This was the second year that Mini Golf has been an official sport in the Commonwealth Games. Hot Shots at Smith Mountain Lake provided a great setting for this year's competition. 2011 also featured a Team event using the best Front 9 and Back 9 scores from partners.
In the individual event, on the Par 40 layout, the putters found difficult deuce putts and not many aces. Only Mark Rohrback navigated the course under par through Round 1. As expected, the second round scoring did improve. Rohrback was joined at the top by Mark Smith and Geoff and Clayton were tied for the third position. The third and final round produced two stellar scores from Clayton and Chris. Chris' 6-under 34 was almost enough to catch Geoff and Clayton's 36 earned him the Bronze. The Marks were tied once again and needed an 18-hole playoff to decide the color of Medals they would receive. Smith got off to a shaky start and found himself down two going to the bewildering 7th hole. A couple of bad bounces and a penalty stroke netted a 5 and a big advantage for Rohrback. Rohrback's 1-under par 19 was four better than Smith at the turn. After trading deuces on the tenth, #11 would prove to be the backbreaker. Smith's ball found the water and another 5 was the result. Once Smith's ball got wet, so did everyone else as the skies opened up and the rain fell. A rushed, lackluster and soaked finish ended up with Rohrback raising the Gold in the end by way of a 41-50 result.
The inaugural team event was just as tight with 1st through 4th separated by only three shots. Geoff rode Smith's good putting for the top spot just edging out James and Rohrback. Chris' impressive final round combined with Joel's help in the second earned the final podium place.
Special thanks to Hot Shots Mini Golf and Clayton for setting up this event and landing SunTrust, Trend Setters, Our Lady of the Valley, Lotz and Putt-Putt Fun Center as sponsors. The RPC would like to thank all who participated and is looking forward to a great two months to end the season.
2011 Commonwealth Games
Place
*1*
*2*
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Name
Mark R.
Mark S.
Clayton
Geoff
Chris
Joel
James
Dave B
Troy
Richard
Rd 1
39
40
41
45
47
43
Rd 2
38
37
42
Rd 3
36
34
44
Score
115
116
118
119
127
129
132
136
Medal
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Left to Right: Mark Smith (Silver), Mark Rohrback (Gold), Clayton Craft (Bronze)
* Playoff: Rohrback (41) - Smith (50)
Team Standings
1
2
Mark S/Geoff
Mark R/James
Chris/Joel
Clayton/Richard
Troy/Dave B
113
114
Home
Left to Right: Mark Rohrback/James LeBrun (Silver), Mark Smith/Geoff Boyer (Gold), Chris Sowers/Joel Schott (Bronze)
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