06 Jun 2011 at 20:37 | Published by: JJM | Views: 9241 | News search

Participants of the competition  (Photo by KMGC 2011)

News Release by BMGA / Richard Gottfried

Oxford’s Michael Smith won the 13th annual British Minigolf Association English Open, held at the 18-hole Miniature Golf course at Wroxham Barns, Hoveton, Norfolk.

28 players competed in the event and Michael won with an overall score of 90 strokes across the three rounds, culminating in a course record of 28 to take the title.

Hither Green’s James Rutherford came second with Bath’s Kevin Moseley taking third place. Walton-on-Thames’ Richard Skeggs won the Category 2 prize with Kent’s Marion Homer picking up the top female slot and 2nd place in Category 2 and Walton-on-Thames’ Oliver Florence third in the Category 2.

Norwich’s Robert Witton won the Novice title with Nottingham’s Paul Smith a close second.

Hither Green’s Nick Sandqvist picked up the Aces Champion prize with 14 holes-in-one across the tournament.

Adam Kelly from Cambridge won the Wroxham Barns trophy, designed by sculptor Sue Windley, for best East Anglian Golfer for the third year running.

New BMGA English Open Champion Michael Smith said ”I’m delighted to have won the English Open. I played really well throughout the three rounds on what is a deceptively tricky course with several potential round breakers. The overall standard of play was fantastic and it is very pleasing to have beaten such a high quality field in one of the most prestigious events on the BMGA tour.”

Smith added ”All the BMGA minigolfers really like coming to Wroxham Barns. It is a very challenging course with unique holes, unlike anywhere else in the UK. I was delighted to break the course record and also lend a hand with launching Stuart Evans’ new ‘19th Hole’ beer.”

Champion Minigolfer Michael Smith pulled the first pint of ‘19th Hole’ to celebrate his victory. This new draft beer has been brewed at Uncle Stuart’s Brewery, Wroxham Barns to mark the BMGA English Open and the opening of the new bar at the brewery.

Sean Homer BMGA Chairman said: ”We have had a superb tournament at Wroxham Barns. I would like to thank Ian Russell and the team for their hospitality and support.”

Ian Russell, Director Wroxham Barns said: ”It has been a pleasure to welcome the BMGA back to Wroxham Barns. Congratulations to Michael Smith on breaking the course record. We are delighted that we have such a popular championship standard 18-hole minigolf golf course and can now match that with a top class bar where golfers can relax after play. We wish the GB team luck in next weekend’s Nations Cup and look forward to hosting future tournaments.”

The BMGA English Open was the last tournament before the Great Britain Minigolf team heads to Stockholm next weekend for the WMF Nations Cup. Seven members of the GB team took part in the Wroxham Barns competition.

’ The British Minigolf Association is the UK’s governing body for minigolf sport, including crazy golf and adventure golf. The British Minigolf Association is the United Kingdom member of the European Minigolf Sport Federation and the World Minigolf Sport Federation, www.minigolf.org.uk.

Wroxham Barns, http://www.www.wroxhambarns.co.uk, is one of Norfolk’s most popular visitor attractions offering a range of shopping and crafts, together with activities for younger family members including the award winning Junior Farm. The restaurant-cafe serves breakfast, morning coffee, lunches and afternoon tea, all freshly made, using local, seasonal produce where possible.

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