THE HISTORY
Following many fiercely fought matches between Ross, Lacey and Marsden the decision was made during a 19th hole session to make their competitions more formal and have a trophy at stake. The Langley Open was born.
Six years later and it has become one of the most eagerly awaited events on the golf calendar, with controversy never more than a pitching wedge away it has produced some of the most competitive and tense moments ever experienced in the history of the game.
In 2003 the first ever Langley Open was played abroad in Portugal at Salgados, a course with water hazards on virtually every hole. The strong winds increased the difficulty factor and with Rob Ross hitting water with his first drive and Andrew Marsden playing like a 28 handicap hacker in his first four holes, carding double figures on his second hole things look good for Vern Lacey. The competition was played over two rounds, the shortest ever Langley Open, and Andrew Marsden settled himself down enough to claim the first title as his irons proved more valuable then Vern's long but inaccurate drives.
Ash Valley welcomed the Championships to England in 2004, set in Hertfordshire's picturesque countryside the tournament took a format of three matches during the Summer months. Rob Ross produced some consistent golf and took a lead into the final round and despite a late fight back from Vern Lacey won quite comfortably to claim the trophy.
The format of spreading the matches over the year was repeated in 2005 and the venue chosen was Toot Hill, a course always in great condition and pleasing to the eye. During the first two rounds Vern played superbly however it will be remembered for the final round where it really was taken to the wire. Vern and Andrew were fighting it out for the title with Rob some way behind, however with Vern taking an early lead he blew up whilst Rob started to make head way and had every chance of winning going down the par 5 sixteenth. However the holes ran out and Andrew done enough to claim his second title. He was criticised for his 'safe' play, taking 5 irons of the Tee as he did in the windy conditions in Portugal. Such conditions did not exist at Toot Hill however his tactics payed off as his name was placed on the trophy for the second time.
2006 found the tournament being played out in Essex at Five Lakes, a golf and country club that supports two golf courses and has now become a spiritual home for the Langley Open. It was also the first time the tournament was played over three consecutive days. The competition now being played over three days and for the first time involving four players, the fourth being Dan Carlton. With the tournament maturing the heat of the competition was turned up, the tension evident during the final round was incredibly intense as early promise by Dan slipped away and Andrew not showing any of his previous form leaving Rob and Vern to fight out an extremely tight contest, leading to the most controversial moment in the competitions history. It came to boiling point on the 17th tee when Vern was disturbed during his swing by Andrew dropping a water bottle from his bag. Vern's shot scuffed low and left into long grass. Vern's look said it all as he picked up another ball and took a mulligan. Such blatant rule breaking left Rob flabbergasted as he played out the 17th, equaling Vern's score of 7and therefore still trailing by 2 points. It was too much to bear as Rob blew up on the 18th and hit four top shots in a row. Meanwhile Vern holed out to claim his first title. The fact is that that Vern would have probably still matched the 7 he carded on the 17th even from the rough and so the result was probably unaffected and he was the worthy champion, however it was a low point to end the competition.
A new competitor arrived in 2007 with Neil Harris being welcomed to the competition. There was no Dan Carlton so it remained a four ball. Again Andrew could not find any form until the final round, and with some early promise by Rob he faded to make way for Neil and Vern to play out for the coveted trophy. As the players gingerly passed the 17th tee, Vern had the advantage and by the 18th hole was in a strong position. Neil's last hope disappeared as he watched his drive fade left towards the water. Meanwhile Vern was down the centre of the fairway. Things detiriated for Neil as he could only look at his ball in horror, in thick grass at the edge of the water, hardly any stance and the green 200 yards away. He needed to get down in two to have any chance. What we witnessed then was probably the finest 5 iron shot ever in the history of golf. Not only did he manage to hit it out of the hazard, his contact was so sweet it zoomed in towards the green, then as it reached the green it just rolled towards the hole. Incredible stuff. Vern however was still in the driving seat, with a simple 80 yard pitch onto the green and then two putts the title was his. However with Neil's 5 iron still buzzing around Vern's head it was too much for him as his pitch was fluffed and the ball landed in the water to the left. There was complete silence as everyone tried to come to terms with what they had just witnessed. Neil was a champion in his first Langley Open, and although it was a horrible way to end for Vern he had played some of the best golf of the competiton to take Neil right to the end.
Five Lakes held the event again in 2008, and in glorious conditions Rob took an early lead after the first round but then faded and although there were brave efforts by Andrew and Neil the title was won quite comfortably by Vern who during the last two rounds played some incredibly solid golf that it would have taken something remarkable, like a 200 yard 5 iron out of the weeds, to have halted his march to be only the second player to have his name on the trophy for the second time. The highlight of the tournament was Vern's 400 yard drive on the 17th tee, incredible!