Latest News
Minigolf Tournament Report – BMGA British Championships 2008
16 July 2008
Tim Davies wins the first minigolf major of 2008 - the BMGA British Championships, held in Hastings
33 of Great Britain’s top Minigolfers travelled to Hastings, East Sussex last weekend to compete in the first Minigolf Major of the 2008 Season, the BMGA British Championships. Over two days the 33 competitors played 126 holes in seven 18-hole rounds at the Planet Hastings Minigolf Course at White Rock Gardens.
The tournament was won by Hastings own Tim ‘Ace Man’ Davies who carded a new course record score of 26 (-10) to finish with a total score of 226 (-26). In second place was Andy Exall of Tunbridge Wells, who had led the tournament from round one but carded a 35 (-1) in the final round for a total of 230 (-22). Third was John McIver of Hastings with a score of 243 (-9).
In winning the tournament Tim ‘Ace Man’ Davies has regained the coveted number one spot in the BMGA Order of Merit Rankings, Tim said "I am incredibly happy to have won the first major of the season and also in regaining the number one spot in the rankings. I watched my own crazy golf instructional DVD ‘Nutters with Putters’ whilst writing the accompanying book and look what happened."
Runner up Andy Exall said “It was nice to lead for so long and after extending my lead over Ace Man to five shots with one round left, even I was starting to believe I could win. But, Tim isn't called Ace Man for nothing and his 26 in the final round was incredible and thoroughly deserved to win the Tournament. I could only watch helplessly as ace after ace went in, the pressure to match what he was doing was immense, and although I again had a good round it wasn't nearly enough.”
Third placed John ‘Big Top Ted’ McIver said “Tim Davies shooting a 26 on an 18 hole Minigolf course really has set the bar in terms of the skill required to make the grade as a top Minigolfer in this country.”
In winning the main British Championship title Tim Davies also become the BMGA British Seniors Champion as the leading senior player.
In the BMGA Women’s Championships Ruth Bullin of St Leonards-on-Sea became a five-time Women’s Minigolf Champion with a score of 247 and finishing 4th in the main tournament. Second was Jo Williamson of the Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club in 8th overall with a total score of 257 and in third place was Emily Gottfried from Luton who scored 320 (+68) and finishing 26th overall.
Ruth Bullin said “I did have to play for this championship, Jo Williamson was in the lead for most of Saturday and certainly had her chances, she scored seven aces in one round and anyone who can do that could annihilate even a substantial lead. For me I had a slow start, I wouldn't say it was shaky, I just didn't go for the aces right away and I think I only got one the first round, but I got more into my stride as the day went on and ended on my all time best round of 30 so I was pleased and it was good to finish fourth overall”
Ruth added “It was also good there are more women competing and there was certainly a battle all weekend for third place. I look forward to many more competitions and hope that the positive spirit continues. I also hope the women make an impression on the leaderboard at the British Open and the World Crazies later this year.”
The next tournaments on the BMGA Tour will be in Margate in mid-September and then back in Hastings in October for the World Crazy Golf Championships.
BMGA British Matchplay Championships – Second Round Results
During the weekend of play there were also three matches in the 2008 BMGA British Matchplay Championships contested on the courses of Hastings.
On Friday 11th July at the Seafront Minigolf Course Tunbridge Wells player Andy Exall beat Jas Kukielka from Wales 7&6 to move onto the quarter finals.
On Saturday 12th July Tim ‘Ace Man’ Davies beat BMGA Women’s Champion Ruth Bullin by 1 hole at Planet Hastings. And Seve Kukielka beat Tunbridge Wells player Phil Exall by 1 hole at the Seafront Crazy Golf Course.
Download this press release
