Three Golf Information readers not too long ago had the prospect 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 distinct story to inform about their return to reside event 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 reside occasion was the 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, when Padraig Harrington clinched back-to-back titles. That was unforgettable and I had no concept this journey would deliver 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 event in particular person. 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 through the years.
After a easy entry into the grounds, the group strolled by 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 filled with icons: Ernie Els, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Paul Lawrie, José María Olazábal, Darren Clarke, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Ángel Cabrera, Thomas Bjørn, and plenty of extra.
Paul Smythe:“Within the morning we walked the entire course, getting so near so many main champions. I couldn’t consider how good they nonetheless are. The spotlight? Ángel Cabrera’s second shot on the 14th..he was deep within the bushes left of the golf green and someway 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, nevertheless it’s nothing like being there in particular person. The purple heather, the stainless fairways, it’s just like the UK’s reply to Augusta Nationwide. And the space 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 best way 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 Ok.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 someday was unimaginable. Harrington seems unbelievably slot in particular person, and his pre-shot routine is intense! I’d performed in a pro-am with Paul Broadhurst a couple of years in the past, so I made certain to cheer him on when he got here by.”
Paul Bennett:“It was such an amazing day. I liked seeing Monty together with his Crew Europe Ryder Cup bag, what a contact. Goosen’s swing remains to be a factor of magnificence. And just like the others stated, Padraig’s 3-wood will stick to me endlessly.”
Closing Ideas:
For all three, the expertise was nothing wanting excellent.
“The gamers, the course, the folks, the marshals every part had this relaxed, garden-party environment,” stated Paul Bennett. “And can we wait one other decade earlier than seeing reside 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 info go to The ISPS Handa Senior Open web site for tickets this weekend.
