By David Jackson (Captain)
A near record turnout of 48 players gathered at Estoril on September 8 for the Incongress Trophy – a popular feature in The Royal British Club Golfing Society’s annual calendar.
Despite the fact that many of the greens were below standard due to ongoing maintenance work, no fewer than 22 participants handed in cards in excess of 30 Stableford points. Without in any way wishing to detract from these good scores, it must be stated, in all fairness, that the captain had been obliged at the 11th hour to institute a ‘maximum two putt’ rule on some of the greens.
Lunch, at the Estoril Golf Club, was attended by 60 members and guests, during which captain David Jackson expressed the society’s gratitude to sponsor and long-time member António Vieira for his company’s continued and valuable support. António then proceeded to present the prizes. Three members came in with 41 points, and a countback was required before the Incongress Trophy was awarded to David Thomas, who in addition to being the outright winner, scored a spectacular eagle on the last hole. Runners-up with second and third prizes were Ewan Rankin and Jimmy Gray.
Abby Itzig Heine, who was fourth with 39 points,also qualified for the Newstead Cup, and a countback was again necessary before the fifth and sixth prizes were awarded to Peter Mason and Kevin Raftery. There were ‘his’ and ‘hers’ Nearest the Pin in One prizes on different holes on this occasion and the winners were Jimmy Gray and Antónia Leitão. The Captain’s prize went to Noreen Raftery and the guest prize to Rodrigo Fernandes, one of 13 guests present.
Another special guest at lunch was golf Pro Gordon Young, who has sweetened the pill for many Cowbell winners by offering a free golf lesson each month to winners of this dreaded trophy. On this occasion, he was able personally to present the Cowbell, and his own prize, to Max Zimmerli. The Society’s next event will be the Peter Dawson Bowl, to be held at Aroeira on Wednesday, October 6.
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