Another year of minigolfing drew to a close on Saturday 27th December as nine intrepid players from across the Kent and Planet Hastings clubs took to the sun drenched greens at the seafront in Hastings for two rounds of tournament play to battle it out in the very first Cup Cake Christmas Classicl! Thanks to Jo & Nick and their generosity, the players were egged on by the thought of mulled wine and mince pies after the first round... so with the putters warmed up and the players ready to rock, the groups for the first round (on the crazy) were drawn (in birthday month order). First up saw the current UK ranked no.4 & no.5 players (Ted and Sean) drawn in a group with the perennial retiree Marion. Then came group 2 with Jo, Jen (top junior for the day) and new KMGC member Marc 'Chappers' Chapman and finally, group 3, with Nick, Sue and Dave completing the top class line up of UK minigolfing club talent.

Despite the break since the last official competition of 2008 (the Kent Open in November) all players were soon back upto speed, with the very occasional 4 & 5 being balanced out by some top aces across the course, including a hattrick of aces from the KMGC's captain, Sean, enough to see him leading the competition at the halfway stage (on 36) closely followed by Marc (with a PB of 37), Jo & Ted (with 38's) and Dave & Sue (not to be split, both having parked two great 39's). So the mulled wine was poured, and mince pies were scoffed (along with a brief appearance from Tim to say hi and wish everyone well - apart from Ted of course!!!), as the players regrouped in the traditional leader board order for a final 18 holes on the mighty Minigolf course!!

Round 2 continued to produce some excellent play across the course, with Ted & Jo putting in a spirited effort at toppling Sean, but with a steady 38 (including a round, and match, saving 6 foot putt at the last for a 2!!), the KMGC captain hung on to claim the title. Jo and Ted were then left to battle it out in a play off for the 2nd & 3rd places on the mini. With the crowd mercilessly booing Ted, and cheering on Jo, the honours were even with a two each on the first as they approached the hazardous 2nd hole. Showing the class that saw her take fifth place in the 2008 WCGC's, Jo stepped up and aced the hole, leaving Ted choking back the tears as his putt failed to even find the plateau. With the crowd delighted at the play off winner, the throng moved over to the crazy for another play off between Nick & Dave for the fourth (and final prize winning) place. Dave stepped up first, holed a monster of a 2nd putt to claim a two, but could only stand and watch as Nick calmly banged in an ace to take the place and his box of Celebrations (below):

Below: Ted takes solice from his play off defeat to claim his box of Orange Creams for coming third:

Below: Jo takes the plaudits and the box of Pralines Superieurs for finishing as runner up in the competition:

Below: Sean takes the honours for the day as he proudly displays his box of Scottish Biscuits to the gathered crowd for winning the CCCC!

 

Thanks to Jo & Nick for getting the ball rolling and organising the day and for everyone for playing in such a great spirit!!

The CUP CAKE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC will return in 2009 and will no doubt be another top class event from the pages of the KMGC & PHCGC Competition Handbook...

RESULT

	Name	R1 - crazy	R2 - mini	Avg	Total
1	Sean 'Freebird' Homer	36	38	37.00	74
2	Jo 'Cup Cake' Williamson *	38	37	37.50	75
3	Ted 'Bigtop' McIver	38	37	37.50	75
4	Nick 'Top Hole' Chitty **	42	38	40.00	80
5	Dave '4 Strings' Forrest	39	41	40.00	80
6	Marc 'Chappers' Chapman	37	48	42.50	85
7	Sue 'Duffy Moon' Forrest	39	47	43.00	86
8	Marion 'Double Trouble' Homer	45	44	44.50	89
9	Jennifer 'Twinkeltoes' Forrest	57	56	56.50	113

* won play off against Ted on Mini course
** won play off agianst Dave on Crazy Course