When the Tour arrived on the Monday, the Arden course was already very wet but there was a lot of immaculate work done leading up to the event because the presentation was not of a ‘Spring’ course where growth was just starting. Everything was much more ‘in bloom’ and the course very well presented. This was something akin to US Open presentation with thick rough, tight fairways and very good greens. At the beginning of the week, players were taking about –8 to –10 being a winning score.

Spectators were not put off by the weather, and came prepared for wet conditions under foot. The spectator walkways held up well and the course itself did wonderfully. The hotel management did lots to help with metallic driveways into the car parks and special preparations around the practice area, always popular with golf watchers. Next year, with hot weather, the venue can expect even more people and maybe regular shuttles (from the car parks) would be useful.

The area around the 18th is always ‘buzzing’ after each day’s play and was so again. In 2003, there was a huge exhibition tent for golf equipment. It was run by one organisation and was too sales orientated. Perhaps developing something like the old tented village at the Open would be an extra boost to the Championship – the hotel certainly has enough room but this needs some careful marketing.

From the points of TV, the Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters had drama aplenty with the two pronged Argentinean ‘assault’ on the title, a number of our predicted Ryder Cup Team for 2004 all ruing a few errors but finishing very highly, a ‘beware the injured golfer’ winner in Barry Lane, and of course the contribution of Paul Broadhurst.

So to the winner, Barry Lane, and his reflections on his 10th Tournament win –

‘I only decided to play on Thursday morning. My left knee is all taped up. On Wednesday I hit a few balls and it wasn’t too bad so I decided to play.

‘It’s a special win because its been a long time. Tomorrows’ the day (Monday) when it will really sink in.’

‘Its very nice to shoot 66 in the last round to win. I learnt a lot from Singapore (where Barry was leading going into the last round earlier this year). On 7 I hit a three wood which jusr rolled through the green. When the chip (for eagle) went in I just thought that there were another 11 holes to go and I had to keep enjoying it.

‘The 16th was a key hole. I pushed it on the 12th and I didn’t really want to hit it hard (on the 16th). It was one of the worst lies I have ever seen – I nearly lost one there on Friday.

‘I had 92 yards and hit a lob wedge. It’s a good thing I have strong forearms – I could hardly see the ball and I had no real shot – I had to hit it hard – I couldn’t lay-up 40 yards. When I looked at the leaderboards after 15 I though I had to be 15 or 16 under after the Romero and Cabrera birdies.

‘I saw Josh (the very famous golf psychologist) – he said just enjoy it. If I hit a bad shot, I just hit it again.’

So if you want to visit the Marriott Forest of Arden, expect things to be busy and you will be playing the Championship course which gained lots of respect from the players over this week. And the European Tour will be back next year ….