The Cuckfield gents members and regular clinic attendees have recently returned from their annual Winter Golf Tour with David.
Staying in the lovely fishing town of Alvor, Portugal, the group enjoyed their traditional Ryder Cup-style team and individual events, playing three excellent courses: Vale de Pinta, Gramacho and Silves.
In the team event, Andrew Fairbank’s Navy team held a 5–3 lead after two four-ball rounds. The final day produced some fabulous matches and a superb comeback from David’s Grey team, who eventually claimed the Wally Stevenson Team Trophy by 8½ points to 7½. Fittingly, it was the effervescent Charles Corder who secured victory in the final match.
In the individual event, Graham Walter reigned supreme once again with his customary solid golf, amassing a total of 73 points over two rounds to win the Paul Smyth Trophy by a single point from Tony Ferris on 72. The fast-improving Chris Dunley finished third on 71 points.
In the Graham Sherlock Pairs Shield, Cuckfield captain Bruce Somerville and Chris Dunley were decisive winners with 130 points, while Graham Walter and Charles Corder took second place on 127.
Chris Dunley’s extremely impressive 40 points on day one of the individual competition was enough to secure him the Ian Greg Trophy for the best round of the week.
During the prize-giving, David thanked Andrew Fairbank and Graham Sherlock for all their hard work in helping to organise the trip, and also thanked his helpers for the week: Charles Corder (banking), Bruce Somerville (cards), and Dave Clark (transport).
Andrew, in turn, thanked David for organising another successful and thoroughly enjoyable trip, presenting him with a lovely gift from the gents.
The group also agreed, quite rightly, that the week should be dedicated to the lovely Hazel Smyth, who was very much in the thoughts of so many throughout the tour. Hazel would undoubtedly have loved the atmosphere, golf and companionship shown during the week, and she will be very sadly missed by all who knew her.
