Venue: Portugal – Villamoura
Winner: Jim Holliday
Moose: David Bell
Leaderboard | Scorecard | The Write Up | Bookies | Form Guide
Final Leaderboard
Ps. | Name | Handicap | Points |
1 | Jim Holliday | 18 | 72 |
2 | Garry Burrows | 21 | 70 |
3 | Gavin Whitworth | 16 | 70 |
4 | Alan Doig | 15 | 70 |
5 | Steve Tattersfield | 12 | 70 |
6 | Kevin Ulla | 14 | 68 |
7 | Andy Fearnsides | 15 | 67 |
8 | Andy Kaye | 18 | 66 |
9 | Peter Forster | 9 | 64 |
10 | Peter Burke | 5 | 62 |
11 | Mick Baldwin | 16 | 62 |
12 | John Clements | 19 | 62 |
13 | Simon Woolridge | 7 | 61 |
14 | Damien Thorngate | 12 | 60 |
15 | Andrew Yates | 15 | 60 |
16 | Stephen Callaghan | 28 | 59 |
17 | Rob Flemming | 7 | 58 |
18 | Adam Davidson | 20 | 58 |
19 | Keith Loughran | 26 | 57 |
20 | Jeff Wind | 19 | 57 |
21 | Jimmy Curley | 17 | 57 |
22 | Al Sumner | 13 | 55 |
23 | Mark Wallis (S) | 18 | 55 |
24 | Paul Rich | 21 | 55 |
25 | Martin Crossfield | 23 | 55 |
26 | Jez Stanley | 16 | 55 |
27 | Andrew Holder | 17 | 54 |
28 | Craig Whelan | 23 | 53 |
29 | Craig Lightowler | 20 | 53 |
30 | Steve Hardwick | 15 | 52 |
31 | Mark Wallis (N) | 22 | 51 |
32 | Phil Lister | 17 | 51 |
33 | Paul Ephremsen | 13 | 49 |
34 | Ben Moyle | 17 | 46 |
35 | Dave Bell | 28 | 34 |
36 | Chris Ramm (Withdrawn) | 18 | 42 |
The Write Up
The 16th Calco Cup embraced a new venue with the Calco entourage descending on Villamoura.
As usual the combatants descended on Faro airport from all corners of the UK with 36 players harbouring high hopes of lifting the coveted trophy or at least avoiding the ignominy of the dreaded Moose.
In a break with tradition the auction was held during dinner on the first evening, which also included viewing of veteran syndicate greyhound Calco Flyer scorching to yet another victory.
36 players took to the tees on Day One at the magnificent Victoria Course although a pre-existing injury meant Ramm would be unable to complete 36 holes and did not come under starters orders. Another withdrawal with a similar problem was the much missed Graham Copley.
The dubious honour of being Player One, Group One went to southern rookie Jim Holliday. Last spotted in the early hours, pre-battle, in a state which could only be described as ‘off his tits’, Holliday would go on to score a remarkable 38 points, the high score of the day, and thus become the first person in Calco history to tee off first on day one and last on day two (your correspondent hasn’t actually checked this statement for thruthfulness but its probably right).
The tough course meant that plus 30 scores were at a premium but there were sterling efforts from Baldwin (33), Kaye (32), Woolridge (33), Burrows (31), Tattersfield (36), Fearnsides (31), Ulla (32), rookie Rich (31) and Whitworth (31).
At the wrong end perennial Moose favourite Bell’s odds had shortened considerably as a result of a serious mountaineering accident disrupting his normal high intensity preparation schedule (visiting the range every day for a week before the Calco…). Regrettably his day one score of 13 put him 8 points behind the next lowest Crossfield on 21.
The pair would be joined in the day two Moose group by Ephremsen whilst the Moosette group would be comprised of Wallis (N), 2015 strugglers Moyle and Lightowler and surprisingly, Lister.
At the head of affairs Holliday would enter the fray 2 points clear of Tattersfield with Woolridge and Baldwin a further 5 back.
The tree lined Old Course would provide the setting for the drama to be played out along with other notable incidents. Not least among these was what will become known as the ‘Toiletgate’ incident. Your correspondent’s four ball met Loughran and Wind coming up the adjacent fairway. With Loughran displaying a face like thunder we were informed by Wind that, “there’s been an incident…” It appeared that Callaghan had chosen to make use of the facilities close to the previous green but having concluded his business burst out of said facility, evidently in fine fettle, leaving the door to slam behind him, just as Loughran was mid stroke on a vital putt, which was of course missed.
To add to his potential to struggle Bell, along with Moyle, had decided to hire clubs rather than bringing their own. As an advert for this course of action it would turn out not to be ideal. Despite rallying to within 6 points of those ahead at one stage, Bell would ultimately end 12 points adrift with Moyle filling the Moosette slot after a third successive year of abject performance.
Ephremsen would finish 33rd whilst Lister (32nd ) and Hardwick, no stranger to this parish, (30th), would prove, if proof were ever needed, that they’re #strongertogether after lifting the Calco Pairs in April. I’m not sure they’ve mentioned it much since….
Down the course Tattersfield had made his grab for glory and at the turn had overtaken Holliday and seemed certain to record a second Calco Cup triumph. However the back nine on day two of the Calco is a place where chickens can never be counted. Tattersfield would come back to the pack whilst Burrows and Whitworth would come to the fore with magnificent rounds of 39 along with another previous winner Doig, who recorded the high score of the day with a superb 40 (there’s not been many of those in Calco history if anyone would care to research?). Ultimately 3 players would finish on a total of 70 with Burrows snatching second place on back 9 countback and Whitworth third on back 3 (!) countback from Doig. Tattersfield would slip to 5th and disappoint his legion of backers (your correspondent among them).
One man would keep his nerve though. Jimmy Holliday would produce a superb back 9 (20) to take the honours on debut with a total of 72. Anyone seeing him on Wednesday evening would have offered ‘any odds you like’ on this outcome but it was richly deserved and notice of a talented player who can light up the Ryder Cup, the Pairs and The Calco itself for years to come.
All together now…
“WE’RE ALL GOING ON A JIMMY HOLLIDAY..”
How The Bookies Saw It.
CALCO CUP 2016 FORM GUIDE -THE AFTERMATH & WHERE DID WE GO WRONG!!!
FINAL SUMMARY :-
The numbers increased to 35 players but again the trip moved up another notch as we stayed in the popular Vilamoura resort. Several Calco debutants added to what was one of the best Calco Cups ever, both on and off the course. At the start it looked a fairly open competition though our bookie David Bell saw a huge gamble on southern star Kevin Ulla. Ultimately he was saved by the skin of his teeth as Kev finished just outside the places in 6th, the first day at the delightful but tough Victoria course saw plenty of disasters not least Bell, Moyle, Ephremsen & Crossfield who made up the moose group on day 2. Some brilliant play at the other end by the likes of Baldwin, Woolridge, Tattersfield and our surprise leader by 2 shots Jimmy Holliday with a brilliant 38 pts set up a stunning day 2.
The betting going into day 2 was furious as we took to the splendid Old Course and if we were honest most would have predicted a massive slip from Jimmy. At halfway this looked distinctly on the cards as Steve Tattersfield majestically took the lead and with both Simon Woolridge and Micky Baldwin slipping back it looked like Tatts main challenge was coming from huge surges from Alan Doig, Gav Whitworth and a flying Gary Burrows. Then unexpectedly and most incredibly Jimmy Holliday tore the back nine up and a 20 point haul saw him not only catch Steve Tattersfield but pass him on to a magnificent and memorable victory on debut by 2 points!
Garry Burrows was a creditable 2nd beating Gavin Whitworth, Alan Doig and Steve Tattersfield on count back, while at the other end David Bell despite a surge on the front nine on day 2 couldn’t overcome injuries and a general lack of match practice and took the moose honours. As much as the Southern Ryder Cup Challenge captain Pete Burke would be delighted with Holliday, Whitworth & Ulla’s top 6 positions he will have been disturbed by the bottom three placings of Bell, Moyle & Ephremsen particularly Ben Moyle who has rapidly deteriorated.
Someone who deserves a huge mention is Stephen Callaghan who’s 16th place was a performance only just short of Jimmy’s victory. Andrew Kaye and John Clements had great Calco’s as well and apart from the afore mentioned bottom three the Calco Pairs champions Hardwick & Lister were shocking! languishing in the bottom six. As usual there were many stories of golfing incidents in the two days but nothing overshadowed ‘Toiletgate’ involving Calla & Lofty, only they can tell this story!
The closing ceremony as usual was brilliantly done by Calla, Steve and Fozzie (and a bit by Lister) and anyone who witnessed the victory acceptance and speech from Mr Holliday will have that memory for many years to come. Steve Tattersfield may not have won the Calco Cup but without doubt the fancy dress night belonged to him, unbelievable! All in all it was awesome and I couldn’t think of a better bunch of guys I would want to spend a few days with, thank you.
Mark (ex moose) Wallis
1st – Jimmy Holiday 40/1
2nd – Gary Burrows 20/1
3rd – Gavin Whitworth 30/1
4th – Alan Doig 20/1
5th – Steve Tattersfield 12/1
Moose
35th – David Bell 7/4
34th – Ben Moyle 40/1
33rd – Paul Ephremsen 50/1
32nd – Phil Lister 60/1
31st – Mark Wallis (N) 30/1