DUDLEY OPEN 2012 - TOURNAMENT REPORT

Another year, another group photo, another day for waterproofs and woolly hats. The Dudley Open 2012 was yet another prominent sporting event at the mercy of this summer's constantly changing weather patterns. But once again all the competitors rose to the challenge, providing another glorious display of golfing skills (…or lack of, Ed.).

Not just the world's media, but local residents tired of Trump blowing his own trumpet, welcomed the competitors who had travelled from all over the nation to contest one of the greatest sporting trophies of them all: The Man & His Shaft. The level of pre-tournament excitement had already been stoked by the announcement of a new handicap system based purely on prior Dudley performances. On paper, the odds looked rather skewed, but as the old saying goes "statistics never lie".

Not only had the hot favourite Peters flown in especially for the event after failing to clinch victory in previous tournaments due to a rumoured battle with alcohol, but a newcomer had signed up to contest the trophy as well: (Pistol) Pete Jaco. So with three Alans, two Brians and a potential confusion between Jaco/Jago, names alone were tricky, and handicaps trickier still. No one was prepared to write off the 3-times champ and seasoned campaigner Chipper Wilson, nor the technical wizard Dr. Golf. Would it be the year the jovial Jennings finally came good, or would the Gentle Giant Johnson stage another mighty performance? And perhaps the former Diddys might lead a charge from the rear?

There was, as they say, everything to play for…..