The Spring Cup was played over the weekend of the 17th and 18th of September and was sponsored by “THE GALLERY”, a group of well-known “gentlemen” who know how to have a good time. Special thanks to The Gallery for their support of the Club’s oldest Championship.
The Spring Cup was first played in 1935 and 2022 was the 87th year it had been played. This year a field of 69 players participated each with hopes of having their names etched on the Perpetual Trophy.
Previous winners of the Spring Cup who played over the weekend were – Tony Slee (1998), Angus Johnson (2008), Ako Futaesaku (2018), and Gavin Furness (2017), who was also the defending champion. Could he make it three Spring Cups – his handicap certainly suggested it was possible.
Saturday was a beautiful Spring Day with a little bit of drizzle just in time for the afternoon players.
ROUND ONE
The leader after the completion of the morning round was Callum White (2 H’Cap) who looked anything like a winner as he only had 6 points after 5 holes. And then all of a sudden he produced 6 three pointers including 4 birdies in the next 9 holes, finishing his round with 4 solid 2 pointers for a final score of 38 points.
He was followed by 5 players on 37 points – John Samuels (7 H’Cap), Guy Taylor (12 H’Cap), David Southam (6 H’Cap), Peter Baker (12 H’Cap) and Ken Hall (16 H’Cap) whose round was brought to life with an Eagle 2 on the fifteenth for 5 points.
In the afternoon the scoring was not as good as in the morning and only one player scored more than 36 points – Michael Du PONT (11 H’Cap) with 39 points. He got off to a flyer with a birdie 3 and 4 points on his first hole – the 5th. After losing the 6th he played consistently for 19 points on his first 9 holes and 20 for his final 9 holes.
Four players followed on 36 points – Past Champion, Tony Slee (10 H’Cap), Steven Noske (8 H’Cap), Ron Parkin (20 H’Cap) and our volunteer groundsman Geoff Robey (16 H’Cap).
Where was the defending champion you may ask? Gavin Furness (10 H’Cap) – one more than Wednesday’s runaway winner, Andrew Frazer (9 H’Cap), was languishing in equal 30th position with 31 points – and with “a snowdrop’s chance in hell” of winning.
So, after the conclusion of Round One there were eleven players between 36 and 39 points.
ROUND TWO
Another fine Spring Day greeted all players and the questions were-
Could overnight leader, Michael Du PONT, continue his good form and wipe away the disappointment of two previous close finishes in “Season Cups”?
After losing last year’s Spring Cup on a countback, could Callum White win another Season Cup adding to his win in the 2018 Summer Cup?
Or would the chasing pack have something to say about the final outcome?
Callum White commenced from the 6th hole and started well with 8 points in the first 4 holes. Then he had a bit of a sleep with 3 points in the next 3 holes. He righted the ship with a birdie on the 13th and turned with 15 points. A solid last nine holes returned 20 points and a final score of 35. This made him the clubhouse leader after the morning round – 73 points.
David Southam also starting from the 6th had 17 points over his front nine and then was going along nicely until one-pointers on 2 of his closing holes ruined his day – 33 points and overall, 70 points.
John Samuels (7 H’Cap) had a solid first 9 and turned for home with 19 points and was a chance. However, 2 wipes and 2 one-pointers over his back nine saw him sign for 32 points – overall 69. Grant Evans (9 H’Cap) played solidly over the two days to join John on 69 points.
So, what could the afternoon players do?
Steve Noske started well but 5 points over the last 4 holes of his front nine thwarted any chance he had.
Ron Parkin had a day he would rather forget.
Tony Slee came into calculations but one point in two holes midway through his final nine put a halt to his challenge, ultimately fishing in equal 4th position.
Now where was Geoff Robey? Apart from picking up sticks, boughs and palm frons he was having a very good day but it looked anything like it over the first 6 holes where he had 9 points. Then suddenly he exploded into action and over the next 6 holes he had 18 points and with the final six to play he was 3 in front of 2’s and equal leader. The next four holes revealed 8 points and with 2 holes left to play (the 18th and 1st) he was still leading. 2 points over his last two holes could prove costly – he finished with 37 points and 73 overall.
His card read – first six holes – 9 points, second six – 18 points and final 6 – 10 points
Meanwhile the overnight leader, Michael Du PONT, was going quietly about his business. Starting from the 5th a nervous start saw him one behind 2’s after 6 holes. A birdie and 4 points at the 11th hole contributed to his 13 points over the second six holes. He was now level with Geoff Robey with the final six holes to play where he scored 11 points – enough to beat Geoff by one solitary point – 35 points for the round and 74 points overall.
His card read – first six holes – 11 points, second six – 13 points and final 6 – 11 points
So now Michael can put aside his disappointment of the last 2 Winter Cups and is the 2022 Spring Cup Champion.
If he can hold onto his handicap, he could be in the mix in the upcoming Cam Wilson Bowl, and of course the pinnacle – The CG Dudley Cup.
The Runner-up was Geoff Robey who will look back at his final 2 holes where one more point would have seen him the winner – not to be.
Best first round went to David Southam with 37 points.
A special mention goes to the defending champion, Gavin Furness, who put aside the disappointment of his first round of 31 points to take out the best second round score of 39 points. He will rue his back nine on Saturday which included 6 one-pointers.
In a reversal of the 2021 result, Best Gross went to Callum White with 69 points from Ben Cullinan 68 points.
Best of the “Past Winners” were Gavin Furness and Tony Slee with 70 points.
Final Leaderboard
Michael Du Pont 39/35 74 points
Geoff Robey 36/37 73 points
Callum White 38/35 73 points
Gavin Furness 39/36 70 points
Tony Slee 36/34 70 points
David Southam 37/33 70 points
Grant Evans 34/35 69 points
David Falconer 35/34 69 points
Steve Noske 36/33 69 points
The course staff are to be acknowledged for the preparation of the course. It is certainly on the improve and with a new watering system things can only get even better. Others who contributed to a successful 2 days who deserve acknowledgment include Andrew Gott and his staff and the House Staff including our great chef, John O’Hara.
Unfortunately, this is John’s last function at the club and all players (Men and Women) thank him for the contribution he has made to the club over the last three years. He will be sadly missed on all golf days and hopefully he will be able to join us for some golf in the future.
Finally, acknowledgement must be made of the sponsor of this year’s Spring Cup – THE GALLERY whose support of the club is most appreciated.
CONGRATULATIONS
2022 SPRING CUP CHAMPION – MICHAEL Du PONT
Match Committee Note: Our special thanks also to Greg Fitzhardinge for once again setting the pins and marking the course for the weekend. With the fast greens, he would have taken great delight in knowing we had many a challenging putt (or three)!
From – Greg Fitzhardinge
