NORTH

The 2025 RDRder Cup - The Fightback at Formby

 

Twenty-two of the industries’ finest golfers the North could muster battled on the second-best course called Formby on Wednesday to compete for the annual match play event.

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The sell side has typically dominated this event, and the buy side was looking for payback after the 2024 inaugural North event left them wondering what they had to do against these part time sales ‘professionals’ / golfers that do lots of ‘networking’ on the links up and down the country.

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Once the rules of engagement were established and the hearty breakfast of champions was dispatched, the first tee was adorned with some mighty impressive tee shots, setting the tone for the day.

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Not unlike Ryder Cup Captains of the past, the sell side sent out the big guns of McHaffie and Barfoot to secure the first point early. Lucy and Mors had other plans. The bookies predicted a close tussle, perhaps a few nervous two footers for halves and birdies for the win?!!? Seven down through eight from Lucy and debutant Mors all but finished off the industry legends with a six and five spanking.

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The second match was closer and despite Sam having to push his own trolley, was buoyed by a new kid on the block, Trundle. The match was close until Catlow unleashed a cannon up the hill into the wind 242 yards on the 15th, leaving the sell side opponents to question if they had bitten off more than they could handle. One down on the 18th tee never wins, and the calm, Els like duo of Diakou and Catlow won the 18th too and took second blood for the buy side by two holes.      

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Industry legends Crier and Evans were always the anchors on the sell side ship. Few would argue there is a touch of Oli and Seve about the pair, and they steadied the boat with a one up victory against debutants Cruise and Talbot - clearly a pair to watch out for next year.

Groups four and five commendably swapped around after a couple of dropouts last minute and an Allen and Tunstall pairing took full advantage against a lone Stewart, taking a solid lead of five up through the first nine. Whelan fended off a barrage from Tuffers and Norton to remain all square on his own before he was joined by Tunstall and his fancy new clubs for the back nine. Tuffers and Stewart played well to bring back the deficit, but it was too high a mountain to climb as the buy side took the next two points putting the cup out of reach of sell side.

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The last match saw a pairing last seen at San Roque 15 years ago as Crabtree and Gibb took on McCance and Berry for an epic battle that wouldn’t look out of place on DAZN pay per view special. Two birdies in the first three holes from Crabtree and three up through five ignited a fight back from the solid buy side pairing leaving the scores level through nine. A pep talk, fist pump and a wink from Crabtree kicked his partner into gear as he got the long wand into action - which he doesn’t anchor. A four and three victory was a consolation prize as the final score was four to two in the buy side’s favor.

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Congratulations to the buy side as they level the scores one all.

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Looking forward to next year!

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Now, have I told you about the opportunity in UK Smaller companies…..

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