Three Golf Information readers just lately had the possibility to relive the golden days of golf, attending the ISPS HANDA Senior Open on the historic Sunningdale Golf Membership, and what a day it turned out to be
All three, Paul Bennett, Chris Meldrum and Paul Smythe, hail from Sussex and shared a deep ardour for the sport, however every had a special story to inform about their return to stay match golf.
Paul Bennett:“It had been 12 years since my final occasion, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Earlier than that, it was the 1994 Panasonic European Open at East Sussex Nationwide. I bear in mind Ernie Els simply beginning out on Tour again then. It’s superb to now see him as a legend amongst legends.”
Chris Meldrum:“My final correct expertise at a stay occasion was the 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, when Padraig Harrington clinched back-to-back titles. That was unforgettable and I had no thought this journey would convey again so many reminiscences.”
Paul Smythe:“Regardless of being an enormous golf fan and watching the sport on TV, I’d by no means truly been to a match in individual. This was my first ever and it fully exceeded expectations.”
However it wasn’t simply the celebs of the senior tour that drew them in. Not one of the trio had ever been to Sunningdale, a course they’d heard a lot about over time.
After a easy entry into the grounds, the group strolled via the tented village and made their method to the follow vary, watching legends heat up.
A relaxed breakfast later, it was time to hit the course beginning with a morning group full of icons: Ernie Els, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Paul Lawrie, José María Olazábal, Darren Clarke, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Ángel Cabrera, Thomas Bjørn, and lots of extra.
Paul Smythe:“Within the morning we walked the entire course, getting so near so many main champions. I couldn’t imagine how good they nonetheless are. The spotlight? Ángel Cabrera’s second shot on the 14th..he was deep within the timber left of the green and one way or the other managed to attract the ball across the branches and onto the inexperienced for a tap-in birdie. I may by no means dream of pulling off a shot like that!”
Chris Meldrum:“My first thought was how breathtaking the entire place is. You see Sunningdale on TV, however it’s nothing like being there in individual. The purple heather, the stainless fairways, it’s just like the UK’s reply to Augusta Nationwide. And the gap these guys hit the ball? Unreal.”
Paul Bennett:“The greens have been like snooker tables, simply excellent. Seeing the gamers up shut, they’re a lot fitter than I imagined. Langer hasn’t aged a bit since I noticed him in ’94. And the way in which they strike their irons..it’s simply subsequent stage.”
After a fast lunch and a few pleasant chats with different followers, the trio returned to the course for the afternoon wave, that includes much more stars: Colin Montgomerie, Padraig Harrington, Retief Goosen, Fred Funk, Justin Leonard, Michael Campbell, Wealthy Beem, Chris DiMarco, and defending champion Okay.J. Choi.
Paul Smythe:“Monty’s swing is simply so easy, it was a pleasure to observe. Seeing Justin Leonard together with his spouse and grown-up youngsters strolling alongside him was nice to see. My shot of the afternoon? Harrington’s 3-wood off the tenth tee pure class.”
Chris Meldrum:“Being that near so many legends in sooner or later was unimaginable. Harrington appears to be like unbelievably slot in individual, and his pre-shot routine is intense! I’d performed in a pro-am with Paul Broadhurst just a few years in the past, so I made certain to cheer him on when he got here via.”
Paul Bennett:“It was such an ideal day. I cherished seeing Monty together with his Staff Europe Ryder Cup bag, what a contact. Goosen’s swing continues to be a factor of magnificence. And just like the others stated, Padraig’s 3-wood will stick to me ceaselessly.”
Ultimate Ideas:
For all three, the expertise was nothing in need of excellent.
“The gamers, the course, the folks, the marshals every part had this relaxed, garden-party ambiance,” stated Paul Bennett. “And can we wait one other decade earlier than seeing stay golf once more? Completely not.”
The trio has already began planning to make this an annual outing proof that nice golf and unforgettable reminiscences go hand in hand.
For additional data go to The ISPS Handa Senior Open web site for tickets this weekend.
