25 Jun 2012 at 20:23 | Published by: Hans | Views: 9839 | News search

The Mayor of Hastings, Nick Sandqvist, John McIver, Michael Smith & Adam Kelly  (Photo by KMGC 2012)

BMGA News Report
Supplied by Richard Gottfried

British Number One wins the first Minigolf Major Tournament of the 2012 Season. Champions also crowned in Junior and Senior Categories.

The 15th annual British Minigolf Association British Championships saw 35 players compete for the prestigious title in a two-day tournament held on the 18-hole Pirate Golf Adventure Golf course in Hastings, East Sussex. Oxford’s Michael Smith claimed the latest of his titles and first BMGA British Championship win with a seven-round score of 205 (-47).

Michael Smith, a member of the Kent Minigolf Club, won the contest with rounds of 28, 28, 29, 31, 32, 30 and 27 to finish five shots clear of runner-up and former BMGA British Minigolf Champion John ‘Big Top Ted’ McIvor from Hastings. In third place was Cambridge’s Adam Kelly who was a further 12 shots back. As well as picking up the overall bronze medal Adam retained his BMGA British Junior Title. Nick Sandqvist of London finished five shots back to claim fourth spot.

New BMGA British Champion Michael Smith said "I'm delighted to have won the British Championship. I played very well across the seven rounds and was particularly pleased to only drop one shot in the tournament. Conditions were tough with constant strong winds and this was reflected in the scoring. I'd like to congratulate John 'Ted' McIver on an outstanding performance. He pushed me really hard and I had to play my very best minigolf to beat him. It was a great weekend so thanks to all who helped run and play in the tournament."

The 35 Minigolfers played the 126-hole tournament in extremely windy weather conditions, with the first rounds on Sunday morning also being played in the rain before the weather brightened for the final round with a more pleasant outbreak of sunshine. The field consisted of a number of BMGA Tour Professionals along with ten players making their competition debuts at the event.

In the BMGA British Juniors Championship Adam Kelly won, with London’s Will Donnelly runner-up, and taking fifth place overall. Scotland’s Freddie Blackburn-Shaw was third in the Junior contest and was tenth overall.

Tournament runner-up John McIver won the BMGA British Seniors Championship, with 2011 champion Cambridge’s Tony Kelly in second place, finishing 6th overall, and London’s Chris Jones in third place, finishing in 13th place overall.

Other winners at the event were Brad Shepherd who won the competitions Aces Champion prize scoring 39 holes-in-one and finishing the tournament in 8th place.

In the Women’s Category Ruth Burke from St Leonards on Sea took first place, finishing 17th overall, with Oxford’s Brenda Smith the runner-up. Brenda Smith also won the Novice Champion prize at the event and finished in 25th place.

In the Category 2 players competition held within the overall tournament Will Donnelly was first, with Luton’s Richard Gottfried runner-up, having finished 7th overall. Chris Jones was third.

The Mayor of Hastings Councillor Alan Roberts presented the prizes to the British Championship winners. Following the prize giving presentations the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor Councillor Bruce Dowling took part in a two-hole Minigolf Challenge Contest which saw the Mayor winning by 4 shots to 7.

BMGA Chairman Sean Homer said “Thanks to the Mayor of Hastings, Councillor Alan Roberts for making the Championship presentation and to all who played for making it a great weekend. Many thanks also to Tournament Director Keith Kellard and Marion Homer for their tireless efforts in making the whole event run so smoothly and to all of the team at Hastings Adventure Golf for their support and hospitality throughout the event.”

Players from five of the UK's minigolf clubs competed in the 2012 BMGA British Minigolf Championships, with representatives from the Cambridgeshire Minigolf Club, Kent Minigolf Club, London Minigolf Club, Midlands Minigolf Club and the Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club taking part.

SHARE Share Tweet