The FA Cup-Cup 2004 will long be remembered..... Well, perhaps it remains a blur to some folk who stayed out late!

It started in true style as Wally, and last years' winner 'Tim', had created a splendid mobile bar in the back of Wal's transit. With G&T's on optic, complete with ice and lemon; as well as piping hot bacon rolls - the day was off to a bloody excellent start! So as Dave poured and Wal cooked the crowd gathered. A grand total of 23 competitors would be vying for the chance to get their hands on the FA Cup-Cup and the Grim Jacket (not to mention all the other prizes up for grabs).

Unfortunately, our 'resident' photographer Coxy had been called away on business at the last minute, so it was with some relief when Dave Sellens stepped into the breach to save the day. Our thanks to Dave, who has a complete arsenal of camera stuff (that's enough said about Arsenal!) and puts it all to good use. Unfortunately the quality of this years pics now outshine the rather weak web design! However, since Wat is spending so much of his time on organising the FA Cup-Cup etc he has now (as was most peoples belief anyway) given up his day job to take on the task full time!

A special treat for the day was dear old Pansy turning up. No, not to play, but just to amble round telling everyone that he'd got a dog!

As it happens (remember that phrase Kev?) the pre-match organising paid off. Cards were handed out, complete with 'cut' handicaps, then they were taken back again to sort the order of play. Naturally, Tim 'The Grim' would be first to go and with him went Strickers - another virgin to the FA Cup-Cup and the rediscovered Alfie, claiming he should be off 20 (we'll adjust that next year mate) and mentioning that it wasn't the first time that he'd played around at St Clere's.
Hats off to Tim though. Standing on the first, knees a trembling, he put his all into the first shot, and cheered with glee as it sailed through the air past the ladies tee, all the way to the middle of the first fairway bunker. That was it! That had made his day! All he had to do now was retain the title...

A new 'custom' had been introduced this day by Matty Bright. To be referred to as 'Toasting the Hunt'; it involved a bottle of Port, split equally to match the number of groups teeing off. The object being that the person with the worst tee shot off the first, should drink their glass-full before reaching their ball - this meant that while some had time to enjoy the fine quality, others had to neck-it. Anyway, despite having a couple of goes Alfie almost manage to finish his glass!

Following the first group came Rippo, Downey and Matt (Dawkes). While some found the rough straight away, it was with intrepid speed that Rippo led the way! Leaving Downey to hurriedly drain the Port.
Next came past winner Dickie, accompanied by an on-form Marky Fen - complete with an astounding pair of tartan plus-fours. Apparently he'd tried to get a pink pair but the place had sold out - yeh right! With them strode Ron, who was fancying his chances of keeping the Cup in Linford. It was almost to be expected that the remaining crowd watch Fen knob it off the first just so he could claim the drink (this was in fact his second taste of Port this morning as he had gallantly aided Alfie finish his a few moments earlier!).
The fourth group away included Alan and Alan (Dawkes & Mitchell) as well as Wat, who found the task of remembering the names of who he was playing with eased greatly despite several of Tims 'nice' G&T's. Although tempted by a nice early Port, Wat belted his ball up the middle, leaving Alan (D) to do the drinking.
After them came Keith (Etheridge) another virgin; along with Appleyard and Matty Bright. Obviously Port was also a favourite of Matt's, who, having come up with the idea (and had bought the bottle himself), decided that he wasn't going to miss out.
The group following included such stars as Kelvin, Paul (Gillan), Richard (Trett) and Wally; each of them keen Port drinkers it was left to a pace-off as to who claimed the spoils.
The last group out was another fourball - Tredge 'n' Eddie, Dodger 'n' Dover. Sounding more like a sixties band the group was to be accompanied by 'Did you know I've got a dog' (Was that one of their Hits?). Anyway, being the man he is - plus his family hosting the Olympics later this year - it was Tredge that took the last glass and 'Toasted the start of the Hunt'.

With a number of reports of different people doing well it was a close run match. The tension built as the game progressed, the silence broken only by Tredge and Appleyard communicating with each other from opposite sides of the course by means of clanking their bags of clubs.

So the prize giving went something like this...

Downey

Tim

Alan Dawkes

Dodger

Dickie and Downey

Alfie - bless 'im.