Open Comps

[Canfordhacker]

Alchemy's post regarding a tour (which is a great thread) got me thinking about Open comps as an alternative. I just took a look at Ferndown, one of the "named" courses near me, and they have an annual Open festival, with an 18 hole Stableford men's Open off full handicap in May. Given it's a fabulous course, and that the regular greenfee is £60, this comp is £42.50 to enter and includes coffee on arrival AND lunch and prizes - I'm printing the form now!!!

This fills several of my criteria for playing golf - a chance to compete, play good courses, and meet like minded people.

Do any of you do this regularly? I may have stumbled on a new avenue.

 

[Ken_A]

I played a few really good courses in superb condition last year- I went onto the GUI (Golfing Union of Ireland) and it told me all the dates of the opens etc. We just booked and turned up, be careful tho as you will probably not get out at the week end and spaces fill up fast.

Also EVERY course required hour handicap card!

 

[Robobum]

I look around for scratch open comps so you can be assured that you won't get fleeced by some rogue off 28 shooting 45 points.

As well as all the local OOM stuf I will be entering comps at Hanckley Common (over 35s) and St Georges Hill, both look top drawer tracks.

As Canford said, the entry is invariably less than the normal green fee for these events and you get to play 36 holes. There is a site called www.golfempire.co.uk if this is your thing.

 

[SammmeBee]

I have played in the Ferndown Open (they actually have a whole week of events but I only play the singles) for a few years now....good sunday lunch afterwards, good golf course, good prizes - and good value, although Ferndown is one of the more expensive ones!!

Many clubs do 18 and 36 hole competitions for less money - check out http://www.englishgolfunion.org/golfcentral/ which also has loads of information on clubs, membership, green fees too....

 

[thecraw]

I like Open Competitions nad play quite a few, a great way to challenge yourself and see new courses at a fraction of the price of a greenfee.

 

[Tommo21]

It's a good way of having a look at a course you fancy joining as well.

 

[USER1999]

Difficult if you don't have a cat 1 (or close) handicap.

Any event open to higher h/caps is inevitably going to be mobbed by bandits shooting the lights out.

 

[SammmeBee]

Difficult if you don't have a cat 1 (or close) handicap.

Any event open to higher h/caps is inevitably going to be mobbed by bandits shooting the lights out.

Murph you would be suprised - I, as you know, play in quite a lot and many allowed handicaps under 18 to play....

North Foreland last year - only 2 players broke nett par and in one at Princes only 1 got more than 36 points and in general if you can shoot level par or -1 you will win something....juniors used to be the biggest culprits but most places have banned them to stop this....

 

[Canfordhacker]

Difficult if you don't have a cat 1 (or close) handicap.

Any event open to higher h/caps is inevitably going to be mobbed by bandits shooting the lights out.

They insist on club handicap certs being produced, and you have to have some faith in that system (that's another thread!). I understand the cynicism, but I try to believe in the good in people. Until they let me down. Then I never forgive.

 

[SammmeBee]

Generally Open Competitions are aimed at Club Golfers and you will find the same people playing in the most of the events - the fact they play in so many competitions their handicaps are accurate (as commented on in handicapping thread/s).....

I have some dates of the ones I intend to play - I will send them to you....

 

[EchtLoon]

It astonishes me in England, that Open's are so rare, and most that are held are better balls.

In Scotland, and I think Aberdeenshire northwards in particular, you have a pick of half a dozen each Saturday and Sunday within close driving range, and virtually always less than £20 entry - anything more is considered extortionate. We used to play at least one on a Saturday and a Sunday, quite often we had "double dunters" on either or both days. I was lucky as well as clubn comps tended to be Monday night, so I didn't miss a medal either.

Why is it England has so few? Is it the cost of club golf stops players travelling, or that clubs don't want to let visitors on cheap when membership is +/-£1k?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I've played in quite a few over the years. The trouble with a lot of them is that they have handicap restrictions on them and that if they are over subscribed they operate a ballot system and the higher handicappers miss out.

That said there are a lot that do cater for higher handicappers (18 and 24 limits) and which seem more set up for Joe Average club member. They are sticklers for handicap certificates and I've always enjoyed every event I've played in and its always good playing new tracks and having a bit of grub afterwards.

Some clubs have 72 hole events which mean that just like in a pro event you play Thursday and Friday and then have a halfway cut. Some have medal one day and a stableford the next. Just look around the various websites (EGU your local county etc) but I would always advocate having a go if you want to test your game

 

[ColinR]

Anyone know anything about the Howdidido match play competition ?

I can find details for the 2008 results, but nothing posted for the 2009 competition.

Looks like it could be interesting.

 

[Leftie]

Played in the Kent Left Handers Open last year at Woodlands Manor.

Now, that was a peculiar sight. Don't some lefties look awkward

 

[Smiffy]

I played in an open competition at Princes a few years ago. Max handicap was 14, I was right on the limit so was put on the reserve list. Got a call a couple of days beforehand to let me know I was in. It was a 36 hole medal, had a great time playing with some scratch golfers but boy was it slow! Once I get my official handicap from Highwoods I will play in some open tournaments on the "better" courses. It's a good way to get to play them at a reduced rate!

 

[SammmeBee]

I played in an open competition at Princes a few years ago. Max handicap was 14, I was right on the limit so was put on the reserve list. Got a call a couple of days beforehand to let me know I was in. It was a 36 hole medal, had a great time playing with some scratch golfers but boy was it slow! Once I get my official handicap from Highwoods I will play in some open tournaments on the "better" courses. It's a good way to get to play them at a reduced rate!

There is a Forumer who won that one year.......

 

[John_Findlay]

They're a great idea. I notice on the Goswick website, for example, there's a gents Open in May. £15 to enter. That's a good deal and fairly typical.

In the North of Scotland 4 or 5 day Opens are pretty prevalent and cost around £60-£80 entry fee. (Nairn, Nairn Dunbar, Forres, Elgin, Moray etc still do them I think) Guaranteed 5 rounds mostly. I use to do them and they're great fun if you go with pals for the week.

They used to have an event in Northern Ireland (some of the Irish boys may remember) where you played Portrush, Port Stewart and 2 other cracking courses over 4 days for virtually nothing. Not sure if they still play it but I always wanted to.

 

[TonyN]

Wouldn't it be great if a group of us from the forum went to one as you mentioned above J_F. Would be great to support who ever did well and got to the final rounds.

 

[John_Findlay]

Would be Tony. Only one problem. Who can take a week off for golf nowadays!

When I was footloose and fancy free (a student) this is exactly what my friends and I would do around the Nairn area. At least one of us often did well as we were playing twice a day back then. We'd caddy for our pals if they got into the matchplay rounds. Great fun when one of us reached the final, even if it was only the handicap section. Real camaraderie.

A one day Open might be a better idea. I've always wanted to go back to Formby or Hillside to play again so I fancy something like that.

 

[TonyN]

Exactly how I imagined it, one guy on the bag, the others following and shouting 'Get in da hole' on the par 5 tee shots

You ever visit Formby and I am free, I'll carry ya bag!