Ian Parker, Richard Gaffin, Graham Southern, Russell Dent, Mr. Michael Webb, Jon Angel, John Hurst, Lionel Bender, Scott Coe, Will Eagar, James Palmer, Simon Dicker, Will Knight, Roger Lynn, Nico Ghirlando

The 2nd London Invitational Tournament (LIT) took place on Saturday 24th May at Broomfield Park Adventure Golf, with an impressive 15 players teeing-off. This was a tremendous turnout and created fierce competition throughout the field. With a slightly different layout on some holes, and improved putting lines on other holes, creating more opportunities for aces, it was bound to be an exciting low-scoring competition. The standard of play was first-class, and showed that the strength-in-depth of the London Mini Golf Club must rank this club as being the finest throughout England. Indeed, Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club must be trembling in their beach huts at the thought of taking on the London Club in the forthcoming Club Matches.

Jon Angel organised an excellent event. Anticipating a fierce competition, many players took advantage of the early opening to put in 60 minutes of practice. As the competition started it was Mr. Michael Webb, as expected, who showed his true class with an excellent first round of 39. Michael, the "Chipper from Croydon" showed true grit in this first round, proving yet again that he will be chasing at the heels of the "Welsh Dragon" Tim Davies, to become Britain's highest ranked player in 2003. Indeed 2003 may well be the year that Tim Davies finally hands over his crown to Michael. Surely it is just a matter of time.

Close behind Michael was Will Eagar (previously playing off a 2 handicap in golf) with a round of 41. Will "2 at every hole" Eagar surely must be the find of the season, showing a great deal of determination in carving out an excellent score of 41, in his first ever round at Broomfield Park. Even though Jon Angel had a great deal of organising to do on the day, (and hats-off to him for putting this competition together) he soon settled down to put together a cool score of 42 in the first round, to take 3rd place. Lionel Bender and Ian Parker both came in at 44, whilst the pressure of being defending champion was too much for Graham Southern, who rattled in a nervous score of 45. He was obviously distracted by all the pretty girls walking through Broomfield Park on a sunny Saturday morning.

In the 2nd round, Mr. Michael Webb again showed why he is being tipped by critics and fans alike to become Britain's No.1 player in 2003. He again shot a score of 39, showing that he is, beyond doubt, the master of Broomfield Park, and the most consistent player on the London circuit. However, Michael was almost speechless, and shocked, (and feeling quite faint) as he could only watch as Jon Angel produced putting of almost divine inspiration, to record a BMGA record score at Broomfield Park of 37. As his final putt dropped on the 18th hole, the gallery cheered, clapped, whooped, and congratulated Jon on his fine achievement, stealing the course record away from BMGA Chairman, Peter Parr. Peter, for sure, must be gutted.

Ian Parker scored another impressive score of 44, to finally show some consistency. Ian, famous for completely collapsing in 2nd rounds, showed great steel and determination. It must only be a matter of time before Ian challenges the top of the leaderboard. However, it was Graham Southern that showed his true class by putting together a 2nd round of 41, just edging out Ian Parker and Lionel Bender, to get a place in the Top 4 scores so as to qualify for the Super-Final.

The final 4 players were Mr. Michael Webb, Jon Angel, Will Eagar and Graham Southern, all 4 players qualifying to represent London Mini-Golf Club in the 2003 Club Championships. Michael the strong favourite to take the 2003 championship was in no mood to compromise. On the first tee he looked like a man on a mission. Raring to go, Graham eagerly teed off, but amazingly was on a score of 7 after just 3 holes, one of the worst starts in his short career. This was a disappointing opening, and Graham found it difficult to get back to the top of the leaderboard. However, the true champion that he is, he refused to lie down, and as defending champion put in a sterling performance, by putting together 9 consecutive 2's, to put in a final score of 41. This was only marginally beaten by Mr. Michael Webb, who put in a fine score of 40, with a rare ace at the 5th hole. Jon Angel, whilst putting together a new course record in the 2nd round, fell to the pressures of the super final. Showing good form at the start, Jon scored too many 3's. With a 4 at the 15th, and a 5 at the 17th, Jon had to concede that it was not to be his day, as he putted out for a final round score of 46.

In normal circumstances, Michael's 40 would have been good enough to win many tournaments at Broomfield Park. However, he was not betting on one of the most superb super-human performances ever seen at a BMGA tournament. Will "ice-cool" Eagar amazingly put together 16 scores of 2, an ace at the 3rd and a 3 at the 17th, to come into the 19th hole with a total score of 36, a new BMGA record. Will "quiet man" Eagar, showed great temperament, and he will certainly be the man to beat in 2003. However, he still has to take on the challenge of Clambers in Hastings. This will be a true test of his skill. The spectators at Hastings will be licking their lips in anticipation of seeing Tim Davies, Mr. Michael Webb and Will Eagar taking on each other over the challenging course of Clambers. This will surely be the highlight of the 2003 season.

Alan Khadir presented the shield to Will, and special thanks must be given to Ian Scagnelli, course owner, for making sure the course was open early.

Report: Graham Southern

Will Eagar receives 'LIT' Shield

* New course record

** Non-BMGA member

Will Eagar, Mr. Michael Webb, Graham Southern and Jon Angel to represent LMC in 2003 Club Championships