The 22nd Calco Cup 2022 – Portugal
Gentlemen, arguably the world’s greatest golf competition is once again upon us!
The 150th Open did come close but even Cam Smith would have struggled against our reigning champion Mark Wallis (N).
This year we welcome back a few steadfast Calconians after taking sabbaticals. Paul ‘Siggy’ Sykes returns after his bike accident in June 2021 and has made significant improvements after breaking both wrists. He’s made great efforts to be back with the boys this year and we wish him well on his return. Ben Yeadon returns after a Covid forced absence and is raring to go, could be a surprise package! Mr Woolridge our ‘Posh Northerner’ returns after a one year absence due to work commitments. Not much golf has been played by Simon but he says he’s just looking forward to the Craic and catching up with the boys…. Oh and finishing above Mr Callaghan!! We also have the return of our very popular “Ginger Moose” Graham Copley after a three year absence. I do believe he has now put the total embarrassment of being double moose well and truly behind him and after having the Crème de la Crème of golf simulators fitted he is well and truly looking forward to the challenge ahead. We wish them all a successful return.
A few Calconian stalwarts will be missing from this year’s starting line-up. Ding Dong, Benny Boy, Silent Assassin and PB (three times champ) will all be missed at this year’s event. Hopefully boys we’ll see you all back soon.
The Courses:-
Day One:
The nerves jangling we begin on the Laranjal course at the Quinta Do Lago resort, voted in 2011 as the Algarve’s best golf course when it was designed. This picturesque course will sort a few of the 27 golfers out so let’s see which Calco boys can make their way into contention (at either end!)
Who’s got off to a cracking start? Who will be needing a better day tomorrow and who wished they’d come as a non-golfer!!
Let’s get it on gents!
Day Two:
We visit Dom Pedro Millenium in Villamoura for what’s often referred to as ‘Moving Day’. Again another beautiful course but challenges lie ahead and you don’t want to be ‘leaving too many out there’ or tomorrow could get a little twitchy! The ashen face of Mr Crossfield said it all last year in Cyprus. With stalwarts Callaghan and Bell used to the proceedings, Martin managed to hold on by the skin of his teeth as Ding Dong scattered the diners in the clubhouse!
Make your move boys, either up or down, you decide 🙂
Day Three:
Back again to Dom Pedro for the final day of the competition. The neighbouring Laguna course which shares the same clubhouse will be the setting for the big day.
Recently restructured to improve its overall playability and re-opened by the Portuguese Masters champion Thomas Pieters, this course has lots of water! Lots of water! Are you listening Jimmy Curley 🙂
Calconians, that coveted trophy is up for grabs, it could be you in 2022! Remember Elvis in Cork 2019? 42 points on the final day and a huge climb up the leaderboard, NEVER GIVE UP!!
On the whole the standard of golf has improved year on year (for the majority). The Howley boys will be chomping at the bit, another northern winner will be a short price although the few hard core southerners on the trip will have something to say about that 🤡. The ‘Young Guns’ may well succumb to the Albufeira nightlife and as always the heat will play a large part.
Good luck to all who compete and we’ll see you on the 13th September.
NB:- We shall of course be giving out yellow & red cards where necessary throughout the trip (PLB)
Steve & Stephen (The two halves that make up the SAS)
And the committee, PLB, Fozzy & Doigy.
The Warm Up
Another good turnout for the Calco warm up and RSM Urn with 36 golfers taking part. This year we had a change of venue, The Manor GC, which was kindly organised by their 2023 upcoming captain and Calco stalwart Adam Davison. This was to repay their hospitality when the Calco Boys appeared on ‘Rip Off Britain’ holidays edition back in January. Many thanks Davo.
For the second year running we didn’t see any of our southern friends up for the traditional warm up weekend. Even the Bank Holiday couldn’t entice the boys up. Although it is quite a drive only to go back empty handed!! As always the sun shone on the Calco boys and the fine weather was to set the scene for some great golf on the day.
Pairs combined stableford was the format, which as usual was run alongside a medal for the RSM Urn. This year’s warm up saw some fantastic performances from several Calconians, with one in particular scoring 41 points over 17 holes. This was due to the 10th hole being under reconstruction. This Calconian was Jeff Wind and he cleaned up on the day winning the Urn with a net medal score of 59. He also took the combined pairs with Steve Tatts scoring 71 points between them. However incredible this was they still only took the pairs title on a back 9 count back by just one point over Alan Doig and Steve McHugh.
The individual scores show that there are several competitors peaking at the right time. Out of the 17 Calco boys 10 scored 30 or more points with Jeffrey also topping the individual stableford scores with 41 points. Closely followed by 6 for 2 37 points, this is after coming rock bottom at last year’s warm up, Craigy Boy 36 Pts and ‘Siggy’ Sykes with 35 pts (What broken Wrists!!). some scores there that will give our resident bookie something to think about! At the wrong end and also with something to think about is the legendary 2017 winner Micky B and recent podium finisher Mr Callaghan. Unfortunately for these boys that is two consecutive poor performances at the warm up stage. Still time to find that A game lads! A couple more with sweaty palms will be our lowest handicapper on the trip Robbe Fleming and ‘Billy Big Balls’ himself Mr Kiltie. They’ll be hoping they leave the moose droppings in good old Blighty!
So here we are again boys it’s ‘Calco Time’. Let’s not forget this trip is all about the camaraderie and sportsmanship which has been shown year on year from each and every Calconian. We wish every single one of you the very best of luck in your pursuit of excellence but more importantly we hope you all have a fantastic trip.
See you in Portugal.
The Committee
SAS, Foz, PLB & Doigy ( Oh and a little bit of GLB )
Individual Leaderboard
| INDIVIDUAL STABLEFORD | POINTS |
| Jeff Wind | 41 |
| Steve McHugh | 37 |
| Craig Lightowler | 36 |
| Paul Sykes | 35 |
| Peter Forster | 34 |
| Alan Doig | 34 |
| Steve Hardwick | 33 |
| Andy Fearnsides | 32 |
| Steve Tattersfield | 30 |
| Mark Colley | 30 |
| Phil Lister | 29 |
| Micky Baldwin | 28 |
| Gregg Linnell | 28 |
| Robbe Fleming | 27 |
| Stuart Kiltie | 27 |
| Stephen Callaghan | 24 |
Pairs Leaderboard
| PAIR | POINTS |
| Jeff Wind & Steve Tattersfield | 71 |
| Alan Doig & Steve McHugh | 71 |
| Steve Hardwick & Peter Forster | 67 |
| Phil Lister & Craig Lightowler | 65 |
| Robbe Fleming & Paul Sykes | 62 |
| Alan Sumner & Micky B | 62 |
| Andy Fearnsides & Gregg Linnell | 60 |
| Stephen Callaghan & Mark Colley | 54 |
| Stuart Kiltie & Grant Anderson | 52 |
Calco Cup 2022 Information
Handicaps
| Player | WHI | Quinta Do Lago | Don Pedro (Millenium) | Don Pedro (Laguna) |
| Robbe Fleming | 6.5 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Mark Colley | 6.6 | 7 | 6 | 7 |
| Stephen Hardwick | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Peter Forster | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Andrew Fearnsides | 8.4 | 9 | 8 | 9 |
| Steven Tattersfield | 8.5 | 9 | 8 | 9 |
| Gavin Whitworth | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
| Simon Woolridge | 11 | 10 | 10 | |
| Philip Lister | 10.3 | 11 | 10 | 11 |
| James Holliday | 11.1 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
| Stuart Kiltie | 13 | 12 | 13 | |
| Alan Doig | 12.1 | 13 | 12 | 13 |
| Michael Baldwin | 12.3 | 14 | 12 | 13 |
| Joseph Kenzitt | 15 | 14 | 15 | |
| Craig Lightowler | 14.1 | 16 | 14 | 15 |
| Paul Rich | 16 | 14 | 15 | |
| Adam Davison | 14.9 | 17 | 15 | 16 |
| Gregg Linnell | 16 | 18 | 16 | 17 |
| Mark Wallis (North) | 19.1 | 19 | 17 | 18 |
| Paul Sykes | 20 | 18 | 19 | |
| Jeffery Wind | 17.1 | 19 | 18 | 19 |
| Mark Wallis (South) | 22 | 20 | 21 | |
| James Curley | 23.4 | 23 | 21 | 22 |
| Steven McHugh | 26 | 24 | 25 | |
| Ben Yeadon | 28 | 28 | 26 | 27 |
| Stephen Callaghan | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
| Graham Copley | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
The Draw
Ben Yeadon
Mark Colley
Andrew Fearnsides
Stuart Kiltie
Joe Kenzitt
Steve Tattersfield
Gregg Linnell
Jimmy Holliday
Jeff Wind
Mark Wallis (South)
Micky Baldwin
Steve Hardwick
Phil Lister
Steve McHugh
Peter Forster
Simon Woolridge
Alan Doig
Craig Lightowler
Stephen Callaghan
Adam Davison
Jimmy Curley
Paul Sykes
Robbe Fleming
Graham Copley
Mark Wallis (North)
Gavin Whitworth
Paul Rich
Calco Cup 2022 Form Guide
PORTUGAL
VENUE – LARANGAL/MILLENIUM/LAGUNA – 14th – 16th September
PREVIOUS CUP WINNERS TAKING PART – Alan Doig, Steve Tattersfield, Jimmy Holliday, Paul Rich, Jimmy Curley, Mark Wallis (North), Gav Whitworth, Peter Forster, Micky Baldwin, Stuart Kiltee
PREVIOUS CALCO CUP MOOSES TAKING PART – Gav Whitworth, Mark Wallis (North), Mark Wallis (South), Steve Callaghan (4)
WHERE & WHEN TO BET – Bells Bookies via WhatsApp or text
WEATHER – Sunny and very warm (hotter than average!)
COURSE GUIDE
DAY 1 – LARANJAL
Opened in 2009 Laranjal has quickly become one of the finest courses in Europe and a stern test for the opening day of the Calco Cup. Set amongst a mixture of pines, cork, oaks & orange trees it has five par 5’s, eight par 4’s and five par 3’s. Narrow fairways and well guarded greens as well as five lakes. A real treat and I’m yet to see a bad review. Any score near to 32 pts will be in the top 3 or 4 for sure and if your not on your game a disastrous start is a distinct possibility.
KEY ATTRIBUTE – Accuracy
DAY 2 – MILLENNIUM
One of the Algarve’s most popular courses it shouldn’t be as demanding as Laranjal but equally only a players ‘A’ game will suffice on this Hawtree designed masterpiece. Set amongst beautiful pine trees many holes require accuracy off the tee but equally power hitters can dominate here. Time for players to get in position on moving day and a good round can see a player shoot through the pack.
KEY ATTRIBUTE – Power & accuracy
DAY 3 – LAGUNA
Reopened this year after extensive renovations Laguna is set to become one of the Algarves finest courses. A linksy feel players can open their shoulders a bit as the wide open fairways offer plenty of leeway, though numerous water hazards and strategically placed bunkers can dent any hopes of Calco glory and drag a player down in to moose territory. A warm putter will be essential if anyone is to lift the coveted trophy on hole 54.
KEY ATTRIBUTE – Power and scrambling skills
STORY OF 2021
Day 1
For the first time the Calco descended upon Cyprus at the magnificent Aphrodite Hills complex for the 21st running of the prestigious event. As everyone made the short walk across to the championship course most looked at the 18th green with a certain sense of trepidation. Unless two perfect shots were hit to the corner of the fairway most players would face a daunting wedge across the water with a narrow green to aim at! Overall the course was in great condition and certainly not easy, 30 players completed day 1 and already our resident bookie David Bell was in trouble scoring just 15 points and Ben Moyle (18) not much better. Some surprises also with 2020 champion Stuart Kiltee (22) & threetimes champion Pete Burke (22) also languishing down the bottom end. The day belonged to Jeff Wind who took the honours with a good 35 pts, certainly a measure of the toughness of the course with no player shooting their handicap and only seven players getting 30 points or more. Craig Lightowler turned up for a change and shot an excellent 34 pts while Fozzy & Chris Ramm were more than pleased with their efforts scoring 33 pts, as was last years moose Mark Wallis (North) with 31 points.
Day 2
On a swelteringly hot day the coach took a ride through the mountains to the stunning Secret Valley, there was a few sorry looking souls after a heavy night and the quirky course certainly didn’t suit a few players. A disastrous 11 pts from Martin Crossfield meant it looked a straight fight for moose honours between him & David Bell who both sat on 32 pts at the end of the day, though there would still be some nervous times for Callaghan who was just 4 pts ahead of them. At the top, what can we say! A tremendous score of 43 pts from last years moose Mark Wallis (North) had blasted him to the top of the leaderboard! He simply ripped it up and now sat 4 pts clear of Fozzy who himself had another good day scoring 37 pts. Some good scores included Steve Mchugh (37) Steve Hardwick (33) who relieved Wallis (South) of a few euros!
Day 3
It was back to Aphrodite Hills for the final round and I’m not even going to progress further on the dramas that happened the previous day when we arrived back from Secret Valley except to say a big thank you to SAS & the committee for all they have done over the years and for what they did on the day and when we got back home. Would there be any dramas on the course then, not really. For the record Fearnsides had a good day with an excellent 34 points to top the days scoring and Neil Cleghorn had a solid campaign scoring 33 pts to climb up to 10th overall. Doigy, Tatts, Hardwick, Whitworth & Fearny also climbed into the top 10 and Chris Ramm had his best ever Calco when 3rd overall. The Moose could have gone either way with both Crossfield & Bell struggling again but it was David Bell who succumbed late on and had the misfortune of being Moose for 2021. He wasn’t the lowest score of the day as legend Micky B came back with just 16 pts! Of course it’s the Golden Goose we all strive for and excellent front nines from Wallis (North) and Peter Forster had took them well clear of the pack. The nerves did kick in on the difficult back 9 but it was the ever popular Mark Wallis (North) who completed a memorable comeback from the depths of despair in 2020 to win the Calco Cup by 4 pts (105 pts total) from our veteran Peter Forster, something Mr Wallis has constantly reminded us of over the last year!
1ST – MARK WALLIS (North) ……………..105 pts (100/1 to win)
2nd – Peter Forster …………………………… 101 pts (20/1)
3rd – Chris Ramm …………………………….. 94 pts (40/1)
4th – Andy Fearnsides………………………. 91 pts (20/1)
Fav (10/1) Steve Tattersfield (7th)
27th – Stuart Kiltee ………………………….. 64 pts (50/1)
28th – Stephen Callaghan ………………. 60 pts (9/1)
29th – Martin Crossfield ………………….. 51 pts (100/1)
30th – David Bell …………………………….. 49 pts (7/1 fav to moose)
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)
6/1 Peter Forster, 8/1 Steve Tattersfield, 10/1 Rob Fleming, 12/1 Mark Colley, 14/1 Jeff Wind, Phil Lister, Alan Doig 16/1 Joe Kensitt, Andy Fearnsides, Steve Mchugh, 20/1 Simon Woolridge, Craig Lightowler, Gav Whitworth, Adam Davison, Jimmy Curley, 25/1 Paul Sykes, Steve Hardwick, Stuart Kiltee, Mark Wallis (north) 33/1 Micky Baldwin, Mark Wallis (south), Paul Rich, 40/1 Jimmy Holliday, Greg Linnell, 50/1 Ben Yeadon, 66/1 Stephen Callaghan
FORMGUIDE SUMMARY
We are just a few days away from the 22nd Calco Cup and the return to Portugal has everyone excited and a few a little nervous. Once again our trip is brilliantly organised and we thank SAS and the committee for all the time & effort they put in to make it so enjoyable. The world has faced a difficult couple of years or so and we look set for a tough winter back home so here’s a good chance to relax in the sun with some of the best lads you could wish to meet and enjoy some golf and some great friendship, let the fun begin!
Amazingly we have no Rookies on the tour this year but we welcome back Paul Sykes, Simon Woolridge & Ben Yeadon to the Calco. Some regulars like Ben Moyle, David Bell, Chris Ramm, Pete Burke & Martin Crossfield can’t make it this year for various reasons but we still have 26 players who are all dreaming of glory or having nightmares about wearing the infamous antlers. Mark Wallis (North) defends his title he so brilliantly won last year causing the biggest upset in Calco history. I’ve seen worse handicap cuts for former winners so no reason why he can’t make another bold challenge. A new moose is guaranteed with David Bells absence and Stephen Callaghan is a hot favourite for those honours but I strongly believe he can stay reasonably clear of moose droppings off 28.
Staying with the moose theme Formguide thinks there’s plenty of value to be had if we think Calla is not in the mix. Greg Linnell & Ben Yeadon both hit the ball nicely and have plenty of shots to score enough points to stay out of trouble, only a slight injury concern would have our veteran Jimmy Curley down the bottom. He has a good handicap to finish in the top half, could our magnificent 2020 champion in Turkey Stuart Kiltee be looking over his shoulder? Harshly handicapped he could well be down where it’s not pretty. Wallis (south) can’t moose off 21 but our favourite clown doesn’t play enough to contend. We have seen a former champion struggle in the past (Pete Burke) and I can see three legends & former winners having to scrap for points to reach safety. Namely Paul Rich, Micky Baldwin & JIMMY HOLLIDAY! Paul Rich will be too good to moose, Micky Baldwin has a great attitude and will be ok but the latter, love him to bits, is way overpriced at 20/1 to be Moose. Once again talk of another guy, who I love to bits, winning this year CRAIG LIGHTOWLER just doesn’t float my boat. Yes he can prove me wrong but just based on his overall record and with another shot or two gone the 50/1 to moose has to be taken.
The three rounds we now play to win a Calco is perfect because if you have a moderate round there’s still time to get back in the mix. The magnificent Laranjal on day 1 provides a stern test for the Calco and anything in the 30 points will be inside the top 10 and even a 26 or 27 points won’t be a bad score. Day 2 & 3 at both Millenium & Laguna will certainly give players a chance to score well and possibly race up the leaderboard so where is the winner coming from. I’ve followed Gav Whitworth over the cliff the last two years so I won’t burden him with my Nap, he should easily be top 10 again. Andy Fearnsides was a good 4th last year and deserves a Calco crown as does Steve Hardwick but both are playing off tough handicaps so may have to wait another year at least. Steve Tattersfield is well fancied again but he keeps finding at least one or two in front of him. Same again, Mark Colley is another good golfer and should easily better his 19th place finish in Cyprus but it would be asking a lot to win. Our lowest handicapper Rob Fleming saves his best for the Ryder Cup these days and is not for me. Phil Lister, Simon Woolridge & Paul Sykes are well worth considering and are slightly overpriced in my opinion while the well fancied Jeff Wind & Adam Davison are way too short in the betting for me and though capable I can’t fancy them.
So I’ve left four names off and these are obviously my 1-2-3-4 STEVE MCHUGH is dangerous (and not just his handicap!) off 25 and finished a creditable 8th last year. I’m not liking the 15/1 on offer but nothing you can do about the price, he can make the podium. I love my good friend ALAN DOIG’s attitude and passion and he surely is in a good place now the triumphant Ryder Cup is done & dusted. He should be swinging freely and can better last years decent 9th place, at 35/1 he is great value to make the top 4. I’ve studied the handicaps more than a few times and without doubt Formguide thinks both PETER FORSTER and JOE KENZITT have the best chances of lifting the coveted trophy. ‘Fozzy’ is favourite at 9/1 and I will be all over that but he may just have to give way to JOE KENSITT where the courses will suit his game. He hasn’t played too much lately I’m told which sometimes could be a positive rather than a negative and he has a couple of shots back from last year where he was a more than respectable 13th, the 25/1 available is a must bet.
Enjoy!
MWS