Croydon Disc Golf Club and Tournament Director Jester Wilson hosted the final BDGA tour event of the season over the weekend of 25th/26th September. With a total of 63registered players travelling in from as far afield as Canada, Finland and Crinklewood, and a total of 25 CDCG players in total in the field, the locals were determined to show the tourists how it was done.
CDGC has always used the Cyclone as a chance to blood new players into competition golf and this event was no different; Louie Webber, Ola Johansson and Simon Willmore all entering into their first tour event. The Cyclone was shaping up to match the successes of previous years.
With Lloyd Park only receiving its 6-monthly grass cutting a weekbefore the tourney, a flurry of activity quickly followed. Baskets were straightened, a mountain of strimming and pruning completed as well as islands/bunkers/pond/loch locations debated and decided. The course was in fantastic condition; it was only a shame the weather didn't necessarily follow suit!
In the Open Tour, already won by perennial champion, but non-attendee, DerekRobins, there was a green light to some fresh blood to challenge for the title. Smart money was being placed on Jester Wilson, in goodform and on home territory, though Conor Davies and James Luton amongst otherswould surely have something to say about that! The Am division was still wideopen. Essex' Sophie Southgate held a slim lead on powerstats, but CDGCchairman Richard Wood could pick up 75 points to take the Am title away from her; Quarry Park's Duncan Butcher also having a chance to upset the apple cart.
Practice rounds on the Friday saw a few hardy QP'ers and theShrewsbury crew out to test the brisk North Westerly winds and occasionalshowers as well as the Finn, Tapani Aulu, over to improve his English and play some golf in the UK, who shot an incredible 48 (one over the course record -albeit with no OB rope out) suggesting Jester might have abit more competition in the open division than he thought... Oh, andRich Wood got his first ever Ace, on hole 7 and told each and every person in Croydon!
With the scout hut acting as tournament HQ for the second year running, the players' meeting followed a familiar pattern. Questions of "is the water wet?" and "what happens if a dog runs off with my disc?" were met with the usual dull groans. However, more pertinent information regarding changes to the course was also explained. Lloyd Park is always tightened up for the tournaments, with OB tape and artificial islands added to increase the challenge. Hole one controversially had two islands for you to go for: the risky, tight far island or lay-up on the near island and hope to makethe three. Hole two had a horseshoe bunker added. Holes five and six had the pond and loch added respectively and finally hole sixteen had thebasket moved 8 meters nearer to the tee, into the small copse of trees.
The morning rounds provided some shock results, plenty of OB 6s onhole one and even some sunshine! CDGC Adv Am Dan Pommer shot the lights out,with a PB 54 to lead the entire field, 4 shots clear of the next Adv Am, CDGC'sTom Lowes. In the Open division James Luton and Tapani Aulu carded 55s to hold a one-shot lead on the rest of their field. In the Int Am division CDGC Jack Lawrence threw a very controlled round of 61, one shot ahead of CDGC's Summer League champion Fran Wilson.
With the sun shining, all players made the short walk back to the scout hut, discussing the best way to play hole one and recounting the shots that got away. The lunches at tour events come under almost as much scrutiny as the quality of the course and speed of play, and this time they didn't disappoint. Not a single piece of coronation chicken in sight! (Ask Steve Broster!) Suitably rested and refuelled, the players headed back out to the field.
The sun continued to shine through the rest of the afternoon, andtemperatures rose, not only on hole one! The Open division saw new comer Tapani, CDGC's Dan Ryan and Jester Wilson build on solid morning rounds hitting 54s. They would be joined by James Luton the following morning to make up the lead group. Dan Pommer let the lead slip hitting a 63 while Tom Lowes managed a par round to take the top spot. They would be joined by Ben Foxall and Steve Broster the following morning. In the Int Ams,Shrewsbury's Michael Davies led the way with a solid 63 and led CDGC's Fran Wilson and Charlie Myall with another Shrewsbury lad Glen Evans taking the final spot on the top card.
With many played staying at the scout hut, CDGC's Dan Hawkins and James Bates cooked up a storm with a fantastic BBQ. Inside a disc-dyeing clinic was run by Phil Wood and Jesse Denny showing those interested how to personalise their plastic. The hours of concentration in the face ofbeer paid off for many; Duncan Butchers "tin-tin" in particular a fantastic effort, and if you bump into Charlie Myall, ask if you can see the queen! Outside the hut Jester decided a late night serenade was in order and grabbed a guitar and entertained all around the campfire. CDCG's second favourite game also made a somewhat modified appearance; a 4-way game of Kan Jam ended the night with RickRick Murphy and Phil Wood the eventual victors.
Sunday was met with a few sore heads and the sun making way to grey clouds and drizzle with the wind picking up slightly. In these less than pleasant conditions many suffered, hole one claiming many more victims along the way, CDGC's Tim Emmott taking a triple OB 9 amongst them. Conor Davies mastered the winds and shot the best round of the morning, and indeed the entire Cyclone, with a superb four-under-par 53. Tapani continued to shoot under-pargolf and held onto the top spot. A late surge from RickRick Murphy forced aplayoff with CDGC's lefty, Dan Ryan. RickRick parked hole one and Dan's Buzz faded late into the OB so Rickrick joined the final five with Tapani, Connor, Jester and James. The Adv Ams struggled with the change in conditions and there was little movement in the top five - the only player making strides was CDGC's Phil Wood, who shot a 58 to join Steve and Ben in joint 3rd place, 5shots off Dan and Tom. The Shrewsbury lads continued to control the Int Amdivision with Michael maintaining his lead from Glen, Fran, Neil Martin and Charlie Myall. CDGC's Neil Prebble almost caught Charlie for the fifth final spot,but could not quite get there.
With all divisions finals playing over 9 holes there was stillplenty of time for leader-board movement. Glen Evans carried on shooting well in the Int Ams catching his fellow Shrew and over-taking him, to give him hisfirst win at a tournament. CDGC’s Fran drew level with Michael for a share of second place. The Adv Ams saw Dan and Tom's lead slowly being whittled down by Ben, Steve and Phil to as few as two shots at one point, but Tom Lowes held onto the top spot and took his first ever Adv Am tournament title. DanPommer held second place, one shot ahead of Ben.
The Open division saw Finn Tapani hold a three-shot lead over Connor who was in turn four ahead of the TD Jester. Tapani played controlled golf and his mixture of thumbers, tomahawks and side arms held him in goodstead, stretching the lead one shot further away from Conor and the chasing pack and he took the 3rd CroydonCyclone.
Big shout goes out to all the Croydon Caddies who, as always caddy for a Croydon Team-mate if they fail to get into a final. Special thanks goes to Stew Gudgeon who caddied for Ben in the Adv Am final, just so he didn't feel left out!
The tournament has been heralded a great success from all corners and some of the new course layouts are still being debated in the forums! This would not have been possible if wasn't for Jester and histeam at CDGC who helped to set the course up, run the scout hut and keep all entertained: Rich Wood, Tom Lowes, Jerry Andrews, Phil Wood, Dan Pommer, DanHawkins, James Bates, Paul Bates and Dan Ryan.
