Friday 3 October 2014

Harey Cup 2014 - preview

One week. Just seven short days until the Harey Cup starts for the seventh time of asking so I thought I would do a little preview of what's to come.

For the second successive year, the competition returns to Spanish soil - the Costa del Golf and the fabulous Melia La Quinta Resort, just a short drive from Puerto Banus. After the luxury enjoyed at La Cala Resort in 2013, the bar was set extremely high and it would seem that Tom Walker, the 2013 wooden spoon winner (& therefore organiser for this year), has made a fine choice.

The resort, in addition to a spa & 5* hotel, has a trio of 9-hole courses which, over the three days of white-hot competitive golf, will give us three different combinations of 18 holes - studying the course planners would indicate a premium on accuracy rather than length, with villas, trees & lakes in close proximity. I hope the residents have kept up their insurance payments.

2013 saw Matt Hughan lead his team to a comfortable 7-4 victory over Richie Munro & his crew, Julian Hare donning the green jacket for best individual performance. For 2014, a mixture of perennial attendees, returning heroes and new blood promises to deliver a barnstorming battle to take not only the coveted trophy but the sacred sartorial honours. 

The full 2014 line-up is as follows:

Team Spy
Captain - Phil Clayton



Andy Hedges - making a welcome second HC appearance, Andrew will be keen to avoid a repeat of his underwear-revealing 2013 debut. Will the lesson at The Buckinghamshire have made all the difference? Will he be paired with James? Will he have a fresh wardrobe? 
Handicap: 21
HC record: P3 W1 H0 L2



Geoff Sammons - one of two debutants this year, the Belfast resident slots straight in at the top of the handicap charts and brings a fine game honed on the fairways of Berkshire. As a family man, many wonder whether Geoffrey will hack the pace of the apres-golf celebrations.
Handicap: 7
HC record: Debut



James Wheeler - a member of the inaugural 2008 event, 2013 saw a welcome return which, after a 5 year absence for the big left-hander, culminated in securing the winning point for Team Matt. Previous HC form points to a problem with Day 2 - critics have identified the volume of alcohol consumed after Day 1 as being a potential contributing factor.
Handicap: 10
HC record: P6 W3 H0 L3




Phil Clayton - the fearless leader of men. The shining light that others will follow. The golfing superstar whose ability to (eventually) find the fairway defies the physical machinations of his swing. By securing 9th place on his 2013 bow, Philip was bestowed the honour of leading a team at La Quinta.
Handicap: 32
HC record: P3 W1 H0 L2




Richie Munro - winner of 2012's wooden spoon, organiser & the losing captain of 2013, Richard makes a return to the ranks, ready to unleash his HC-friendly handicap & defend his outrageous 60% win ratio.
Handicap: 21
HC record: P15 W9 H0 L6



Team Tom
Captain - Tom Walker



Charlie Parker - official kit supplier to the Harey Cup, Charles was able to secure a morale-boosting win last year against his own 2014 captain. How will that simmering resentment affect team morale?
Handicap: 28
HC record: P3 W1 H0 L2





Mark Schofield - one of two perennial attendees, Scho will be hoping his Rickie Fowler-esque shoes, clothes & bag won't result in a continuation of his Rickie Fowler-esque HC form. A 33% win ratio is disappointing for someone with such experience. 
Handicap: 13
HC record: P18 W6 H3 L9



Nick (L) shows his brotherly love
Nick Hare - chairman, founder & ever-present attendee, Nicholas had the event named after him. Commentators wonder if the absence, for the first time in HC history, of his (more talented) younger brother will provide the opportunity for him to relax. Boasting a Justin Rose-esque win ratio of 61%, he is certainly the scalp for which Team Spy will be gunning.
Handicap: 10 pesos
HC record: P18 W11 H3 L4


Simon Mogford - the second HC virgin, Moggas brings a great game, new weaponry and a wardrobe consisting of only the finest garments available from the Royal Birkdale pro shop.
Handicap: 10
HC record: Debut



Tom Walker - the reigning wooden spoon holder, Thomas has demonstrated organisational & planning skills far in excess of anything displayed in the golf course. 

Handicap: 30
HC record: P12 W4 H0 L8




So there are the runners & riders. An evenly balanced match up where the victors will, the bookies feel, be decided by the narrowest of margins. The form guide makes it tricky to back one team over the other, two top-class debutants helping to cloud the decision-making process.

It promises to be an excellent event - stay tuned for the daily match reports next week.


I am the Part-Time Golfer



1 comment:

  1. Good work Wheels!! Love the picture of the Dooley's - forever etched in your memory......or perhaps not?! Looking forward to a relaxing few days given I won't need to worry about Jules (my much more talented brother?!) starting a fight in the plaza mayor!!!

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