PAUL ORCHARD (ORCH) WINS CG DUDLEY IN STYLE

This year’s CG DUDLEY CUP played over the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd of October attracted a field of 112 players all vying for victory and all attempting to qualify for the Club Championships.

This year’s CG Dudley was sponsored by MORGAN STANLEY, represented by club members Stuart Beattie and Mark Palmer. Once again we thank them for their support not only of the CG Dudley but the Club Championships and of course the Wednesday Nearest the Pins.

In the days leading up to the Dudley there was some inclement weather causing flooded greens and washaways in bunkers. This resulted in some hard work for the course staff and even though the greens were a little slower than normal, (averaging 11’6”), due to some 50mls of rain on Thursday and Friday night, the course staff, led by Liam Spooner, are to be congratulated for the way in which the course was presented.

So, the stage was set for the 71st staging of the CG DUDLEY CUP. Would there be a new Champion? or would one of the previous 7 Champions be victorious?

ROUND ONE

A cool, windy and fine day greeted the players and after the first round Paul Orchard “scORCHed” to a very impressive nett 66 in the morning – helped by a net 30 on his front nine. It has to be said that nobody saw this coming as he had averaged nett 81 over his last 6 rounds.

“Orch” as he is affectionately known by members of “The Gallery” had 43 on the front nine from his 27 handicap – a score the current Captain (3 handicap) and immediate past Captain (8 handicap) would have gladly accepted.

Unfortunately, the defending Champion, Campbell Thompson, was unable to defend his title and Craig Nelson accepted a late call up to play. His net 69 saw him in second place. after the first round. Two shots further back were Marty Morris and Scott van Heurck with Jim Purves, Andrew Frazer and Rob Pluske on even par 72.

In the battle for the Best Gross the reigning Club Champion Tristan Geerlings, with a two over par 74 led by 4 from James Morris.

In the “over 55’s” the favorite, and winner for the past three years, David Falconer was the first-round leader with a Gross Score of 79.

ROUND TWO

Another fine but windy day and the questions were –:

Could Paul Orchard continue his form? Or could Marty Morris, Scott van Heurck Jim Purves, Andrew Frazer, Rob Pluske or the chasing pack play well enough to stop Paul. The morning score of the overnight leader would be watched with interest.

Once again “Orch” scORCHed over the front nine with an impressive nett 32 off his 27 handicap and with 7 holes to play was only 11 over the card and with 16 shots left it looked as though there would be a runaway winner of The Dudley and daylight would be second.

But as happens so often “The Curse of The Dudley” tried to get him and he played the last 7 holes 17 over and after finishing with an 8 he signed for 73. The chasing pack were somewhat relieved and saw a glimmer of hope. The target was 139.

In the morning James and Rob Pluske posted 73 and 72 respectively and moved up the leaderboard, ultimately finishing in third and fourth position. Wilfred Ong after a 73 in round one played impressively for 10 holes but was not making up any ground on his playing partner, Paul Orchard. Wilfred was one over the card from his 13 Handicap and then “The Curse” set in – a lost ball and out of bounds saw him fall down the leaderboard and after playing the last 8 holes 16 over par he ultimately signed for a net 76.

In the afternoon there were few challenges issued by the chasers. One by one they fell by the wayside – Craig Nelson nett 38 for the front nine, Andrew Frazer nett 40, Marty Morris nett 41, and Jim Purves nett 37. They really had no chance after the front nine. And you could just see Orch sitting at home sipping on red wine and watching the contenders all capitulate.

It was left to Scott van Heurck to see what he could do. Keeping a watchful eye on one of his playing partners, Craig Nelson, his nett 36 on the front nine saw him draw level with Craig. It was a huge ask for him to come home in nett 32 to overtake the leader – but it was possible. A double bogey on 10 followed by 2 bogeys saw his chances of achieving that disappear. He fought back over the final 6 holes with 6 pars and signed for a second 71 which saw him finish Runner-Up. There was some consolation for Craig as he won the best first round nett with his 69.

Playing in the final group in the afternoon, Will Robinson playing off 20, had the best second round score of 70, helped by an impressive Nett 31 on his front nine. After 77 in his first round there was a glimmer of hope he could catch Orch. After 11 holes he was still 5 over the card but unfortunately the last 7 holes saw all his good work undone. Will won the best second round nett.

Congratulations go to the winner of the 71st CG Dudley Cup, the popular Gallery Member Paul Orchard, a weekend he will never forget. Nett 139 and winner by three from Scott van Heurck.

The Pascoe Cup for the best gross score over the two rounds was was won by Tristan Geerlings with scores of 74.73 =147 Runner up was Ben Cullinan. After an opening round of 79 his second round of 72 left him 4 shots adrift of Tristan. So, the finalists from last year’s Club Championships qualified one and two but there are another six players who will be trying to prevent a repeat of the 2020 final.

The Over 55’ s Trophy was a closely run affair with David Falconer, trying to win his fourth consecutive Championship, shooting a total gross score of 159. He achieved that goal winning by three shots from Gary Hing. David finished fourth overall in the Pascoe Cup – an excellent effort.

Congratulations to all other winners over the weekend.

 

 

 

Finally, a couple of stories from this year’s Dudley-;

The Champion had a great first nine on both days. Combining his scores, he had 62 nett. Little wonder he is the Champion.

John Sheridan (18 handicap) started 7, 7, 9, 7 – thirteen over in his first four holes. But he fought back and qualified for the “B” Grade Championship.

Playing partner Ken Douglas (25 handicap) saw his chances of qualifying in the “C” Grade disappear after playing his 7th shot from the 6th tee during the second round and finished with 14 for the hole.

Captain Stewart Wharton used up all of his weekend handicap allocation of 6 shots after 7 holes in the first round. Stewart also fought back and qualified for the “A” Grade Plate – just!

The best of the previous Champions was David Falconer on 149 in equal 7th position.

Two eagles – Ufaq Qazi (8th hole in round one), James Morris (2nd hole in round one).

The favorite for the Dudley, none other than Gavin Furness (8 handicap) after posting 73 in round one, lost all chance with 45 on his front nine during his second round.

Apart from the Minor Championship, the Champions from the 2020 Club Championships have all qualified.

With The Dudley over for another year it is now time for the Club Championships and we wish all those who have qualified the best of luck.

Thanks go to all of those who assisted in making the 2021 Dudley an enjoyable weekend – Course Staff, Pro Shop Staff, House Staff and our caterers On Par Catering.

Once again appreciation is extended to Mark Palmer and Stuart Beattie from MORGAN STANLEY for their continued sponsorship of the CG Dudley and Club Championships.

Finally, congratulations to a deserved and popular winner of the 2021 CG Dudley Cup –Paul (Orch) Orchard.

 

From Greg Fitzhardinge-