2009 ACGA v Cypriots GS Match

The Cypriot Golf Society was on the receiving end once again losing to the Afro Caribbean Golf Association for the 2nd year running. The CGS team was not at full strength as 6 of the qualified players were away on holiday. The captain, Savvas Savva, had no alternative but to go down the list of the Order of Merit to complete his team. Having said that the team performed brilliantly and played some good golf which is reflected in the results. In the end the ACGA team were just that bit stronger and went on to win 10 – 8.  

 The Challenge Cup is a ryder cup type match between the two Societies. These matches began in 2002. The CGS won the Challenge Cup for the first 5 years. In future the tie should be brought forward by 2 weeks so that holidays don’t interfere and hopefully next year they will recapture that winning way once again.   

 The Challenge Cup was held on Thursday 23rd July at Old Ford Manor Golf Club, Barnet. Twelve players represented each Society and the format of play was four ball better ball match play in the morning and singles match play in the afternoon.  

 Everyone arrived at the Clubhouse by 07.30 for coffee and bacon roll a bit of socialising and for the two captains to reveal the order of play for their teams. The CGS team had 2 rookies, Chris Kalli and Tony Timotheou. Both players done extremely well. Chris Kalli won both his matches and Tony won one of his matches. Savvas Savva notched up the biggest victory against the ACGA captain Henry Laville, winning 7&5. 

At 08.30 the first team teed off followed by the others. The points were evenly divided after 5 matches finished and everyone was anxiously waiting for the last match, which went to ACGA.

After lunch the battle begun again, 12 matches worth 12 points.  

The full results & points are as follows:

Morning four balls.            

CGS.........................2.5 points                              ACGA ............................... 3.5 points

Savvas Savva & George Varv Georgiou, lost by 1           v Roger Goddard & Collin Parson

Peter Sandamas & Tony Timotheou, won by 1               v Steve Lee-Sang & Malcolm O’Garo

James Birri & Chris Kalli, won 3&2                                v Leo Faure & Donald McLeod

Andreas Stylianou & Panayiotis Poyiadzis lost by 1         v Keith Murray & Ossie Roberts

Kyriacos Tsirpis & Andy Savva, halved                         v Stuart Austrie & Chris Thomas

Tasos Periclis & Angelo Takkas, lost 5&3                      v Henry Laville & Andy Ferdinand

Afternoon Singles

CGS ...................... 5.5 points            ACGA ...........6.5 points          

Savvas Savva, won 7&5                      v Henry Laville

George Varv Georgiou, halved               v Andy Ferdinand

Peter Sandamas, halved                      v Chris Thomas

Tony Timotheou, lost 3&2                    v  Stuart Austrie

James Birri, lost by 1                           v Ossie Roberts

Chris Kalli, won 4&3                            v Keith Murray

Andreas Stylianou, lost 6&5                 v Donald McLeod

Panayiotis Poyiadzis, lost 3&2               v Leo Faure

Kyriacos Tsirpis, halved                       v Malcolm O’Garo

Andy Savva, won by 1                        v Steve Lee-Sang

Tasos Periclis, won 3&1                       v Collin Parson

Angelo Takkas, lost 3&2                      v Roger Goddard  

After the evening meal and the speeches the CGS captain, Savvas Savva presented the Challenge Cup to the winning captain, Henry Laville. Both captains praised their teams and both mentioned the importance of this event. Everyone enjoyed the day, the golf course was in excellent condition and the weather was kind to us once again.

The next competition for the Cypriot Golf Society, the Masters, will be held on Thursday 17th September at Mentmore Golf & Country Club, Beds.