2025 marks the eighty sixth playing of the Winter Cup, a Par event, which was first played in 1938 and was one of the first Perpetual Trophies played for at the club. The trophy was presented to the club by Dunkley’s Diamond House.
The weekend of the 6th and 7th of September saw a field of 57 players try and emulate the performance of the past winners in the field – Andrew Frazer (2010), Jeff Lane (2021) and Gavin Furness (2011 and 2023)
Once again Andrew Frazer (RM Corporate Finance) came to the fore with the sponsorship of the weekend’s “major” and we acknowledge his support.
ROUND ONE
A wet, blustery winter’s morning greeted the players and the conditions reflected the scores – poor!!
The leader was the 2021 Champion Jeff Lane (17 H’Cap) with a score of 1 down which was very good, all things considered. Brendan Jones (3 H’Cap) fresh back from an overseas experience, and Campbell Sullivan (14 H’Cap) were next on 2 down,
With improving weather, the afternoon scores were expected to improve.
It was still cold (15 degrees, feels like 10) and several players moved into the Red during the early part of the afternoon- among those were Ian MacDonald (12 H’Cap), Paul Jenkins (28 H’Cap), Jimmy Smith (20 H’Cap) and Roger Dartnell (23 H’Cap) and Adam Thomson (20 H’Cap)
Michael du Pont (16 H’Cap) made a move with 5 holes to play – 4 down, and then 4 consecutive pluses and a half saw him the clubhouse leader at square.
Lurking in the shadows was the popular 2 time Champion Gavin “Sandy” Furness on his newly acquired Soft Cap Handicap of 12 – how did that happen?
Square after 9 holes and 2 up after 13. He surrendered the lead with a loss on 17. A half on the last – 1 up.
Another slow starter Matt Danckert (24 H’Cap) where he was 3 down after 7 holes flew home on the back 9 with 4 pluses to reach the outright lead with the 18th to negotiate – an unfortunate loss and he was now 1 up
Ian MacDonald held on until late in his round. Ran out of puff over the final 3 holes with 3 losses.
Roger Dartnell was helped by 4 pluses during his final 7 holes and signed for1 up.
Adam Thomson reached 2 up after 9 holes and held on to that through the back nine despite 3 losses – a final half saw him also on 2 up.
So, after the first day the Leaderboard looked like this-;
Adam Thomson (20 H’Cap) 2up
Matt Danckert (24 H’Cap) 1up
Gavin Furness (12 H’Cap) 1up
Roger Dartnell (23 H’Cap) 1up
Michael du Pont (16 H’cap) Square
3 players on 1 down and 5 on 2 down were within reach of the lead.
Best Gross belonged to Brendon Jones on 5 down.
BRING ON SUNDAY!! and BRING DOWN SANDY!! (just joshing)
ROUND TWO
Conditions on the second day were a little similar to Saturday – cool and scattered showers.
After day one Jeff Lane was the morning leader with 1 down. Could he do something special – not really. Whilst there were 5 pluses 4 of them were followed by losses. However, a 3 down score and 4 down overall was meritorious.
Campbell Sullivan had a day off and was out of contention.
Brendan Jones had moved to the afternoon.
A move was made by the Runner up in the CG Dudley and Club Championship John McKay (6 H’Cap) who was 4 down after round one. A fine 2 up score with only 2 blemishes on his card moved him to 2 down overall and the morning leader and in with a chance if countbacks come into play.
Now to the afternoon field and there were some movers from the pack and there were some leaders going backwards.
Adam Thomson with 3 pluses, 3 halves and 3 losses was square for the day and 2 up overall.
Matt Danckert started slowly – 4 losses during his first 6 holes and 3 down and 2 down overall
So did Roger Dartnell – 3 losses over his first 5 holes and after 9 he was 1 down overall.
Michael du Pont had three pluses three halves and three losses to turn for home Square.
After nine holes the leaderboard took a different look-;
Adam Thomson (20 H’Cap) 2 up – Square 2 up overall
Paul Jenkins (28 H’Cap) 1 down – 1 up Square overall
Michael du Pont (16 H’Cap) Square – Square Square overall
Gavin Furness (112 H’Ca9) 1 up – 2 down 1 down overall
Roger Dartnell (23 H’Cap) 1 up – 2 down 1 down overall
Matt Danckert (24 H’Cap) 1 up – 3 down 2 down overall
John McKay (6 H’Cap) 4 down – 2 up 2 down overall – Finished
Jeff Lane (16 H’Cap) 1 down – 2 down 3 down overall – Finished
Brendan Jones and Keedan Nelles were neck and neck for the Best Gross.
So, it looked like a race in seven unless a back nine blitz came from someone in the pack. With 9 holes to play could anyone catch the leader?
Could Adam Thomson go one better than his second position in the 2024 Autumn Cup?
Could Paul Jenkins follow up last week’s “C “Grade Championship victory with another win.
Could Gavin Furness make it 3 Winter Cups?
Both Adam Thomson and Paul Jenkins started their quests for victory with promise and with 4 holes to play were level on 1 up. Three other players on 1 down were waiting for the leaders to falter.
2 Holes left
- Adam Thomson 2 up
- Paul Jenkins 1 up
- Jimmy Smith Square
- Michael du Pont Square
- Rehan Alikhan (13 H’Cap) Square
Paul, playing in a 2 ball with John Sheridan was first to make a mistake – a loss on his penultimate hole (the 18th) saw him back to square.
Then Adam had a loss on his penultimate hole – the 17th.
Meanwhile in the chasing pack Jimmy Smith had gone berserk and with 6 pluses in 6 holes leapt into a share of third place on Square. He was joined by Rehan Alikhan who had 3 pluses in a row. So, the leaders were not having everything their own way.
Gavin Furness got to the lead after 12 holes but undid all his good work on 15,16 and 17 where he had 3 losses – final score 3 down for the day and 2 down overall.
Now to the last hole and Paul halved the last (1st Hole) and was clubhouse leader on Square. A nervous wait ahead – a couple of extra ciggies will calm the nerves.
Adam also lost the last and dropped out of the lead.
Jimmy Smith’s run of pluses came to end with Losses on his final 2 holes, the 4th and 5th – back to 2 down.
Rehan Alikhan halved the 4th and the 5th to claim victory in a nail-biting finish.
He was not really in the picture until the last 6 hole which he played 4 up lifting him from obscurity to Champion.
Four players finished Square and countbacks were necessary to split them.
EDITOR’S NOTE
In congratulating the Champion one has to feel sorry for Adam Thomson who basically led from start to the finish – and lost on a countback – He will live to fight another day – as will PJ and Michael.
In a reversal from 2024 Best Gross went to Keedan Nelles who jumped over the overnight leader Brendan Jones to win by three from John Mckay and Brendan.
RESULTS
WINNER Rehan Alikhan 1 down – 1 up – Square overall
RUNNER-UP Paul Jenkins 1 down – 1 up – Square overall
THIRD Michael du Pont Square – Square – Square overall
FOURTH Adam Thomson 2 up – 2 down – Square overall
FIFTH John Mckay 4 down – 2 up – 2 down overall
SIXTH Jimmy Smith 2 down – Square – 2 down overall
SEVENTH Gavin Furness 1 up – 3 down – 2 down
Best first round Matt Danckert 1 up
Best second round John Mckay 2 up
Best Gross Keedan Nelles 9 down
The best placed former champion after was Gavin Furness on 2 down.
Finally thankyou to Andrew Frazer from RM Corporate Finance for his generous support of this year’s Winter Cup.
We also acknowledge the Course Staff, in trying conditions, for preparing the course in great condition. The House Staff and Pro Shop Staff as usual provided an excellent service to all players.
CONGRATULATIONS
– THE 2025 WINTER CUP CHAMPION REHAN ALIKHAN
From – Greg Fitzhardinge
