Czech Open 28&29 August

Just booked my flights to Prague, anyone else going?
Looking forward to a bit of real minigolf golfball only style, in my KMGC shirt! (Not to mention that cold Czech beer! )

Sorry - not going to take the plunge on that one Andy. Let me know how it goes and if it's good then I'll consider it next year!

Chappers wrote:Sorry - not going to take the plunge on that one Andy. Let me know how it goes and if it's good then I'll consider it next year!

Ok Force! Course looks great & hopefully good weather will make it a fine comp!

Heh Andy

are you looking forward to the Czech comp not long now...Have you been practising at home with you only ball allowed????

Donkey Gringo wrote:Heh Andy

are you looking forward to the Czech comp not long now...Have you been practising at home with you only ball allowed????

Looking forward to it now DG! I've been knocking a golfball around at home but get bored easily doing that.
Also, I'm borrowing a putter out there as I don't have a golf putter (no minigolf putters allowed) so I'm not sure what I'll get!
But - I'll still enjoy it, no work & no kids for a long weekend!

Good luck at the weekend Andy - be interesting to see how you get on with the one ball / normal club rule... still reckon you will give the international field a good going over!!! Great to see the KMGC starting our European domination!!!

Say hi to Honza and Olivia from Marion and myself!!

See you at the PHCGO!

VTK!!!

Freebird wrote:Good luck at the weekend Andy - be interesting to see how you get on with the one ball / normal club rule... still reckon you will give the international field a good going over!!! Great to see the KMGC starting our European domination!!!

Say hi to Honza and Olivia from Marion and myself!!

See you at the PHCGO!

VTK!!!

Thanks FB, it'll be interesting!
And will do!

VTK!

Solid performance Andy! Beating the US 'experts' at their own game with their own rules as well!

Will we see the appearance of a golf ball on some holes this Sunday??

The Force wrote:Solid performance Andy! Beating the US 'experts' at their own game with their own rules as well!

Will we see the appearance of a golf ball on some holes this Sunday??

I'll put up a decent report when I get 10 mins but I had a great time despite the scores!

We arrived at our hotel in pouring rain at about 1pm on Friday, I legged it to the course (600m) for some praccy, as Saturday praccy was strictly 8-8.30am only. There was no one out on the course but Olivia, Honza & a few others were there inside & it was nice to see them. The clubhouse that the owners built really is superb, better in real than in pics, and the course was immaculate & looked like it had never been played on. I'd describe it as being like Hastings Adv course, with New Malden/Sidcup 'grass', also with evil borrows around holes like those devious Splash Point owners added to their course! I wasn't allowed to use my beloved 3d so had to borrow a course putter, which although it was a proper golf putter, was very light. The US rules are golf ball only which was ok, but also you only had the length of the scorecard (A6) relief from walls, rocks etc, so precious little backswing. After trying to learn the course I gave up & went into the warm & had a couple of Czech beers, then the rain stopped so I went back out late & got reasonable tee of points etc but really nowhere near enough, also there were no good players there to pinch lines off!
On the Saturday after the 30 mins praccy it was speeches etc then play began with a shotgun start, I struggled in the first round, there really are some holes that are hard to learn, the next round was better but already I was way back but enjoying it immensely. After two rounds we went in for new playing partners to be sorted by scores, the course owners came out with these lovely cheese & ham rolls in salted loaves, free for all players, I dived in needless to say. After another two rounds it was lunch, then after the first two afternoon rounds it was free cinnamon choccy cake & fruit all round. Finally, after the fourth set of two rounds it was the end of day's play & all players & partners were invited to a 'Czech Sausage Roast', they built a big fire out the front of the clubhouse & we all cooked our own massive saussies (ooer) on long sharpened sticks over the smoky fire. In a sandwich with hot chilli sauce accompanied by more Czech beer it was superb!
Sunday was the same praccy etc as Saturday, after the first round scores were adjusted & ham & cheese rolls scoffed again, then the final round starting in playing order from the lowest first etc like we do in UK comps. I watched the exciting climax, Olivia was very close to Rickard Lockner but a fine ace at the very tricky 16th put him 3 shots up for a great win. Despite being 2nd, Olivia didn't go home empty handed, winning the Ladies, Junior & team prizes so that was nice.
I can honestly say it was the best Tournament I've played in, the course is immaculate & they all were very welcoming & appreciative that foreign players made the trip. Although I played dung, there are reasons why that I'll bore anyone interested enough to ask, but suffice to say I would love to return for unfinished business!
Czech Open 2011 anyone? See you there!

Speaking to WMF Officials in Italy, next years Czech Open will be planned with Honza not to clash with the major WMF internationals. So it might be possible depending on the dates!

The Force wrote:Speaking to WMF Officials in Italy, next years Czech Open will be planned with Honza not to clash with the major WMF internationals. So it might be possible depending on the dates!

Make sure your bags secure if you go, ours was broken into at Prague airport AFTER it was checked in, a brand new bottle of duty free perfume bought for my wife's birthday 'disappeared'. I hope whoever's responsible dies a slow painful death. Bit of a downer after a nice weekend.
One other thing I forgot to mention: The competition was played in complete silence! Early in my first round my partner got an ace & I went "yes!" only to get a short sharp "Shhh!!" from the Tournament referree, and rightly so. The next warning would have included a penalty stroke. That's how I would like UK comps to be, but I don't think we're capable of enforcing it.

What's the deal with the pro & am categories? I am surprised to see some of the names in the am section - what was the criteria for each?

Mr X wrote:The competition was played in complete silence! Early in my first round my partner got an ace & I went "yes!" only to get a short sharp "Shhh!!" from the Tournament referree, and rightly so. The next warning would have included a penalty stroke. That's how I would like UK comps to be, but I don't think we're capable of enforcing it.

You'd get a shock on the continent then! - The rules clearly stated punishments for time, behavior, shadows etc but the Refs rarely stepped in, except for excessive displays or over 4 mins per shot! It was almost too relaxed - I think we have the right mix here in the UK. Flowing rounds with some excitement in short celebrations for spectators.

Freebird wrote:What's the deal with the pro & am categories? I am surprised to see some of the names in the am section - what was the criteria for each?

Sorry Fb only just saw this. The Pro category is much more expensive to enter & only 'Pro's' are eligible for cash prizes if they win. On hindsight.....
Next year I'll pro it again, I have a plan! Hahaha!!