The Open comes to Frinton

Article Published: Monday 20th July 2009 13:38:22 pm

The Open comes to Frinton
Frinton Golf Club staged its unique Open medal event on Sunday 19th July when the Frinton golfers draw a partner from the players taking part in the final round of the Open at Turnberry. The scores of the two are added together to produce a final total. The blustery conditions contrived to make the event more interesting as Frinton did its best to emulate conditions at Turnberry.

In a strange turn of events, Frinton golfer Mark Johnston drew Luke Donald and both then recorded the best round of the day in their respective locations; Mark with a 67 net and Luke Donald a 67 gross giving a combined score of 134. This event is always good fun as a poor round from the Frinton golfer can be compensated by a good round from the professional or vice versa. Thus it was that Darren Garner shot a net 70 at Frinton, a score that ordinarily would not be good enough to challenge for honours, but through being paired with Soren Hanson who shot a 67 at Turnberry, Darren registered the second best combined score of 137. Tied on third place were three Frinton golfers, Gary Bishop, Daniel Fairbanks and John Connor who all drew professionals that returned identical scores of 69. The unfortunate Tom Watson was paired with both Brian Gooch and also Kevin Maleary (there were more Frinton golfers than professionals meaning that some names appeared twice). However in both cases the score of the Frinton golfer ensured that no play-off was necessary.