Smithfield MNRU Latest

The first major roll-up tournament of the season produced intense drama as Andrew Ogier forced his way to the top of the pack in a sudden death play-off against west country favorite David 'fordy' Ford. Speculation was rife with two holes of regulation play remaining that 20 points would be the winning score, but 19 points proved enough to
reach the play-off: Enter Arnold Palmers notorious par-4 finishing hole which is ranked the toughest 18th hole on the USPGA Tour. With good reason. Steve smith started,and finished the home hole on 17 pts  putting paid to his chances after finding the water that guards the green with an approach that proved agonisingly close to perfection.

David Andrews, 2008 OOM Champ, was also among the casualties. Andrews laid-up to 72 yds only to skew his approach maddeningly into a watery grave where his hopes of victory sank as suddenly as his ball. Ford had the tournament in his grasp until a 13-footer for birdie slipped past the cup to send him into a play-off with Ogier,  who paced himself on the last with to post a cultured bogey 5 for 2 crucial points. Ford meanwhile harvested the 2 points he needed to share the lead and force a play-off which began at the stroke index One Par-4 9th hole.

 

The sudden death playoff culmnated into a 'pitch battle' ('scuse the pun in advance here chaps -Ed) with Ford and Ogier in an almost identical spot 40 yds from the pin, short and right of the green. The pin was cut close to the right side of the green making precision paramount. Ford appeared to have played a majestice pitch shot only to witness his ball find the steep bank which guarded the tight pin. Crucially Ogier had the benefit of a handicap shot on the hole which meant 3 shots from a similar position was enough to clinch victory. Ogier now represents the man to beat as he has won the last two events and has had his handicap cut accordingly!

Check out the Order Of Merit Race at : http://www.urbangolf.co.uk/play-golf/smithfield-roll

 

In tough conditions- fast, firm greens and a 6-foot gimmie range, the field outside of the top 5 copitualted to score less than 12 points from a level-handicap benchmark of 24. Despite being comprised of many former roll-up tournament winners, many of the competitors lost thier otherwise cool heads due to the pressure of the examination. Most will be glad to put this one behind them and prepare for the next regular season event, and perhaps get some much needed momentum for the US Open at Pebble Beach in June.

 

On a lighter note, the watching galleries were treated to more than just one Roy 'Tin Cup' McAvoy moment; David Shaw insisted on rehirting his approach to the 18th until he eventually hit his ball from 200-odd yards to within 5 feet of the hole...albeit for a 22! While rookie Kirk Williamson showed similar determination on 16th- Needless to say, Williamson didn't add to his points tally on that particular hole.

 

 TOP 5 LEADERBOARD, THE MASTERS, Bay Hill G & CC, Holes 7-18, DOUBLE OOM POINTS :

Pos.        Player                        H’cap/New          S’Ford Pts       OOM Points
T1st        Andrew Ogier                   8/7                      19                    200
T1st        David Ford                       0/0                      19                    160
2nd         David Andrews               10/10                    18                    120
3rd          Steve Smith                     0/0                     17                      80
T4           Nick kotze                        5/6                     12                     20

               David Shaw                      9/9                      12                    20              

NEXT WEEK: RYAN BULLOCH MEMORIAL, BARTON CREEK Back 9 ; 6.30pm for 7pm Tee Off; 9 Holes Stableford