MiniatureGolfer.com    Email tim@miniaturegolfer.com

Stratford-upon-Avon, 17-18 September 2004

As a warm-up for the main event, this could not have been better.  Pundits had all ready written the final script only to be outwitted by fate.

First round (stroke play)

James 'Jam' Trubridge had set out to beat the course record and he thought he had only to be thwarted at the final hole when he realised that it wasn't 34.  His first competitive BMGA round, a 33 - stunning.  He lead the field.  Steve Gow, his international status evident cruised into second with a majestic 34.  The next best was 37 shared by three players, International and British team Captain Jonny 'The Stance' Angel, Ruth 'Deathwish' Bullin and Chris 'Who' Harding.  So of the remaining field, who had the wherewithall to make it through?  Surprisingly not 'Big Top' Ted McIver who most had expected to make the cut except fellow camper 'Ace Man' who knew all too well his motivation.  Abba summed it up beautifully in their classic 'Money, money money, blah, de blah, de blah'.  Russ Dent did just enough as did Ace Man.  Keith Kellard and Rocky Bullin however had to fight it out in a play-off.  The smart money was on Keith but ones heart was with Rocky, how could an accountant beat a 9 year old.  Well the answer is, ask Keith?  Believe me Keith this will come back to taunt you.

Second round (match play)

The pairings

Jon 'The Stance' Angel (2) v Steve 'F1' Gow (10)
A difficult one to call.  British team captain v British international debutant. 2 aces in the first round v 5.  37 v 34. I certainly got the result wrong when they walked off the final hole, Jon had pulled it off with a one hole win.  He'd been in Stratford since Wednesday training with German Ace Andre Kuhn.

Tim 'Ace Man' Davies (3) v James 'Jam' Trubridge (-)
Master of Gamesmanship v New boy on the block.  This was only ever going to go one way, a 33 in the first round meant nothing to the man who levered himself into the final eight.  This title had been won 3 times by 'Ace Man' no young whippersnapper was going to stand in his way.  The final result, 7 & 5 was only a surprise to the college boy.  The college of life mastery awaits you.

Chris 'Who' Harding (-) v Ruth 'Deathwish' Bullin (24)
Ruth is a player who shuns Planet Hastings rules, this was her downfall.  Deathwish says it all, she is good enough but she does tend to let her heart rule her head. No surprise that she crashed out 4&3, the surprise was Chris.  Who?

Russ 'No Name' Dent (29) v Keith 'Doc' Kellard (6)
The smart money, we're not talking actuarially, was on Keith.  Both LMC members, Keith returning from Timisoara after intensive training and playing for the British team.  Russ capable but yet given the opportunity to realise his full potential.  Well this was it, he finally finished off Keith at the fifth extra hole when Keith's copious notes failed to provide the answer. As Margus would have said, 'I see only questions'.

Pre tournament British ranking in brackets

Final round (stroke play)

Ace Man started off the way he didn't mean to continue by dropping a shot at the first. Where was his coach?   The answer,  a comfort break away. The rest parred.  Jon Angel made one of many moves at the fourth, strange for a man called 'The Stance'.  Russ imploded at the fifth, the scene of his play-off win and the turkey shoot was over for him with a 6.  Ace Man true to his name planted the ball in the hole with a perfect ace.  Angel and Davies were tied at one under with Harding two shots adrift.  Two aces at the 6th and 11th extended Angels lead to two shots.  Davies hit back at the 12th only to be kyboshed at the 13th, as were all the others except the imperturbable Angel.  The game was over, Harding sunk two aces in a row at the 14th and 15th to no avail.

Final round (stroke play)

1. Jon Angel 33
2. Tim Davies 35
3. Chris Harding 37
4. Russ Dent 42

2nd round (match play)

Jon Angel beat Steve Gow by 1 hole
Tim Davies beat James Trubridge 7 & 5
Chris Harding beat Ruth Bullin 3 & 2
Russ Dent beat Keith Kellard at 5th extra hole

1st round (stroke play) - top 8 qualified for match play round.

* Keith Kellard beat Rocky Bullin in a play-off to reach the match play round.

All results for Players Championships  2006   2005   2004   2003   2002   2001   2000   1999

Review of the course    Pictures of the course