Spa Golf Club
By Dominic Cunningham
THE SPA golfers last week delivered a super seven-up series of victories against an American team in their biennial Cider Cup competition.
The Americans, led by their charismatic, non-playing captain Don Smith, had fielded one of their strongest teams in recent years, but the Spa squad was unstoppable over the seven days of the tournament and once again claimed the bragging rights.
As honoured hosts, the local club had arranged a week-long package of golf on both sides of the border, with the actual Cider Cup being played at the magnificent Headford Old Course and the Jack Nicklaus-designed Killeen Castle course.
At a celebration banquet in the clubhouse last week, Spa Past Captain Aidan Savage thanked everyone behind the scenes who had worked so hard to make the event such an outstanding success.
He mentioned in particular Spa team captain Philip Gregg, as well as Haydn Gibson and Eddie McConnell.
He welcomed a group of special guests who had worn the Spa Cider Cup shirt in past years, including Ted McKibben, Eugene Murphy, Eddie Russell, Brian Higgins, Tom Stokes and Brian Graham.
Aidan said two other former members who had sadly passed away, Jim Smyth and Roy Patterson, were always fondly remembered.
Congratulating the Americans on their spirited tilt at the title, Philip Gregg said they had played some brilliant golf, but he was delighted the Spa team had pulled out all the stops to retain the trophy.
He looked forward to Spa’s 2028 visit to America, when he was confident they could add to their impressive haul of titles. Philip paid tribute to Spa Past Captain Brian Collins who, along with Don Smith, was one of the founders of the Cider Cup 24 years ago.
Among the presentations was a special Cider Cup tee-shirt for Ted McKibben.
The American Team Captain said there were many highlights over the course of the week and his team were returning home with wonderful memories.
“The hospitality of our hosts left the Americans with the guarantee that no one tops the Irish in hospitality – the craic, needless to say, was non-stop,” Don said.
“The stars on the shirtsleeves of the Spa golfers are now at seven. That might well reach eight stars two years from now when we welcome them to Minnesota. It won’t really matter, right? The memories have an unlimited number – and more are waiting to be created,” he added.
