three Golf News Readers have recently had the opportunity to relive the Golden Day of Golf to participate in the ISPS Handa Senior Open at the historic Sunningdale Golf Club
These three, Paul Bennett, Chris Meldrum and Paul Smythe, from Sussex, have a deep passion for the game, but each has a different story about their return to live playing golf.
Paul Bennett:
“It’s been 12 years since the last game, the BMW PGA Championship held by Wentworth. Before that, it was the 1994 European Panasonic Open for the Nationals of East Sussex. I remember Ernie Els just started to tour at the time. Now see him as a legend among the legends.”
Chris Meldrum:
“My last appropriate experience on the live broadcast was the 2008 Open Championship at Royal Burkedale, when Padraig Harrington won back-to-back titles.
Paul Smith:
“Although I’m a huge golf fan and watching games on TV, I’ve never actually played. It’s my first ever and it’s completely beyond expectations.”
But it’s not just the stars of their high-end tours that attract them. The trio hasn’t been to Sunningdale, which is a lot of lessons they’ve heard over the years.
After entering the smooth entry of the ground, the group strolls in the tent village, enters the practice range, and watches the legendary warm-up.
A relaxing breakfast later, it was time to start the course with an early morning group: Ernie Els, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Paul Lawrie, José María Olazábal, Darren Clarke, Darren Clarke, Miguel Jiménez, Miguel Jiménez, thngel Cabrera, Thomas Bjourn, and more.
Paul Smith:
In the morning we walked the whole route and became so many major champions. I can’t believe how good they are still.
Chris Meldrum:
“My first thought was the breathtaking whole place. You saw Sunningdale on TV, but it was with the meeting in person. Purple Heather, the flawless fairway, just like the UK’s answer to Augusta National. These guys hit the ball at the distance.
Paul Bennett:
“The green is like a snooker table, perfect. Seeing the players close up, they’re much better than I thought. Lange hasn’t been older since I met him in ’94. They hit hardcore. It’s the next level.”
After a quick lunch and friendly chat with other fans, the trio returned to the afternoon wave with more stars: Colin Montgomery, Padrag Harrington, Retief Goosen, Retief Goosen, Fred Funk, Justin Leonard, Michael Campbell, Rich Beem, Rich Beem, Chris DiMarco, Chris DiMarco and defending champion KJ Choi.
Paul Smith:
“Monty’s swing was very smooth and it was great to watch. It was great to see Justin Leonard walking by his side with his wife and adult kids. My afternoon shot? Harrington’s 3 Wood from the 10th T-shirt Pure Class.”
Chris Meldrum:
“It’s incredible to get close to so many legends in a day. Harrington looks like a fit and his pre-photo routine is very intense! I played in Pro-AM with Paul Broadhurst a few years ago, so I’m sure to cheer him up in his game.”
Paul Bennett:
“It’s so nice. I love seeing Monty with his European team Ryder Cup Bag, it’s so beautiful. Gosen’s swing is still beautiful. Just like others have said, Padrag’s Mimumu will stay with me forever.”
Final Thought:
Among these three, the experience is simply perfect.
“Players, players, people, marshals are all filled with this relaxing garden party atmosphere,” Paul Bennett said. “Will we wait another ten years before we see live golf? Absolutely not.”
The trio have already begun planning to make the annual outing evidence that golf and memorable memories go hand in hand.
For more information, visit this weekend’s ISPS Handa Premium Open website to get tickets.
