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DAVIES ON COURSE FOR MINIGOLF’S GRAND SLAM

SOUTHEND, 10 MAY 2003. 

Mr Michael Webb was the player that many other players tipped to win this year - especially after his dazzling debut a year ago, and with the return of the lavishly gifted Vallorys it was going to be a difficult task for Ted McIver to retain his title.  A separate prize for leading local was on offer and without the two main protagonists of last year, Gary Curtis-Wiggins and Mark Cohen, it was anybodys guess who would win it. 

The shotgun start, after a few misfires began just after 10:30.   Leading local player Jason Butler shot a fine 45 closely followed by Ted Lewin on 46, Nick Bridges 47, Daniel Hughes and Ed Sluys 48 and Brian Glover 49.  Each had a chance in the following round.

At the end of the first round it was British number one Tim Davies yet again who topped the leaders board - newcomer Keith Arnold disappointed with himself after taking 4 on the 18th still had hit an exceptional 40, level with Ted McIver and one shot ahead of the returning Jo 'Wolverine' Vallory - complete with his new sporting whiskers.

Two times winner Robert Vallory stood 4 shots back on 44 - nicely poised to make one of his trademark charges up the leaderboard in the second round.

Once again McIver and Davies found themselves playing in the final group and Davies appeared uncharacteristically jittery over the first 3 holes - after taking a 3 and a 4 he seemed oddly disspirited.  Keith Arnold got the same scores on these two testing holes and from then on never came to terms with the leaders.  At this point McIver and Jo Vallory were joint leaders. An ace on the 5th by McIver seemed to be the end of Davies but spurred back from his drowsy state he immediately aced the same hole.  Davies got a 3 at the next after a dreadful rebound and McIver looked to have it sown up.  But Davies stuck in there and took advantage of McIver's ball bouncing out of bounds on the 8th and an uncharacteristic 4 at the 9th to glide back into the lead. Vallory taking a five at the same hole .  After the tenth, where Davies took a 3 and the others safely parred  it was a three way tie.  Jon Angel joined McIver and Davies.  Vallory then aced the 11th with McIver bogeying, another three-way tie - now Vallory, Davies and Angel.  It remained this way until the 15th where Vallory edged ahead with an excellent 2 to the others 3's.  Angel's challenge finally petered out with a 4 at the 16th and a 3 at the 17th.  Vallory bogeyed the 17th too and found himself sharing the lead once more. He made 2 at the final hole (equalling the course record) to leave Davies needing to do the same in front of the gallery.  After a nervous moment or two Davies finally holed the ball to go into the play-off.  McIver's dreams had disappeared into the bushes along with his ball.

Mr Michael Webb put in a skilful second round but was just too far adrift after the first round to trouble the leaders.  William Eager did remarkably well in his first event to post an excellent 40 in the final round and climb up to fifth, whilst Will Knight with a 43 in the first round slipped back into the field after a difficult second.

Jason Butler posted another 45 in the second round to convincingly win the local title, with Nick Bridges second and Ted Lewin third.

 For the sudden death playoff Tim won the toss and played first - a poor first shot was followed by a good long putt for a two.  Jo placed his ball perfectly for an easy two.  On the second Jo narrowly missed an ace and made a putt from the back of the green whereas Davies didn't trouble the hole but had to make a similar putt to get his two and stay in the game - he did and after both players successfully negotiated the 3rd the play off went on to the fourth.  Vallory's face contorted with silent anguish after he inexplicably missed a short putt for a two. Davies then promptly rubbed salt in the wound by hitting a perfect ace.

Another tournament win and another trophy for this minigolf phenomenon - leaving Jo to rue his second play-off defeat in this competition.

"It was good to get back playing again and I hope to make the Stratford open" said Jo who remarkably spent no time at all practising the course and played with a course ball and putter-in marked contrast to McIver and Davies who laboriously spent all Friday afternoon playing the course.

In his speech Tim thanked the course owners for another successful tournament - before pocketing his £200 cheque.

At least Jo's £50 for second place  will help pay off some of his student Loan though Davies' prediction that he would win every tournament this year still holds true the imminent return of Minigolf legend and former number one Don McPhee to British competition must disturb his frame of mind as he counts his prize money.

Report: Ted McIver