gap and left Lionel a five foot putt.
The slavering beast gobbled it up and let out an earth shattering roar.
By the 18th hole Ruth had dropped 3 shots to Lionel-worse was to happen a dreadful 4 meant she finally tied with Bill who had shot a steady methodical 40.

But it was a mighty Lionel who feasted himself upon the blood of the vanquished -his victory brought to mind the great days of his 1999 English Open victory 
The Glass trophy glinted in the sunlight as Lionel thanked Ted Skelton for organising the competition.
As Lionel sucked down his celebratory Diet Coca cola his mind turned to the European Championships in Timisoara-would he bring home the gold medal??

Words: McIver

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