Having written over 300 articles for Suite101 over the last two years, injury and a dodgy putting action it was mainly for fun I entered the 2011 British Seniors Open Championship at Walton Heath Golf Club. A pretty good level par round at Kingswood Golf Club secured a place amongst the 144 competitors teeing it up in the Championship itself. I went to Walton Heath thoroughly looking forward to teeing it up with the best seniors in the game, including the incredible Tom Watson.
Walton Heath a Tough Test
Thirty years ago I started as a young PGA professional golfer just down the road from Walton Heath Golf Club at the RAC Country Club near Epsom. The two courses at Walton Heath, the New and the Old, were always regarded as two of the best – a tough test more of accuracy than of power. But when I played a practise round on the composite course before the first round of the 2011 Seniors Open Championship, it proved to be a real brute. Normally a fast running course in summer, the unusually wet July meant the course, measuring a staggering 7,300 yards was going to test even the best, including Tom Watson.
First Tee Nerves
For a top professional the first tee shot in the Seniors Open is much like any other, but for someone who does not regularly compete on the Seniors Tour, it’s a nerve wracking experience and a quick prayer is the best option. After being announced on the tee, complete silence descends and while you have your last practise swing it’s best not to think of the hundreds of spectators that are focusing their attention on you! Please let it be straight and long.
Fortunately my first shot was a ripper and bisected the fairway. My playing partners also hit great shots. The South African, Bertus Smit, hit a solid shot down the middle but it was the American, Paul Simson, who took me by surprise with his fantastic club head speed and quality strike. One swing and you can tell class immediately. We all made par fours on the first and after a few holes the nerves were gone, and the work began.
Putting in the Open Championship
Sometimes you can look a complete idiot on fast undulating greens. My second shot at the sixth hole ran to the back of the green and I faced a tricky sixty foot putt with at least five feet of break. Unfortunately the smooth stroke I had in practise became a sudden jerk and the ball flew off at lightning speed. I saw the look of horror on my caddies face as it sped past the hole off the front edge some twenty feet long. No applause for that one then! From then on I couldn’t trust my putting action which showed up glaringly on the stats page after round one. A very respectable 35th in hitting greens in regulation but a very lowly 139th in putting - not good! (position107)
It’s no surprise that even Tom Watson suffers on the greens. After thirty years of playing top class golf it’s surprising to me that he can hole any putts. But then you realise why he still reigns as the player to beat. When you see him hit shots on the practice ground you realise how he can still keep competing with the best. Irons are struck with complete authority and as for driving the ball it’s a treat to watch. What a professional.
Eating with Golfing Greats
No kidding, it’s an honour to compete at such a venue as Walton Heath in such a prestigious golf championship. Just playing justifies the entrance fee of $100, but there are some great perks. After my first round I ate in the players’ lounge surrounded by players like Ian Woosnam, Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer and many of my heroes I had watched battle it out over the years in the US Masters and other major golf tournaments. It was the forth Open Championship I have played in. I made the cut at Royal Birkdale and Royal Troon, missed at Carnoustie and Walton Heath but what a treat to even tee it up at all.
It can be tough playing in such company and the $1600 I made as prize money is nothing compared to what the top guys earn. But professional golf – what a great job! Fortunately I teach one or two juniors at my club who are showing great promise. Maybe one day I will watch them in the Open Championship against the likes of Rory McIlroy.
Who Will Win The Seniors Open Championship?
Nearly everyone would like to see Tom Watson win and as I write this article he has scored three under for the first twelve holes of the third round, to lie only three behind Mark Calcavecchia. Hopefully, this will not be the last appearance of such a great champion, and if he could win this, it would be a very popular victory. Having hit balls next to him on the practice ground at Walton Heath this week, and felt the earth move as he blasted irons off the turf, I for one certainly hope he does.
John Hoskison - John is a class 'A' member of the British PGA and author of the acclaimed book 'Inside - One Man's Experience of Prison'.
