Draft:BBC Radio Solent Open Golf

• Comment: Needs more than just the official websites for the golf clubs as sources. Spiderone^{(Talk to Spider)} 18:35, 25 July 2023 (UTC)

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The overall winner trophy awarded to the annual winner of the BBC Radio Solent Open golf tournament

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The BBC Radio Solent Open overall winner trophy which was purchased second hand off eBay|The BBC Radio Solent Open overall winner trophy]] The BBC Radio Solent Open, often referred to as The Open, is the one of England's premier but low ranking amateur golf events on the south coast. Founded in 2018, by then BBC Radio Solent broadcast journalist Luke de Costa, the tournament was first hosted at Chilworth Golf Club in Southampton. The venue has rotated to different courses in both Hampshire and Dorset in its following years. The Open, which is exclusive to BBC workers, attracts a range of golfers of varying abilities each year. The annual event prides itself on its inclusivity and whilst it doesn't take itself too seriously there are a trio of second hand trophies to be won on the day, overall winner, longest drive and nearest the pin. The reigning champion is Jordan Clark who has won the event three times.

History

Inaugural event: Chilworth (2018)

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BBC Radio Solent Open 2018 at Chilworth Golf Club

|thumb|right|A very hot maiden event at Chilworth]]

The first BBC Radio Solent Open Championship was staged on Saturday 7th July at Chilworth Golf Club in Southampton. Six hackers battled it out over one 18 hole round of the par 69 (5915 yard) course, situated on rolling farmland and forestry. The south coast of England was basking in a heatwave that had turned the normally lush green fairways into corridors of straw like grass. Whilst the conditions proved too hot for some they were just right for others who enjoyed feeling the sun on the backs of their necks once covered in suncream. A ceremonial tee shot was played by two of the club's younger members to officially mark the occasion. Their drives off the tee ended up being better than some of the ones hit by the Open competitors themselves which was a bit embarrassing. Organisers have since said that the ceremony was "a little overcooked" during those early years and the celebratory tee shot never saw the light of day again. Jordan Clark romped to victory, Luke de Costa narrowly won the Longest Drive competition and Andrew Moon controversially won the Nearest the Pin prize with his tee shot on the 17th hole. Whilst his strike landed his ball closest to the flag overall, his ball was actually just slightly off the green. Awarding him the prize set the stage for further controversies in the following years. Organisers defended their decision at the time saying; "Someone has to win the trophy and hopefully this controversy will only spur others on to hit a decent tee shot next year." The recipient of the wooden spoon refused to be photographed at the end of the tournament and has never returned to play at The Open.

Paultons Park: Nearest the Pin ignites bitter rivalry (2019)

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BBC Radio Solent Open 2018 at Paultons Golf Centre

|thumb|alt=Nearest the Pin controversy |Nearest the Pin controversy ]]

The second instalment of the BBC Radio Solent Open was hosted by Paulton's Golf Centre in Romsey on Sunday 21st July. The conditions were much more favourable compared to the previous year with mild temperatures and a gentle breeze on the first tee. Despite the efforts of organisers to recruit more players the 2019 Open saw a drop in numbers with only the core four members of the 'Swingers Society' competing for the winners trophy around the picturesque, but often punishing, 18 hole (6,011 yard) Championship Course where you can hear people screaming on fairground rides at the neighbouring Paultons Park. Jordan Clark successfully defended his title with a comfortable win to retain the overall winner trophy. The highlight of the event came on the par three 15th (161 yards) for the Nearest the Pin trophy. The tee shot required golfers to launch their ball over a medium sized pond onto a small undulating green. Both Jordan Clark and Tristan Pascoe landed their balls on the left edge of the green whilst another player's strike landed just off on the same side. To the naked eye both Clark and Pascoe's balls looked to be the same distance from the cup and in the absence of a plum-line or any laser technology the organisers called on mathematician Andrew Moon to calculate the distance and identify a preferred winner. Being the fierce competitor that he is Pascoe was captured on camera declaring; "I would almost like to go [tee off] again" to which Clark said in response "I am happy to share it [prize]". Following a less than thorough evaluation it was determined that Clark's ball was slightly closer to the hole and was awarded the prize. It has been reported that Pascoe was "broken" following the ordeal and has never recovered. Not to be outdone, controversy reared it's head again when Andrew Moon claimed the Longest Drive award for his tee shot, that trundled less than 100 yards with a seven iron, was enough to out do the rest who fizzed their attempts longer but off the fairway. Following the event organisers set about investing in a plum-line or tape measure in an attempt to accurately identify the winner of the Nearest the Pin prize - it is unclear whether one has ever been purchased.

Highcliffe Castle: The Playoff (2020)

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BBC Radio Solent Open at Highcliffe Golf Club 2019

|thumb|right|alt=Moon congratulates Pascoe on his playoff win and first Open trophy|Moon congratulates Pascoe on his playoff win and first Open trophy]]

After a fierce bidding war to host the third BBC Radio Solent Open the organisers settled on Highcliffe Castle Golf Club in Christchurch and took the event across the Hampshire border and into Dorset for the first time. Organisers were apprehensive about hosting the tournament due to the Covid-19 pandemic but put a number of measures in place, like sanitising and isolating the trophies, beforehand to ensure participants could enjoy the day safely. The 2020 event attracted two new golfers and welcomed back one of the original competitors from 2018 making a field of six. Due to unforeseen circumstances defending champion Clark was unable to attend. Conditions on the day were perfect, dry and sunny with a cooling coastal breeze, to send the golfers around the quaint and forgiving course which was founded in 1913. Luke de Costa claimed the Longest Drive trophy for the second time in three years despite his big stick tee shot slightly off the fairway to the right. Organisers were keen to highlight that inclusivity reigns supreme at The Solent Open and he was awarded the prize. Newcomer Ian Ramsdale secured the Nearest the Pin prize with a superbly placed shot on a short par 3 on the back nine to solidify his name in Open history. The drama unfolded on the back nine with Tristan Pascoe chasing down leader Andrew Moon who were both searching for a first Open victory. When Pascoe failed to sink a short putt for the win on the 18th - whilst being sledged by Mr Moon - the tie between the two forced a playoff. As the cameras followed the players to the title deciding hole an observer noted how; "Pascoe was looking jittery whilst Moon overly confident." Teeing off first, Moon slashed a predictable seven iron wide left toward a couple of golfers casually walking down a nearby fairway. "He nearly decapitated a lovely elderly couple who were following the Open with interest, it was wild." It left the door open for Pascoe who swept the ball neatly off the tee and would go on to win the hole and his first ever Solent Open title. The pair congratulated one another with a Covid secure elbow bump and the group enjoyed a socially distanced drink the car park afterwards. During the trophy presentation Pascoe was keen to highlight that he was: "Temporarily holding on to the trophy for the real champion Clark" whilst Moon described the event as: "One that he heroically lost in the most unlucky of circumstances." The 2020 event remains one of the most competitive and controversial Solent Opens to date.

Moors Valley: "A one sided affair" (2021)

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BBC Radio Solent Open at Moors Valley Golf Club

|thumb|right|alt=Moors Valley hosts the BBC Radio Solent Open|Moors Valley hosts the BBC Radio Solent Open]]

The fourth BBC Radio Solent Open returned to Dorset and was staged at Moors Valley Golf Course on Saturday 17th July on another beautifully sunny day. The 18 hole (6337 yard) par 72 course was arguably the greatest test for the golfers to date with more challenging holes, packed woodland and thick brush lining the fairways. Whilst two of the previous years attendees were unable to play organisers were able to recruit a new golfer in the form of Toby Wadey who had never played an 18 hole round of golf before and fan favourite Jordan Clark returned. Only Andrew Moon was able to challenge defending champion Tristan Pascoe who had one hand on retaining the trophy at the turn entering the back nine. The veteran golfer swept the board and became the first player in Solent Open history to claim all three trophies in one event, overall winner, Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive in a one sided affair that lacked the on-course controversy of previous years.

Chilworth: "An instant classic" (2022) The fifth BBC Radio Solent Open returned to the venue where it all began, Chilworth Golf Course, on Saturday 9th July. The golfers were blessed with another beautifully sunny day and a fresh recruit to make a competitive field of six players. Jordan Clark claimed the first prize on offer on the day, the Longest Drive trophy, after his superb banana shaped tee shot rocketed down the fairway way beyond the best efforts of his competitors. Clark is arguably the biggest hitter amongst the group and commentators always believed it was only a matter of time before he lifted the trophy after narrowly missing out in the first ever Open, which was also hosted at Chilworth. After so much controversy in recent years, disapprovingly the Nearest the Pin trophy went unclaimed for the first time with no one able to land their ball on the green on the 17th. Luke de Costa was particularly outraged after practising the hole earlier in the week; "What a joke. I hit that green more than four times this week," he grumbled. At the halfway point through 10 holes Moon, Clark and Wadey were in a three-way tie for the lead on 16 points with Pascoe leading the chasing pack on 15pts. In a genuinely thrilling finish four golfers, Moon, Clark, Wadey and Stoddard, were in contention to win arriving at the 18th hole. Stoddard finished his round with 30pts and was the clubhouse leader as the final group, that included Clark and Wadey, made their way down the final fairway both on 29pts. With the Open trophy at his fingertips Wadey was unable to sink a short putt for the win. It opened the door for the experienced Clark who with ice running through his veins stood over his ball, that was basking in the sunshine of the pristine green, and gently nudged the three footer home whilst Wadey scratched his head in disappointment and Stoddard emerged from the shaded fringe of the green in applause. Clark reclaimed the winner trophy for the third time to become the most successful golfer in Solent Open history. Days later, following an informal recount organisers were made aware that one of Wadey's scored was recorded incorrectly during the round. Had it been recorded correctly he would have won the Open for the first time. Organisers recognised the mistake and apologised for the error. The controversy was heightened when it was revealed Wadey's handicap was increased by two just moments before the event tee'd off.

Ferndown Forest: TBD (2023)

References

{{1. Chilwroth Golf Club https://www.chilworthgolfclub.com/ 2. Paultons Golf Centre https://www.paultonsgolf.co.uk/ 3. Highcliffe Castle Golf Club https://www.highcliffecastlegolfclub.co.uk/ 4. Moors Valley Golf Club https://moors-valley.co.uk/things-to-do/golf-course/}}