27 Apr 2009 at 09:35 | Published by: Blondie | Views: 7519 | News search

Grand Country Open tournament in Branson, Missouri started in April of 2005 as annual event but starting with 2006 Grand Country Square owner Glenn Robinson fell in love with the idea of professional minigolf tournament. Mr. Glenn Robinson and Tournament Director Andy Halloway decided to hold the tournament twice a year- in April and September.

On April 25th, 2009 it was 8th Grand Country Open. Just as city of Branson where Grand country is located is growing as tourist city by opening brand new airport to bring visitors to its hundred music halls and many other attractions, Grand Country Open tournament is growing too. This time it had record number of players- 27 players from about ten different states. We hope that brand new airport will help to bring more players from all over the world.

Players did enjoy stay at Grand Country Inn at discounted rates, relaxed at Grand Country Indoor Water park and had free tickets to the show at Grand Country Music Hall and will take home Grand Country hat as souvenir.

One of the favourites from the start was Texas player Rainey Statum but from the very first rounds of tournament Matt McCaslin showed his usual dominance by leading the tournament from the very start. While Rainey managed to catch up to Matt after 5th round, Matt kept cool during the 6th round and left Rainey in second place with four point difference (173-177) and went home with thousand dollars, letting Rainey to pocket only 500.

Charlie Greenwalt competed with Astra Miglane Stanwyck for 3rd and 4th place and this time Charlie fired up to pay Astra back for few losses in the past and finished competition 3rd with total score of 178 and leading Astra by two points and earning 250 dollars. The winner of 2009 September Grand Country Open Tim Tally tied for 5th and 6th place with Jeremy Inabinet scoring 191 points after six rounds.

Matt McCaslin set new record average for six rounds- 28.83. He also repeated his own tournament record for three tournament rounds on course #2- with average 28.33 and repeated best round record on course two- 27. Record for best three rounds on course #1 belongs to Astra and is 28.67 but best one round record on course #1 was achieved by George McLeod in September of 07- 26. George placed this time at 10th.

Our great tournament joy was the youngest player of event- Anneke Davis. At her young age of nine she showed very great attention to detail of putting and consistency in performance with only three point difference between her best and worst score. Her tournament average was 38.33- a very great start for so young and inexperienced player . She was the one who received the greatest cheers from the crowd. Anneke started playing minigolf only few months ago together with her father and is already showing very rapid progress. We all hope to see her in more tour events in the future.

Complete results and photos from the event will be updated within the next few days and you will be able to view them in the page: http://www.competitiveminigolf.com/Grand_Country_Open.htm

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