Ivor Brand won the East Dorset GC Open

[<<] [>>] by Don Beck at East Dorset CC
20 Jul 2014 (GC)

Thirteen players and an injured manager, hence the odd number, assembled to survey the four lawns with their usual slight undulations and firm hoops set slightly generously. Format American Block, 13 rounds, no finals.
It was a first appearance for local , Mike Hamann a handicap 8, taking on the big-guns on his local lawns.

Early rounds did not see any upsets though Peter Balchin did beat Helena Fensome 7-1.

Early leaders were Martin French, pretournament favourite with a handicap of -1, John Spiers, Carole Jackson, Ivor Brand.
As Saturday drew to a close we wondered when Richard Brooks would upset the leader board. His ability to beat better players is well-known.

Saturday night did see spectacular thunderstorm which dribbled into breakfast before clearing for a superb day.

Sunday morning saw an off -colour Martin overrun by Richard Brooks 7-1. Martin disappeared to take more medication and regroup before he reappeared looking more his normal self. We should all take his medicine as he beat Carole 7-1.

Into the afternoon and any of Martin , John and Ivor could have kicked-on and won. Ivor was regretting his brother's 7-6 win on Saturday then David Hopkins upset the odds by beating Martin and Peter beat John 7-4.

If Ivor can beat Richard Brooks in round 12 then he would win the tournament (his bye round was round 13). Richard won 8 after a poor hoop attempt by Ivor to lead 5-3. Ivor took 9 then Richard won 10 with a very good jump. Ivor took 11 and 12 and they walked-off agreeing that Ivor had won.
In fact before Richard's hoop 10 jump he had taken the clip off. After replacing one clip, his other had dropped onto the lawn somewhere.

As the result had been agreed it was recorded as a win to Ivor.
So the show match on court 2 between John and Martin was not to decide the winner but who finished runner-up. Martin took the game 7-6.

Final positioning

1st Ivor Brand
2nd Martin French
3rd John Spiers
4th Tom Weston