KMGC
THE KENT MINIGOLF CLUB
"unus putt rego lemma totus"

THE KENT INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT 2006

STROKES ADVENTURE GOLF COURSE, MARGATE

NOVEMBER 4th 2006

From Left to Right: Dave, Marion, Jake, Sean, Andy, Tim (hidden!), Lionel, John, Kieran, Brian, Matt, Frankie and Peter

On a very cold, but brilliantly sunny day in Margate, the Kent Minigolf Club (KMGC), and assorted guest players gathered at Strokes to compete in the very first Kent Invitational Tournament.

2 Rounds of minigolf awaited, 36 holes of putting action (or 38 as it was actually to become due to the play offs at the end of the day) - along with the Kent Invitational Trophy and 200 ranking points for the top placed Team Kent player and a 'surprise' prize for the top placed guest player. It was clear that the locals were keen to take some BMGA scalps from the start when the competition became the KIT 'lock-in' as Brian (the course owner) decided to lock the gates and keep out the public to ensure all the Strokes team could join in the fun!

To repay the gesture, the computer (or was it the organiser?!) threw out the fixtures for round 1 only to see Brian thrown in at the deep end in the 'Group Of Death' playing alongside BMGA legends Jon Angel (currently ranked 4th in the UK), Lionel Bender and none other than Peter Parr, the founder of the BMGA!

The competition kicked off and it soon became clear that the form book was thrown upside down as Kieran Davies, the previous unofficial record holder (amazingly playing in just a T-Shirt...they clearly make them out of tough stuff in Margate), was intent on causing an upset by storming the first round with a terrific 43, taking a 2 shot lead into the second round ahead of Dave Forrest (top placed Team Kent player at the turn) and Jon Angel. Team Kent's captain and founder, Sean Homer was a further shot back, along with Matt Wood. Brian managed to withstand the shock of playing against some of the games top names by pulling in a creditable 49 and  starting the second round in 7th place, just behind Marion Homer.

After a short break to regroup and refocus, the game was on again as the second round began, bringing with it some great individual performances. Tim Witherden, in his first ever appearance in a tournament took 10 strokes off his 1st round score, carding a 43 and finishing in 8th place overall. Peter dropped in a very respectable 41 to move up to 5th place while Marion shot a cracking 42, leapfrogging both fellow Team Kent players Andy & Dave to take 4th place (and 100 ranking points in the process), a tournament best result for the vice captain. Jon carded a great 42 to clinch a very creditable 3rd place.

Kieran continued to push for the victory with another excellent round, this time a 41 and taking the highest place guest slot and the highly anticipated surprise prize! But Team Kent were not yet beaten and Sean came back with the round of the day, a 38 to tie the match with Kieran (as well as taking the new official BMGA course record in the process, the KIT trophy and 200 ranking points). So, in true 2006 BMGA competition tradition, it was time for the play offs!

First up saw Dave and Andy play off for the 3rd place Team Kent player (and 50 ranking points). Dave played first, taking a solid 2 but Andy trumped that with a cracking ace to take the ranking points and 6th place on the day. Which just left Kieran and Sean to play off for the win. Kieran took the lead and banged in an ace at the first attempt which Sean just couldn't match and Kieran took the victory (and a highly prized set of chocolate golfers in the process!).

Thanks to everyone for making the event a success and for ensuring a great atmosphere throughout the day and providing a lot of fun in the process. As always, a special thanks to Brian, Frankie & Matt for their hospitality and providing Team Kent with the course for the day!!! Needless to say we will all be back again next year for the KIT 2007!!!

FULL RESULTS

* Won play-off with Sean
** Won play-off with Dave to grab 3rd place Team Kent (KMGC) player
*** New official Course record

We're always keen to hear from Kent based minigolfers
- where do you play? what's your favourite course?
and if you're interested in joining the Kent Minigolf Club and want to know more
then why not drop us a line at admin@kentminigolfclub.co.uk