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Interested in playing in Open competitions???????

Smiffy

Smiffy

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With this season now coming to an end, thoughts are possibly turning to next season and maybe playing in a few Open competitions?
Opens are a great way to play new courses, often at greatly reduced rates, and most include a nice meal afterwards. The courses are also usually presented in the best conditions possible, which is always a bonus!
I have received a warm welcome on all those that I attended, all that's needed is an official CONGU handicap.
The following website is great for hunting out Opens in your particular area, and you can search for specific competitions..ie "Seniors" "Juniors" "Mixed" etc. You can play singles, pairs or there are some good team events too if you want to play with some of your regular playing partners. It doesn't cost you any more to book one through the website, and you can even print off entry forms for each competition.
I entered a few last year, and got to play some lovely courses for peanuts in relation to the usual green fee rates.

http://www.golfempire.co.uk/

Well worth bookmarking.
Rob
 
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Re: Interested in playing in Open competitions????

PS.....Keep checking on the website though, because a lot of clubs obviously haven't finalised their Open dates, and new ones are being added all the time. I think you can subscribe and receive an email each time a competition is added in your preferred area.
 
Re: Interested in playing in Open competitions????

Yes Smiffy your right,definately on the agenda again next year.
Played in 5 this year and all were great value for money.
Thx for the link.
 
Re: Interested in playing in Open competitions????

do they have maximum h.c limits or does it vary? ahhh just checked a few and it does indeed vary

May be something I do in a couple of years time once the kids are adults
 
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Re: Interested in playing in Open competitions????

Cheers Smiffy
I entered my first open this year (Volvo Matchplay) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Many clubs offer away players courtesy of the course (if not, the home player splits the cost of the green fee). So you can end up playing 4 regional games followed by a national finals comp (which was at Frilford Heath Golf Club, red course just a few days after the European Q school had been playing on it for 5 days) with free dinner afterwards. All for 20 quid. (also, if youre lucky enough to get in the top 5 at the national finals day, you get All expenses paid accomodation, food, flights, hire car (for two) and 5 days of golf (4 day comp) on a top course(s) in the Algarve.
Will deffo be entering that again next year and have noe saved golfempire in my "favourites"
 
Re: Interested in playing in Open competitions????

I entered a seniors Open at Orsett GC in Essex this year. Superb course, in great condition, tough as old boots and blowing a bit! Played with 3 local guys who were really good company, we had a great laugh on the way round, all taking it a bit seriously until we realised (by about the 4th hole) that we weren't going to win anything!
Didn't figure in the prizes but for £35.00 including a great 3 course meal afterwards, it was cracking value for money and I will be entering again next year as soon as details are posted.

The one thing you need to check if you are entering "seniors" competitions though is the qualifying age.
Some courses call 55 years and over "seniors" whereas a lot of others make the entry criteria 60 years of age.
Do check before sending yer cheque off!!!
 
Re: Interested in playing in Open competitions????

Funny I was looking at this site earlier this week and having the same thought. Seems to be more available if you're a senior.
 
Re: Interested in playing in Open competitions????

We entered 5 mixed opens this year and loved them - helped that we placed in each one and the value of prizes paid for the entry fees!! My first year feeling confident enough to play them though and David reckons I shouldn't expect to win something everytime !!

They are great value as to play and have a meal tends to be less than the normal green fees alone. Plus we got to meet some really nice people :)

The only disappointing one was at Wellingborough where they had drilled and dressed the greens the day before which I felt was rude and disrespectful to the 50 couples who paid to play something resembling ploughed fields as it rained solid all day. We won't be returning to that one.
 
Re: Interested in playing in Open competitions????

Smiffy said:
There will be a lot more competitions being put on the site once they have sorted dates out. Plenty more to come.
Click to expand...

yes I would agree, theres only about 6 so far for the whole of the central belt of Scotland, hopefully all clubs use this site but I cant find them all, any other sites used as well?
 
Re: Interested in playing in Open competitions????

I'll have to keep a note of that website.

We usually have a listing in the local paper about march time listing all the opens up here, but this year they only printed clubs that paids to advertise their fixtures, so half the clubs were not on it.

I think i'll check this out next year, still not as good as just looking down a list of all of them for the area though.
 
Re: Interested in playing in Open competitions????

You can get Scottish Competitions by going to scottishgolf.org and clicking on the "open competitions" tab on the right hand side. During summer it has most competitions but I'd imagine most club secretaries haven't loaded their 2012 one's on yet.
 
Re: Interested in playing in Open competitions????

I haven't played open comps for many years. The stories on here back up what I thought at the time and there always seems to be golfers there off a handicap at least 4-5 shots light of their ability. I know every dog and all that but you can tell a good player pretty quickly.I'm not saying they were cheats but the words handicap and protection spring to mind and in the end I didn't think there was a level playing field.

I like the Volvo event more though as matchplay suits my erratic nature more and I can get away with a bad hole or two. Even better as a pair and I have my wingman to look after me. Hawkeye has done a great job of being a solid player and I tended to loiter with intent and came in at crucial times. Hopefully my game will improve and he won't get so tired carrying me next year.

I'd be interested to see what opens are out there and maybe go to another just to see if things have got better. Maybe I'm just old and cynical these days
 
Re: Interested in playing in Open competitions????

I am staged how many opens (not seniors ) are open to hackers. The open at my club is cat 1, unless it isn't filled. Rare.
 
Re: Interested in playing in Open competitions????

murphthemog said:
I am staged how many opens (not seniors ) are open to hackers. The open at my club is cat 1, unless it isn't filled. Rare.
Click to expand...

To be fair, most operate a ballot system and filter out the higher handicaps if over subscribed. However as these events are becoming more popular it does mean there are more to go around and so getting in to one isn't as tough as it use to be.
 
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