Sid Griffiths Full Report Dupree Cup

In 1984 I played in the Dupree Cup at Rowlands Castle.160 people played in it from all around the country.  I cancelled a holiday to play in it.  It took place over three days and was a knock-out medal competition.   I played 18 holes on the first, second and third days and on the fourth day I played 36 final holes. Only 8 players qualified for the final round. By the end of it my feet were pretty sore but I won the competition.  It was the first time anyone from Corhampton had won it. They couldn’t put the cup in the bar at Corhampton as it was too large. Sir William Dupree gave the cup  in 1900 to be played for perpetually.

The following item appeared in the ‘Golf’ magazine in the summer of  1984.  The photos are from Sid’s photograph album.

Corhampton’s Super Sid wins Dupree Cup

Sid Griffiths, Corhampton’s vice captain, recently achieved a memorable success at Rowlands Castle Golf Club by winning the prestigious Dupree Cup.

This event, which is played over three days, is one of the largest of its kind in the South of England.

Sid’s first task was to qualify for the Quarter-finals by competing against a field of 160 golfers playing a medal round. Having got through this formidable obstacle by scoring a net 71 Sid, who plays off a handicap of 19 was drawn against Tony Wagg, a 10 handicap golfer from the host club in the quarter-finals. Sid beat Tony by two and one which considering that his opponent was at one time a three handicap golfer was no mean achievement.

In the afternoon however Corhampton’s vice-captain excelled himself even further by beating Rowlands Bill Summers (14) by seven and five in the semi-final.

Saturday brought the day of the final for the Dupree Cup – play being over 36 holes. Sid prepared himself well far the great day by having an early night – four o’clock in the morning! His opponent was Peter Middleton another 14 handicap golfer from Rowlands Castle.

Sid, Peter Middleton and Bob Summers the referee

During the morning round Sid really played golf more befitting a single figure golfer than one off nineteen, by going into lunch seven up! After lunch the protagonists resumed their battle with Peter storming back by winning four of the first five holes. At this point Sid’s caddie and friend Andy Andrew gave him a severe talking to, which seemed to do the trick, because from there on Sid got his game together again and ended up the worthy winner by five and three.

Sid clutching the cup with D Bull, the head greenkeeper on the left and Andy Andrews, his caddy, on the right

Sid Griffiths returned to Corhampton that night with very sore feet but happily clutching the magnificent Dupree Cup.

Rowlands Secretary Sandy Aird and the Club Captain Edwin. Reeves should be congratulated for organising and running this very important event in a most efficient manner.