The Lastest News From Ben Nash

10 Posted: 10th Sep 2013
  • BRITISH PAR 3 CHAMPIONSHIPS QUALIFIER: Early July I was qualifying in the British par 3 championships up in Coventry. This beautiful par 3 course consists of nine holes that you play twice. The course was made up of holes from 92 yards to 147 yards with tiny greens protected by run offs, big bunkers and lots of water. I began very well, I got to -2 through the first nine holes which was tied for the lead. Unfortunately the tricky 13th hole which was only 92 yards, I stumbled on, taking me back to +1. I ended the tournament +2. With only 6 qualifying spots for the even, I came 13th. Level par got in so only missed it by 2 strokes. I was lucky to be asked by 'the championships' to do the officiating and the scoring for the competition two weeks on from the qualifying. The first day - Tuesday was a celebrity-am team event in which amateurs enjoyed playing with the likes of Len Goodman, Peter Schmeichel, Jasper Carrott and a full host of celebrities. With the galleries funnelling in around 11am to watch the stars and some very lucky playing partners, I was on the course as a rules official, the highlight of the day was giving Len goodman a ruling that he didn't enjoy with a large laughing crowd, a lot of laughter and banter followed, mainly from him and the crowd! Day 2 saw the start of the professional event, with a purse of £100,000 and the winner getting £25,000, a lot of the big names were around. The 'oldies' which were the likes of Sam Torrence, Ian Woosnam, Tony Jacklin, and Tommy Horton. The European tour players included Robert Rock (who beat Tiger last year in the desert) Paul Broadhurst, Andrew Marshall, Graham Storm and loads more. I was doing the scoring that day where I was lucky enough to meet these players as they signed off their cards. At the end of day 2, Paul Broadhurst was leading with -6 followed closely by Andrew Marshall -4. Day 3 was the second round of the professional event with the leaders teeing off just before 3pm, again I was in the recording tent and was lucky to meet the stars all again! It finished with young Tommy Fleetwood wining with a finishing score of -4. Day 4 was a day like day 1, the stars were out again, and I was back out on the course as a rules official. It was an amazing week to be involved in. SUNDRIDGE PARK GOLF CLUB (EAST): The end of July I was at Sundridge Park which is renowned for having very good greens. A testing little golf course, rain didn't make it any easier. I managed to start off well, I dropped a few silly shots around the 9th, being now 3 over par I chased birdies which failed! I ended up T27 from a good start which was very disappointing. GATTON MANOR (KRONENBOURG OPEN): Gatton manor golf club is located just north east of Gatwick airport, playing firm and bouncy around a tight tree lined golf course I found it very difficult to keep it on the fairway. The greens had very big slopes, they were also playing 11 on the stimp meter which made it a must to leave yourself an up hill putt. I played well, struggled to hole putts. I shot 75 which put me in T19. REMEDY OAK: Remedy oak is just outside Bournemouth, probably my favourite golf course in the UK. A golf course which has been carved out of 50 foot pine trees this golf course is in the top 50 golf courses in the UK. A must play!! On the day I played really well tee to green, but again the same as the week before my putter let me down, I missed seven putts in total which were inside 4 feet. So a very frustrating day which got a lot worse when I got in the club house and saw that I was 5 shots behind the eventual winner! I ended up T8th on the event. WHAT'S TO COME THIS MONTH: On Monday the 9th I am playing at The Berkshire (red course). On the 23rd of September I will be at Sandy Lodge golf club and a few more to come. These are two golf courses I haven't played before, really looking forward to playing as I'm playing well. A lot of putting practice is needed in the coming week, and hopefully I could have a good end of season!!!!
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