Big Hitting Higgins Wins Open
This year’s event was held at the Vale Resort in Wales and was played on two fantastic courses the National and the Lakes. The National has held some serious major golfing events over the years and is a very stern test. The Lakes course although not as demanding as the National is still a challenge for any golfer with many holes protected by water.
Twenty one CGS members attended the event with the vast majority making the long journey down from the many regions of the Midlands.
The challenge for most of the players was playing two different courses blind and trying put together two good scores. Last year’s Open winner Dave Brown set the standard by scoring 36 points on both days; this is the kind of consistency required to take this year’s Open title.
Day one was played on the tougher of the two courses, the National course. The course was played in reasonable conditions with no rain or strong winds. This was a tough course and proved so in the scores being posted by the players. The winning score for day one was 31 points with most players scoring in the twenties.
The National is a very tough course and very challenging. This was pretty much the conclusion some players had prior to tee-off, however some had no knowledge of the course and with this being the final major and the order of merit title still up for grabs some suggested we play from the white tees. I’m sure if you’d ask those same players after the first couple of holes if they still wanted to play from the white tees there opinion would change. The comments from players at the end of their rounds were “This is a proper golf course…..a proper course”!
There were a few additional prizes up for grabs – the usual long drive, nearest the pin and nearest in two on a par four. Winning the nearest in two prize was CGS chairman Junior Harris, winning nearest the pin was Paul Ramsey and taking home yet another long drive trophy was Ian Higgins.
All were feeling the strain of the challenge that befell them, most rueing their mistakes and the multitude of shots lost. After a hearty meal and some liquid refreshment before nights out, the thoughts on the mind would be day two and the challenge that waits.
Before round one much was made of the weather that might hit the second day, reports were showing that we would be playing in some very difficult wet conditions with even the possibility the round would be called off.
The weather for the final round didn’t live up to the rumours and apart from a light shower the only challenge on day two was a slight breeze and the numerous water hazards surrounding the course.
Day two was a chance of recompense for a poor round the day before. The playing schedule for the day was decided the night before and was based on those with the worst score on day one going out together while the last 3-ball would contain the three players still with a slim chance of upsetting Trevor Lammy for the seasons champion golfer. In that last 3-ball was Mr Lammy himself, Charlie McCook and Ian Higgins.
Ian was desperate to try and overhaul Trevor Lammy for the title and queried what was required of him in order to do so. In the end Ian’s plan was simple win the Open and let the chips roll.
Trevor Lammy who hadn’t won a major all season but was very consistent early on with several second places, didn’t play very well in the first round but had no idea if he would be able to hang on to the overall lead and take the title.
His fellow Coventry man Charlie McCook was second in the standings but also played poorly in the first round along with Ian Higgins, it was starting to look like Trevor’s title.
With a slight drizzle and firm winds the second round was started. For the first time this season the round started on a par 3. Not a long hole but with a breeze in your face and some nerves, this is a one shot hole you would prefer to be playing a few holes down into the round. However with nine pars and a birdie this hole proved to be the second easiest on the course.
Overall the course played to a CSS of 75 for the men and 77 for the ladies compared to a much harder challenge on the National which played to a CSS of 81 for men and 88 for ladies. This just shows how beat-up we were by the National course.
So the scoring was good on the Lakes course with several scores in the thirties but the one which stood out from the rest was the 39 points scored by Ian Higgins. The night before it was Ian’s goal to win the Sundays round and ultimately win the Open, making enough points to claim the order of merit title in the process. Well he only managed to achieve one of his goals with his first round of 25 points and second of 39 a combined 64 points was enough to win the Open by a single point from Linton Bell. It was the last hole that Linton messed up which cost him the Open title. With a first round 30 and 33 in the second he was one shot short with a 63 points total.
Frank McCook was the early second round club house leader and with several groups already in Frank was looking good for the Open title. However when the rumour mill starts it casts that little doubt in your mind. You know those rumours that you get from the odd player coming in, “John has 37 points with 3 holes to play “ or “Dave’s scored 40 points!…who’s got 40 points?”. Unfortunately for Frank the rumour about 39 points was true and that round shot by Ian 79 gross with a birdie on the easiest hole the par 5 7th – one of two birdies on that hole, was the round that won the title. Congratulations to Ian on taking the Open title. You see he’s not just a long hitter…his playing partners can concur to that.
Note: The most difficult hole on the Lake Course was the par 4 fourth hole with only one par scored and guess what it’s the stroke index 1. The most difficult on the National was the Par 5 second, no pars or birdies scored, again it’s the stroke index 1 – Those course planners know what they are doing.
Round 1
Round 2
Final Result