16th Lancashire International Open Golf Championship 23/24 July 2016

Bury Croquet Club had to make a late change to the venue & timing of this year’s tournament due to contractors having been delayed by dreadful weather conditions which had held up work on both the Pavilion and lawns at the Club’s new venue in Whitehead Park. The tournament entry was therefore limited to numbers that Coronation Park could support for this Ascot Championship Qualifier.

It being July and not April, ( the usual date this Tournament is held and to which we will return next year)  the sun shone, the sky was blue and the courts ran at 15 plummers…what a test for the chosen few!….and yes, both last year’s winners were back to defend their titles (KO & Plate).

The players were all in a single block, all play all, untimed 13point games with the top four qualifying for the title run knock out (Bo3). A ranked consolation KO was available for those who failed to qualify, but these players preferred to sunbath whilst watching the gripping proceedings in the finals.

This tournament, marked another Bury first…the results were posted onto the antipodean site ‘Croquetscores’ as they were resolved, thank you to David Walters for doing this and also showing Jean how to do it .

Three of the highest ranked players and last year’s plate winner (going one better) qualified for the KO on Sunday, which started an hour before lunch – just as a light shower blew through…by mid- afternoon a right battle for the title was underway….

David Walters( -4)  versus David W—— ( -1),  so David W is the name on the trophy again.. but what an upset it’s Dave Widdison who won through this year after a thrilling final. 

Hosted by Bury CC

Managed by Jean Hargreaves & David Barrett.