From: "Toby Green" <tobygreen@attglobal.net>
To: <BDGA@egroups.com>,
   "britdisc@csv. warwick. ac. uk (E-mail)" <britdisc@csv.warwick.ac.uk>,
   "discgolf@freeuk. com (E-mail)" <discgolf@freeuk.com>,
   "eurodisc@ira. de uka. (E-mail)" <eurodisc@ira.uka.de>
Subject: British Open Report and Results
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 22:00:52 +0200

Apologies for the delay. Here's a report and the results from a fine
tournament, sponsored generously by Leah Healthcare.

A record 76 players played the 22nd British Open at Whitcombe Farm's
re-designed and expanded course. Or should I say courses, since there are
now two, entirely separate, 18-double-chain basket courses at Whitcombe. I
don't know if it was the news about the courses or the shocking size of the
pot (USD2,000), but whatever it was, over 20 players from eight countries
came to join the fifty-odd from the UK. Rich Hart drew applause and a cute
prize from the Swiss for coming the furthest - all the way from the US of
A!!

For those familiar with Whitcombe, the New Course, now re-named Modern, was
left almost untouched by the changes, losing Goolagong Dip (to the other
course) and Bunny Valley Hop (now nearly unplayable due to tree growth).
>From Round the Knoll the course now enters Bunny Valley playing a hole in
the huge bowl to the left and then a viscious little number from the
hillside to the basket position for the old Bunny Valley Hop. Not a place
to fade right. (Steps are being made to re-introduce Bunny Valley Hop.)

The Old Course, now re-named Ancient, takes the first seven holes from the
Old, and then turns back on itself, crossing Bowling's Hill and then down
through a field called Saunders, through Boar Wood (and over the stream) to
the field beyond the Blasted Oak and back. For those with really long
memories, this is over the route of the original course, but in reverse! So
a total of 11 brand-new holes, including one of 200 metres and another of
just 37metres.

Many, many thanks to those who made this re-design possible and happen in
time: Jester and Patrick for planting so many of the new baskets (and
up-rooting the old ones!); Dan, Steve, Matt, and Sammy for getting the tees
in trim and planting all the signs. (especially to Steve since he didn't
even have time to stay and play!!). I'm sure there are others who helped,
but those last couple of pre-tournament days were a little blurred for me.

New challenges mean new formats, and I didn't really reckon we'd need the
extra capacity the courses offer until next year. But with more than 72
players we were obliged to split the field, and then make a cut after two
rounds. This means that not everyone played the same courses at the same
time, and some not even playing the same combination of courses over 54
holes. However, the pars for the courses are the same, and at first glance,
about the same level of hardness since there didn't seem to be any
variation in the scores. I'm sure some stato will help us find if there is
a significant difference or not. Toy is laying down rules on how the
results affect the UK Tour.

So the tournament itself? Well, Marco and Sammy both tried to do Tiger
Woods impersonations, with Charlie, Liam and Rich showing early, and Derek
hiding. Marco showed he was the real Tiger and savaged Sam in the second
round and finished the day five ahead of both Sam and Liam. Marco kept
burning bright into Round 3 and led by 11 from Sam and 14 from Si Luard who
had been quietly pacing the leaders. A huge 20-player semi only served to
build Marco's cushion and he went into the final 14 ahead of Sam. Derek had
finally found some form and had climbed to fourth, with Liam taking the
fifth spot. In the final, Derek caught Si for third, but Marco eased to his
third British title, and his first at Whitcombe.

There was a hole in the final that rather summed it all up. Eighth hole,
Sam up first, fires off a monster (so we thought) and lands about 90 yards
away on a bank. Liam, Derek, Si all land just shy of Sam. Up steps Marco
and bang! his disc flies over the bank and on for about another thirty
yards. Must be all that Belgian beer.

Meanwhile in the Amateur division the Massey brothers three jostle for
position behind the quiet but dominant form of Matt Pike. Like a terrier,
Matt just took hold of the lead and wouldn't let go, taking his fifth
Amateur title of the year. There were 21 in the Amateur Division.

The Woman's defending Champion didn't suffer the humiliation of the Open
Champion, and kept her crown with a solid performance in a record field of
five. We need more woman to give Ruth some competition!

The younger Green nephew, Edward, outlasted his elder brother, Patrick, to
take the Juniors title. We need more Juniors too.

What else is there to report? The sun shone, the BBQ was still singing at
3am, and two TV stations filmed the final.

Final thanks to Ruth for her very courageous and kind words during the
presentations.

And to all you campers who left not a single piece of rubbish on the site -
and I mean, nothing. All very neatly bagged up and by the bins - brilliant!
You are all winners for your respect for this land and its continuing
beauty.

This was a memorable tournament. My Mum would have been proud of the lot of
you for playing the tournament in such good spirit. She'll be with us,
watching us, guiding us, for many more at Whitcombe, I'm sure.

Toby