Happy Anniversary For Seve
The BMGA tour concluded the 2023 season on the 26th of November on a chilly winter’s day in Hastings.
42 players braved the cold to compete in the 25th Anniversary Open celebrating 25 years since the BMGA was founded. It was a 4 round event on the well renowned Pirate course, which was the first time a competition has taken place here since September 2021 when Hastings held the 2021 British Open.
After 4 rounds of play, Michael Smith and Seve Kukielka were tied at the top. Seve triumphed after scoring an ace at the first extra hole to take his 5th strokeplay title of the year and becoming the first British player to beat Michael Smith on the pirate course.
Seve reflected after his win: “A great way to cap off an amazing minigolf year for myself. To beat Michael here is such an achievement as he is unbelievable on this course. Huge credit to him and the rest of the field for some great scoring.
I thoroughly enjoyed the event and hope we can return again as it’s one of the best courses in the country.
Thanks to the EC for another great event and to all the players that competed. I hope to see you all next season starting with Castleford in January.”
In the Overall Standings –
James Rutherford (Strokes Minigolf Club) managed his first podium finish since 2020 taking the Bronze medal and £45. James finished with a score of 124 (-20).
Michael Smith (Gloucester Aces) took the runner up spot on 117 (-27), winning the Silver medal and £55 after losing in a playoff on the first extra hole.
Seve Kukielka (Gloucester Aces) also finished on 117 (-27) but an ace on the first extra hole meant he secured his first win on the pirate course and his second title this year in Hastings after winning the Hastings Minigolf Open on the Adventure course.
Top 3 – (l-r Michael Smith, Seve Kukielka, James Rutherford)
Category 2 was hotly contested with Will Donnelly (Strokes Minigolf Club) taking gold and £40 with a score of 126 (-18). Matt Dodd (Strokes Minigolf Club) took silver and £30 with a score of 133 (-11) and David Gomm (Hastings Minigolf Club), after beating the impressive Elena Teubler in a playoff took the bronze and £20 with a score of 135 (-9).
Category 3 had 18 players competing and was won by junior player Julian Teubler (Thanet Silverbacks) who scored 136 (-8) and won £40. Silver went to Marion Hartley (Hastings Minigolf Club) scoring 138 (-6), winning £30. Bronze medal and £20 went to Tim Novis (Hastings Minigolf Club) who scored 140 (-4)
Full tournament results can be found at https://bmga.online/results/2023/Anniversary/result.htm
