The Thirteenth AUTUMN CUP was played over the weekend of April 26 and 27. The weather over the two days was cool in the mornings and pleasant in the afternoons – perfect weather for golf. Seventy-nine players set out in their quest to become the 2025 Champion and be presented with the trophy by the sponsors of the day, THE GALLERY, generous supporters of the club.
There were three past champions in this year’s field – Damon Watkins (2015 and 2016), Wilfred Ong (2023). and the defending Champion, two-time winner James Pluske (2022 and 2024).
ROUND ONE
In the perfect conditions scoring in the morning was really in keeping with the weather – COOL. 34 points was leading the way. In fact, if you had 31 points you were in the top ten.
Looking for his second win the 2023 Champ, Wilfred Ong (11 H’Cap) had 34 points. Commencing from the first, he had two nines of equal value – 17 points. His love affair with the 9th/18th continued – one point on each hole.
He was joined on 34 points by the man who was looking for a “full book” of Season Cups – the one and only Gavin Furness (10 H’Cap). After a horror start – 1 point after 2 holes – he gathered his thoughts and played consistently though to the end – 2×3 pointers, 1×1 point and 13×2 pointers His hopes of a full book were still intact.
On 33 points were Nicholas Winmar (10 H’Cap), Steve Andrews (26 H’Cap) and Andy Lemessurier (22 H’Cap).
One would suspect the afternoon players would score better.
After 9 holes it certainly looked as though the scoring was better, with 4 players on 19 points and 2 on 18.
What would the back nine bring?
One by one they fell away and only 1 of them finished in the top 12.
It was left to the triple CG Dudley winner, David Falconer (5 H’Cap) to charge up the leaderboard. 16 points on the first nine and only had 18 after 11 holes. In the last 7 holes he reeled off 4 three pointers to complete his first round with 36 points and finished the day the clubhouse leader.
Luke Everett (25 H’Cap) competed his front nine with 17 points. Two three pointers in his last 3 holes helped him jump into second place with 35 points
The Defending Champion, James Pluske (5 H’Cap) was back in 30th position with 30 points. Probably out of contention to make it three cups.
The best gross was headed by Brendan Jones and Anthony Joseph with 32 points. David Falconer was one further back.
ROUND TWO
Another lovely day greeted the players and the questions were –
- Would the scores improve?
- Could David Falconer hang on or would the chasing pack overtake him?
- Could Wilfred Ong win his second Autumn Cup?
- After having to withdraw last year due to a Wrestling accident, would the very popular Gavin Furness complete the “full book”?
First, we will concentrate on the morning players and in particular Wilfred Ong as Gavin Furness had transferred to the afternoon field.
Wilfred Ong (11 H’Cap), starting from the first, cruised around the front nine with 18 points and looking as though he could take the morning lead. And then the next seven holes proved costly – 11 points. A strong finish with 6 points on the last 2 holes saw him complete his round with 35 points and an overall total of 69 points and momentarily in the lead.
After 33 points on Saturday, Nicholas Winmar (10 H’Cap) was looking for a solid start to his round. Starting from the third the first seven holes were not quite what he wanted – 10 points. The next 9 holes put him back in contention- 21 points. He finished with 3 points on his last hole – total 36 and an overall total of 69. Morning leader on a countback from Wilfred Ong.
Apart from Nicholas the best morning round came from Andrew Roberts (16 H’Cap) with 36 points.
Believe it or not but Mark Palmer and Greg Paddon were in the top 10 with 57 points.
So now to the afternoon field – surely 69 points was not a winning score?
The leader David Falconer starting from the 2nd was not off to a good start in his quest for victory – 10 points after 7 holes. And 14 after 9 holes. Couldn’t stop having one pointers.
Luke Everett started from the 8th hole ran into trouble with two wipes and 2×1 pointers in his first 6 holes – 6 points. Not looking like a winner – mind you none of the overnight leaders were.
Starting from the 9th Gavin Furness got off to a solid start with 6 points after 3 holes and then a hiccup – 8 points on the final 6 holes
So, let’s look at other contenders from the chasing pack.
Starting from the first, President Damon Watkins (15 H’Cap) after 31 points on day one and seemingly out of contention, had a front nine of 21 points which concluded with 4 points on the ninth.
Similarly, one of our Scottish friends, Craig Marshall (28 H’Cap) after 29 points on day one also had 21 points for the first nine.
Andrew Everett (15 H’Cap) also joined in with 18 points on his first 9 after 32 on day one.
So, after 27 holes the afternoon Leaderboard looked like this
Damon Watkins 52 points
David Falconer 50 points
Andrew Everett 50 points
Craig Marshall 49 points
3 players on 48 points and probably too much to ask over the last nine holes.
Maybe 69 points would be enough although that is doubtful.
And with 3 holes left and still chasing 69 points or better
Damon Watkins 65 points
Luke Everett 63 points
Craig Marshall 60 points
David Falconer 59 points
Gavin Furness 58 points
So, it looked like a race in 2 or maybe 3.
David Falconer had 4 points over his last 3 holes – total 63 points
Gavin Furness was denied the “Season Slam” after early mistakes but came home strongly with 7 points in his last 3 holes – total 65 points.
Luke Everett crashed out of contention with 2 wipes during his last 3 holes – 2 points – Total 65 points.
Craig Marshall played very well over the last 3 holes with 8 points and a total of 39 points for the day and 68 point overall.
Damon Watkins safely negotiated the 16th and 17th with 4 points and a total of 69 which would be good enough to win on a countback should he not score on the 18th.
One point on his final hole was enough to complete the “3PEAT” of Autumn Cups. 70 points and winning by one point from Nicholas Winmar.
The defending Champion, James Pluske was back in 13th place with 62 points
Best Gross went to Anthony Joseph with scores of 76.72=148
Runner up was Brendon Jones with scores of 76 and 84 = 160
FINAL LEADERBOARD
DAMON WATKINS 31/39 70 points
Nicholas Winmar 33/36 69 points
Wilfred Ong 34/35 69 points
Craig Marshall 29/39 68 points
Anthony Joseph 31/35 66 points
Steve Andrews 33/33 66 points
Andrew Roberts 30/35 65 points
Jeremy Fatouros 33/32 65 points
Gavin Furness 34/31 65 points
Luke Everett 35/30 65 points
BEST FIRST ROUND David Falconer 36 points
BEST SECOND ROUND Craig Marshall 39 points
Best Past Champion Damon Watkins
Best of THE GALLERY Wilfred Ong – 69 points
Appreciation is extended once again to our sponsors THE GALLERY for their generous support of this year’s Autumn Cup.
Acknowledgement must be made of the Club Staff who made the weekend an enjoyable one for “most” players.
Congratulations to DAMON WATKINS on winning his Third Autumn Cup
from Greg Fitzhardinge
EDITOR’S FOOTNOTES
- Lovely weather all weekend but the course was the winner
- Time for the Gallery to get a new designer and get away from looking like the DUTCH HOCKEY TEAM
- The Champion should be heaping praise on the Editor for harping on the fact that he could not putt – it made him do something about it. Not many people take notice of me – sorry that should be nobody.
