ThirstyCup.com

TE KOWHAI MAY 2025

A day of commiseration and celebration.

All players started the day with a Tui before tee off to reflect on the sad and scarcely believable passing of Russell, who will be forever missed.

Also missing due to adverse situations were Kelvin (first time in 19 years) and Bruce (first time in 8 years) and regular pest Deon. This was counteracted by a couple of young South Africans playing off some of the better handicaps we’ve seen in a while. Dickie was about to find out how tough it is defending the trophy for the first time…

So, a bit of a rough start with Blair teeing off straight out of bounds and only two players coming in with less than an eight on an easy par 4. The first par three saw the Dickie/Wayne partnership scoring well on both the stableford and drinks front with a port for Dickie and six marmites each 

Unfortunately, this is how the contest continued, with Dickie and Wayne copping relentless marmite tallies on the par threes. Sickness set in early for these two and there was no coming back. The seventh hole was the worst, with three players hitting out of bounds on the tee off, including Dickie who only had to tap the ball off the tee to avoid a port. He couldn’t even manage that.

At the turn, perennial favourites Alan and Hank led the way with 18 and 16 stablefords respectively.

Wayne with a commendable 10 and Dickie with a disappointing 4 brought up the rear.

Alan continued to set the pace but couldn’t handle the distraction of well aimed incendiary device on the 16th tee, which cost him a port, five marmites and ultimately the lead. An exciting finish loomed as with two holes to play there were still 6 players within 3 shots of the lead, now held by Calvin. Joe then decided to hit several balls out of bounds, meaning sickness quickly overtook him and his playing partner Hank. A crucial moment came on the 17th when Blair struck a fine recovery shot out of the trees, only to find that it was Calvin’s ball he had hit (strangely both using a Titliest 1) This kept Calvin in front going to the last hole one shot ahead of Blair and Funnel. Ultimately however, the 18 handicapper South African held his nerve to par the final hole and become the youngest player in at least 20 years (if not the youngest ever) to win the Thirsty Cup. 

Congratulations! 

URENUI DEC2025

This tournament saw the debut of another Judd family member and was the also the first tournament to involve a father and son.

In fact all three Judds present started strongly before Kelvin and Blair fell away. Joe Dirt was clearly suffering from the pre tournament festivities. Again.

Funnel led for most of the tournament with the newcomer Jayden and drinking partner Calvin hot on his heels.

Alan - in a rare partnership with Wilson was the first to succumb, going down on the 13th after too much beer and a couple of ports.

Bruce was extremely disappointed with this effort and strongly voiced his opinion, but Alan was unable to listen

Straight after this Funnel's 2 ports took control causing him to choke heading into the last quarter and he relinquished the lead with just 3 holes to play.

This left Jayden and Calvin fighting it out, and although Jayden bravely tried to falsify his scores, it wasnt quite enough to stop the cool headed Calvin yet again finishing strongly.

The final scorecard declared a tie, which under Thirsty Cup rules means Calvin as the defending champion holds on to the trophy for a rare crack at a three-peat next time. 

Dickie ominously awaits.

Sadly, both Blair and Kelvin fell on the 17th, so never saw young Jayden's run to the 18th.

Joe Dirt, dead last at half time, showed what he could be capable of with a good second nine to finish 5th between Hank and Bruce

Final Scores:

Calvin    41

Jayden    41

Funnel    35

Hank    33

Joe    30

Bruce    29

Kelvin    23

Blair    17

Alan    14