The Dave Conidaris Memorial Cup
3 March - 7 March 2004
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The Bokkoms |
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The Gud Gize |
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Arthur Brook (Captain) Jan Booyzen (Vice Captain) Jan Coetzee Dave Logan Wayne England Richard Hoeksma Tony Kaleb Mike Richards Johan Loubser Dave Tripp Hugh Verdoorn Kevin Venter |
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Keith Dye (Captain) Louis Barclay (Vice Captain) Jeff Bartlett Peter Bergh John Moyes Mike Drummond Neil Clark Ian Gauld Monty Mantovan Keith MacMillan Peter Geach Pat Sander John Pascoe (Injured) |
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23.5
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Final Score |
18.5 |
Day 1
Here we were again, 6am Johannesburg International Airport. In the domestic departures hall some of us were sitting at the pub (because we it had cold beer and a smoking section) and some at the Wimpy. That's right, WIMP-y! Location aside most of us were watching Morning Live on SABC, and not because there was some babe with nice tits, but because it was raining in Durban - AGAIN. Whilst there may have been a sense of Deja vu about, most of us could not believe what we were seeing - a repeat of 2003! And for those who would not believe, the reports coming in from those who lived in Durban on how wet Durban actually was, was enough to dampen the spirit. Of course the Debutants making their first trip did not quite understand this!
Upon arrival we were greeted by the blustering wind and driving rain, and slowly we began to accept the inevitable - the first round at Durban County Club would be wet!
The 7 day weather forecast - an 80% chance of rain
Some waited outside DIA and prayed for the Rain to clear
After coordinating a confused Avis Staff Team (that would be providing our transport over the 5 days) we left for the infamous Durban Country Club.
For those who had already been to the Pub and had lost their way
And so on to the first round we went. The weather was playing along for its part and things got off to a good start. Midway through the round John Pascoe badly injured his ankle and had to leave the course, leaving the ever capable Mike Drummond to take on Richard Hoeksma and debutant Dave Logan. Ironically they were the last four ball out on the course. Coming into 18 things were pretty even, with Mike flying the Gud Gize flag single handedly. He was denied a 2 foot 'gimmie' and made to putt it out - which he missed and gave the Bokkoms a slim victory. The match ended Bokkoms 4, Gud Gize 2.
And so after a few drinks - and no rain! We left for the spectacular hospitality and surrounds of the 5 star Salt Rock hotel. (No, that is said with no sarcasm). We arrived - we found Jo (some may never forget - bless her boobs - mean her soul) - we booked in - we ate - we survived fines at the hands of Richard, and we went to the pub. Just another normal start to yet another DC CUP.
Day 2
After a very late night for some, with a number of us feeling like shyte, and after making numerous calls to some rooms we managed to board the Avis minibus convoy for the trip to Mt Edgecombe. In true Project Management style, Pete Bergh managed to get us to the course before the sun had its chance to rise and quite a way before the pro-shop opened.
Waiting for the pissed, the lost and the late!
Many made their way to half-way house as soon as it opened in order to replenish the fluid levels. If they only realised how thirsty they would be this early in the morning - they would probably have a had a little more to drink the night before.
The first round of foursomes kicked off in a manner now typical of the DC Cup. Most of us were hoping like hell that we had a partner that would actually be capable of swing at a ball with some degree of competence. The Gud Gize took the foursomes 4 to 2, and in doing so leveled the scores at 6 all. There was a glimmer of hope that this years event would be as close as those of the earlier years.
The afternoons betterball games got off to an early start in windy conditions. The Bokkoms took the match 3.5 to 2.5 and ended the second day with a slim 1 point lead.
The second night was no different to the first night. After dinner and fines were dispatched, most settled at the Pub. A shooter drinking competition broke out amongst a few, which saw Mike Richards conjure up a drink that is bound to become tradition at the DC Cup, know as the DC, consisting of Drambuie and Cane, it very quickly showed its potential and would certainly have done Dave proud. The evening was highlighted by John Moyes' tackle on an 90 year old woman on crutches - a tackle that would have made Butch James proud, and Richard Hoeksma's elegant negotiation with the hotel staff to move into a room with basic facilities such as internet connectivity - a negotiation that would have made John Macenroe proud.
Day 3
More frantic wake-up calls and more poorly looking players, and another pre-dawn raid on an unsuspecting coastal gold course.
Umhlali was taken by storm well before sunrise. The local staff were roused from their sleeping quarters and helped get things underway. The rain was lurking - would it hold?
Foursomes got off to a quite start and finished with the Bokkoms taking the match 4 to 2, and helped their slender lead grow to 3 points. Could the Gud Gize come back.
After a hurried lunch we squeezed into the middle of a local golf day and got things started in wind conditions that most us had never experienced before. With 3 or four holes to go the wind brought the rain howling in from the ocean, and almost all 24 players were drenched. Even these conditions could not keep the Bokkoms down and they took the afternoons betterball 3.5 to 2.5 - stretching the lead to 4 points with only the final left to play.
Day 4
The day with the late start, the leisurely breakfast, and all the time in world to work the nervous system in to state of chaos. The Gud Gize needed 9 points to prevent the Bokkoms making it a hat-trick. The Bokkoms needed 4 points to tie the event and retain the trophy.
Princess Grant played host to the final game. With it came the wind and the rain, but there would be no backing down.
All it took was the first 4 individual matches. The Bokkoms had their 4 points and the trophy was retained. One game later they wrapped things up with a win and went on to finish the singles off 6.5 to 5.5 thus winning the trophy 23.5 to 18.5. An exact repeat on 2003.
Some final trivia
In 2004 the Duck went to Louis Barclay. Louis played 6 games, lost 4 and won 1. Contributing a single point to his team at a 'points rate' of 17%. The single poorest performance.
Tony Kaleb returned to the DC Cup for the second time. Fearing a third consecutive loss for the Gud Gize, he opted for a transfer to the Bokkoms and in so doing became the first player to play for both teams and never suffer a defeat.
The best Rookie player of the year went to John Moyes. Winning 4 of his 6 games at a points rate of 67%. This included the remarkable win over Tony Kaleb in the Final. He was followed closely by Peter Geach on 60%.
