Mid Am Golf

[Robobum]

I see one of the mods has nipped their advertising on the head in the arrange a game section.

I'm intrigued by the idea behind Mid Am but am unsure what sort of quality they will serve up. They have tried to align themselves to well established Mid Am events and thrown in a number of, what seem at first glance to be, glorified society days.

Has anyone played in one of their comps at the latter part of this season or is planning on playing in one of them next year??

 

[Aztecs27]

I see one of the mods has nipped their advertising on the head in the arrange a game section.

I'm intrigued by the idea behind Mid Am but am unsure what sort of quality they will serve up. They have tried to align themselves to well established Mid Am events and thrown in a number of, what seem at first glance to be, glorified society days.

Has anyone played in one of their comps at the latter part of this season or is planning on playing in one of them next year??

That was me, apologies if I acted hastily but there was 4 posts, effectively saying the same thing within the space of a couple of minutes of each other. Let me know if you need it restored.

 

[fundy]

Not heard of them before but looked vaguely interesting, gonna have a look into next yrs comps

 

[Robobum]

That was me, apologies if I acted hastily but there was 4 posts, effectively saying the same thing within the space of a couple of minutes of each other. Let me know if you need it restored.

Nah mate, no worries. I've been looking at the stuff on their website for a while now thinking about stuff to play in next year.

The premise is great - scratch events for over 35s, so that that it doesn't ballot @ something like +1 and the day isn't spent with a budding 17yr old pro who doesn't talk for 4 hrs.

They have arranged some stuff for next year but without any track record it seems quite pricey if you aren't sure what the set up is like.

 

[Jonny]

Not really when you take into account the places they are playing.

2 rounds at Chart Hills plus a prize fund for £85 isn't too bad.

I considered it last year but my game was in no shape for this sort of competition. This year I might give it a go however.

 

[Robobum]

........
2 rounds at Chart Hills plus a prize fund for £85 isn't too bad.

.....

Agreed, on face value, it looks okay. But as I said....if you don't know what the quality of the organisation of the comp is like it might just be a glorified society day.

The prize fund is dependant on field size and the deal for Chart Hills is barely better than a winter green fee. Mid ams @ Hankley & Liphhook are cheaper and you get to eat until you pop all day inclusive of cost.

Just wanted to see if anyone had feedback if they had played in one. I'd be interested in the Royal St Davids jaunt if feedback was +ve.

 

[Jonny]

True enough... but then this isn't run by a county authority or anything like that so it's not going to attract subsidies from the golf courses. Look behind the scenes and it's a marketing company that own the site and they will want to make a profit from it. So there is their cut to take into account.

To be honest I prefer playing the bournemouth open anyway. Nice age range. Decent courses. Nice place to spend a few days. And last year I got to play the Broadstone invitational day as a guest of a mate. Top weekend away all around.

 

[wyncanton]

Guys, let me say that as the organizer of the events they are not glorified society days! I was a
PGA pro for 10 years and have a lot of experience in running events. I have also played in all the
other events and i have taken the good from all of them and set up a series of events that allows
mid amateurs the chance to play in good events with good prizes.

Yes we are a commercial operation but as I play In and love these events and off my handicap of
0.8 I struggle to get in most national events I think we have a good opportunity to establish a
series of events and even try and get events like the British mid am reinstated.

The price is dictated by the host club and the prize fund comes from the entry fee. We take all the
risk if the event doesn't fill but it looks like they will be successful. Chart hills is nearly full with
nearly 9 weeks to the closing date.

Any feedback is welcome good and bad and feel free to contact me with any questions.

Jason

 

[wyncanton]

Also the established events such as Sunningdale and Hankley common are heavily subsidized by the clubs which is why they are fantastic value for money. Sunningdale is about £80 for 36 holes and an amazing lunch. The downside is that the ballot for these events is about 2 now so it still leaves a lot of people with little to play in.

 

[CMAC]

interesting- I saw this and thought what a great idea, mid ams for over 35's as I also love the game and 36 hole tournaments but like robobum I also came across too many spotty teens with no social skills who made the whole day unenjoyable with tantrums unless they were 3 under after 6:angry: Generalisation I know but you get the drift...........

The events sound good and I've already told 5 fellow players about the one at Dundonald............a tad cheaper and I think I would have already signed up.....we are all still considering it though as its a great idea:thup:

 

[wyncanton]

I wish it was cheaper too! Even though the courses are complaining that golf day bookings are down they all still want top dollar!

 

[fat-tiger]

look very goods comps to me ,should be re enstated and atleast give people a chance to make there own mind up

 

[Dodger]

At more than double the price of the SGU Mid Am which is now no more it's a definite no from me.

Okay the prize fund may be more but for me the kudos of winning and even competing in it is less without it being a national body event.

That said I hope it works out for you all.

 

[wyncanton]

You're right it is more expensive but as mentioned before it is self funding and if we don't get the numbers we take the hit. That said we have nearly 50 entires already. The SGU were very difficult about us hosting an event in Scotland and got quite shirty about the name. It seems strange that a national body should worry about an organisation trying to promote golf in the area and get more players involved in events.

As the SGU decided to stop the event in 2010 surely it is a good thing to have an event in Scotland for Mid Amateurs? Although the SGU event was for over 25's and ours is for over 35's the feedback we have had from people has been brilliant. Without this event there is no mid amateur events for anyone to play in other than the Logan and English club run events.

It wont be for everyone, cost being prohibitive, but we have had more than 60% of our entrants coming from Scotland and we have people coming over from France and Sweden too.

The Kudos will come when the event is established.

Having played in a lot of mid amateur events in England I can say that winning one is certainly a real high as you know you have beaten qulaity players. The fact that the men in blue suits are not in attendance shouldn't (and doesn't) make a difference.

But thanks for your good wishes Dodger.

 

[pbrown7582]

These look really good events to me trying to get pass out for a couple of these I played in similar type of events with atourgolf last year and good days.

 

[Dodger]

Am I correct in saying the SGU event was a national scratch event whereas this one,be it the scratch or handicap you win is nothing more than an open event win against players of a much lower calibre than that of the likes of Watson,Roper,Dick etc.

Possibly the event will in time evolve though.

 

[wyncanton]

The idea is to get people playing. The likes of Roper et al can all enter if they wish. Remember also the SGU event was match play over 3/4 days and this is stroke play.

Essentially the SGU event was "closed" unless you had a scratch or better handicap.

 

[Dodger]

The idea is to get people playing. The likes of Roper et al can all enter if they wish. Remember also the SGU event was match play over 3/4 days and this is stroke play.

Essentially the SGU event was "closed" unless you had a scratch or better handicap.

I doubt they will want to enter what is essentially no more than a glorified club open.

Just my opinion of course and I do wish you all the best of luck with it Jason especially in Scotland.

 

[wyncanton]

We'll see. Hopefully it will provide mid amateurs something to play in.

Incidentally, all our events have starters, rules officials and official scoring for handicapping so not sure what difference to an SGU event other than kudos?

 

[wyncanton]

Am I correct in saying the SGU event was a national scratch event whereas this one,be it the scratch or handicap you win is nothing more than an open event win against players of a much lower calibre than that of the likes of Watson,Roper,Dick etc.

Possibly the event will in time evolve though.

Some of the previous winners and players from the SGU event are playing and also pledged to play in future when old enough!