Gents, welcome to the 23rd Calco Challenge Cup!
This year we travel to Fuengirola after an 18 year absence from the resort. This will bring back fond memories to many a Calconian from our previous visit. We have three great courses awaiting our arrival and a newly refurbished hotel with fantastic reviews.
Back in the fray and with slightly bigger balls this year is our ginger favourite Mr Copley. Yes he fancies his chances in September after six months solid on his personalised simulator. Let’s see how he goes on in reality!! Also returning this year are four stalwarts of the trip in Ding Dong Bell, Bookie Supreme, most probably just starting his intense Calco prep of moose avoidance!. Benny Boy Moyle, carrying injuries as per usual but still a favourite for a top ten finish in my book. Martin ‘Silent Assassin’ Crossfield, depending on who turns up could be right in the mix and Jack Horner who’s looking forward to getting back on the course. Let’s hope he’s got more clubs in his bag than four years ago in Cork 😀. Oh and the elephant in the room Mr Porter returns after a one year sabbatical. Charlie has seen a significant improvement in his golf this year, let’s see if Mr Wallis has been kind to him!!
We also have two rookies joining the Calco Merrymen this year in Sean Forster and Ian Warren. Sean comes from good stock and is already being talked about as a potential winner, we’ll soon find out how big his balls are 😉. Also joining us is Ian who some of you may already know from Howley Hall. Ian is a quality golfer and a true gent. Let’s see how nice Mr Wallis will be to him on his first visit! As always boys give them both the usual Calconian welcome.
All’s left to say is we hope everyone’s preparation is going well and we very much look forward to welcoming you all to the 23rd Calco Challenge Cup.
BRING IT ON 🏌🏻
Steve & Stephen ( The two halves that make up the SAS )
The Courses
DAY 1
A great par 72 new course located in Mijas, in the New Golf Valley in Malaga. The course with an exquisite and spectacular layout, enables the player to use the strategy during the whole round. The course reminds to a links in some holes, with the best views to the sea and to the mountains in the whole Costa del Sol.
Day 2
Santana Golf is an 18 Hole golf course par 72 of approx. 6207 metres in length, set in 138 acres of picturesque parkland. The course, sympathetically laid out by the architect Cabell B. Robinson, is set in a former avocado plantation which provided a natural solution to many problems. The final result is a magnificent course with wide and well defined fairways on level terrain, hence easily walkable, where water features play an important albeit not excessive part in the overall design. Each hole has two championship tees and two tees for general play for both men and ladies – wide and well manicured putting greens surrounded by strategically placed bunkers, filled with sand produced from crushed marble. Buggy paths are provided throughout the course, beautifully integrated between the rows of fruit trees.
Day 3
With its 6,536 meters, this course is the larger of the two in Mijas Golf.
Lagos is a course with soft slopes, wide fairways and few forest trees obstacles; but at the same time, is defended by many bunkers, and not less than nine lakes (from which the course gets its name), which are eager to trap each and anyone’s ball.
In addittion, the greens are large and flat with sensitive undulations and the wide tees which can be accommodated to reduce or enlarge the difficulty to choice.
Therefore, this course is suitable for all the kind of handicap players, being one of the most famous commercial courses of the Costa del Sol.
THE WARM UP
What a fantastic turnout once again for the Calco warm up and RSM Urn. 46 golfers in total with 22 Calconians making up the field. The Manor GC was the venue once again, showing support for the incumbent captain, our very own Adam ‘Davo’ Davison. He did a great job organising and making the Calco boys feel very welcome throughout the day. He really does have some clout up there keeping the bar open till 1am on a Sunday night!! I for one felt the repercussions of this the next day and the day after that 😀. It was great to see MWS, old Coco 🤡 turn up for the weekends activities and also Benny Boy bringing up the LEGEND Calco Flyer to see the boys. Even though he was injured Ben still made the effort for the draw and joined in the fun late into the evening. Once again the sun shone on the Calco boys and it was perfect conditions to play some quality golf. A few realised this opportunity whilst others were wishing they could blame the weather for their lack lustre performances.
Blind pairs combined stableford was to be the format for the day, once again running alongside a medal for the Raven Urn. Out of the 11 pairs 8 of them scored 60 points or more, once again showing some good form at the right time. First place in the Pairs went to two times Mooose Graham Copley and this year’s rookie Sean Forster, who also won a nearest pin. Great scoring boys and this really was a team effort. This result could really throw Bell’s Bookies into a spin!! Young guns Kiltie & Kenzitt took second place whilst 3rd went to Mr Curley and Captain Davo, only just though on a back 9 countback from Fearny and Martin. There were a couple of groups on the day however that couldn’t hit a cows arse with a banjo, even in the perfect conditions. Mr Forster and Mr Woolridge put in very average performances considering their pedigree. I’m sure they will be eagerly awaiting the society handicaps to be published by Mr Wallis. There was another pair however who managed to capitulate and propped up the bottom of the scoring charts with a meagre 50 points. That was Stevie Tatt and Stevie Hardwick. This SAS team had a slightly different meaning “ Shit & Shitter “ 🫎
On the individual front Joe Kenzitt lead the way with a fantastic score of 39 points, closely followed by Sean Forster with 37 points and Mr consistent Fearny in third with 35 points. 15 of the 22 competitors shooting 30 points or more on the day. This shows how the quality of the golf continues to improve year on year and also the importance of every shot! There’s always a few who don’t quite live up to their expectations however and this year Mr Lightowler, Hardwick, Tattersfield and Forster will all be looking over their shoulders and hoping for some better form when it really counts.
So gents it’s time for the 23rd Calco Challenge Cup. Still a few weeks to find that A game that will give you the best chance of lifting the coveted trophy. As always sportsmanship and camaraderie are top of the Calco agenda and we look forward to welcoming every one of you to Fuengirola on the 12th September.
SEE YOU IN SPAIN
The Committee
SAS, Foz, PLB & MWS
Individual Leaderboard
| INDIVIDUAL STABLEFORD | POINTS |
| Joe Kenzitt | 39 |
| Sean Forster | 37 |
| Andy Fearnsides | 35 |
| Graham Copley | 34 |
| Adam Davison | 34 |
| Robbe Fleming | 33 |
| Mark Wallis ( South ) | 33 |
| Micky Baldwin | 32 |
| Paul Sykes | 32 |
| Phil Lister | 32 |
| Ian Warren | 32 |
| Jimmy Curley | 31 |
| Jeff Wind | 31 |
| Martin Crossfield | 30 |
| Gregg Linnell | 30 |
| Simon Woolridge | 29 |
| Steve McHugh | 28 |
| Stuart Kiltie | 28 |
| Peter Forster | 27 |
| Steve Tattersfield | 27 |
| Steve Hardwick | 23 |
| Craig Lightowler | 22 |
Pairs Leaderboard
| PAIR | POINTS |
| Graham Copley & Sean Forster | 71 |
| Joe Kenzitt & Stuart Kiltie | 67 |
| Jimmy Curley & Adam Davison | 65 |
| Andy Fearnsides & Martin Crossfield | 65 |
| Phil Lister & Ian Warren | 64 |
| Robbe Fleming & Gregg Linnell | 63 |
| Jeff Wind & Paul Sykes | 63 |
| Steve McHugh & Micky Baldwin | 60 |
| Peter Forster & Simon Woolridge | 56 |
| Mark Wallis ( s ) & Craig Lightowler | 55 |
| Steve Tatt & Steve Hardwick | 50 |
Calco Cup 2023 Information
Handicaps
| PLAYER | HANDICAP |
| Ian Warren | 7 |
| Robbe Fleming | 8 |
| Steve Tattersfield | 9 |
| Peter Forster | 10 |
| Andrew Fearnsides | 10 |
| Gavin Whitworth | 11 |
| Steve Hardwick | 11 |
| Simon Woolridge | 12 |
| Stuart Kiltie | 12 |
| Phil Lister | 12 |
| Jimmy Holiday | 13 |
| Micky Baldwin | 13 |
| Martin Crossfield | 14 |
| Joe Kenzitt | 15 |
| Paul Rich | 16 |
| Craig Lightowler | 16 |
| Jack Horner | 16 |
| Adam Davison | 17 |
| Ben Moyle | 17 |
| Sean Forster | 18 |
| Gregg Linnell | 18 |
| Mark Wallis (North) | 18 |
| Jeff Wind | 19 |
| Mark Wallis (South) | 20 |
| Charlie Porter | 22 |
| Jimmy Curley | 22 |
| Ben Yeadon | 23 |
| Steve McHugh | 25 |
| David Bell | 28 |
| Graham Copley | 28 |
| Stephen Callaghan | 28 |
The Draw
Micky Baldwin
Graham Copley
Jeff Wind
Gav Whitworth
Steve McHugh
David Bell
Adam Davison
Ian Warren
Jimmy Holiday
Jimmy Curley
Stuart Kiltie
Ben Yeadon
Steve Tattersfield
Ben Moyle
Steve Hardwick
Robbe Fleming
Peter Forster
Mark Wallis (North)
Martin Crossfield
Mark Wallis (South)
Jack Horner
Philip Lister
Sean Forster
Andrew Fearnsides
Simon Woolridge
Gregg Linnell
Craig Lightowler
Paul Rich
Stephen Callaghan
Joe Kenzitt
Charlie Porter
Calco Cup 2022 Form Guide
SPAIN
VENUES – Calanova / Santana / Los Lagos
Field – 31
PREVIOUS CALCO CUP WINNERS TAKING PART – Ben Yeadon, Mark Wallis (North), Stuart Kiltie, Paul Rich, Micky Baldwin, Jimmy Holiday, Ben Moyle (2), Gav Whitworth, Steve Tattersfield, Peter Forster, Jimmy Curley
PREVIOUS CALCO CUP MOOSES TAKING PART – Stephen Callaghan (4), David Bell (4), Mark Wallis (N) (2), Graham Copley (2), Mark Wallis (S), Gav Whitworth, Paul Rich
WHEN AND WHERE TO BET – Bells Bookies via any form of communication! 💰
WEATHER – Long range forecast is warmer than average with unbroken sunshine 🌞
COURSE GUIDE
Day 1 – Calanova
The Calco tees off with the highly acclaimed Calonova golf course. It’s long at well over 6,000 yards, only 5 minutes from the sea so has a slight links feel to it, fairways are wide enough so you can open up those shoulders on many holes. 5 & 14 are brutes and greens are tricky, any score of 30 pts or more will be a solid start to Calco glory.
Key Attribute – Length
Day 2 – Santana
Built just over 20 years ago from an old plantation Santana golf course has quickly established itself as a favourite for all golfers travelling to this part of Spain. At over 6,000 yards its demanding enough as each hole is uniquely designed and will give a continuous challenge especially as many greens are protected by greenside bunkers and water hazards. The 8th should be interesting as even off the yellows it’s 595 yards!! It’s moving day and a good score will put anyone in position for the last day.
Key Attribute – Course management
DAY 3 – Los Logos (par 72)
A stunning & beautiful course to end this year’s Calco. As usual there will be nerves at the top end and Calla will be looking at who will blow up to stop him from Mooseing! Set between the sea & the mountains this course was host to the Spanish Open in 1979, shrubs & trees line the fairways with water in play on a few holes. large greens will allow for some tricky pin positions, another that’s over 6,000 yards it’s certainly long enough but overall a real beauty.
Key Attribute – Accuracy off tee & a hot putter required
STORY OF 2022 – Portugal
The Calco Cup was back in Portugal after a few years and just 26 players teed up as many of our regulars were still trying to get back on their feet after Covid. Nonetheless with plenty of non-golfers we had a great group. As usual once everyone arrived we assembled for the auction, the highlight was without doubt the broken plastic chair belonging to Fearny!
One of the funniest Calco moments of all time!
Day 1
A late injury withdrawal from veteran Jimmy Curley meant just 25 players teed it up at the beautiful Laranjal course, 26 if you include non-competition player Graham Copley who simply bottled it for staff reasons. Pre event predictions that this would be a tough course were completely dismissed as the day went on and in the gorgeous sunshine the Calco boys simply ripped it up! 20 of the 25 players scored 30 or more points. Surprisingly Alan Doig & Greg Linnell were holding up the leader board but with 26 points they hadn’t completely put themselves out of the event with 2 rounds to go. At the top end Kiltie, Lightowler & Yeadon got off to flyers with 38 pts. The smile on Wallis South’s face in the clubhouse afterwards had the Northerners crying in their beer as Coco came in with 39 points but it wasn’t enough to lead as Jeff Wind was on 🔥and he led the first day on 40 pts (there’s a song there somewhere!)
Day 2 took us to the superb Millennium course and this certainly proved tough for many. Only a few players broke 30 pts and afterwards overall only 4 points covered places 7th – 19th and all these basically couldn’t win or couldn’t moose. Disasters for Mchugh (25) Callaghan (25) and Doig (28) saw them in the moose group but incredibly 2019 champion Rich was 5 pts adrift after a nightmare round (16 pts) giving him a total of 47 pts. At the top end 4 players had moved clear of the field, score of the day came from 28 handicapper Ben Yeadon with a second consecutive 38 pts. He was 2 clear of Wallis South (35) who produced a majestic back 9 (21 pts) to be Bells Bookies favourite going into the final day. Another solid round from Jeff Wind (32 pts) had him 4 back while we were being treated to a stout defence of the title from Wallis North who again came in with 35 pts and an overall score of 70 pts. Kiltie on 66 pts looked the only other player capable of coming from well off the pace going into the final day
On Day 3 there was the usual sorry looking faces on the coach as we left the hotel for the last day. As expected most of the banter was being aimed at a certain Mr Rich while Wallis South continued to tell everyone that would listen how he would be winning his first of many Calco’s. The newly re-designed Laguna was in splendid condition but a bit of a breeze and incredibly hot conditions proved way too much for so many players. No buggy’s available for all the players at tee off time meant a bit of a scattered start but in all my years on the Calco I’ve never seen so many bad scores! Lister & Hardwick 32 pts, that’s between them 🤣16 each!, Linnell, Baldwin, Sykes 17 pts, Lightowler 18 and plenty more under 25 pts, it was ugly! But not as ugly as our man at the bottom, with such low scores a half reasonable round could have got Mr Rich out of trouble but the head had gone and 10, yes 10 pts was all he could muster much to the pleasure of Callaghan who himself was dire with 20 pts. After being champion only 3 years previously Paul Rich was the Moose by a staggering 15 pts, that’s Guy Glover golf!
Now for the elite, to say the Golden Goose group were struggling also was an understatement but going out a long way behind the others because of the buggy situation didn’t help. They certainly didn’t realise how bad others were doing or it might have helped but after 9 holes Yeadon had increased his lead to 4 over Wind & the two Wallis’s but after 14 holes a couple of untidy blobs had got them all back in contention. Word was coming back that Kiltie had been on a charge and was right back in contention but a poor finish from our powerhouse meant that despite his 32 pts being the best score of the day (the only other player to shoot 30 pts was Joe Kensitt). Stuart had to wait nervously for over an hour to see if his total of 98 points was enough to win a second Calco. Wallis South & Wallis North saw their efforts slip away as both failed to score on the 14th, stroke index 1, after good drives. Wind was scrambling all day and that proved too much so as we teed up on the last Yeadon needed 2 points for victory. He also had an extra shot so a 5 would be good enough on the par 4. After a reasonable drive he pulled his second 50 yds short & left into some rough with fallen branches everywhere but a superb recovery for his 3rd landed 5 ft short of the green, with nerves of steel he lagged his 40 ft putt to 18 inches and tapped in to win the Calco by 1 pt from Kiltie with Wallis South left to dream of what could have been 3 pts away in 3rd! Ben Yeaden was the second consecutive rank outsider at 100/1 to win the Calco after Wallis North the year before, that certainly means we should all be on David Bell this year!
Despite the low numbers it was overall a brilliant Calco and our thanks as always to the SAS team for all their efforts.
1st – Ben Yeadon ……….99 pts (100/1)
2nd – Stuart Kiltie ………. 98pts (40/1
3rd – Mark Wallis (S)…….96 pts (35/1)
4th – Mark Wallis (N)…… 94 pts (50/1)
Fav Peter Forster 12/1 (7th)
22nd – Phil Lister …………. 76 pts (100/1)
23rd – Micky Baldwin ….. 73 pts (35/1)
24th – Steve Callaghan .. 72 pts (5/4 fav)
25th – Paul Rich ……………. 57 pts (50/1)
Player Profiles
PLAYER PROFILES
Summary
Spain is this year’s venue and the weather looks set to be very warm, with Covid so much more out of the picture 31 players line up to bid for Calco glory, (would have been 32 but Paul Sykes will be just recovering from a wrist operation and we all wish him well). We are sorry to be missing regulars like Alan Doig, Chris Ramm & Pete Burke but hopefully they will be back next year whilst it’s good to see our Southern stalwarts back Ben Moyle & David Bell as well as Jack Horner. We have two new recruits in Sean Forster & Ian Warren, both of whom can play a bit so we welcome them aboard.
Trying to find a winner is nigh on impossible, the rank outsiders (Wallis North & Yeadon) have gloriously won the previous two years but could we see Callaghan, Bell or Copley being crowned, I don’t think so personally. Without going through every players Form guide I can’t see Fearnsides out the frame and I was present in the Warm Up seeing him score 23 pts on the front 9 without driving it that brilliant, he has to go close. Kenzitt was Form guides selection last year and he played well but one poor round proved costly, he could make the podium as again I can see him going well, he hits it a mile. Another podium possibility is Woolridge who has been fancied on more than one occasion on this write up and has a handicap he could contend with. Wallis South knows he let a good chance slip last year, he might not make that mistake again and who would begrudge him a victory in his 13th attempt (yes I know the answer to that!), Others I can see top 10 or better are Holiday, Tattersfield, Crossfield & Baldwin but overall my strong fancy this year is another who has had his chances over the years and is nicely handicapped and that is the man on 🔥 Mr JEFF WIND, he will be Formguides nap to be crowned Calco champ!!
Now at the other end and who will be wearing those famous Antlers on presentation night, we have hit some good priced each way selections on this market in recent years. I can’t see our current moose Paul Rich losing the plot again and I really do think the three 28 handicappers Bell, Callaghan & Copley are destined to fight out the moose honours. Moyle is carrying an injury and might struggle but as I’ve said beware of the injured golfer! Could the 5 shot pull on current Champion Yeadon drag him into a dog fight at the bottom? Personally he should be comfortable off 23 as he smashes the ball an absolute mile, no, I’m going with CALLAGHAN to moose abroad for the first time!
Formguide looks forward to another brilliant Calco Challenge Cup and hope all enjoy everything that makes it so special.
MWS