It’s September 2016. The stage is set. One of the highlights of the year is well underway. It’s the…Craw’s Nest Tassie.
After two days of strokeplay over the Championship and Buddon Links courses, the players with the top 64 scratch scores over the two courses went into matchplay over the Championship course. Six rounds and some highly entertaining matches later, a winner was crowned – local golfer Andrew Fyfe, a 4&3 victory over Peter Nilsson in the final securing the trophy for the Caledonia member.
So what better way to prepare for this year’s Tassie than to speak to the current holder…
How many years have you been playing in the Tassie for now?
I first played the Tassie in 2008 after gaining entry from winning the Links Championship that year. I’ve played it 6 times in total. I try to play it every year if I can, it’s such a good week of golf.
What first attracted you to the Tassie? And what is it you enjoy most about the Tassie?
Growing up playing golf in Carnoustie I was always aware of the Tassie being played every September. It was an event my grandad had played in and therefore I always wanted to play in it.
I enjoy how competitive it is and I really enjoy being able to play with and against so many good players from all over the world.
It’s a great week of golf, but it’s more than that, you meet so many new people each year and I look forward to maybe playing them again in the future.
How did it feel to win the Tassie for a 2nd time? Was it better than the first or much the same?
It was a great feeling, to have won it twice is an achievement I am very proud of. Both times were really special, but probably the second time because I came through so many tough matches on the way and my game improved as the week went on.
Last year your results in the matchplay were fantastic! Do you prefer playing in a matchplay format over strokeplay?
Yes I find I play my best golf in the matchplay format, I always have. I had a few really close games in earlier rounds last year, which I feel helped me in the later stages and that gave me the confidence to win.
And finally, do you think you can make it back-to-back victories this year?
I hope so, it would be great to defend it. I feel I’m playing well currently and have a lot of confidence from a successful season so far. The Tassie has such a strong field though year in year out, I know I will need to play very well to have any chance.
It’s sure to be another fantastic week of golf and you can keep up to date on the scores throughout the competition on our website, our Facebook page or via Twitter.