MiniatureGolfer.com

(photo? by the Bottmeister)

BMGA Brighton Open August 20 2006

System: adventure golf

It was a typical summers day in Brighton. The sun wasn't shining, the wind was a blowin' and it was time to play some crazy golf.

At a tricky little 12-hole course in the blustery conditions and with some of the top players missing everything was up for grabs. 

The first of three rounds commenced, and Marion Homer got off to a flying start with an unprecedented 3 aces from in the first round. This was enough to see her into joint 8th place, only 3 shots off the lead on 30. With considerably less aces - in fact, with none all day - was Jacob Stevenson. Proving that consistency beats aces, Jacob was tied first with Brad on 27. Just behind them were Andy Exall and Anthony Pope on 28.

Round 2 soon got underway. Brad and Jacob continued their good form shooting 31 and 27 respectively. All eyes were on Andy Exall though. The most consistent round of the day (Ten 2's & two 3's), meant Andy finished on 26, the best round of the day. This was enough for him to move into first place by 2 shots ahead of Jacob. Two solid rounds from Sean Homer and Kevin Botto meant that Brad was shunted down to 5th. Biting on his buttocks were Anthony Pope and Roy Morris, with David Corkett and the inseparable Brighton trio Matthew Lelliot, Simon Goble and Richard Penfound making up the top 10. 

A welcome break (not the service station) was then had. Tammy had provided the fuel with some delightful M&M flapjacks. 

The 3rd round started off in increasingly blustery conditions. As the grey clouds gathered in the sky, a sense of impending doom gathered on Andy's round. With some unlucky putts in difficult conditions Andy shot a 33. With Jacob scoring a 30, it was enough to ensure Andy had moved down into at least second place.

Roy Morris was still in with a shout. But his round of 30 and final score of 89, which included 7 aces was 3 shots off the lead. 

With Kevin shooting a 30, there was much anxiousness as the leading group came in. None had performed well and a good round from Brad, Sean or Anthony could've stolen it. It was Brad who held his cool, shooting a round of 28. This ensured a playoff with Jacob for first place and also meant that Sean, Kevin and Andy would battle it out for 3rd place (and the £10 and badge that went with it).

The 3rd place playoff was first. Kevin won the toss to go first and hit a tame first shot. A decent second shot ensured he was down in two though. Sean came next. With increasingly blustery conditions Sean took 3 meaning he had missed out. Last was Andy, as he stepped up to take his first shot, maybe his disappointing last round was preying on his mind. He under-hit his tee shot, meaning a difficult long putt was needed. Unfortunately it wasn't to be, meaning Kevin had won 3rd place.

It was Jacob up first, and the home crowd was behind him all the way. Using his trusty golf ball, he teed off. Having slightly over hit his first shot, he holed an excellent second putt. 

So with the pressure on Brad could he break his competition duck? He could indeed, and he did so in style with a delightful ace.

To a rapturous applause Brad received his trophy, and more importantly than any trophy or prize money, he also received a wonderfully crafted badge from Richard, which will no doubt be treasured forever…as long as it wasn't lost in the pub.

Words: The Bottmeister

* Won playoff on 1st hole with Jacob

** Won playoff on first hole with Andy and Sean