The Spring Cup was played over the weekend of the 16th and 17th of September and was sponsored by HERBALIFE – courtesy of Gavin Morgan. Special thanks to Gavin for his support of the Club’soldest Championship.
The Spring Cup was first played in 1935 and 2023 was the 88th year it had been played. This year a field of 71 players participated in their quest for victory.
Previous winners of the Spring Cup who played over the weekend were – Tony Slee (1998), Angus Johnson (2008), Ako Futaesaku (2018), Gavin Furness (2017 and 2021), and the defending Champion Michael du Pont.
Saturday was a grey and cool Spring Day with little wind which made conditions ideal for good scoring.
ROUND ONE
The morning belonged, in the main, to the younger guys in the field with Adam McLaren (15 H’Cap) leading the way with 38 points- which included 7 three-point holes.
He was followed by 3 players on 37 points – Brendan Jones (4 H’Cap) whose round consisted of an amazing 17 two-point holes and a single three-point hole.
The very consistent Will Edibam (18 H’Cap) was also on 37 points which was helped by 4 three-pointers in his last 5 holes. Tim Song (20 H’Cap) urged on by playing partner John Samuels (no doubt) joined Brendan and Will on 37 points.
In comparison the afternoon round belonged to the “older gentlemen” of the club who showed up their younger compatriots.
An affable Scot, Tony Cowan (22 H’Cap) starting from the 9th hole amassed 23 points for his first 9. A careless wipe on the 4th and single point on the next left him with 33points and 3 holes left, which he negotiated with two two-pointers and 3 points on his final hole. He became the outright leader with 40 points.
Gavin “Sandy” Furness (9 H’Cap) starting from the first (of course) looked like having an average round and only had 22 points after 12 holes. Then he exploded into action with 5 three- pointers included in his final 6 holes to finish with 39 points. Could this be his third Spring Cup?
Brian Hanna (13 (H’Cap), a previous C.G Dudley Cup winner, also had 39 points which was helped by a strong finish over his final 5 holes – 14 points.
Scott van Heurck (7 H’Cap), starting from the first, was flying after 11 holes – 27 points. But an ordinary last 7 holes saw him fall out of contention for the lead finishing with 37 points.
So, after the conclusion of Round One there were eleven players between 36 and 40 points.
The Defending Champion, Michael du Pont (13 H’Cap) was languishing in 32nd position on 32 points.
The Gross was led by Callum White (2 H’Cap) and Anthony Joseph (1 H’Cap) both with 34 points. Next was Brendan Jones (4 H’Cap) with 33 points.
ROUND TWO
A fine and warm Spring Day greeted all players for round two. What target would the morning players set for the afternoon?
Some of the leaders from Saturday Morning transferred to the afternoon on Sunday to see if they could match it with the “older gentlemen.”
After having 37 points on Saturday, Tim Song played steadily until the final 6 holes where he could only manage 8 points, ultimately signing for 30 points and 67 points overall.
Noone else was making inroads so it was left to Anthony Joseph to show the way. Playing from his one handicap and starting from the 9th, a one-point start was enough incentive for him to play the back nine 3 under the card and 20 points. He continued to play well and 2 three-pointers in the next 5 holes saw him have 32 points with 4 holes left to play. One point on the next 2 holes was not what he was looking for. A Birdie on the next and par at the final hole saw him sign for 39 points – 2 under the card. Couple this with his first round score of 35 points he was the clubhouse leader with 74 points. With due respect to Ufaq Qazi (69 points) daylight was second.
In the afternoon there appeared to be several chances but one by one they fell down the leaderboard.
Similarly dual Champion Gavin Furness fell by the wayside early – 8 points after 6 holes- finishing with 31 points for the day.
Editor’s Footnote – in 2022 Gavin had 31 and 39 and in 2023 he reversed the order – 39 and 31.
After 39 points on Saturday Brian Hanna did marginally better than Gavin and was 13 points after 9 holes.
After 38 points on Saturday, Adam McLaren started confidently but also let it slip during the mid part of the first 9 – 4 points in 4 holes.
After 37 points on Saturday Scott van Heurck thought he was a chance but 6 points after 6 holes put paid to that.
Brendan Jones got off to a slow start and had only 3 points after his first 3 holes. He rallied to finish with 36 points and a total of 73, but the start cost him dearly.
Aidan Cooper (4 H’Cap) and Keedan Nelles (6 H’Cap) crept up the leaderboard but could not catch the leader.
This left one man in with a chance of catching Anthony Joseph and that was the overnight leader, Tony Cowan.
Starting from the 9th, he commenced well with 9 points after 4 holes. 3 one-pointers during the next 5 holes saw him finish his first nine with 17. To enable Tony to win the silverware he needed 18 points or better. Could the colourful Scot bring it home?
He successfully plotted his way around the first 7 holes and was on track with 14 points with 2 holes to play – the 7th and 8th. A par and 3 points on the 7th and he was nearly home. Needing a single point on the final hole he made it easily with two points and a final second round score of 36 – total 76 points and winner by 2 from Anthony Joseph.
Congratulations Tony on a well deserved win. After the health issues he has faced over the last 6 months it is a credit to him and a very fitting result.
Final Leaderboard
Tony Cowan 40/36 76 points
Anthony Joseph 35/39 74 points
Aidan Cooper 35/38 73 points
Brendan Jones 37/36 73 points
Keedan Nelles 34/37 71 points
Gavin Furness 39/31 70 points And best previous winner
Gross Results
Anthony Joseph 34/38 72 points
Aidan Cooper 31/34 65 points
Brendan Jones 33/32 65 points and awarded best gross
The defending champion, Michael du Pont finished 23rd.
The course staff are to be acknowledged for the preparation of the course and thanks to the pro shop staff and house staff for their contribution to a successful two days.
Finally, acknowledgement must be made of the sponsor of this year’s Spring Cup – HERBALIFE – unfortunately, Gav Morgan was unable to play.
CONGRATULATIONS
From – Greg Fitzhardinge
