The 21st Calco Cup
Proud host of the european tour, now to be proud host of the 21st Anniversary of the Calco Cup
After yet another challenging and stop start year on and off the golf course, the 21st running of the prestigious Calco Cup will go ahead on September 21st as planned. The sun always shines on the Calco boys.
The Venue
The stunning 5 Star Luxurious resort Aphrodite Hills is elegantly placed on a beautiful historical and mythological hill, with panoramic views overlooking the remarkable beauty of the glistening Mediterranean Sea and the birth place of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Who will fall in love with their game this year and get their name on the trophy??
2021 Sees the only ever present Mr Steve Hardwick and the returning Mr Stephen Callaghan reunited, the SAS are back baby! The 5 star all-inclusive package with 3 rounds of golf is sure to serve up a severe test on and off the golf course.
31 golfers will tee it up with current champ Stuart Kiltie looking to be the first back to back winner, not a problem for Billy Big Balls!!!! Other notable returnees are Sam Wilkinson, Jeff Wind, Micky Newt…….. A warm welcome to the Calco newbies Gregg Linnel (committee man in waiting) Mark Colley (potential champ in waiting) Charlie Porter (just waiting)!!! As well as six for two McHugh and Foghorn Cleghorn, after doing a bit of the Hokey Cokey – in,out… in,out!
This year’s Calco is a truly international affair with many Englishmen, 4 Jocks (this is part of our care in the community pledge) 1 North Korean and a Brummy currently with antlers all making the starting line up.
The golf courses
Aphrodite Hills resort championship course
has the perfect mix of challenging pot bunkers, manicured fairways of lush Bermuda grass ( Just for Ben ) and generous tiered greens. Visually spectacular, the course expands through indigenous olive and carob trees and is built on two plateaus, separated by a dramatic ravine with outstanding views over the Mediterranean, and on a clear day they say you can actually see Turkey but don’t tell the returning Callaghan.
Secret Valley Golf Resort
offering one of the island’s most challenging 18-hole golf courses, consistently rated by guests as providing the best presented greens and playing surfaces in Cyprus. A “Links” style 9 out and 9 back course awaits us so any windy conditions is sure to play its part.
So there are many questions to be answered
Can Stuart Kiltie defend despite his handicap hammering??
Could this be the year for the only ever present Steve Hardwick??
Can Davo back up his amazing 45 point round in 2020 and put 3 rounds together?
How about the returning Calla…. 3rd yes 3rd in Ireland when he last played a competitive round??
How about the chances of the Southerners??
Will the real Pete Burke please stand up and return to form??
Can resident bookie and all round great guy Dave Bell shake the book up and spring a surprise??
Can Steve Tatt hold his nerve and shake off his nearly man title?
All will be revealed after 3 days of competitive golf.
The Calco warm up event takes place on Sunday 22nd August at Howley Hall and I’m sure this will give some pointers as to the destination of this year’s Calco trophy. The long awaited and always good value form guide provided by MWS will follow shortly after and be posted on the website.
We also welcome back Daz Burley and his merry men aka the non-golfers, who add plenty to the trip.
A final mention that this year’s comp see’s the welcome return of fancy dress night. The theme is the Greatest Showman and yes, the Calco Circus rolls into town and I do not just mean Mark Wallis South.
Good luck to all the boys…………
The Warm Up
A fantastic turnout for the first combined RSM Urn/Calco warm up, with 40 players turning out. Playing for a major trophy focused the lads minds and some great performances were put in. After Armageddon style weather forecasts earlier in the week we once again saw the sun shine on the Calconians 😀
For the first time in years we didn’t see a southerner teeing the ball up for the warm up. Pete Burke read the brochure wrong! Jimmy was on holiday, Paul Rich was skint, Ben was doing a bit of courting 😘 and Coco was celebrating his 60th with a visit to the circus, before the real one comes to town!!
Singles stableford was once again the format, this was run alongside a medal for the RSM Urn which was won by Alan Sumner with a fantastic score 43 points off 16. He’d never get that handicap off the Calco!! Congratulation Al, great win, unfortunately he’s not able to join us on this year’s trip.
There were some surprises at the top this year with Jimmy Curley coming in with a winning score of 39 points. A trio of 37 points followed with serial choker Stevie H nicking second on a back 9 count. Third was taken by Big Al Doig, some return to form maybe?? He managed to push silent assassin Martin Crossfield into 4th with a back 6 countback. This was after Martin had shot a 1 under gross on the front nine!
Only five Calconians scored 30 or more at last year’s warm up. This year 15 of the 22 competitors managed this target. Last year’s Champ Stuart Kiltie, showing he’s not just a one hit wonder, came in with a creditable 35 points, plus yet another longest drive!! Three rookies to lookout for – Gregg Linnell, Mark Colley and Neil Cleghorn – 36, 34 & 34 respectively, keep an eye out 👀
At the wrong end with squeaky Moose bums was our returning podium finisher of 2019 Mr Callaghan and our rookie Mr McHugh with 24 & 22 respectively. I’m sure the two of them will become good friends on the trip, moaning about their handicaps and sharing their buggy on day 2 & 3 😉 Just kidding boys plenty of time to find that A game that’s in there somewhere!! Mr Baldwin, Porter and Kenzitt probably won’t sleep easy and will be looking over their shoulders.
So here we are again boys, business end once again. Time to focus that mind, isolate your problem areas and improve those weaknesses over the remaining couple of weeks. If all else fails buys some new clubs!
Points to note
Kiltie, Fearnsides and Hardwick all drawn out in exactly the same positions as last year on day one! AND Lister, Rich and Whitworth all drawn out together on day one same as the previous year…….. UNBELIEVABLE JEFF!!!!!
As always good luck to our fellow Calconians and we look forward to welcoming you all to the 5 Star Aphrodite Hills, Cyprus.
The Committee
The SAS, PLB & Doigy (& Greg Linnel ‘GLB’ in waiting 😉)
Warm Up Leaderboard
| Jimmy Curley | 39 |
| Steve Hardwick | 37 |
| Alan Doig | 37 |
| Martin Crossfield | 37 |
| Robbe Fleming | 36 |
| Gregg Linnell | 36 |
| Stuart Kiltie | 35 |
| Mark Colley | 34 |
| Chris Ramm | 34 |
| Neil Cleghorn | 34 |
| Peter Forster | 33 |
| Craig Lightowler | 32 |
| Steve Tattersfield | 32 |
| Andy Fearnsides | 32 |
| Phil Lister | 32 |
| Jeffrey Wind | 29 |
| Mark Wallis (N) | 28 |
| Joe Kenzitt | 28 |
| Charlie Porter | 27 |
| Micky Baldwin | 25 |
| Stephen Callaghan | 25 |
| Steve McHugh | 22 |
Calco Cup 2021 Information
Handicaps
| Player | WHI | Aprhrodite Hills HCap | Secret Valley HCap |
| Robbe Fleming | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| Peter Burke | 6.9 | 7 | 6 |
| Stephen Tattersfield | 7.5 | 7 | 6 |
| Mark Colley | 7.3 | 8 | 7 |
| Andrew Fearnsides | 8.1 | 9 | 8 |
| Stephen Hardwick | 8.4 | 9 | 8 |
| Peter Forster | – | 9 | 8 |
| Neil Cleghorn | 10.1 | 11 | 10 |
| Micheal Baldwin | 10.4 | 11 | 10 |
| Stuart Kiltie | 12.2 | 11 | 10 |
| Gavin Whitworth | 10.6 | 12 | 10 |
| Philip Lister | 11.5 | 13 | 12 |
| James Holliday | 12.2 | 13 | 12 |
| Alan Doig | 12.3 | 13 | 12 |
| Joseph Kenzitt | 12.6 | 13 | 12 |
| Paul Rich | 12.5 | 13 | 12 |
| Martin Crossfield | 13.1 | 14 | 13 |
| Adam Davison | 15.7 | 14 | 13 |
| Benedict Moyle | – | 14 | 13 |
| Craig Lightowler | 14.3 | 16 | 15 |
| Christopher Ramm | 14.6 | 16 | 15 |
| Gregory Linnell | 16.1 | 16 | 15 |
| Sam Wilkinson | – | 18 | 17 |
| Jefferey Wind | 17.1 | 19 | 18 |
| Mark Wallis (S) | – | 19 | 18 |
| James Curley | 25.2 | 20 | 19 |
| Mark Wallis (N) | – | 22 | 21 |
| Charles Porter | 23.4 | 25 | 24 |
| Steven McHugh | 25.5 | 26 | 25 |
| Stephen Callaghan | – | 26 | 25 |
| David Bell | – | 27 | 26 |
The Draw
Martin Crossfield
Neil Cleghorn
Greg Linnell
Paul Rich
Phil Lister
Gav Whitworth
Peter Forster
Chris Ramm
David Bell
Alan Doig
Craig Lightowler
Charlie Porter
Jeffrey Wind
Stuart Kiltie
Micky Baldwin
Mark Colley
Jimmy Curley
Jimmy Holliday
Steve McHugh
Peter Burke
Mark Wallis (N)
Steve Tattersfield
Adam Davison
Sam Wilkinson
Ben Moyle
Robbe Fleming
Andrew Fearnsides
Joe Kenzitt
Stephen Callaghan
Steve Hardwick
Mark Wallis (S)
Blind Auction 2021
You can now make a blind bid for any lot below. As per the information in the brochure the following is required.
- Bids to be put forward on paper and given to Steve Hardwick in a sealed Envelope.
- You will put the lot number on your slip with your name or names in the syndicate on it.
- Put you bid in Euros on the slip.
- Also put your lot number on the outside of the envelope.
- Euros will be paid once successful bid is notified.
All bids to be handed in ASAP. Southerners can either post up to me or hand them in when we arrive in Cyprus, but all bids must be sealed.
Due to the late arrival of the majority of players the successful bids will be announced after the golf on day 1.
If by any chance there is a lot that has not had a bid we will then auction them off also after day 1 of the tournament.
GOOD LUCK
| Lot Numbers | Players |
| Lot 1 | Martin Crossfield |
| Lot 2 | Neil Cleghorn & Gregg Linnell |
| Lot 3 | Paul Rich |
| Lot 4 | Phil Lister & Gavin Whitworth |
| Lot 5 | Peter Forster |
| Lot 6 | Chris Ramm & David Bell |
| Lot 7 | Alan Doig |
| Lot 8 | Craig Lightowler & Charlie Porter |
| Lot 9 | Jeff Wind |
| Lot 10 | Stuart Kiltie & Micky Baldwin |
| Lot 11 | Mark Colley |
| Lot 12 | Jimmy Curley & Jimmy Holliday |
| Lot 13 | Steve McHugh |
| Lot 14 | Peter Burke & Mark Wallis (North) |
| Lot 15 | Steve Tattersfield |
| Lot 16 | Adam Davison & Sam Wilkinson |
| Lot 17 | Ben Moyle |
| Lot 18 | Robbe Fleming & Andy Fearnsides |
| Lot 19 | Joe Kenzitt |
| Lot 20 | Stephen Callaghan & Steve Hardwick |
| Lot 21 | Mark Wallis (South) |
Calco Cup 2021 Form Guide
CYPRUS
VENUE – APHRODITE HILLS/SECRET VALLEY
FIELD – 30 (previous 5 years 24,32,36,36,35)
PREVIOUS CALCO CUP WINNERS TAKING PART
Pete Burke (3), Ben Moyle (2), Alan Doig, Steve Tattersfield, Jimmy Holliday, Jimmy Curley, Peter Forster, Gav Whitworth, Micky Baldwin, Paul Rich, Stuart Kiltee
PREVIOUS CALCO CUP MOOSES TAKING PART
Steve Callaghan (4), David Bell (3), Gav Whitworth, Mark Wallis (S), Mark Wallis (N)
WHERE & WHEN TO BET
Visit Bells Bookies – with an array of specials on personal request
WEATHER
Hot & sunny with temperatures in the mid 30’s
COURSE GUIDE
DAY 1 – APHRODITE HILLS
A magnificent championship course designed by Cabell Robinson that meanders through the natural terrain with manicured Bermuda fairways and Bent grass greens. Hitting those beautiful fairways will be the first task, errant shots will face tough pot bunkers and penalising rough with the odd water hazard that will challenge this year’s Calconians to the full! Whilst the tricky greens will ruin scorecards if the flat stick is cold, a tough test for all.
KEY ATTRIBUTE – Power, Accuracy & Putting
DAY 2 – SECRET VALLEY
Hopefully most players have survived day 1 as we move to Secret Valley for day 2. This is a highly prestigious course to play, nestled in a scenic valley surrounded by mature trees and beautiful natural rock formations. It will suit those that can plot their way round. Still a stern test it will be slightly less brutal than Aphrodite Hills and significantly shorter, could give the higher handicappers a chance.
KEY ATTRIBUTE – Accuracy
Day 3 – APHRODITE HILLS
We return to the spectacular views of Aphrodite Hills and those that are out first will be fighting for their life’s not to moose whilst the leaders are out last and know that the day will be full of swings one way or the other!! The nerves will no doubt get the better of some at both ends!
STORY OF 2020
Our first Major celebrating the 20th Calco Cup had four rounds at Sueno Pines & Sueno Dunes in Turkey played in swelteringly hot conditions. Day 1 of the first 72 hole major saw a familiar face at the head of the leaderboard after the opening 18 holes, a fine round of 37 pts for two time winner Ben Moyle in his 18th Calco Cup set the pace by 1 shot from rookie Joe Kenzitt. As ever Steve Tattersfield was to the fore just 2 shots off the pace with 2019 runner up Martin Crossfield filling 4th spot.
The day wasn’t without incident as Wallis South, who was having a shocker at the time leaked his tee shot a bit right on the par 3 seventh. Despite clearing the water it agonisingly rolled back into the drink. His provisional was sadly worse so while his fellow players lined up their second shots on or around the green Coco decided he could see his original ball and thought it was a good idea to retrieve it (tight git!). Unfortunately taking one step on the lining on the edge of the water he completely slipped down the bank and inch by inch sank into the smelliest water you could imagine. His playing partner Davo quickly raced to his rescue when Coco was just about waist high and dangled a pitching wedge for him to grab hold of before he went right under! Needless to say once dragged out the hole took quite a few minutes to finish as his playing partners tried to stop laughing. Thankfully the 40 degree temperatures dried the soggy clothes pretty quickly but all we could here for the next few holes was the squelching of water filled golf shoes, what a clown!
At the wrong end it was a disastrous start for Ady Clough who could only muster 15 pts 5 adrift of the field but without doubt the biggest shock was the presence of three time winner Pete Burke in the bottom 3 after a dismal 21 pts. However his quote to just about everyone in the bar afterwards “it’s a marathon not a sprint” was something only he could believe!
Day 2
Onto the Sueno Dunes and hopefully a chance for a few to forget about their day one’s disasters! Bells Bookies would likely have given 100/1 odds against Pete Burke getting less points than on day 1 but sensationally he could only scramble 20 pts while Ady Clough’s 27 pts saw him overtake the Calco legend. However fortunately for Burke injury? Illness? (I can’t remember) had struck Craig Lightowler early in the round and with only 7 holes to his name he would find himself 9 points adrift of safety at the half way stage.
Day 2 would see another rookie, Stuart Kiltie, flex his not inconsiderable muscles, with a magnificent 40 point round. Tattersfield was strong again but it was the powerful hitting Joe Kenzitt who would take the halfway lead on countback with both men tied on 70 pts with Kiltee looking menacing one shot adrift on 69 pts. The three front runners had put themselves 7 pts clear of Calco veteran Peter Forster.
Day 3
Moving day and the story would come from Adam ‘Davo’ Davison with one of the all time great Calco rounds. An almost flawless 45 pts saw him win the day by an incredible 9 points and fire himself back into contention in overall third place with 101 pts. Tattersfield was solid again in second on 103 pts and Stuart Kiltie leading the pack by two points with just 18 holes to play. Steve Hardwick, bless ‘im would briefly have his moment with a fine 36 points emptying the very average scoring Wallis South’s pockets much to his delight. Only 5 of the field broke 30 pts on a brutally hot day making Davidson’s round even more remarkable.
And what of Pete Burke I hear you asking? Surely he would have found his form at last and pulled clear of the stench of moose? Unfortunately not! another woeful 20 pts saw him filling the Moosette position only 7 points clear of Lightowler who was still not 100 % right but had loudly vowed to climb out of the Moose position, not for the first time in his brief Calco history!! Could he get lucky again??
Day 4
Early nights were in order for a few though not for the club house leader Kiltie who had energy in abundance! There was plenty of tired looking bodies on the first tee of day 4. No mention yet of David Bell who was a pre favourite to moose for a record equalling 4th time (the record holder Mr Callaghan was absent and clearly still living on his 3rd place finish in Cork!) However our resident bookie has from somewhere found a practice regime that works for him and capped an excellent week off with a tremendous 34 points on the final day followed up by a strong day 1 and solid middle rounds to finish a very respectable 14th. Other worthy of mention include an excellent 5th position from Gav Whitworth (as usual he left at least 20 points out there, so he says!) an excellent debut from rookie Joe Kenzitt (6th) who has all the shots to be a Calco Cup winner. A satisfactory 7th place for supremo Steve Hardwick and I actually thought defending champion Paul Rich, though only 18th, did well off a huge slash. Another Calco legend Pete ‘3 pizzas’ Forster took the day 4 honours with 36 points. What promised to be an exciting battle to see if Craig Lightowler could avoid the ignominy of the moose regalia and Pete Burke avoiding the ultimate humiliation unfortunately ended early when Mark Wallis (North)’s back seized up with only 4 points on the board. Most felt sorry for him even though he took the Moose honour in good spirit, at the point of his injury he would be passed by Lightowler who nonetheless would be Moosette with Burke’s tragic 24 points seeing him finish 21st of 24! Wallis (South), whose self prediction of a first Calco Cup went sliding with him in the water on day 1 and could only finish 17th overall (though he did have the Golden ticket winner) and one of Calco’s finest players needs a mention, Mr Fearnsides, hang your head in shame with a sad 19th place finish.
In the battle for the Calco’s first major, Davison could not repeat the heroics of the day before and would surrender his podium finish to the evergreen Forster. This left Kiltie & Tattersfield battling it out for the big prize and in the end it went to the rookie Stuart Kiltie who held his nerve to fend off the brilliantly consistent Tatts who also mentioned in the post race analysis that the four players in the Golden Goose group had all played in the true spirit of the Calco. Encouraging each other all the way round, Kiltie superbly took the major by 3 points thanks to some incredible rip roaring drives that had to be seen to be believed, (I did him one round thankfully). Along with some solid iron play, a great winner who embraced all what the Calco is about!
This was a Calco of many firsts – the first major, the first visit to Turkey and the first (and hopefully the last) to be played in the middle of a global pandemic!!! The fact we played at all is a miracle and huge thanks has to go to Steve Hardwick for his incredible organisation ably supported by his committee.
Here’s to Cyprus and the 21st Calco Cup.
Ben Moyle & MWS
1ST – STUART KILTIE ………………….. 135 pts (28/1)
2nd – Steve Tattersfield ………………. 132 pts (12/1)
3rd – Peter Forster ………………………. 126 pts (32/1)
4th – Adam Davidson ………………….. 126 pts (32/1)
8/1 favourite Kevin Ulla (11th)
21st – Pete Burke ……………….. 85 pts (66/1 to moose)
22nd – Ady Clough …………….. 84 pts (16/1)
23rd – Craig Lightowler………. 76 pts (36/1)
24th – MARK WALLIS (North) 70 pts (4/1)
Favourite to moose David Bell 6/4 (14th)
PLAYER PROFILES
FORMGUIDE PRICES (not Bells Bookies)
8/1 Rob Fleming, Gav Whitworth, 10/1 Adam Davison, Mark Colley, 12/1 Joe Kenzitt, Steve Tattersfield 16/1 Andy Fearnsides, Stuart Kiltie, 20/1 Peter Forster, Chris Ramm, 25/1 Phil Lister, Pete Burke, Micky Baldwin, Jeff Wind, 33/1 Steve Hardwick, Mark Wallis (South) Martin Crossfield, Alan Doig, 40/1 Jimmy Holliday, Neil Cleghorn 50/1 Gregg Linnell, Jimmy Curley, 66/1 Steve Mchugh, Charlie Porter, Ben Moyle, David Bell 80/1 Craig Lightowler, 100/1 Steve Callaghan, Mark Wallis (North) 150/1 Paul Rich
FORMGUIDE SUMMARY
We are now just a few days away from our magical annual Calco Cup trip and despite still being in a world pandemic as such we are gradually getting back to some normality. Cyprus is this years venue and we will endeavour to conquer the scenic Aphrodite Hills & Secret Valley with our golfing skills. Normally I have a good read on what’s required on these courses but have had various opinions but without doubt those that can keep it in play and putt well will ultimately be contending for our prestigious trophy, those that don’t, the antlers will be waiting!
The new format of three competitive rounds to decide the honours is ideal and looks set in stone, two rounds is not enough where if you have a slightly below average round your chance of glory has gone. Equally at the bottom end there’s enough time and no excuses if one day goes pear shaped. Four rounds is great for the Majors like last year and no doubt our 25th anniversary will be the next one, god willing we are all still here to enjoy it!
So what we really want to know is who does the Formguide predict?, In previous years we have come up with some excellent tips that have payed dividends but also been spectacularly wrong. Like last year, our champion Mr Kiltie went off relatively unfancied and Formguides prediction for the antlers going to Mr Bell was way out as he finished above many, including myself, of so called good golfers! 31 players tee off and baring any injuries at least half the field will be thinking they can sink that winning putt on day 3 at Aphrodite Hills!
Of the former champions it’s not hard to see that last years runner up Steve Tattersfield is on the radar again but with another couple of shots gone I think he has it all to do to be crowned champion. Three times winner Pete Burke had a nightmare last year and again off a tough handicap will just be looking to get back into the top half. Alan Doig needs the toughest test, like the Belfry, and a bunched finish to have a chance but I can see top 10 at least. Ben Moyle is the victim of a handicap committee decision that is baffling to say the least, losing 2/3 shots when only 10th last year, he will do well to keep away from the bottom end. Paul Rich & Jimmy Curley’s three scores together may not top what the winner gets off tough marks and could both be facing a battle to stay out of the moose group! Last years brilliant winner Stuart Kiltie sees an all time record slash to 11 but he has the ability & power to still make the top 10. Calco legends Micky Baldwin and Jimmy Holliday return after being absent last year and Peter ‘American Hot’ Forster are steady enough and all could contend if it turns out to be a tough scoring event. That leaves our formguide selection from last year GAV WHITWORTH and though he had a decent Major, finishing 5th, he looks likely to do better again this year. Methodical and precise is his forte and that’s exactly what’s needed here, as a gambler I hate being guilty of ‘following them over the cliff’ but he’s our formguide selection again to become Golden Goose for a second time, come on my son! Oi Oi!
There are plenty with talent that have never won the Calco Cup before despite many years of dreaming they will, one day, be the man! Our fantastic organiser who we all owe so much too, Steve Hardwick, is playing the best golf of his life but this new World Handicap has punished him and he can’t win playing off single figures. Mark Wallis (South) these days is more of a match play specialist (🤡) and needs a shot or two back to contend. Martin Crossfield traps quicker than my greyhounds but runs out of gas when it matters. Craig Lightowler hits a ball as good as any at times and will surely put a couple of good scores together to keep out of trouble and Mark Wallis (North) if healthy, can just about do enough to pass those antlers on to someone else. David Bell is now a man who can climb leaderboards and will be looking to better last years stunning 14th place finish (don’t let me down!). Phil Lister could go well at a price if he could be more focussed and forget he’s on foreign soil. Two other players who I can see having a good Calco and being in the top 10 + are Andy Fearnsides & Chris Ramm. Fearny, another to have a nightmare last year, is full of confidence, just using his 3 wood for accuracy he is scoring well. As I said keeping it in play is key to success this year, while Rammy I fancy to play much better and is off a reasonable mark compared to others. As well as former winner Micky Baldwin & Jimmy Holliday it’s great to see Jeff Wind return after missing last year and he will give his usual honest display but will struggle to land a blow. That leaves my real fancy to chase home Mr Whitworth and that’s big boy ‘ROB FLEMING’ I genuinely think the winning score is going to be 96-98 pts over three rounds which could bring a huge amount of players into the equation and 3 x 32’s are well within Rob’s compass, a bit of focus and a hot putter he is the Northerners best chance of glory.
As well as our defending champion Stuart Kiltie both Adam Davison & Joe Kenzitt have youth on their side and have no fear of what’s ahead of them. Both can score heavily as we saw from ‘Davo’ last year when weighing in with an awesome 45 pts on day 3. The question is whether both can put three rounds together, especially after losing a couple of shots. If they do no one will get near them but I fancy top 10’s more than them winning.
So what of the Rookies! Regulars like Ulla, Woolridge, Clements, Yates, Clough, Burrows, Loughran, Kaye & the Cawtherays are all missing this year for various reasons and unluckily the likeable Paul Sykes is injured. So what newbies are going to step up to the plate, have we a Stuart Kiltie or a Guy Glover? A mixture of talent is on display for sure, without doubt MARK COLLEY is the best golfer of all the Rookies and though I only have some rough info on all of them he looks the one that can not only play well, but contend, indeed a podium finish could be in order. Neil Cleghorn is also talented but off a tough mark and along with Gregg Linnell who can also play a bit should stay clear of any moose droppings.
By my calculations that’s 27 of the 30 players in the Calco mentioned above so the last three have only one thing to be talked about, yes those antlers! The fight to be Moosette could very well come down to a battle of Rookies, please don’t take offence of course, as everything I write is tongue in cheek but Charlie Porter & Steve McHugh maybe not coming just for the golf and off such high handicaps could easily prove me wrong. But I can see them both scrambling for points on these difficult courses and in conditions likely to be as hot as Turkey last year it’s not easy to play 18 holes so the moose group could suck them in on day 3. A man who knows all about the moose group and will be living off his Cork podium finish for as long as we still do a Calco trip is STEPHEN CALLAGHAN, part of the SAS, it’s brilliant to have him back, even better for me is that I’m going to see his struggles on the first day! Yes the usual ‘never moosed abroad’ will be heard a million times but unless Porter or Mchugh are the new ‘Guy Glovers and Wallis (North & South) backs hold up and Mr Rich & Mr Curley (Mr Moyle as well maybe) can score enough points off brutal handicaps and hopefully our bookie Mr Bell doesn’t fall into old habits then Calla,to the joy of everyone on the trip, will be Calco Moose 2021, you heard it here first!
Hope you enjoyed the read and the very best of luck
Formguide (MWS)