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TOURNAMENT REPORT
DUDLEY OPEN 2011
Saturday - Dundonald Golf Club
Opened in 2005 as a sister course for Loch Lomond and designed
by the highly respected golf course architect Kyle Phillips (best
known in the UK for Kingsbarns and The Grove), the 7,100-yard,
par 72 Dundonald Links near Troon might be a product of the 21st
century but it looks as if it has been there for years.
Philips is renowned for creating undulating, well-protected greens
where the putting surfaces present an elusive target and slope
away on all sides. The burn meanders all over the site and some
holes are made difficult by having to play into the wind. Accuracy
is the key and golfers need to avoid some cavernous bunkers. Dundonald
has many picturesque holes providing some fine fews and at times
concrete proof that a hole does not have to be long to be demanding.
After being greeted by a very friendly and helpful starter, battle
commenced! Sheer length is seldom an issue on this firm, fast
running links but the undulating greens often provide an elusive
target and a stern test of putting skills. Quite deliberately,
when stretched to its full length, Dundonald was built to test
even the best golfers.
Once again the enjoyment of playing a challenging and quality
course was slightly dampened by intermittent rain and gusting
winds. The unfamiliar layout did not make it any easier, but most
players found the course excellent to play.
Smith seemed to be taking it easy having shot out front on day
1. As on Friday, Sparks, Jennings, Wilson and Cramb formed part
of a big mid-field with scores in the mid-twenties. But two players
were once again well ahead of the pack. Perhaps it was the fact
that he'd played it before that helped Robertson score so well,
on 38 points. But "Slugger Stu", as he has come to be
known, was neck and neck with him. The combination of wind, rain,
fast greens and unfamiliar holes meant the overall scoring was
not as high overall.
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S. Johnson
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38
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S. Robertson
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38
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D. Cramb
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28
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B. Jennings
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27
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B. Wilson
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26
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D. Sparks
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26
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A. Peters
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25
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N. Smith
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25
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V. Bates
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24
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A. Harper
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23
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G. High
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22
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J. Rooney
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22
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D. Graham
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19
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A Jago
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18
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R. Erdal
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14
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A. Monaghan
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10
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So the big question everyone was asking now was: Who was the
overnight leader after two rounds?
   
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