The Golf Challenge Trophy - HKFCGS v. WAGS - Monday 2nd November 2020

Kau Sai Chau East Course
Monday 2nd November 2020

In only our 3rd match of the year, The Golf Challenge Trophy is an annual fixture first played in 2001 and is usually played in Macau. Suffice to say, given the ongoing quarantine restrictions on both sides of the border, both Captains foraged for spots at Kai Sai Chau to keep this fixture alive. WAGS won that honour and we gratefully accepted their challenge.

WAGS are led by a notoriously experienced campaigner. In discussions about the match format, they negotiated for terms that arguably suited them. So, we knew from the

outset that these guys would fight hard and fair to get their hands back on this silverware.

Jonny Brock and John Thompson were first into the fray versus Alain Roberge and their Captain Steve Warwick. Jonny set the tone from the off, with an eagle 3 on the first hole. Alain told me it was nip and tuck for the most part, with our boys “ham and egging” just that bit better, closing it out 3 and 2.

Rugby legends Terry Wright and Tom Hayman were talking strategy in the buggy next to the 1st tee, knowing they were up against a decent pairing of Ian McGovern and Stephen Smith. Tom benefitted from Terry’s knowledge and like of this tricky course, with our pair also recording a solid win 3 and 2.

Andrew Wood and Matt Burke have a polished record as a pair, so were looking to maintain that streak against Craig Pallister and Reshad Mullbocus. Punches were traded over the first few holes; then nearly new golfer Reshad came off the boil to let us in to take a good lead around the turn. Unfortunately for WAGS, they could not claw back, leading to a 5 and 4 spanking for the good guys. So, now leading overall 3 matches up, what could go wrong! 

The fourth match-up had Jukka Hakli and Warren Weener take on their Rich Sumner and Steve Manser. Jukka normally the steady Eddie and Warren more zig zag, saw a role reversal - with Warren’s big hitting this time matching the short game to carry our pair to victory, with a 4 and 3 win. Match over, now 4 to the good, with just 2 to play.

JP Cuvelier and Simon Hague were not to know the result, and in fact, I had this match down as a closer. Duncan Paul and Barry Cronin were not able to save WAGS face, getting smashed 6 and 5 in the process.

So, with one match to complete before the post-match frivolities, could Stan Szeto and Mike Button beat Mick Lonergan and champion jockey Zac Purton to secure the whitewash. In the end, this one almost got away, albeit Mike’s majestic 30-foot putt resulting in WAGS anchor pairing managing to put an All Square on the board.

The Golf Challenge Trophy therefore remains in our burgeoning trophy cabinet for another year and we look forward to defending it against these charitable gentlemen next year, hopefully back in Macau as usual.

Prizes were won by:

(Note: Hole #4 was meant to offer a Drive/Pitch (nearest in 2) prize, but there was no flag to be seen, therefore no prize.)

So, HKFC retain the trophy for the third year in a row on a day I can only describe as Golfing Gold!

Andrew Wood
Captain, Golf Society