The Dave Conidaris Memorial Cup

The 'Spirit of the DC Cup' and what it means!
We abide by the rules of golf, but we take the spirit of the tournament into account
If your ball moves after you have addressed it, call the penalty on yourself and let your opposition know.
If your partner in foursome hits the tee-shot out of bounds or in the water hazard, you play the next shot (three off the tee maybe) because penalty shots do not count as strokes.
If your opponent plays out of turn and hits a great shot, you are allowed to recall it. Consider carefully before you do this. How would you feel about winning the hole after he messes up his replayed shot?
If you can, warn your opposition before they incur the penalty shot.
Try not to say sorry to your foursomes partner after a poor shot. Hopefully it wasn’t your intention to put your partner in trouble
Persevere within reason. Holes can be won with a big number.
Don’t get silly though and remember pace of play is important. Consider the other golfers in the field and what slow play does to them.
Giving Putts is an art. Use your mastery, but when it really matters think about your feelings. Great golfers playing in international matchplay have conceded putts because they believe it is the right thing to do.
Enjoy the game and enjoy the company of your playing partner and opposition. What’s the point of playing if we’re not enjoying ourselves.
Strive to win your game through playing the best golf of which you are capable.
Gamesmanship is also an art that some great golfers have used. Do you really want to win at all costs – and you may still lose if your opposition are too stupid to be affected.
After you have won the game, shake the hand of each of the rest of your fourball and say thank you.
After you have lost the game, shake the hand of each of the rest of your fourball and say thank you.
Same for a half.
Try to play the game in such a way that whether you win or lose, you can be sincere when you say thank you – and you know that your partner and opposition feel the same way.
It is all matchplay. Whatever result you and your opposition agree on is the result. If there is a dispute about a ruling, do not argue. Play a second ball and ask the organisers for a ruling straight after the game.
Don’t whine and complain about external factors, such as bad luck. You can talk about it, but no whining and complaining. It’s all about what and how you say it.
If you’re at the front of the field, it’s courteous to get a beer and stand around the finishing hole to support your team.
Participate in the in-between match activities. Have a drink with your opposition as well as your team.
Most of all – enjoy participating – whatever happens with the result
About the DC Cup
The Dave Conidaris Memorial Trophy is a Ryder Cup style Golf tour that takes place annually in South Africa. The participatents are a group of old and new 'mates' that ensure fierce competition - both on the golf course and in the pub.
How it all started
During August 2000, Peter Bergh and Wayne England started discussing a 'boys only' golf trip. Many of the initial conversations were held at the Country Club Johannesburg after the regular Saturday morning game, where initial planning became aided by the intake of a few beverages - 'pink gins', Springboks, Draughts and Rouble Dum and Coke.
In order to make it competitive, whilst keeping it good spirited we decided to arrange the event along the exact lines of the Ryder Cup. Our initial plan was to arrange a well priced event with 6 games of golf, accommodation at a suitable resort within a reasonable proximity, and a form of transport that would ensure that no had to drive. We set about looking for a suitable venue and a means of transportation.
By late 2000 we had 24 potential players, we had decided to go to the White River area of Mpumalaga and stay at the Karula Hotel from the 21st to the 25th of March 2001.
All that was left to do was to give the trophy a name, decide who the two Captains would be and then sort the players into two teams. We selected Dave Conidaris and Arthur Brook as our two Captains based upon their ability to be Captains who would capture and foster the type of spirit we were looking for.
Dave Conidaris
Tragically Dave passed before he had a chance to lead the Gud-Gize against the Bokkoms.
Those who knew Dave Conidaris remember him as fun loving, enthusiastic, generous, creative and competitive. Because of Dave, the trips to Swaziland to participate in the inter-computer golf challenge were always looked forward to with anticipation and a little trepidation. The participants in those events all have stories to tell, far-fetched but true. There was always something memorable to take back.
Dave’s approach to golf trips was infectious. Incidents and injuries were taken in our stride and were part of the fun. There was no whining or complaining about twisted ankles, misplaced possessions or hangovers. Snoring companions were part of the deal. Nobody arrived on the tee without a hangover and stoicism was expected. A wry smile was all that gave away that we were not at our physical or mental best. We played golf regardless of our condition.
The golf tournament was an important part of the trip, the reason we were going away. It was truly wonderful to crow on the Sunday “So, who else won?” Our team was not always on the leader board, but that was not significant. Participating in the tournament and giving your best is all that counted. Nobody gave up. Dave was a “good sport” and we did not accuse the winners of being “ringers” or cheats.
In memory of Dave Conidaris, we, the DC Cup participants should
Be good company
Play the ball as it lies
Know the rules - yet apply them in the 'Spirit' of the DC Cup
Play as well as you can
Format and Rules
The format of the competition is based very closely on the Ryder Cup.
We have two teams of 12 players each.
We play 6 games, where the Ryder Cup is played over 5 games. The format is as follows:
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Day 1: |
AM - Foursomes and travel, or alternatively, travel and PM - Betterball Matchplay
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| Day 2: |
AM - Foursomes Matchplay |
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PM - Betterball Matchplay
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| Day 3: |
AM - Foursomes Matchplay |
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PM - Betterball Matchplay
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| Day 4: |
PM - Singles Matchplay Final |
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| Day 5: |
Travel |
Unlike the Ryder Cup all 24 Golfer compete in every game thus making a total of 42 points available.