Tournamnet Reports
1999
The inaugural tournament; Bristow shoots a 61 in warm-up (including a front 9 29) – still an unofficial course record – but the beauty of the Folkestone Open, and what has kept punters coming back year after year, is the unpredictability of tournament golf. Allen wins; Fletcher AWOL.
1. Allen 2. Bristow
2000
The first multi-player tournament and the highest standard golf to date – the scorecard was even bandied around during Allen’s wedding years later. Holder and favourite Allen is never at the races; Bristow pushes Fletcher (recently jubilant in a one-off Dublin Masters) all the way. Ultimately Fletcher triumphs with a still Championship Record 62 (back to back 31s).
1. Fletcher 2. Bristow 3. Allen
2001
Allen still regarded as favourite despite Fletcher’s heroics the previous year. However, with Allen fading early, it’s Bristow who shows a fragile temperament and susceptibility to mind games in losing once again to Fletcher’s dogged consistency. Leading on the 18th tee, Bristow found the water and his dreams were dashed. 3 runners-up spots for Bristow now.
1. Fletcher 2. Bristow 3. Allen
2002 *
To date, the only Folkestone Open that did not actually take place in Folkestone! Known affectionately as The Roehampton Open, or, in inner circles, as “Not A Real Major”, Bristow finally comes of age showing steely nerve as Fletcher plops his ball into the drink on 18. Allen, once again, off the pace.
1. Bristow 2. Fletcher 3. Allen
2003
In what appeared on paper to be a very open championship, the players soon realised (as England’s football team should) that top-level sport is not played “on paper” as Fletcher records his 3rd win in 4 years with consummate ease. There weren’t the fireworks of 2000 or the fine strokeplay of 2001, just a steady consistency that Allen and Bristow could not live with. Indeed, this year was more memorable for Bristow finding the water on 18 (again) to allow Allen to record his first runners-up position and his best finish of the Noughties.
1. Fletcher 2. Allen 3. Bristow
With the Folkestone Open celebrating its fifth birthday, there is little doubt who has been its most successful player. Luke Fletcher has won 3 out of the 4 tournaments he has entered and holds the Championship Record. Does a long period of dominance beckon?
2004
The largest field to date, including virgin performers Doug McAndrew and John Fletcher, witnessed some good golf (from McAndrew and Bristow) and some dross (from Allen and favourite Luke Fletcher). It was very quickly reduced to a two-horse race and, when Bristow for the second year running found the Barry Burn (this time on 17), McAndrew was crowned champion.
1. McAndrew 2. Bristow 3. Allen 4. L. Fletcher 5 J. Fletcher
2005
The smallest field since ’99 – only Allen and Fletcher attended in dreadful wet and windy conditions. Allen looked doomed to another barren year after a poor start. However, some good putting just about kept him in touch through the back 9, and, standing on the 17th tee, Fletcher, with a 3 shot lead, made the fatal error of saying, ‘I’ll just neck it!’ and going for the green! He found water, then trees, took a 9 and Allen won comfortably.
1. Allen 2. Fletcher
2006
After spending much of even the 2005 contest looking like he’d never win again, Allen exudes a confidence and consistency that is more than good enough for Bristow and Fletcher. The margin of victory obscures the reality that, with 3 to play, Bristow led by 1 when Allen found the raised green from the tee and never looked back. Meanwhile, Bristow’s temperament is again called into question as he claims his fifth runners-up spot. Could this be the start of a period of dominance for Allen?
1. Allen 2. Bristow 3. Fletcher
2007
The two-time defending champion is absent due to the birth of his first child and Bristow wastes no time in seizing the initiative. Fletcher’s poor front 9 means he’s always chasing… and Bristow wins in style.
1. Bristow 2. Fletcher