The Calco Cup 2020
Sueno Deluxe Hotel complex, Belek, Turkey
Saturday 12th September
The Calco Cup Turkey 2020
2020 has been a year like no other. We’ve experienced cataclysmic, world changing events but the biggest event of the year is still to come! The 20th running of the Calco Cup, the most prestigious and coveted trophy in amateur golf.
To mark this historic occasion the Calco entourage travels to Turkey for a week long, four round ‘Major’. 24 players will battle for the trophy first won at the Belfry by Phil Mace in 2001 and to be defended by the 2019 champion Paul Rich. Nine former winners and five former mooses are in the field.
The stunning Sueno Deluxe Hotel complex will be our home for the week, for an all-inclusive experience like no other! We fly out of the UK on Saturday 12th September with the action commencing on the tricky PINES course with Round 1 on Sunday and Round 2 on Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday are rest days before we switch to the DUNES course which will offer a severe test for the final two rounds. All competitors will be hoping that Thursday’s Round 3 will be a real ‘moving’ day for them before the thrilling finale of the final round on Friday.
Sadly missing this year are former winners and Calco legends Peter Forster and Mick Baldwin along with the irrepressible Jeff Wind, back-to-back moose Graham Copley and all 4 Keiths. John ‘Elvis’ Clements and Ben Yeadon will also be missed whilst Mr Calco himself, Stephen Callaghan will not make the trip, perhaps retiring at the top after his surprise 3rd place finish in 2019?
We welcome two rookies in the form of Joe Kenzitt and Stuart Kiltie who will no doubt enjoy all the Calco experience has to offer!
The absence of Mr Callaghan means that organiser supreme Steve Hardwick will become the only ever present on all 20 Calco Cups, a magnificent achievement!
So who will win and who will moose in 2020? The received wisdom is that the lower handicappers will benefit from the longer format with the names of former winners Burke, Tattersfield, Ulla and Whitworth being mentioned. But could someone come from the pack? Perhaps a new name on the trophy – Fearnsides, Fleming, Davison or Ramm perhaps? Maybe Crossfield will bounce back from coming so close last year? Even Hardwick or Lister??! Surely not! Or will it be another win for the South who boast 5 of the last 7 winners? With a strong squad of 9 in attendance, the odds won’t be long!
At the Moose end it won’t be a hat trick for the absent Graham Copley, the ginger moose of ‘18 and ‘19, leaving the likes of our resident bookie and three-time moose David Bell and two-time moose Ady Clough, badly exposed.
What’s certain is that this year’s Mark Wallis (S) Form Guide is the most eagerly anticipated ever! And where will the ‘clever’ money be going when Bell’s Bookies opens for business?!
The countdown is on for the first Major of the Calco era. The committee looks forward to welcoming you to fabulous Turkey!
The Warm Up
A great turnout for the 2020 Calco warm up, with several Howley Hall chaps joining in for draw day. Good weather once again turned out as we all know the ‘ Sun always shines on the Calco boys’!! 28 players turned out with some good scoring mixed in with some fair to shite on the day ;o) The days scoring wasn’t helped by some of the hard core Calconians taking their preparation to the ultimate extreme. As we had Jimmy H and Paul Rich (Champ) up to experience the pre tour frivolities of the warm up and draw day, Tatts with several others decided to show them a good northern night out! A relaxed curry evening was organised which quickly turned into a very messy, Albufeira style all-nighter, going back to the club and ending up at Steve Tatts. I believe several never made it home and Mr Lightowler actually did a througher straight to the golf! There were some tired looking eyes and our rookie Joe Kenzitt got a little insight of what lies ahead for him :0)
Anyway back to the golf. Singles stableford was the format and some tidy performances were thrown in from some of the boys who are really fancied. Mr Fearnsides 35, Jimmy H 34and Robbe Fleming, on everyone’s radar this year, with a creditable 33. An average performance from our 2019 second place finisher Mr Crossfield, also our 2020 favourite. He was joined by Rambo, Tatts, Doigy and Paul Rich – who will all blame their scores on the night before. Young Craig will just be pleased he managed to finish 18 holes! A couple who will be slightly nervous are Davo and our rookie Mr Kiltie who actually stayed in the night before and only managed 27 & 25 respectively.
At the wrong end with moose noises echoing all around were Mr Clough and PLB himself! Surely just a blip as both participants have been averaging 5 games of golf a week over the last two months.
Just a quick shout out to Grant Anderson who took the spoils on the day with a great score of 39 points.
It’s the business end boys as we approach the first Calco major and the 20th anniversary. I hope all your preparation is going well and those small tweaks, or new clubs! Are starting to pay off.
Good luck my fellow Calconians and we look forward to welcoming you all to Belek.
“ May the best man win “
The Committee
Steve, Phil, Fearny, Doigy and Jimmy.
Warm Up Leaderboard
| Grant Anderson | 39 |
| Neil Cleghorn | 38 |
| Andrew Fearnsides | 35 |
| Jimmy Holiday | 34 |
| Robbe Fleming | 33 |
| Steve Hardwick | 32 |
| Thomas Naylor | 31 |
| Micky Baldwin | 30 |
| Simon Day | 29 |
| Greg Linell | 29 |
| Joe Kenzitt | 29 |
| Paul Rich | 28 |
| Martin Crossfield | 28 |
| Lindsay Naylor | 28 |
| Steve Tattersfield | 28 |
| Alan Doig | 28 |
| Chris Ramm | 28 |
| Jimmy Curley | 27 |
| Adam Davison | 27 |
| Steven Nichols | 26 |
| Stuart Kiltie | 25 |
| Craig Lightowler | 22 |
| Adrian Clough | 21 |
| Phil Lister | 20 |
| Paul Hull | 20 |
| Mark Lockwood | 20 |
| Steven McHugh | 18 |
Calco Cup 2020 Information
Handicaps
| Peter Burke | 6 |
| Robbe Fleming | 6 |
| Simon Woolridge | 8 |
| Andrew Fearnsides | 9 |
| Stephen Tattersfield | 9 |
| Kevin Ulla | 11 |
| Gavin Whitworth | 11 |
| Alan Doig | 12 |
| Stephen Hardwick | 13 |
| Philip Lister | 13 |
| Paul Rich | 13 |
| Christopher Ramm | 15 |
| Joseph Kenzitt | 15 |
| Martin Crossfield | 15 |
| Adam Davison | 15 |
| James Holliday | 15 |
| Benedict Moyle | 16 |
| Craig Lightowler | 17 |
| James Curley | 18 |
| Stuart Kiltie | 18 |
| Mark Wallis (S) | 19 |
| Mark Wallis (N) | 20 |
| Adrian Clough | 28 |
| David Bell | 28 |
The Draw
Jimmy Holliday
Pete Burke
Robbe Fleming
Mark Wallis (N)
Jimmy Curley
Ben Moyle
Steve Tattersfield
Martin Crossfield
Alan Doig
Gavin Whitworth
Phil Lister
Paul Rich (CHAMP)
Mark Wallis (S)
Adam Davison
Stuart Kiltie
Craig Lightowler
Joe Kenzitt
David Bell
Adrian Clough
Andy Fearnsides
Chris Ramm
Kev Ulla
Steve Hardwick
Simon Woolridge
Calco Cup 2020 Form Guide
TURKEY
VENUE – SUENO GOLF
FIELD – 24
PREVIOUS WINNERS TAKING PART
Peter Burke (3), Ben Moyle (2), Alan Doig, Steve Tattersfield, Jimmy Holiday, Kevin Ulla, Gavin Whitworth, Jimmy Curley, Paul Rich
PREVIOUS CALCO MOOSES TAKING PART
David Bell (3), Ady Clough (2), Gavin Whitworth, Mark Wallis (S)
WHERE & WHEN TO BET
Bells Bookies
WEATHER
Hot and sunny all week, average 32 degrees
DAY 1 & 2
SUENO PINES COURSE (par 72) – Undoubtedly the hardest of the two courses which as the name suggests meanders through the natural pine forest. Certainly not a short course either and it’s so tight it’s going to give some wayward players (you know who you are!) a few sleepless nights! Undulating fairways and greens that are as slick as a Callaghan presentation will only add to the toughness and just for good measure there are plenty of deep bunkers where a few players might as well just scribble a blob on their card when they succumb. Just to make sure we are focussed and carrying plenty of balls there’s a sprinkling of well placed water hazards to contend with. If you arestraight a good score can be scrambled, but overall this is as tough a course as we have played and off the yellow tees (3rd ones back from 4 tee offs red/blue/yellow/white) a stern test. Anything around the 30 pt mark will be in the top 6 for sure and 26 or 27 points won’t be a disastrous start.
KEY ATTRIBUTE – Accuracy
DAY 2 & 3
SUENO DUNES COURSE (par 69) – As the name suggests a course that makes full use of the sweeping sand dunes in a links style way. Plenty of waste bunkers and water hazards and mature pines will test the Calconian skill set but overall a slightly easier track than the Pines with only one par 5 and maybe a chance for those well behind the leaders to scythe through the field. That doesn’t mean it’s inferior to the Pines as fairways and greens are reportedly in top shape as it’s been very lightly used in these difficult times. I doubt we will play a finer 18th hole which requires a good straight drive to be within wedge distance to a daunting Island green…. Can you imagine leading by one and having to hit a well struck shot to this green to have the chance to lift the 20th anniversary Calco Cup? maybe Steve Hardwick’s chain will be tightening by the second shot as he approaches his destiny or could the super cool Rob Fleming stick one to three feet for an all conquering birdie, we will see!
KEY ATTRIBUTE – Touch
2020 – 24 players
2019 – 32
2018 – 36
2017 – 36
2016 – 35
2015 – 30 (2 withdrawals)
2014 – 32
2013 – 32
2012 – 28
2011 – 24
2010 – 24
2009 – 24
2008 – 24
2007 – 20
2006 – 20
2005 – 16
2004 – 15
2003 – 12
STORY OF 2019
A brilliant choice to change the venue from Portugal to Ireland gave us one of the most memorable Calco Cups on record. Yes a few of us are getting a bit older and the late nights and huge amounts of alcohol consumed means there are some sorry looking figures in the morning but the chance of some great friends old & new getting together on a Calco trip is a major highlight of the year.
Fota Island near Cork was an excellent choice of course that kept the good players honest and gave the lesser player a chance to score. Contrary to early reports of the course being in poor shape we all would have gave it at least an 8 out of 10 and the variation of holes was really good. Playing the same course twice was also a relatively new experience and those that needed a look at the track certainly took advantage whilst those who liked a fresh track pinged the lids on day 1.
32 players lined up and as usual there was a couple of new players welcomed to the fold in the shape of Ben Yeadon & Joe Buckley. There werethe regulars and the odd returning ones including Mr Jack Horner. A few notable absentees like David Bell & Paul Ephremsen didn’t stop it being a competitive Calco both at the top end and we also witnessed an amazing moose battle. Despite the enforced absence of our resident bookmaker Mr Bell, he kindly ran a book that was as lively as previous years and though stung a bit on the winner & moose the books just about balanced.
The predicted wet weather that was forecast only a couple of days before we arrived at Cork never materialised and unbelievably we basked in glorious sunshine for two days. Amazingly it was as hot as Portugal at the same time. my initial thoughts on day 1 was that the forward tee boxes were a little generous and so it proved as 17 of the 32 players shot 30 points or better. We certainly heard about one of these in a long drink or two on the lovely terrace at the clubhouse as none other than Steve Callaghan came back with a tremendous 32 pts, that hurt as I paid him a few euros when Mr Coco himself only scored an average 29 pts (and I gave him 5 shots extra!). Without going through all the scores in the 30’s the players who were looking more than pleased with themselves were Ben Yeadon, Jimmy Curley & Rob Fleming on 34 pts while the golden goose group comprised of Jeff Wind (35), Ben Moyle (37), Martin Crossfield (37) and at the top of the leader board our southern maestro Paul Rich with 38 pts! Of course let’s not forget that all important fight for the moose honour but this one was pretty easy – Andy Kaye (18 pts) & Graham Copley (19 pts) were out with the washing and looked set to fight this battle between themselves though a couple of disappointments in Adam ‘Davo’ Davison (22 pts) & Craig Lightowler (23 pts) would certainly be looking over their shoulder on day 2.
There was the usual banter and jokes supplied by Foz & Mr Wind on the coach journey back to the hotel (I hope someone can fill their space this year in this department!) and in truth many of us were knackered as we went for a big night out. Mr Wallis was joined by Ben & Rob for a night at Cork dogs before joining the rest in Cork’s busy town centre. I’m struggling to remember all what went on but there was a few heavy heads as we prepared to return to Fota Island for day two of the Calco Cup.
So let’s start day 2 with the Moose story!….. Though not brilliant Davo (27) & Craig (29) easily took themselves out of the equation. There were some nervous people just in front of them ‘Yella’ Yates (21), Paul Sykes (23) and Ady Clough (20) were anxiously hoping the moose group in front of them weren’t picking up points but they needn’t have worried as Andy Kaye & Graham Copley nervously plodded down the 18th well adrift of anyone else. As it turned out a good lag putt from Mr Copley left Andy with a 15 footer that he needed to sink to not be a first time moose. When the pressure was on it was time for Mr Kaye to step up to the plate and he duly sunk the putt, poor Mr Copley had the honour again for the 2nd time !!
News was filtering in all around the course of a second ever hole in one in 19 Calco Cups. Though he admitted to himself that he was pretty shit for most of the two days Garrrrrrrry Burrows hit an incredible 5 iron on the 190 yd par 3 thirteenth that seemed to pitch right in the hole. This of course was worth loads of dosh to him and cost the SAS team a few quid but fair play to all concerned. He joins Steve Tattersfield in the Hall of Fame (something we should have I believe), what a moment!
As usual the field gathered round the last hole to watch the final group come in, a magnificent par 5 that had water to both sides and the back, one of the all time great Calco scores came in early as an incredible 41 points from John ‘Elvis’ Clements had set the clubhouse lead (66 pts) and then even more amazing it was passed by none other than mouth almighty himself, Steve Callaghan with 37 pts to elevate him to a total of 69 pts. It left him dreaming of lifting the title as the second from last group came in without bettering that score. It really is time we had scoreboards and regular updates as we had to wait until the final group were taking their approach shots to find out that both Jeff & Ben couldn’t win and it was a clear match between Paul Rich and Martin Crossfield for the title, Paul had a one shot lead overall as they teed off but had found trouble from his drive and was long with his approach to the green narrowly stopping before the water, his 5th shot.Martin lining up his 3rd shot from the fairway had around 100 yds to the green, basically a pitch and 2 putts would see him lift the trophy if Paul failed to hole his 40 ft pitch from the back of the green. The nerves were there and Martin promptly pulled his approach and his heart sank as it trickled into the water. Still a pitch and a putt would give him a chance but a fluffed recovery ended that dream and Paul Rich didn’t have to score to take the title as he already had got to 34 pts and 72 overall, 1 shot clear of a very graceful Martin Crossfield. Afine performance from Paul Rich which was celebrated in great fashion at the awards ceremony the next day, this is what the Calco Cup is all about!
1ST – PAUL RICH ………….. 72 pts (40/1)
2nd – Martin Crossfield … 71 pts (20/1)
3rd – Steve Callaghan ….. 69 pts (75/1)
4th – John Clements ……. 66 pts (75/1)
29th – Andrew Yates ……. 46 pts (50/1)
30th – Ady Clough ………. 45 pts (6/1)
31st – Andy Kaye ………… 41 pts (15/1)
32ND – GRAHAM COPLEY … 40 pts (5/2)
Player Profiles
FORMGUIDE PRICES (Not Bells Bookies)
7/1 Pete Burke, 8/1 Kevin Ulla, 10/1 Mark Wallis (south), 11/1 Gav Whitworth, 12/1 Steve Tattersfield, Martin Crossfield, 16/1 Andy Fearnsides, Rob Fleming, Simon Woolridge, 20/1Adam Davison, Joe Kensitt, Steve Hardwick, Craig Lightowler, 25/1 Jimmy Holiday, Phil Lister, Jimmy Curley, 33/1 Stuart Kiltie, 40/1 Chris Ramm, Paul Rich, Ben Moyle, Alan Doig, 50/1 Mark Wallis (North), 100/1 Ady Clough, 250/1 David Bell
FORMGUIDE SUMMARY
24 players line up for the 20th anniversary of the Calco Cup and God willing this will be a massive escape for those that have committed to the trip in a world that is totally different from last year. Once we arrive at the super lush Sueno Deluxe Hotel complex we will have the chance to forget what has been a horrible year and enjoy a whole week of sun & golf. I literally can’t wait and I’m sure notable absentees like Calla, Foz, Jeff, Micky, Andy K, Graham, Yella & Elvis will regret that they didn’t make the trip. For the rest we all owe a serious debt of gratitude to Steve Hardwick for organising the event this year.
So on to the competition which this year for the first time is over four rounds (I for one would love to keep this format) and that old saying ‘it’s a marathon not a sprint’ couldn’t be more apt. Rounds 1 & 2 are on the Championship Pines course which requires straight hitting off the tee and a great short game. Anything in the 60 point range over two days will set up a challenge for outright honours when we move to the Dunes course which is slightly easier and shorter but magnificent all the same. Day 3 will be moving day and if any player is within 6 points of the lead come day 4 they can dream of lifting the coveted trophy. We have a two day rest in between day 2& 3 and some will be off to hone their skills on a different course for a day and others will use the time wisely getting totally wan@ered and sunburnt by the pool!
Many are predicting the format will suit the lower handicappers but I feel this years event will be more open than predicted. The better players have been harshly penalised as is last years brilliant winner Paul Rich, he will do well to lift the trophy off 13 and overall there are more slashes all round than ever before, maybe too much, we will see. With all the Northerners flying in late on Saturday night the next days first round could put them at a slight disadvantage and I can see the southern stars like Burke, Whitworth & Ulla getting off to a flyer, all are as straight as an arrow off the tee. They won’t be easy to catch if they hold their lead on the second days play. High up in the betting as usual are Fleming & Tattersfield but they have disappointed over the last year or two and seem to save their best for the Ryder Cup these days, not for me. No one would begrudge Martin Crossfield a Calco but somehow managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory last year and a two shot pull is not ideal. Debutants Kiltie & Kensitt could have their own private battle but will do well to trouble the judges and I feel the likes of Moyle, Doig, Hardwick, Lister, Curley, Fearnsides & Davison are in the grip of the handicapper and can’t be fancied. Wallis South, Holiday, Woolridge and Lightowler all seem reasonably treated but all have disappointed more than they have delivered in recent years despite being ultra talented. Of the four Wallis South is playing out of his skin at home but can the clown pull a rabbit out of the hat to gain a richly deserved title? Of all the players mentioned Formguide thinks that it’s time GAVIN WHITWORTH turned his superb preparation into a victory and to be fair despite his odds being cut to 16/1 this represents huge value each way. There will be a huge raise of the eyebrow from Yorkshire as I can see a Southern 1-2-3 with PETE BURKE (8/1) running Whitworth close and yes, you read it here first, Coco the Clown WALLIS SOUTH (32/1) making that top 3!! If there is a market I fancy Simon Woolridge to be the top Northerner.
That just leaves the little item of whose going to be wearing those antlers on Friday night and if your name isn’t above then you know it’s coming now! Our resident bookie DAVID BELL (11/8) is favourite to take this honour and in a smaller field than normal and over four days it will take a monumental effort to avoid being moose. Everyone who hasn’t backed him to moose will be cheering him on (so that’s just 2 or 3 people) and it might need a fresh market after day 2 to see who is going to be moosette. The first course, the Pines, is tight and I’ve had first hand experience of seeing sharpshooter CHRIS RAMM on these type of courses and he might need to reload with balls by the ninth hole and though he’s too good to moose he clearly could be in trouble and the handicapper hasn’t helped, 8/1 to be bottom 3 is a bit skinny though!! There has been some shrewd money, so we are told, for Mark Wallis North to actually win the Calco and his odds have been trimmed to 40/1. Reportedly playing more than most over the lockdown it’s a totally different feel playing abroad and you can add a naught to that 40/1 for me. I have him only just escaping the bottom 3!! That leaves another who many are saying is playing better these days in ADY CLOUGH and certainly off 28 he has every chance to show us what he can do but it’s going to be tight, hot and very competitive and though I don’t mean to be rude to any of the above I see Ady as the best bet of the Calco to fill in one of the bottom 3 places at 12/1 and probably will be Moosette.
FORMGUIDE (Mark Wallis)