Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Open 2004
(A tribute to Stephen Potter - 'Gamesmanship' is alive and well)
Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Open, May 9 2004
Results
| Clambers | Crazy | Adventure | Mini | Total | Ave | Ranking Points | ||
| 1 | John McIver | 37 | 34 | 40 | 40 | 151 | 37.75 | 320 |
| 2 | Tim Davies | 36 | 38 | 41 | 39 | 154 | 38.5 | 245 |
| 3 | Steve Gow | 34 | 36 | 43 | 43 | 156 | 39 | 195 |
| 4 | Jon Angel | 36 | 36 | 42 | 42 | 156 | 39 | 195 |
| 5 | Peter Parr | 36 | 37 | 44 | 41 | 158 | 39.5 | 145 |
| 6 | Ruth Bullin | 40 | 38 | 50 | 36 | 164 | 41 | 1 |
| 7 | Steve Garton | 42 | 39 | 44 | 40 | 165 | 41.25 | 1 |
| 8 | Bill Bullin | 45 | 37 | 47 | 43 | 172 | 43 | 1 |
| 9 | Rocky Bullin | 40 | 38 | 56 | 48 | 182 | 45.5 | 1 |
| 10 | Michael King | 45 | 44 | 47 | 50 | 186 | 46.5 | 1 |
| 11 | Sally Weddell | 46 | 49 | 48 | 44 | 187 | 46.75 | 1 |
An overcast but clearing sky greeted the 11 competitors who were not too “minigolfed out” after the British championships. The challenge ahead, a round on each of the four Hastings courses, making the PHCGC open a unique, challenging and very enjoyable event.
As they waited to tee off at the first course, Clambers, the London club members were relaxed, claiming they were only playing for fun. Bill Bullin and Michael King both went round in 45; Bill had the misfortune to get a 7 at the tenth, whereas Michael was the only player to ace the tenth. Rocky and Ruth Bullin both made good starts with 40’s. Sally Weddell looked on for a sub 40 score, with three aces but a six at the 8th and fives at 12 and the newly remodelled 10th put paid to that. John McIver finished on 37, followed by Tim Davies, Jon Angel and Peter Parr on 36. However the shock leader as the players left for the seafront courses was Steve Gow, on a personal best 34, with 5 aces. Bill Bullin had made a stunning 35 during a cool down match the previous day, which apparently threw down the gauntlet to Steve.
The competition became even fiercer on the newly painted Crazy golf course. Fortunately for all it was decided that the players would not have to play from the rubber teeing off pads. Unfortunately Michael King and Sally Weddell were the only players unable to break the 40 barrier. Steve Garton continued solidly with a 39. Ruth and Rocky Bullin, along with Tim Davies shot 38. Rocky demonstrating once again, that he is a likely champion of the future. Peter playing very consistently scored 37, with 3 aces along the way. Bill also shot 37, his best round of the day. Gow and Angel both hit 36, another personal best for Steve, who had 5 aces. John McIver showed them all how to play Crazy golf with an excellent 34, boding well for his chances in the World Crazy golf championships this coming October.
The third round saw our intrepid band move on to the Adventure golf course, conditions were very testing, due in no small part to a number of crowd invasions onto the course. By now the sun was shining on John McIver, who was again the top player with a 40, Davies on 41, Angel 42, with Gow on 43. Aces were few and far between; Sally had the best ace of the round on the uphill 2nd, made even sweeter with Peter and John McIver both taking fours.
With the groupings being rejigged for the final round, the top 5 combatants were closely matched, with only 6 shots between them. John McIver 111, Steve Gow 113, Jon Angel 114, Tim Davies 115 and Peter Parr 117. Unusually Tim would not be playing in the top group of three.
As the players milled around before the last round started, Hastings finest players were heard to say “Is this the end of the Hastings rule?”
Experience on the Mini golf course is essential and it was left to the local players to show the rest the way in the final round. Sally hit an excellent 44, including a 5 at the plateau 5th hole. Steve Garton on 40 showed that he could also be a force to be reckoned with in the coming months.
It was nip and tuck between Steve Gow and Jon Angel, sharing the same total score from the 12th till the 16th holes. At 17 Steve three putted, after Jon had got down in 2. With a one shot advantage coming to the 18th, Jon played a good line only for the ball to go past the hole and for him to take three putts. Steve played a good line but under hit the ball leaving it 4 feet short of the hole, he coolly sunk his putt to equal Jon’s overall score, leaving them in joint 3rd place behind Davies.
Tim Davies playing in the group ahead of the leaders had pulled himself up to second spot with a great 39, on greens that were playing very slowly.
The spoils though went to John McIver, whose solid 40 left him 3 shots ahead of Davies.
Overall a strongly fought competition, the top 4 players finished on scores that were better than 2nd place in last years competition.
As the players left the course, Gow was left to rue missed opportunities, a 3 on the usually aced 2nd at Clambers, along with 4’s at the 12th and 18th on the Crazy golf and another 4 at the 8th on the Adventure. If only a couple had dropped, second or even first place would have been his.
Planet Hastings rule is not yet over, however the “Ace Man” crown could be up for grabs. Steve Gow with 10 aces, Steve Garton with 8, Peter Parr and John McIver both with 7. In the changing weather conditions Tim could manage only 5.
The scores do not tell the full picture. Sally improved by 13 shots on her total in the same tournament last year. Michael had the disadvantage of a course ball and putter, with a better putter and a few minigolf balls he could also be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
Rocky played brilliantly all day, with only one very poor round, his overall score would have placed him above his mother in last years tournament.
The battle of the Bullin’s was won by Ruth, another player who is likely to challenge the big guns very soon.
A very enjoyable day, well-organised and played on well-presented courses, a big thank you to all those involved.
Words:Steve Gow
2001 Result: 1. Mark Spry 2. John McIver 3. Tim Davies (played on Seafront Crazy Golf & Seafront minigolf)
2002 Result: 1. John McIver 2. Tim Davies 3. Mr Michael Webb (played on Clambers, Seafront Crazy Golf & Seafront minigolf)
2003 Result: 1. Tim Davies 2. Mr Michael Webb 3. John McIver (played on Clambers, Seafront Crazy Golf, minigolf & Adventure Golf)
Hastings Seafront Crazy Golf Home of The World Crazy Golf Championships and the Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Open. Current BMGA record 32, Big Top Ted McIver, Tim 'Ace Man' Davies & Brad Shepherd (17/10/2004). Current Planet Hastings CGC record is 31, Tim 'Ace Man' Davies and Mark 'Ice Man' Spry. Worst score 50, Peter 'El Presidente' Parr 16/3/2003. <review> <pics>
Hastings Seafront Minigolf Current Planet Hastings CGC record & BMGA record is 33, Tim 'Ace Man' Davies (16/10/2004). All-comers tournament play record 32, Olivia Prokopova (Cze). Worst score 57, Big Top Ted McIver 20/1/2002. Greatest winning margin 15 shots, Ace Man beat Big Top 20/1/2002. <review> <pics>
Hastings Seafront Adventure Golf Current Planet Hastings CGC record is 37, Tim 'Ace Man' Davies 12/4/2003. Current BMGA record Ian Parker, Mr Michael Webb & Tim 'Ace Man' Davies 37 (12/4/2003). Worst score 52, Big Top Ted McIver (25/9/2003). <review> <pics>
Clambers Home of the BMGA British Open and home to Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club. Official Club night record - 33 - Big Top Ted McIver (11&18/6/2001) and Tim 'Ace Man' Davies (25/6/2001 & 2/7/2001(twice)). Worst score - 53 - Vicky 'Sex Bomb' Sweeting. Current Official Tournament, BMGA, PHCGC & course record 28, Tim 'Ace Man' Davies (14/9/2003). <review> <pics>
2nd: Ace Man
