22nd September 2025
The Spring Cup was played over the weekend of the 20th and 21st of September and was sponsored by HERBALIFE – courtesy of Gavin Morgan. Special thanks to Gavin for his support of the Club’s oldest Championship.
The Spring Cup was first played in 1935 and 2025 was the 90th year it had been played. This year a field of 87 players participated in their quest for victory.
Previous winners of the Spring Cup who played over the weekend were – Phil Johnson (1991 and 2013), Angus Johnson (2008), Gavin Furness (2017 and 2021), Michael du Pont (2022) and Tony Cowan (2023).
ROUND ONE
Unlike the previous week, Saturday was a fine Spring Day with light winds and at last we had some good scoring – one expected some good scores to be posted. And they were, 10 scores of 36 points or better.
The morning belonged to Vince Caruso (26 H’Cap) who starting from the 8th hole accumulated seven 3 pointers in his first 12 holes. A couple of blemishes on the way in a and a final 3 points on the 7th saw him in the clubhouse with 41 points.
Next of the morning contingent was Ron Edinburgh (23 H’Cap) who started from the 1st and his front nine of 16 points was fair but he needed to get moving if he was going to feature. – and move he did with 23 points on the final nine – 5×3 pointers and 4×2 pointers 23 points and 39 points for the day.
Next of the morning field was Joe Jones (9 H’Cap). Starting from the 5th hole his front nine amounted to 20 points. Two 4 pointers assisted his cause. 18 points over his final nine – 38 points for the day.
The afternoon field also had perfect conditions and there was some good scoring led by Don O’Brien (15 H’Cap) and Damon Watkins (12 H’Cap) – wasn’t he the one I read about not so long ago? Three Autumn Cups to his name.
Don started his day from the 6th hole and started with 3 points and finished his first 9 with a “wipe” – 18 points. The back nine saw him with 20 points after 8 holes. On his final hole, the 5th, one point resulted and a final score of 39 points.
And then Damon came along. Starting from an uncustomary hole, the 5th, he was quickly away with 3 points. Not much more went his way over the front nine and he had 17 points. He safely negotiated the next 5 holes with 10 points and with 4 holes left had 27 points. Something then clicked and he had 2 points followed by 4 and to finish a pair of 3’s – From obscurity to equal second with 39 points.
Stuart Waters (10 H’Cap) also starting from the 5th played consistently with 18 points on his first nine followed by 20 – finishing with 2 three pointers on his final 2 holes and 38 points.
They were followed by Greg Paddon (22 H’Cap), Wilfred Ong (11 H’Cap) Tony Cowan (23 H’Cap) and Luke Bai (13 H’Cap) on 36 points.
So, with 14 players within 6 points of one another it appeared as though the 2025 winner would come from this group – but one never knows.
Best Gross was Anthony Joseph with 31 points.
Best former Champion was Tony Cowan with 36 points.
ROUND TWO
A fine and warm Spring Day greeted all players for round two. What target would the morning players set for the afternoon? The morning leaders from round one found the going tough over their first nine with Vince Caruso, 14 points, Ron Edenburg 10 points and Joe Jones 15 points needing something special over their final 9 if they were to be a threat. That unfortunately was not to be and at the end of the 2 days Vince and Joe finished with 69 points and Ron with 65.
Was anyone else making a move?
Anthony Joseph (1H’Cap) made a charge up the leaderboard with 38 points – aided by a Hole-In-One on the 7th. Congratulations. He also came home strong with 4 3 pointers in his last 4 holes. Sitting on 70 points after the 2 rounds was a commendable performance.
And then there was “Mr Bowen” himself – Jeff Lane (17 H’Cap). Just like last year he saved his best for Round 2. Starting from the 2nd his first nine of 20 points put him well in the hunt and he was still in front of “2’s” with three holes left to play. All his good work was undone on the 17th – a loss. His final hole produced 3 points and his total of 71 points made him the clubhouse leader.
Aidan Cooper (6 H’Cap) had 37 point and also finished on 70 points but he will rue holes 2,3,4 and 11,12,13 where he could only manage 7 points in total.
James Pluske (5 H’Cap) had 34 points to finish on 69 – seven one pointers were costly to his cause,
So, would Jeff Lane’s total of 71 points stand the test of time? Time would tell.
After the Morning Field had finished the Leaders were-;
71 points Jeff Lane (17’Hcap)
70 points Anthony Joseph (1 H’Cap) and Aidan Cooper (6 H’Cap)
In the afternoon there appeared to be several chances but one by one they fell down the leaderboard.
Those still in contention after 27 holes were-;
Don O’Brien 61 points
Stewart Waters, Greg Paddon and Cody Price and Michael du Pont 56 points
Luke Bai 54 points
Damon Watkins 53 points
Tony Cowan, Phil Johnson, and Wilfred Ong 52 points
Phil Johnson was the first to falter – 4 points on the first 4 holes of the final nine.
Cody Price after 23 points on his front nine also had 4 points on his first 4 holes.
Greg Paddon had work to do after opening with 1 point on the first 2 holes of his back nine.
Whilst we know that Damon Watkins can be a fast finisher his 5 points in the first 4 holes was not how he wanted to start his final nine.
Stuart Waters was hanging in – just. As were Luke Bai, Wilfred Ong and Tony Cowan.
Michael du Pont was going steadily but looked as though second would be a good finish.
But it looked as though they were all playing for Silver and Bronze as Don O’Brien was cruising to victory and with 3 holes to play, he had already overtaken the leader in the clubhouse, Jeff Lane – and yes, he was still in the clubhouse!!!
Editor’s observation
Hole of the day – Campbell Thomson
13th hole – tee shot on Nursery near the 4th tee – relief taken and made par which was better than any of his playing partners who drove it up the middle.
Leaderboard after 34 holes of the PM Players
76 points Don O’Brien
70 points Luke Bai and Greg Paddon
68 points Michael du Pont and Stuart Waters
66 points Cody Price and Wilfred Ong
65 points Damon Watkins
Who was going to run second?
A pickup on his penultimate hole (the 3rd) cost Stuart Waters that chance.
Greg Paddon was making a move and with 3 points on each of holes 14,15 and 16 was threatening. A pick up on the 18th cost him the Siver Medal which went to Luke Bai who had one more point than him on the last 3 holes. Silver for Luke and Bronze for Greg.
Cody Price finished with 5 points on his final 2 holes (the 1st and 2nd) for 71 points overall. A string of 5 holes at the start of his back nine where he only managed 5 points was his undoing.
Jeff Lane had now left the building with his 71 points – but well done.
But Don O’Brien was bolting away and was still producing 3 pointers – 8 for the day and a second-round score of 41 points – Two excellent rounds.
Final Leaderboard
Don O’Brien 39/41 80 points
Luke Bai 36/37 73 points
Greg Paddon 36/36 72 points
Jeff Lane 33/38 71 points
Cody Price 33/38 71 points
Anthony Joseph 32/38 70 points
Aidan Cooper 33/37 70 points
Wilfred Ong 36/34 70 points
Stuart Waters 36/34 70 points
Michael du Pont 33/36 69 points
James Pluske 35/34 69 points
Joe Jones 38/31 69 points
Damon Watkins 39/30 69 points
Vince Caruso 41/28 69 points
Gross Results
Anthony Joseph 31/37 68 points Incl Hole-in One on 7th in Round 2
James Pluske 30/29 59 points
Best former Champion 69 points Michael du Pont
As we have come to expect the Course Staff, House Staff and Pro Shop Staff did their part in making the weekend a success.
This marks the final 36 Hole Honour Board event to be played on the “old course” and in 2026 we will see the remaining 5 greens renovated and ready for play around Opening Day.
Finally, acknowledgement must be made of the sponsor of this year’s Spring Cup – HERBALIFE –their support is much appreciated as it is with Gavin’s new business venture Heros and Villains Brewing.
CONGRATULATIONS
2025 SPRING CUP CHAMPION – DON O’BRIEN
Editor’s comments
The 2025 Spring Cup has been the last event the irrepressible JOHN SAMUELS will play at the club.
John moves to Thailand shortly to play as much golf as he can at Black Mountain.
Love him or hate him John has been an excellent club member and apart from his CG Dudley success has been a very valued pennant player.
From – Greg Fitzhardinge
