Feature Article: My First Gtour Event

By: Adam Smith | Mon 09 Nov 2009

Feature Article from Golfshake.com guest writer Adam Smith

Adam Smith at the Final Gtour Event 2009 I played in my First Gtour event on Saturday and what an event it was.

Unfortunately it was the last event of the series and talking to some of the players that have played in all or a few tournaments they all say what an amazing experience they have had on the tour.

It’s great that amateurs and club players have something like this to play in, anyone can play in it, and if you play a minimum of three events then you are in the running for the tours order of merit.

For those aspiring golfers or those who just have dream or indeed love the game of golf the Gtour is perfect.

The events are played at several courses around the UK and the final event was at Staverton Park golf club in Northampton. I didn’t really know what to expect if I’m being honest but what turned out was a day of great organisation, great company and I would love to say great golf!

I arrived early to collect my card and goodies and help myself to a coffee and a bacon roll and grab a bucket of range balls to get limbered up.

You play in a stableford format off ¾ your handicap, for me this is great as it gives everyone a chance of winning. The tour does have a handicap restriction on 28 for men and 36 for women.

I was out in the first group of the day, and my playing partners Gary, Dave and Dan were a delight. All were great company and great players, Dan is on the verge of turning pro and Dave was one of three contenders in with a chance of winning the order of merit. Unfortunately for Dave he ended 3rd behind eventual Order of Merit winner Shane Davis.

It was pretty nerve wrecking on the first tee, I was last to go but luckily for me I caught one flush and it found the middle of the fairway.

I had a pretty decent front nine and I was level par with 18 points, but the back nine wasn’t great at all! I just couldn’t hole a putt which is quite usual for me but this day was even worse, I wasn’t even close. To make me feel a bit better or worse depending on which way you look at it, I only missed one fairway all day.

After watching the live leaderboard on the TV screen for an hour or so, eventually the last group came in and the prize giveaway started both for the day and the whole tour.

I finished with 31 points, which could have been a lot better. The winner was Steve Watson who came in with a great score of 38. Speaking with a few players after, every one of them only had high praise for what was another great day.