Results:

Report by Jester Wilson:

They came from all over to compete at what is traditionally the BDGA Tour's most beautiful event. The weather was unpredictable as could be expect for Autumn and early predictions of Sun cream and shorts all weekend turned out to be not entirely true.

A grey (but dry) Saturday morning was followed with a downpour that lasted all afternoon and well into the evening. The first indication of finer things to come was the incredible star-filled sky left by the parting clouds visible as the golfers left the players' dinner around midnight. Sunday morning lived up to the forecast being was warm, blue and bright, but again the afternoon change to bring a mighty wind stirring memories of Mull.

So how did the golfers fair in this smorgasbord of conditions? In the Open division Jester Wilson got off to an early lead with a tournament personal best 47 (setting a course record for the newly tweaked 18 holes). Derek Robins and Liam Young were snapping at his heels however with 48 and 49 respectively. In the Am division Gwyn Wilden set the early pace with a 51, Dazzla Rose in second with a 55.

A notable 51 was carded in the afternoon by Tour veteran Conor Davies, and a 52 by Tour newcomer (but no newbie) Fernando Brown. Fernando is someone who will be seen on the Tour a lot next year, and he's also the new BDGA Secretary!

At the end of Saturday's two 18s Robins was sharing the Open lead with Jester, and Dazzla (after a cracking afternoon 53) had taken the Am lead over Gwyn by two shots. Sunday's two 12 holes rounds brought out the best in some players as Rob Capper shot a superb 29, the only person to shoot under thirty.

Burnlaw is always well attended by Junior and JuniorJunior players and this year was no exception. Familiar faces such as Rowan & Kiran McSherry and Paddy Villers-Stuart were joined by new teen sensation George Scott who beat several Am players in his first ever tournament.

In the Open final Jester could only close Robins' 6 shot lead by one shot leaving Bertha the Pig to reside in the Midlands until next year. In 4th place, although his efforts were valiant, Rob Capper couldn't quite hold off Rich Sampson who made up two shots to finish tied for 4th place.

In the Ams Gwyn's 6 shot lead was a good cushion for him to cruise to victory over Dazzla. The 5th place in the Ams was an interesting story. After four rounds Jonnie Burden had beaten Scuttler Clegg by one shot to get into his first Am final, but then called himself on a rules violation (driving on a hole not included in the 12 being played). The resulting penalty shot meant a playoff on the tricky Hole 12.

The first time both players decided to throw out to the right instead of up the middle. Both got through and laid up for 3s. The second time both players again went right but clipped the big overhanging branch for 4s. The third time Jonnie clipped the branch again for a 4 but Scuttler's drive was clean through for a 3.

Jonnie lost the chance to play in the final, but his integrity and fair play were a wonderful example to all players. Spirit of the Game at its best.

Thanks to all who arrived early and helped with the manual labour and course work - Vic, Ivan, Sue, Scuttler, Liam, Richard, Jester and especially Trevor without whom and his special saws most of the work would not have been achievable.

Many thanks to TD Gary Villers-Stuart for his organising and generous prizes (many new discs, some free breakfasts and a few loaves of Rosie's wonderful bread!). Thanks to Rosie Villers-Stuart for the excellent lunches (power food for golfers) and to everyone at Burnlaw for making everyone feel so welcome. See you all there next year!

Jester

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Spirit of the Game:
Vick Parker

Aces:
Trevor Bechtel - Hole 9 Badger's Arse
John Massey - Hole 1 The Alley

Big Boy Longest Drive:
Simon Luard

Friday Doubles Winners:
Liam Young and Bud Tilton