2012 open comps

Anyone got any planned yet? I'm waiting to see what the fixture cards are like for my clubs (should be published this month), but hoping to play in 2 or 3 opens this year - probably mainly around Edinburgh and Fife.

Quite a good link for searching opens in Scotland:
http://www.scottishgolf.org/index.cfm?objectid=9433383D-CE9C-8542-E9CB510BC6A412D1

Going to look into them shortly Ban, looking like Blairgowrie, Alyth, Forfar, Newtonmore and MOrtonhall to begin with.

I've entered a mid-age thing at Chart Hills at the end of March.

http://www.midamgolf.co.uk/chart-hills-mid-amateur

I actually think it's a little overpriced but I think the organiser is trying to get the whole website off the ground and reckon Chart Hills needed some persuading. Besides it's early in the year and I figured it's something that will keep me practising during the cold weather.

I've also got my eye on the Surrey mid-age that will be held at the RAC Club in Epsom on August 13th and would love to play in the Hankley Common one but although the limit is 6 (I'm currently 5.7) the ballot usually takes it down to nearer 4 I think. Though with the economic climate I could always hope it'll be higher.

I'd be keen on the St. George's Hill one with a 5 limit but again fear actual limit will be much lower.

Certainly play in one at Woodcote Park later in the year and then the Berkhampsted midage if I can.

I'll be keeping an eye on the Golfempire website for anything else that appeals too.

They always hold one at my home club Leatherhead but I've never played in it as I'm generally too tight to pay to play my own club and at £50odd it seems a bit harsh that I don't get a discount.

I'm really very jealous of you guys in Scotland when it comes to Opens as you seem to have both a bigger choice and certainly better prices.

I do quite like playing in opens and would be one of the few reasons to get my handicap again.

I'm looking forward to playing in some Open competitions this year, especially as it will be the first time playing at a course other than my home course.

I've looked at the Golf Empire site as mentioned above by Hibbz and from what I have found this is the best for my area in the south east. There doesn't seem to be a great choice in this area and many due to age I cannot qualify for. Price is also another issue as mentioned for some reason they want to charge us twice the price.

I'm planning to play at Sene Valley, Walmer & Kingsdown, North Foreland and hopefully if I can get the handicap down at Rochester & Cobham though the fear hear is like Hibbz they will ballot it down to around a 4 handicap. I've also entered the Medway Open which is at my course but fortunately we are given a discounted rate for this one.

Hibz
If you want to check out cheap golf Opens in Scotland go to the golfsouthayrshire site and check out the Troon and Ayr golf weeks.
A weeks golf for about £50 with very good prize money.

Being over 55 I have been playing seniors opens. Good website for any other slightly aged golfers out there is www.uksga.co.uk (UK Senior Golfers Association). well worth a look. Lots of scratch and handicap competitions, often over 2, in some cases 3 days.

Individual opens on the radar or booked for me this year at the moment are

April Saunton 36holer
May Trilby Tour Frilford Heath
Aug Saunton 36 holer
Aug Broadway 36 holer
Sep Carnoustie, the Tassie
Sep Liphook 36 holer
Oct Trevose 36 holer.

I'm looking to do a team event or several as well
Feb Porthcawl 4 man team
Mar Saunton 3 ball
June Bournemouth 2 ball
Aug B&B 3 ball
Dec Pebble Beach 4bbb

Hibbz wrote:I've entered a mid-age thing at Chart Hills at the end of March.

http://www.midamgolf.co.uk/chart-hills-mid-amateur

The above is happening on Thursday and I was wondering if anyone could answer me a question. There is a prize fund and as an amateur event I'm assuming there is a limit on how much can be won and it does say the prizes will be in vouchers, but does anyone know (i.e. have been successful in such an event) what the vouchers are likely to be for? Do they differ according to the competition organiser etc?

I've played in Opens before (never won anything mind you) and the prizes have always been bags, balls, clubs etc. If it was a comp organised by a particular club then maybe I'd assume it would maybe be vouchers for their pro shop but this is not the case for this comp.

Obviously I could just ask the organiser but that strikes me a trifle presumptuous so I thought I'd try you folks.

Hibbz wrote:I've entered a mid-age thing at Chart Hills at the end of March.

http://www.midamgolf.co.uk/chart-hills-mid-amateur

I actually think it's a little overpriced but I think the organiser is trying to get the whole website off the ground and reckon Chart Hills needed some persuading. Besides it's early in the year and I figured it's something that will keep me practising during the cold weather.

I've also got my eye on the Surrey mid-age that will be held at the RAC Club in Epsom on August 13th and would love to play in the Hankley Common one but although the limit is 6 (I'm currently 5.7) the ballot usually takes it down to nearer 4 I think. Though with the economic climate I could always hope it'll be higher.

I'd be keen on the St. George's Hill one with a 5 limit but again fear actual limit will be much lower.

Certainly play in one at Woodcote Park later in the year and then the Berkhampsted midage if I can.

I'll be keeping an eye on the Golfempire website for anything else that appeals too.

They always hold one at my home club Leatherhead but I've never played in it as I'm generally too tight to pay to play my own club and at £50odd it seems a bit harsh that I don't get a discount.

I'm really very jealous of you guys in Scotland when it comes to Opens as you seem to have both a bigger choice and certainly better prices.

chart hills really- in fairness you couldnt pay me to play at that course again lol!!

i get to play woodcote for zip- not a bad course(its a recipriocal with mine)

st georges hill- nice!!!- love that course

Mysti, have you played Addington Palace recently?

Yeah I have. I play that course loads. Its one of my recepricals. I played it a month and a half ago in the rain. The greens are normally mint

Its a nice course -they have 3 short interesting par 4's on the spin.

The 3rd(first of them) Its a beaut- but dont go for the green- But also dont lay up to short or you will get bloked out by trees.

Cool thanks I thought you probably had, I'm playing in their scratch open tmrw so hopefully it will be in decent nick.

How would you suggest was the best play to play it? Does softly, softly catchy monkey work or am I better off going for everything?

Bare in mind I only drive it 250yds not your 350 but it is usually straight.

mystiroakey wrote:Its a nice course -they have 3 short interesting par 4's on the spin.

The 3rd(first of them) Its a beaut- but dont go for the green- But also dont lay up to short or you will get bloked out by trees.

Ah now this is exactly the sort of nugget I was after. Don't fancy a spot of caddying do you? I'll buy you a beer?

Nice one. Its quite tight in places.

The second and 10th are long.

The third 4th and 5th are quite tight-The 4th and 5th are drivabable in most conditions- but you cant see tthe greens- so probally not best going for them.

If the greens are fast the 6th green can be a nightmare.

The 9th is quite a straight forward par 5. Probally worth going for it.

You can score on the back 9 and there is more room- bar two short par 4's - the 14th and 15th- the 15th is deffinently drivable- but blind again! (the 10th is the toughest hole by far on the back and the second shot plays longer than it might look!)

Personally Even with your relative length i wouldnt hit driver on 3 ,4 or 5, maybe 5 because the hole is straight and you might get close- but a bad bounce could put you in the trees..

Hibbz wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Its a nice course -they have 3 short interesting par 4's on the spin.

The 3rd(first of them) Its a beaut- but dont go for the green- But also dont lay up to short or you will get bloked out by trees.

Ah now this is exactly the sort of nugget I was after. Don't fancy a spot of caddying do you? I'll buy you a beer?

My office is literally 2 miles away- but i have to much on pal! My dad used to be a member of that course as well!

The 4th and 5th are both over 300 so I couldn't drive them without concrete fairways and a gale behind.

Looking at the web pictures it appears that I'm better off leaving myself 100yds rather than trying to get as close as I can would you say that was a better policy?

The 3rd is a dogleg so shorternd alot as the crow flies- and a hole that can be driven(by some) but not worth it.

The 4th is very much down hill hibbz- i would bet you actually could get there.

I allways hit a 3 wood or less down there and in any conditions it can get there- probelm is that can even go long and ob. So to be safe hit less than that(an iron) if you want 100 yards in and aim to the right.

Dont hit too short a club on the 3rd because you dont want to be blocked out down the right- make sure you go abit left and a 3 wood might actually be ok for you.(you will still be left with more than 100)

The 5th probally plays longer than the 4th - but maybe just hit a long iron or driving iron to the top of the hill - if you want 100 left!

Yeah the 4th looks bloody tight up by the green but pictures can be deceptive.

Thing is I'm starting on the 10th for the morning round so chances are I'll have done my slabs by the time I get round there and just think what the hell!

Cheers for the into though dude, enjoy your day in the office x!

Good luck mate!

Its an interesting course and I hope its in good nick for you.

How did you get on?

All set for one of my favourite Opens this weekend, the 36 holer at Saunton. Hoping the weather is better than the Easter event when a 4 club wind chucked an inch and a half of rain across the course.

This'll be my 4th visit to Saunton this year after the team comp in March, the Easter Challenge in April and the Logan trophy last month. Almost at the point where I struggle to call it an away course.

Good luck jas - when is it you are up for the tassie?

I'll arrive Sat 1st Sep and have a twilight on the Burnside, official practice round on the championship course on the Sunday then it's all that week.
Gonna head up to Aberdeen now afterwards, have booked Trumps for Monday 10th

mystiroakey wrote:How did you get on?

Good thanks Mysti. It's a cracking little course and the greens were a joy to putt on.

I scored 80/75 and 77/72 against a CSS of 73 both in the morning and the afternoon so up .1 and then back down .1

Next up the Surrey Mid-Age at The RAC Club on 13th August. Scraped into that by the skin of my teeth.

JAS, give me a shout if you need another bod for Trump.

Nice one , greens are usually mint. Not bad scores them for your first time

I should be trying to get in the surrey mid age an all- but obviously of 7 wouldnt get in . But next year will hopefully get down again. I did well in one surrey colts at woking- finished about 20th..

Oh I'll be propping up the field for the Surrey MidAge no doubt about that.

Actually having said that you can sometimes beat a few of the real low guys as they sometimes fold having dropped a few early shots where as relative hackers like myself expect a few bogies and worse so keeping on plugging away.

Hare and tortoise stuff.

yeah i used to love all the away comps. Havent played in any for yonks!

The surrey amatuer was at my course and addington palace last year(18 holes each)- and obviously new loads in it. Now if I had got in I know I could have done half decent because I know both courses like the back of my hand!

Super, I'm on the 10.30 tee on Mon 10th. Looks like another single has been added so 2 slots still available. Also booked myself on to the Balgownie late morning on Tuesday 11th. Would like to do Cruden while I'm up there but they have a big comp that Sun so my try & squeeze it in late afternoon after Trump. You'd be welcome to join me on either/all.

Will do well to dodge the thunder storms today. Interrupted my practice round yesterday and was playing quite well. Had to drive through water a foot deep on way from course back to hotel.

Worst nightmare would be the "Abandon Course" hooter going when on a good score...we shall see.