Average scores per course

Average points scores at the courses we've played. If you're interested.

(Highest to lowest rather than chronological. A little bit of rounding happens)

35.75 - Minchinhampton (Cherington) 2004 (eight players - ave. handicap 20.4)
35.5 - Minchinhampton (Cherington) 2008 (four players - ave. handicap 12.3)
34 - Canford Magna (Parkland) 2005 (six players - ave. handicap 16.7)
34 - Puckrup Hall 2011 (eight players - ave. handicap 22.5)
33.13 - Minchinhampton (Avening) 2011 (eight players - ave. handicap 22.9)
32.89 - The Dorset (Woodland/Lakeland) 2013 (nine players - ave. handicap 19.6)
32.43 - Weston-Super-Mare 2012 (seven players - ave. handicap 20.3)
31.57 - Stoneleigh Deer Park 2016 (seven players - ave. handicap 16.4)
31.38 - Monmouth 2004 (eight players - ave. handicap 20.4)
30.89 - Weymouth 2014 (nine players - ave. handicap 19.8)
30.88 - Branksford 2011 (eight players - ave. handicap 22.3)
30.78 - Minehead and West Somerset 2017 (nine players - ave. handicap 20.4)
30.71 - Kenilworth 2016 (seven players - ave.handicap 16.1)
30.56 - Came Down 2014 (nine players - ave. handicap 19.6)
29.67 - The Dorset (Woodland/Lakeland) 2014 (nine players - ave. handicap 19.6)
29.67 - Canford Magna (Riverside) 2005 (six players - ave. handicap 16.7)
29.63 - Bude and North Cornwall 2003 (eight players - ave. handicap 19.9)
29.57 - Bude and North Cornwall 2012 (seven players - ave. handicap 20.3)
29.57 - Tadmarton Heath 2016 (seven players - ave. handicap 16.3)
29.5 - Clevedon 2010 (eight players - ave. handicap 20.8)
29.25 - Rushmore 2018 (eight players - ave. handicap 19.9)
29.2 - Crane Valley 2005 (five players - ave. handicap 16.2)
29.17 - Handsworth 2019 (six players - ave. handicap 20.2)
29.11 - Came Down 2013 (nine players - ave. handicap 19.1)
29 - The Warren 2015 (seven players - ave. handicap 22.6)
28.75 - Burford 2008 (four players - ave. handicap 12.3)
28.63 - Rolls of Monmouth (am) 2004 (eight players - ave. handicap 20.4)
28.57 - Downes Crediton 2012 (seven players - ave. handicap 19.7)
28.57 - Bridport 2015 (seven players ave. handicap 22.6)
28.5 - Weston-Super-Mare 2010 (eight players - ave. handicap 19.8)
28.33 - Worcester GCC 2019 (six players - ave. handicap 20)
28.2 - Dudsbury 2005 (five players - ave. handicap 16.2)
28 - Lanhydrock 2003 (four players* - ave. handicap 12.5)
27.78 - Tiverton 2017 (nine players - ave. handicap 20.7)
27.43 - Bridport 2015 (seven players - ave. handicap 22.9)
27.38 - Worlebury 2010 (eight players - ave. handicap 19.1)
27.38 - Rushmore 2018 (eight players - ave. handicap 19.6)
27 - Weymouth 2013 (nine players - ave. handicap 19.3)
27 - Cleeve Hill 2019 (six players - ave. handicap 19.8)
26.63 - Rolls of Monmouth (pm) 2004 (seven players* - ave. handicap 23.3)
26.4 - PGA National 2009 (five players - ave. handicap 21.6)
26.25 - Hamptworth 2018 (eight players - ave. handicap 19.5)
25.88 - Downes Crediton 2003 (seven players - ave. handicap 19.3)
25 - The Derby 2009 (five players - ave. handicap 21.6)
23.29 - Roserrow 2003 (seven players* - ave. handicap 21.4)
22.56 - Ilfracombe 2017 (nine players - ave. handicap 20.4 - Exceptional Circumstances!)


The scores from Holsworthy and Okehampton (2002), Exeter, Dainton Park and Isle of Wedmore (2006) and Cottrell Park (Mackintosh), Glamorganshire and Cottrell Park (Button) (2007) have not been retained.

*not all players completed the course, their scores and handicaps are not included in calculations

Some more stats

What can I say? I like stats.

The Tour has been 'three rounds, all scoring' since 2010 so I think we can look at some of the stats for this format*. Starting with...

Best opening day score by each player

39 points - Ben F (off 19) at Worlebury 2010
37 points - Kevin (off 9) at Came Down 2013
37 points - Stuart (off 36) at The Warren 2015
36 points - Ben W (off 9) at Minchinhampton (Avening) 2011 and (off 10) at Came Down 2014
36 points - Bruce (off 17) at Minchinhampton (Avening) 2011
35 points - Matthew (off 11) at Minehead and West Somerset 2017
35 points - Brian (off 15) at Minehead and West Somerset 2017
35 points - James (off 33) at Minchinhampton (Avening) 2011
35 points - Paul (off 36) at Minchinhampton (Avening) 2011
34 points - Simon (off 21) at Came Down 2014 and The Warren 2015

Biggest leads at the end of day one

5 points - Ben F 2019
3 points - Ben F 2010, Ben F 2012, Kevin 2013, Ben W 2018

Lowest score after day one that went on to win the tournament

28 points - Brian (off 20) at Worcester 2019
29 points - Ben W (off 9) at Came Down 2013
29 points - Brian (off 17) at Tadmarton Heath 2016

Biggest margins at the end of day one overturned to win the tournament

8 points - Ben W 2013
7 points - Brian 2019
5 points - Brian 2016

Best second round score by each player

42 points - James (off 36) at Bridport 2015
39 points - Simon (off 21) at Branksford 2011
38 points - Brian (off 17) at Bude & North Cornwall 2012
38 points - Bruce (off 18) at Wareham 2018
37 points - Kevin (off 8) at Handsworth 2019
35 points - Ben W (off 11) at Weston-Super-Mare 2010 and (off 8) at Stoneleigh Deer Park 2016
34 points - Ben F (off 18) at Branksford 2011 and (off 16) at Weymouth 2013
33 points - Matthew (off 12) at Stoneleigh Deer Park 2016
31 points - Paul (off 36) at The Dorset 2014
31 points - Stuart (off 36) at Branksford 2011

Best combined day one and two scores by each player

71 points - Kevin 2014
70 points - Ben W 2011
69 points - Simon 2011
68 points - Ben F 2010
68 points - Brian 2012
63 points - Bruce 2010 and 2018
63 points - Stuart 2011
62 points - James 2011 and 2014
62 points - Matthew 2014
59 points - Paul 2011

Lowest scores after day two that went on to win the tournament

60 points - Ben F 2017 (EC!)
62 points - James 2011, Brian 2016 and 2019, Ben W 2018
63 points - Ben W 2013

Biggest margins at the end of day two overturned to win the tournament

8 points - James 2011
5 points - Brian 2016

Best third round score by each player

43 points - Ben F (off 19) at Weston-Super-Mare 2012
43 points - James (off 35) at Puckrup Hall 2011
38 points - Ben W (off 9) at The Dorset 2013
38 points - Matthew (off 14) at The Dorset 2013
38 points - Brian (off 17) at Kenilworth 2016
37 points - Stuart (off 36) at Puckrup Hall 2011
36 points - Simon (off 21) at Weymouth 2014
35 points - Kevin (off 9) at The Dorset 2013
35 points - Bruce (off 17) at Puckrup Hall 2011
31 points - Paul (off 36) at Weston-Super-Mare 2012

Best combined day two and three scores by each player

74 points - Brian 2012
74 points - Simon 2011
73 points - Ben F 2012
72 points - Ben W 2013
72 points - James 2015
68 points - Stuart 2011
67 points - Kevin 2019
65 points - Bruce 2010
64 points - Matthew 2013
57 points - Paul 2014

Best total scores by each player

108 points - Ben F 2012
105 points - James 2011
104 points - Ben W 2011
104 points - Brian 2012
104 points - Simon 2011
102 points - Kevin 2011
100 points - Stuart 2011
98 points - Matthew 2013
95 points - Bruce 2011
85 points - Paul 2011

* Yes Stu. I know you've got the overall record of 45 but that was on a previous format.

Ben F completes Tour hat-trick

The Ilfracombe Tour was won by Ben F who eased away from the field on the last day.

It's a third win in eight years for him and he now holds the top three biggest margin victories in Tour History.

Day One - Minehead and West Somerset

It was an early afternoon start  and most of the Tourists enjoyed a leisurely lunch beforehand. The two stuck in traffic after a misguided route change were lucky to be in the third group off to give them time to have a practice swing.

It was bright at first with hazy sunshine for much of the round but the early hole were played with musical accompaniment. That part of course being near Butlin's where the eighties and nineties classics drifted out of the 'party tent' and across the links.

It was a decent day for scoring too with six players in the thirties. Defending champ Brian (who'd suffered the route mishap and had to make up time) came out on joint top with Matthew on 35. Kevin and Ben F were two pints behind while Simon (nursing an elbow problem) and James (in a buggy after a recent op) just a further point back.

Day Two - Ilfracombe

It was a lunchtime start on day two as well so the tourists enjoyed a stroll around Ilfracombe in the morning and watched the skies as the weather forecast had suggested a wet round was ahead.

Wet and windy in fact. It was blowing a gale up on the cliffs and after about an hour the rain started. Gentle at first but soon it was lashing down. The configuration of the course and the thought of winning the prestigious trophy managed to get everyone to complete all 18 holes.

Scoring was naturally reduced. 27 points was as good as it got with the two Bens and Stuart recording that score - three better than everyone else. Brian's hopes of a title defence washed away with a score of 16.

The evening curry house discussion saw an 'exceptional circumstances' rule introduced for the first time with handicap rises only going to players with scores of lower than 20.

It left the championship finely poised going into the last day. Ben F led on 60, Matthew just behind on 59 with Simon (56), Ben W (55) and Kevin (54) not completely out of reach. James and Stuart were also in the range where a 40+ point special could bring them the crown.

Day Three - Tiverton

It was such an early start for the the deciding day's action we needed to forgo the fried breakfast back at base and get on the road at 8am. There was some drizzle in the air as the first group were introduced but it soon turned into a gorgeous day. It was definitely course of the weekend. The front nine in particular threw up various challenges and it was in great nick too.

With Matthew's driving radar and Kevin's putting GPS both a little off-track their challenges faltered, Ben W couldn't make up the deficit and Simon's injury took its toll so it was Ben F who came through with a best of the day 35 points to secure a five point win and his third title.

Final scores

Ben F - 33, 27, 35 = 95
Matthew - 35, 24, 31 = 90
Ben W - 28, 27, 31 = 86
Kevin - 33, 21, 29 = 83
James - 32, 19, 31 = 82
Brian - 35, 16, 27 = 78
Simon - 32, 24, 18 = 74
Paul - 25, 18, 28 = 71
Stuart - 24, 27, 20 = 71

Tiverton - "one of the best 18-hole parkland courses in the region"

Preview:

Tiverton golf club will see the 2017 champion crowned.

It was originally designed by James Braid who won The Open five times and designed Gleneagles, Carnoustie and St Enodoc among about 200 others, and opened in 1932.

If you want to have an early look at the course then you'll need to click through a view of each hole. It looks long, fatigue could play a part.

What actually happened:

After a cooked breakfast-missing drive to Tiverton a close finish to the 2017 Tour was in the offing. It was a grey start but soon turned into a hot finale.

It was pretty unanimous that this was course of the weekend, living up to its proud boast. Very well kept and very fair, there were opportunities for players who could keep it in the straight and narrow. The front nine in particular got a lot of love.

Scoring wasn't that high (just Ben F over 31 which ended up securing him the title) which might have been more fatigue than the course. All round nice club and good clubhouse too.

Best scores:

35 points - Ben F (off 17) 2017
31 points - Ben W (off 8) 2017
31 points - Matthew (off 11) 2017
31 points - James (off 36) 2017

Ilfracombe - "See the sea from every tee"

Preview

"Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Ilfracombe Golf Club boasts one of the most spectacular locations in South West for an exhilarating round of golf." (It says on the website.)

If you want to find out more about the course you'll need to watch the flyover videos. Peter Alliss does the voiceover. He tells me there are six par threes and I reckon this could be a beast if the wind's blowing.

What actually happened

The wind blew alright. And it was a beast. And it poured down.

Before I get onto that though I need to talk about this 'see the sea from every tee' business. Now I know it was chucking it down but we did wonder whether you might have needed a ladder to see it from 11 and 12. If we go back it's one to check out.

On a nice day this might have been viewed as a very interesting challenge. Lots of up and down holes, short holes (a 68 yard par three!), long holes, elevated tees, elevated greens. It could have been great.

Without the wind, which was blowing a hoolie. And the rain which lashed down later on. It was a miracle all of us completed the full 18. Scores were naturally affected but to the point that an 'Exceptional Circumstances' rule was enforced and fewer people had their handicaps raised than would have on a normal day. We won't forget this one in a hurry.

Best scores:

27 points - Ben W (off 8) 2017
27 points - Ben F (off 17) 2017
27 points - Stuart (off 36) 2017

It also ended up being the first course to have a poem written about it...

The Avengers? Overrated.

The Famous Five? Fine.

If you want real heroes try the Ilfracombe Nine.

Nine teed off, nine finished eighteen

But what happened in between?

The forecast was grim, there were no ifs

It would be rough on the Ilfracombe cliffs.

The bloke in the Pro Shop, he had no doubt

‘Sure, take a buggy - but the glass might blow out’.

The wind was howling as we stood on the first

We all suspected it would get worse.

It did.

The rain started gently, like the hotel shower

(cold, and no power)

Then someone turned on the taps

The rain found the gaps down the neck, through the hat

(Water’s like that)

Soon it seeped through the shoes

Then the trousers (bad news!)

The scorecards were like a damp rag

As was the stuff in your golf bag

The people in glasses struggled to see

I should know, one of them was me.

But no one gave up, no one walked off

Which poses the question, are we daft or tough?

(We’d have given up on another day but the clubhouse was too far away.)

The scores were much lower but it hardly mattered

The Ilfracombe Nine were totally shattered

It was much later when our very own Vorders

Read out the scores in no particular order.

An exceptional day, it was so strange

That for future Tours the rules will be changed

Fighting the course, getting throughly wet

This is one round we’ll never forget.

So fill up your glass, your choice, beer or wine

And let’s raise a toast to the Ilfracombe Nine.

Minehead and West Somerset - "a great classic links course"

Preview:

The 2017 Kylie Tour will get under way at Minehead and West Somerset which, according to the site, "is a great classic links course set against the rugged backdrop of the Brendon Hills with captivating sea views."

The oldest course in Somerset (Bath moved theirs), it started as 12 holes on an old rabbit warren before going to the full 18 in 1901. Changes have had to be made to the course at times because of the encroachment of the sea. Let's hope for a good day!

Checking in at 6,213 off the yellows it looks like it might be particularly challenging around the turn.

What actually happened:

There were definitely rabbits. I nearly fell down one hole and Stuart retrieved a Ben F ball from down another. We did get a good weather day so no fear of sea encroachment. Starting off in the shadow of Butlin's you get some good musical backing before heading off into the country.

It's linksy alright - is it classic? Not sure, it's a decent enough course though. There's some waiting around with who should tee off and who should wait in places but that's an occasional hazard. The par threes look like they might be there for the taking but don't play that way.

The beauty of a links is its forgiving nature if you hit a wide one off the tee. That might have helped some of the scores which saw six players in the thirties.

Best scores:

35 points - Matthew (off 11) 2017
35 points - Brian (off 15) 2017
33 points - Kevin (off 9) 2017
33 points - Ben F (off 17) 2017

2017 - Ilfracombe awaits

The Devon village of Ilfracombe is soon to host the 2017 Kylie Tour.

It looks like being a good turnout with only 2004 winner Mark not due to attend.

Ilfracombe will be the course for Saturday's round with Minehead opening, and Tiverton closing, this year's tournament.

Kenilworth - "Warwickshire golf as it should be"

The exciting conclusion of the 2016 event was played out at Kenilworth.

"It's situated in a beautiful parkland setting in the heart of Warwickshire. It is famous for its friendliness and hospitality as well as having one of the best golf courses in the area." Apparently.

The second par 71 of the weekend,  it measures 6,111 yards off the yellows. Scoring was good at an average of 30.7 points and could well have proved the best of the weekend had Ben F not slumped to a 23.

I always like a course that names its holes so it's a shame I wasn't there to take on the likes of Chestnuts, Devil's Elbow, Paddock and Godiva.

The course will go down in KOT history as the place where Brian stormed through the field with a career-best equalling 38 points to take the trophy for the first time.

Best scores

38 points - Brian (off 17) 2016
34 points - Ben W (off 8) 2016
31 points - Kevin (off 9) 2016
31 points - Simon (off 17) 2016

Stoneleigh Deer Park - "Warwickshire's hidden gem"

The Saturday course in 2016 was Stoneleigh Deer Park which you'll find "set in 225 acres of a picturesque landscape, steeped in history and through which the beautiful River Avon flows, in the peaceful countryside close to Warwick, Royal Leamington Spa and Coventry."

The Tantara (?) course is a par 71 and 5, 819 yards off the yellow tees. Four of the five par fives come in a five hole stretch on the front nine so not a course for someone who's had a heavy night prior to playing.

Despite that, this was the best day for scoring in 2016. Ben W and Simon both got 35 points while only Kevin and James failed to crack 30.

Best scores

35 points - Ben W (off 8) 2016
35 points - Simon (off 18) 2016
33 points - Matthew (off 12) 2016
33 points - Brian (Off 17) 2016

Tadmarton Heath - "Traditional values, modern outlook"

Tadmarton Heath was the course for day one of the 2016 tournament.

I wasn't there to play 'Taddy' so I can't dispute that it's "a splendid heathland course for all seasons [with] hard and fast links-style fairways in the summer."

Off the yellows it's a par 69 weighing in at 5,680 yards. Only one par five on the course but a few longish par fours will have been testy.

At an average score of 29.6 it proved the most difficult of the 2016 championship. Kevin's 34 was best score but four players not making it out of the twenties is a reflection of the difficulty.

Best scores

34 points - Kevin (off 9) 2016
32 points - Simon (off 18) 2016
31 points  - Ben F (off 16) 2016