Open Competitions

[mancity101]

I have today sent my application off for an Open Comp at Fleetwood GC this summer, looking forward to a new challenge and playing an excellent links again.
I used to play in loads of opens as a junior, helped my development as a golfer.
Do many of the formumers play in Opens? or just in comps at their home club.

 

[USER1999]

I am going to do a couple this year. It looks a good deal, the course should be in top knick, the food thrown in, at a decent time of year, and not expensive. Got one booked for May at Hever Castle with a few others on here. Should be fun. Never done one before.

 

[jammydodger]

At this moment in time i've got 7x 36 hole and 3x 18 hole Open comps lined up this year. I would do more but my shift patterns dont allow me to play every one I want to.

I personally think this is the true test of your handicap. Get out of your comfort zone and get some comps played around other courses to see just how good you really are not how good you think you are.

 

[DCB]

I have played a few. It's a good way of playing different courses. What I have found though is that there are some real bandits out there who come to the fore at these events.

Played in the 36 hole Lamlash Open a few times, but the liver couldn't stand that any more. Some serious rehydration goes on during that one

Played in a few mixed opens with my wife. Even there we've seen the bandit pairings taking things so seriously.

 

[Mike_j_golf]

There seems to be way more open comps in Ireland they never seem to be fully booked up except for a few Scratch cups and they are always good value i play at least 20 every year I would rather play a comp at a new course that a green fee.
Mike

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I played at my old club last year, had a mare (94 due to the snap hooks), but will do so again this year.
I fancy playing in quite a few this year infact.
Like you I played in loads as a junior.

 

[Twire]

I play in a couple every year. It's a great way to play other courses at a reasonable green fee.


This sites not bad for finding out where the opens are being held.

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

 

[USER1999]

Got an email from my general sec, about some sign in identity number from the EGU regarding their handicap database going live. Apparently, for a lot of opens and county events, they are going to start requiring this number. This will guarantee you have an EGU membership, and handicap. Might stop some of the bandits out there.

Gist of it was:

2010 has seen the English Golf Union (EGU) introduce the Central Database of Handicaps (CDH) and the Active / Inactive handicap.



Details of the 2 new schemes can be viewed at www.englishgolfunion.org and hit the navigation bar ‘handicapping’. Both schemes have a ‘FAQ’ section.



CDH has handicap details of all members of Clubs affiliated to the EGU. Competition details will now be automatically uploaded to this central database as soon as a competition is closed. It will also report ‘away’ players’ scores.
There will be no impact on how competitions are played at West Herts and the status quo remains.

As a golf club member on the CDH you have been issued with a unique ‘CDH lifetime ID’ number. This number may be required when entering events/competitions at Club’s away from West Herts. For example, all Hertfordshire Golf Union events from now on will require this ID number on the entry form.

Lifetime ID numbers are personal to each golfer but I am unable to publish a list of these numbers as it could jeopardise the integrity of the CDH system.

PLEASE E MAIL ME OR COME BY THE OFFICE AND I’LL BE ABLE TO ISSUE YOUR ‘CDH LIFETIME ID’ NUMBER.



Active / Inactive handicaps. Generally, an active handicap is allocated to someone who has returned 3 scores in qualifying competition during the preceding 12 months. Those that have not will now have a handicap registered as inactive.
In real terms there will be no change at West Herts for now although the Golf Committee will be looking at this in due course to see if certain competitions will be for ‘active’ handicaps only. There are already, for example, the Auction or Beckwith competitions where stipulated numbers of qualifying rounds within the previous 12 months are a condition of entry.

For those playing in competitions at other clubs, HGU, HCLGA, EGU or EWGA events or indeed representing West Herts in competitive mode you will be required to have an active handicap.

 

[thecraw]

Play in a good few myself. No point in playing off a false handicap only playing your home track.

 

[Sneds]

indeed representing West Herts in competitive mode

You play at W.Herts? x

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I use to play a lot but haven't done for a while. Its something I'd consider again but have always been put off with tales of banditry. I guess if you go along with the intention of playing a course set up as well as it can be, playing a different venue with some food chucked in then its not a bad thing to do (treat it like a glorified society day). If you go along with any concept of winning and I think that is where these false handicaps can put you off

 

[JustOne]

I have a dozen entry forms on my desk..... I wanted to play in a few to get my h/cap back down a bit quicker.... might need to wait until I've bought a sky caddie first

 

[Junior]

I have only ever played a couple but I've signed up for the below this year. I know ColinT and GJBike have also signed up and If we get a 4th , we can play as a GM forum team (as well as individual)!!!. The recent announcement about Hoylake may well see places go fast !!

http://www.wirralgolfclassic.co.uk/

 

[Parmo]

They are bandit country like.

 

[AMcC]

I played two opens last year and intend to play at least the same again this year. The entry fees are usually reasonable( much cheaper than single round ticket ) and the courses are almost prepared to their best for their open. All in all a good way to play different courses and test yourself. A source of open info is www.golfcentral.co.uk

 

[stevek1969]

After reading some the posts it seems a lot of dummies have been spat out about Opens being full of bandits, you get them every week in every club in this country so why complain about Opens being full of them.

I play in a few and normally pick some of the better courses depending on what shifts i'm on , i think its a good way to test your golf game on different types of courses and to play a course at its full length for between £10 - 20 which is good value.

I'm looking to play in the Royal Aberdeen which is slightly dearer at £30 i think ,or the 36 holer at Dornoch but will try to play Muckhart or Pitlochry as well.

So guys dry your eyes and just enjoy it.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I disagree. Our club medals and stablefords are split into divisions and I know 90% of the division 1 players and most are ten or below and all active players who defend their handicap at every opportunity. In the other divisions it tends to be a guy on a hot day that comes through. Even in the gold letter events we don't have any "pot hunters" that turn up off say 9 or 10 when they are really much lower just to win the big prizes.

 

[bigbiffa]

i love playing in open competitions,its a great way to play different courses, i won the open on our course two years ago,and would have finished 1st last year but for a stupid approach into 16 which cost me 3 shots! Does that make me a bandit as i won on my home course?

 

[pokerjoke]

I think its a great way to play golf,cheap,choose the best courses and the chance to win some prizes a win,win situation.

 

[Dodger]

I intend playing in a fair few this year and I am booked into Machrahanish and intend doing some Edinburgh ones and possibly the odd 36 holer,4BBB ones are the best ones,play with your mates and don't worry how the golf is,I see them as a cheap day away and even better if we make a weekend or day of it that involves a few libations after.