23 Apr The Fred Hirst Trophy 2021 – The Draw

The Fred Hirst matchplay championship provided some of 2020’s best moments. Lee ‘Earnie’ Earnshaw remembered to turn up and fought back from 4 down with 4 to go to dispose of a rampant David Marshall (isn’t he always?); Matt Saxon battled through the ‘group of death’ in champion fashion only to be edged out in the tightest of games by Bobby Fielden who then went onto the same fate in an all family affair in the final.

Now that all the new members have been seasoned on TGC ‘s competition barbecue, there’ll be more than enough appetite to be the winner come 2nd October.

So here’s the scene set by the draw…

Quarter 1

An intriguing first part of the draw sees Marcus Calvert (7) and obvious choice as potential victor of the group. But matchplay doesn’t quite work like that and ‘MC Paintbrush’ will be giving shots all the way if he is to reach the quarter finals. He will face either Mark ‘Bubba’ Wallis (17) or John Barker (19) and give at least 10 shots to the cause. Cue Dez Crossley; he’ll come in with the shiniest clubs about and be looking to polish off Dale Chew. Dez has a low handicap in mind after a top debut season. The Cockney Bandit (11) faces a stern test in Stu Priestley (21) – both qualified for the Captain’s Prize finals last year, with Andy Wade going on to take that prize.

Quarter 2

The 2020 finalist Bobby Fielden finds himself in the second quarter of the draw which promises to be a cracker. With none other than Mr President Mick Parenti (10) in the mix, this one is even more difficult to call. Another Mick  – ‘The Moroccan Caddy’ version (13) – awaits the winner of Woz (10) and Marshy Marshall (19). We’re sure to hear about that one, on the course as well as after. Down below in this draw is Big Bobby O; Rob Ogden (10). Not present last year he is sure to be hitting bombs in his quest for the title but will meet Bobby F (10). last year’s beaten finalist, should he get past Geoff Whitworth (15). If Geoff gets through he’ll have to have his ‘Whits’ about him for another ‘Whit’. He may have to wait for John Whitham (13) to see if he can make it past Barry ‘Fast Baz’ Mills (21).

Quarter 3

If there’s a ‘group of death’ you’d not be laughed off the course for thinking this is it. Our Fred Hirst champion Dan Fielden (6) is in a group that contains none other than Chris Thornsby (+2) at the top end. But on the top end of his game right now is Al Stobbs (18) who is right up there in the Winter & Summer Leagues and shooting par for fun. If he gets past Jono Turner (16) then it’s Chris Thornsby next. The bottom of the draw sees our (unofficial) Player of The Year 2020 Isaac Davey Day (15) face our champ Dan….what-a-game! If that’s the top and bottom of it then why not someone from the middle? Thomson Centenary winner Adam ‘Gibbo’ Gibson (11) will have his work truly cut out by Steve Hill (17), last year’s semi finalist and Niall Gaffney (28), semi finalist in the Captain’s Prize, faces a resurgent John Stobbs (22).

Quarter 4

Craig Vest (19) v Lee Earnshaw (10). Enough said. The newly appointed Vice rabbits Captain plays the guy with more than enough vices of his own. Giving away 9 shots will be tough but Earnie is used to that and made it all the way to the semis last year only to be beaten at the death my the eventual champion. In the group is none other that Matt Saxon (8) who is going to be difficult to stop. That task in the first instance belong to Bayram Pallavus (16). The very on pre season form Jonny Rob (17) will attempt to blind Matt Edwards (13) into submission but given the size of Mash’s shades for Summer League this could be close. The on-form Simon Hemmington (10) plays Reece Gill  (13) for a chance to have a pop at President Prize winner 2019 Ryan Gaffney (15) – up there with the best of them when it matters. And the Fred Hirst Trophy matters!

For Rules and Dates see the Fred Hirst Trophy page..

Game of the Prelims? The [Unofficial] Player of the Year 2020 v the Current Fred Hirst Champ.. we reckon it’ll be a pretty good match…

ps…handicaps in brackets are course handicaps as of 23/4/2021 – they may fluctuate!