THE PEOPLES OPEN Qualifier at HILL VALLEY

The 18th at Hill Valley

HE MAJESTIC HILL VALLEY 13th Drive

A Couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of participating in the above event. This is an amazing, novel, fantastic, concept open to golfers of all abilities.
There is the OPEN for the finest pro golfers held each year at one of the countries finest links courses. We then have the British Amateur which is open to the finest amateur golfers in the world; both theses quite naturally are open to the best exponents of our fabulous game. The peoples open is a series of qualifiers open to any golfer with a recognised handicap. The qualifiers from the regional heats go thru to a televised national final at that years open venue, i.e. last year Birkdale, this year Turnberry and next year most fantastically St.Andrews. This concept will effectively find the countries top golfer on a given day who plays beyond his/her handicap and scores most stableford points. Back this up with qualifiers played at some of the countries top resort courses and absolutely outstanding of course administration, this event deserves to be lauded as probably the best of its type in the world.

See http://www.pogt.co.uk/ and ensure you join me and the hundreds of others in 2010 in attempting to reach the holy grail of The Old Course. Imagine becoming a national champion at the home of golf. Yes that is the realistic possibility this magnificent competition affords.

As for this year, I sadly won’t be going to Turnberry, my golf game at the splendid Hill Valley, Simply was not good enough on the day as I trailed in with a disappointing 20 points. It could not detract from meeting and playing with some fine people and again getting the competitive buzz that playing in such a well organised tournament gives. Hill Valley is quite a splendid location for a social golf break. Excellent rooms overlooking the first tee and 18th green, great spa and pool facilities, fine bars and restaurant, backed up with a fine championship course, but even more golf friendly smaller course which would be a error to miss out on if you visit here.

In fitting with the summer weather we had, it tippled down all day, the Championship course off the back tees was far long for me having to carry my bag as i had to, i was physically shattered by the turn. It required straight driving, Greens were superb, my only complaint, the 4 par 3s, quite long, all approaching 200 yards were too similar and lacked any character, which was quite out of sinc with rest of course. The 18th is a Gem.

A Fine day was not ruined by the rain and I will return