You tell us about YOUR Trilby Tour experience!

Want to tell us about your day? Email us here - we want to hear about YOUR Trilby Tour experience.

2012

"Beautifully organised and I will be looking forward to playing again next year"

A great day! A simple application was made all the more exciting by being on the waiting list, logging in and trying to secure one of the final spaces.

With that achieved, my caddy and I set off for Sprowston Manor with high hopes of qualification. On arrival, we were met by numerous advertising banners and well dressed officials that gave the feel of a major tour event. We collected our stash, donned our attire and set off for a warm up. My caddy, at this point, decided we didn't both need warming up and as he would be doing all the carrying set off for the bar in order to rest himself!

Time had come to tee off and we were welcomed onto the first by the annoucer and Mr Hunt himself. The announcer kindly informed us to avoid slow play and to be aware that around two million people would be watching this. That really settled the nerves! I managed to avoid hitting the TV camera with my opening drive and as it nestled nicely on the fairway, I had high hopes of progressing.

After the front nine, we were a little behind our target score but if we could shot to our handicap on the back nine, belived we would be in with a shout of qualification. We arrived at sixteen, believed six points from the last three holes would see us through. A decent drive and and a bad bounce later left me standing in the bunker with the ball at shoulder height on a grassy slope.

My options were to play it backwards or try and baseball it forwards. From the tone you may be able to deduce that I took the latter, believing that I had been blessedd with a touch of Ballesteros on the day. The ball disappeared off at right angles into the undergrowth, along with my chances of qualification. My caddy was supportive and proceeded to tell me I was mentally weak for the remaining holes.

Despite the melt down it was a fantastic day. The course was great, all the staff in their unifroms looked good and couldn't have been more helpful. The kit you get is sensational and is worth the entry fee alone. The whole thing is beautifully organised and I will be looking forward to playing again next year.

Robert Cresser

"A real experience"

Had a great day at Nottingham, weather permitting. Disappointed to miss out at the end but a real experience. Expect to be back next year - any chance of a NW regional event? It was a lot of travelling especially for an early tee time and a late finish. Something in the  Manchester / Lancaster / Liverpool / Chester area would be easier to persuade friends to join me next year.

Thanks again

JVS

"The organisation of every event is first class and there is nothing like it for the Amateur golfer"

My Trilby Tour Experience 

This was my fourth year on the tour and as ever it just gets bigger and better. The process through the entry deposits and booking a venue is smooth and simple. If only playing was so easy. This year I had originally selected Frilford Heath until the Nottinghamshire appeared as an extra venue.

Having played that course many times before decided to change to hopefully give me a better chance of progressing to the final. I also looked at other venues for the pre-qualifying events and thought Stoke Park would be a good one to be involved with and despite my best endeavours the weather on the day had other ideas and unfortunately arriving at the course it was obvious we weren't going to play as the greens were waterlogged.

I wasn't able to play in the rescheduled pre-qualifier so missed my chance of a round at Stoke Park. I played at pre-qualifying events at Frilford, Caversham, Foxhills, KP Club and Sprowston, principally for practice, but if by chance I had won I would have an additional entry to the TT. Sadly I didn't qualify for any of the above but certainly enjoyed the experience and met some great people along the way which is what the Tout is all about for me.

I also went to watch at some TT events to meet up with friends from the Tour and to support those playing. So if you watch carefully you will see us at Frilford, Caversham and the Final at Stoke Park.

The qualifier at The Nottinghamshire was a cold and wet day but that didn't affect my determination to succeed. With a new man on the bag this year I was hoping for better fortunes. I had a difficult start and missed a few putts early on until I sorted out the pace of the greens, however an out of bounds on the 4th hole meant I was struggling to keep pace with the qualifiers. It wasn't until the 8th that I started to hole putts and find the fairway more often and despite a wobble on the 9th I pared my way home through the back nine but sadly missed qualifying by a couple of points.

The day was a fantastic experience as ever and I will keep coming back for more to try and make the final for a second time. At the moment I am still reliving my final appearance in 2009 at the London Club which was a day I will never forget. I have been to every final since as a spectator and want to be back inside the ropes looking out rather than outside looking in.

The organisation of every event is first class and there is nothing like it for the Amateur golfer. The added bonus is the clothing which surpasses anything else on the market for comfort and style, even down to the Trilby's. I only ever play in a Trilby now and it is part and parcel of my on-course persona. No matter where I play I am always asked "Are you part of the Trilby Tour?" So the Tour has universal recognition thanks to all involved, especially the sponsors for making this such a great event and invaluable experience for us all.

I look forward the new season and stunning TT venues once more and hope I can do justice to my game and qualify for the ultimate prize, a place in the final and a chance to become a Trilby Tour Champion.

Regards,

Neil Harris

The journey for me started one September evening in 2011, when my daughter Katy and I were watching the Trilby Tour on Sky and she bullied me into checking on the web for entry details as she wanted to carry the bag and wear the boiler suit. Arrogance kicked in and I thought that I must be able to score enough points to at least get into a play off at least! Of course, that was before I realised that it was played of ¾ handicap and that I would be cut by two strokes in the spring.

With my registration made and deposit paid, the wait for the venues and final payment began with frequent visits to the website and an agonising wait which only served to build up the suspense.

Of course, the venues were announced on a day that I was travelling. I was extremely keen to ensure that I got a local venue and the chance to play a new course to add to my growing list. This meant asking my secretary to complete the registration for me. With so many of us trying to choose and to pay, the website crashed and another agonising wait ensued until she finally told me that she had managed to get my first choice, Foxhills.

Then came the next agonising wait (you see the recurring theme in life as a Tilby Tourian!), the wait for the clothing to arrive. This in itself presented some problems. Having lost nearly two stones just before selecting the gear, I had found the weight again before the clothes arrived. This meant ordering a second pair of trousers to prevent severe embarrassment on the day.

In the run up to the day Katy, in keeping with teenage daughters the world over, got a better offer and went on holiday with her best mate. That left me begging my pal Jonathan, JP to his friends, to caddy for me. As will be revealed, that was the best move that I could have made. The last few rounds prior to the event saw me turn decent golf into rubbish scores and left me depressed about my prospects but accompanied by a cheerful Irishman who was about to lug a tour bag around a beautiful part of Surrey, it was hard to be too depressed.

On the day, we arrived far too early despite our early tee time and set about the main task of getting increasingly nervous. JP stocked the bag with chocolate and we set off. The first tee nerves were acute and resulted in a short drive pulled into the light rough. Digging the ball out and onto the green, followed by two putts set a bit of a tone for the rest of the round. After 8 holes, I was looking a bit of a bandit as I was 1 under par despite a handicap of 10. A double at the ninth where I took one too much club saw me turn with 21 points. At this point normal service was resumed and I started to score steady bogies. I was saved by the existence of the cameras – every time I saw one I hit a decent shot. 36 points after 17, turned into 36 points after 18 when a double bogie up the last made me 'somewhat disappointed'. This score left me waiting and watching the incoming scores with interest. It was a clear top 10, but was always touch and go for the play-off.

After several hours anxious wait while JP drank lager and I drowned myself in diet coke, I ended up in a sudden death play-off from 123 yards on the 18th. Good advice from JP saw me going from a hard 9 to an easy 8 and progressing to the play-off. Of course by this time, I had already been interviewed 'as if' I had got into the play-off. The beauty of filming schedules!

The play off was extremely enjoyable after the wait on the balcony. William upped the pressure and that suited me well. The smell of fear and the 100 mile stares being evident amongst some of my fellow competitors gave me more confidence. An ungainly pull down the first was rescued by a tree. A chip out, full sand wedge and lengthy putt saw us stay even, as did a par three down the second. This meant I was standing on the 18th/3rd with a one stroke lead. Determined not to repeat my performance on this hole in regulation, I pushed a drive, hit the sweetest rescue club of my life and left myself ... 123 yards – spot on the marker from the sudden death play-off. The same club saw me leave myself a putt cosied up to 2 inches and a memorable victory.

What a day out!

William is amazing at bring enthusiasm, banter, a sense of theatre and a real love of the drama to proceedings. Long may it continue, I for one will be back if I am allowed to play with William's train set again next year...

Best

Steve Barnett

"Everything fantastic from registration through to tee off"

Everything fantastic from registration through to tee off - however over exuberant TT personnel giving warnings for slow play whilst I am about to play a shot - TWICE ! Whilst I accept that there needs to be control of the pace of play, to be informed whilst making a stroke doesn't help matters at all , especially as it was another player in our three ball that was particularly pedestrian in his play throughout and not me!

It is impossible to gauge who is at fault for alleged slow play unless the group are followed around the course - to be interrupted by a TT rep when I was about to play a stroke(TWICE) seemingly on the basis that I was the nearest player to him is just not good enough, I also didn't enjoy the scolding I was given, in terms that I do not use myself!

I will hopefully be entering next year and hope that the TT people will be briefed on this matter in advance.

Regards

Greg Olphert

"Amazing time"

Had amazing time - Trilby Tour team made day even better. Nottinghamshire golf club did amazing job although did not score well due to nearves but hopefully will do better next time. Respect to William Hunt for a great competition thanks hope to c u soon

Jo Catt

"That first tee experience was one of my best in golf"

Hi, from the moment I entered The TT in August 2011 I was totally absorbed in everything about this wonderful competition.

I found entering to be really easy and the only slight downside concerning entry was that the options for trousers and shirts were limited to just a few colours/sizes for someone of my size,,,medium shirt, 34 trousers. When my outfits did arrive I was really impressed with the quality.

From August 2011 until May 2012 I was so excited. I visited Old Thorms on a couple of occasions to familiarise myself with the course and facilities and I just fell in love with the place. My only concern was the weather which was dreadful in early May but thankfully come 24 May the course was in superb condition and we enjoyed one of the hottest and humid days of the year.

When I arrived at the venue it was great to see attendance manning the car park and letting you know where to go. The girls who ran registration were really friendly and helpful and made you feel very welcome.

Despite pre-ordering a large, at one point there were only small or XXL caddies outfits so that's something to be wary of next time. Luckily one of the organisers found a box of larges in his car. I knew an after round meal was included but wasn't aware breakfast was as well so maybe worth stipulating that next time as we stopped on route.

I ws in the last group out at 2pm so used a few hours to soak up the atmosphere, check out a few pins and just prepare myself. Watching players off the first tee made me more nervous and I was suprised how good the standard of play was. By my tee time I thought I felt calm but my hand was shaking when I placed my ball on the tee.

That first tee experience was one of my best in golf. I felt really special and as though I was playing in a proper pro golf tournament. I actually went to Wentworht to watch the PGA the day after Old Thorns and, apart from the sheer size difference, the 2 tournaments felt the same.

The course was wonderful and the scorers located around the course were friendly. I was playing really well tee to green but was caught out by the lightning quick greens andtough pin positions. It was wonderful playing off the back tees especially on the holes with the outstanding aerial views.

My eldest son caddied for me, one of my sons and brother came to watch and they all loved the day and thought it was a tremendous tournament. My wife would have come but because of being heavily pregnant we thought the hills and heat may have been to much for her.

It was great coming up the 9th and 18th with loads of people watching. The food after was superb and Henry Allis was really approachable and we had a good chat about the day, golf and him growing up. Another small gripe that my group weren't included in the photos after despite playing with the 2011 Champion as it would be nice to have been able to have a pictorial momento of the day.

Overall it was without doubt the best golfing experience of my life. I hope I get an entry for 2013 and would like to think I could return to Old Thorms and improve my score and hopefully make the top 10.

I can't wait for the action to start on Sky on Monday. I am an avid Trilby Tour fan and now competitor and have told many, many people of how great the experience was and that they should enter next time.

Thanks for the opportunity.

Regards

Dean Weaver

"My husband loved it so much on the way home he was already counting the days to next years entry"

Dear Trilby Tour Team , we had the most amazing day with good weather, food and course. My husband ( bernie kew ) loved it so much on the way home he was already counting the days to next years entry.

Many thanks to all at Trevose but especially you the team who really made it happen and I don't feel get enough praise

Regards Julie Kew

"All in all a great experience"

Hi Trilby Tour 

I played at the Nottinghamshire in July.

I thought the whole experience was great, the day was very well organised, we were kept well informed and the whole feel of the day was brilliant regardless of the wet weather. I did originally do this as one off experience but would definitely do this again in the near future. The clothing and the bag etc are great quality and I thought the that the entry fee was quite reasonable considering the gear that we were given to keep.

All in all a great experience and I have recommended this to everybody that I speak to.

If I had one slight complaint it would be that the lunch after the round was very dried out and not very appealing at all so I didn't eat any and ended paying for my own lunch. Apart from this, I thought that the course was excellent and a great layout for this type of tournament.

Thank you for everything.

Best Regards

Shaun May

"Will be back next year"

Had a great day! Well organised and as close to the real thing as I will ever get!! 

Will be back next year....

Mark Sheldon