29 Nov 2011 at 15:16 | Published by: Hans | Views: 11992 | News search

Kent Spitfires (Andy Exall, Marc Chapman, Sean Homer, Michael Smith,) - 2011 Champions  (Photo by KMGC 2011)

BMGA News Release
Supplied by Richard Gottfried

The Kent Minigolf Club (KMGC) retained the BMGA British Club Championship title as the Kent Spitfires won four out of four matches at the event held at the Four Ashes Golf Centre’s 12-hole Minigolf course in Dorridge, near Solihull on Sunday 27th November. The tournament was the final event of the 2011 British Minigolf Association Tour season.

Five of the Country’s minigolf clubs were represented in the seven team event, with the KMGC Spitfires finishing ahead of the Green Mini Golf Club Team. The Midlands Minigolf Club were third, defeating the Kent Hurricanes team 3&2 in the 3rd/4th place play-off match.

Also competing in the tournament were the Cambridgeshire Minigolf Club and the London Minigolf Club. A Minigolf Allstars team also competed in the event with players drawn from the Midlands Minigolf Club, the Kent Minigolf Club and Splash Point Minigolf Club.

The Kent Spitfires road to the final saw them defeat the Green 5&4 in their first group match, followed by a one-hole victory over the London Minigolf Club. In the semi-final they defeated the Midlands Minigolf Club 2&1.

The Green Minigolf Club’s route to the final saw them lose to the Kent Spitfires 5&4 and defeat the London Minigolf Club 2&1. In their semi-final the GMGC defeated the Kent Hurricanes team 2&1 to set-up a place in the final.

In the 12-hole Matchplay Final the Kent Spitfires won the title for the second year in a row with a one-hole victory against the Green Hornets with a team score of five, to the Green’s six, at the first extra-hole of the sudden-death play-off after the match had finished all-square.

KMGC Club Captain Sean Homer said “Retaining the title has been a great day for the club and everyone involved in the KMGC. The Kent Minigolf Club made our debut at the 2006 BMGA British Club Championships in Dorridge and to return to the course five years later as the reigning BMGA British Club Champions with two superb teams is a testament to the spirit, hard work and passion of all our players to become the best players and club possible. To retain the title is incredible and this is a victory for all of us in the club. The Spitfires and the Hurricanes topped both groups, unbeaten and victorious throughout the first phase. The Hurricanes victory over Midlands A in particular was a classic game and showed everything in that match that makes the club and the players of the KMGC top class! It's been a superb year and this win has given us a terrific end to an unbelievable year for the KMGC. Personally it's a genuine pleasure and an honour to wear the club colours (be they black or orange) and play alongside the best of the best! VTK!”

Final Rankings
1) KENT SPITFIRES - Andy Exall, Marc Chapman, Michael Smith, Sean Homer (C)
2) GREEN HORNETS - Chris Smith, Dave Donnelly, Seth Thomas (C), Will Donnelly
3) MIDLANDS A - Chris Harding (C), James Trubridge, Paul Johnson, Richard Gottfried
4) KENT HURRICANES - Adam Kelly, Marion Homer, Scott Lancley (C), Tony Kelly
5) CAMBRIDGESHIRE - Brenda Smith, Emily Gottfried, James Rutherford (C), Oliver Florence
6) LONDON - Jas Kukielka, Ruth Burke, Steve Gow (C), Steve Sturdy
7) MINIGOLF ALLSTARS - Alex Pragnell, Cindy Kukielka (C), Leo Kukielka, Marc Bazeley

Note: Midlands ‘B’ Did Not Start – all teams in Group A received a one-shot win against them in their round robin matches

The competition consisted of two phases – a league phase, followed by a knock-out cup phase. The tournament started with two leagues, each consisting of four teams.

BMGA Chairman Sean Homer said “It was great to come back to Dorridge who have now hosted the BMGA British Club Championship twice. All the players love the course and it is a real favourite on the tour so it was fitting that we finished the 2011 season there. It’s also really encouraging to see new teams and players taking part in the BMGA British Club Championships. This year saw the debut of the Cambridgeshire Minigolf Club who finished in a very creditable 5th place overall. I would like to thank all of the players who made the trip to Dorridge this year to give us an excellent, hard fought event with everyone playing in great spirit throughout. The 12-hole course ensured we had some terrific minigolf played over the day and all of the matches were incredibly close and tight affairs, culminating in the final match of the day which was decided in a sudden-death shoot out with the Green Minigolf Club narrowly missing out to the reigning BMGA British Club Champions from the Kent Minigolf Club after a titanic battle. A fitting end to a great day. The BMGA would like to thank Andy Devane and the team at the Four Ashes Golf Centre for their support and hospitality throughout the weekend and look forward to returning to the course again in the future.”

BMGA British Club Championships Honours Board:
• Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club – four time champions
• London Minigolf Club – three-time champions
• Kent Minigolf Club – two-time champions
• Midlands Minigolf Club – one time champions

SHARE Share Tweet