The Kev Cup

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The Kev Cup - Beginnings

By Brent Dornford

 

 

FRIENDSHIP and FUN are words that epitomise what the Kev Cup has come to stand for, just as they do the man who we celebrate each time we play it.

 

The Kev Cup was born out of the annual Dornford Easter pilgrimage to Swanage, Dorset where Dave Selby, our cousin, would line up a “friendly” grudge match at the Isle Of Purbeck Golf Club. With Lloyd, Kevin, Alan and Brent forming the basis of the visiting squad/canon fodder we were often joined by the likes of Kim London, Gareth Shipley and Glyn Burton to take on the homeboys of Dave Selby, Dave and Dean Taylor, Bill and Eric to name but few.

 

A COMPETITIVE spirit was already evident and it did not stop on the course – although we like to think that Kev purposefully chose to lose the spoof when playing for the post match meals in order to show his generosity! We were often also to be found  back at the Selby household with cards, coins, dice or (Joy’s favourite!) shove halfpenny table – all of the above played with drink in spare hand!

 

In these formative years and at these early hours, Dave was already mastering his skills at the “tactical removal” of the oppositions form players through the application of appropriate levels of alcohol! What would appear very enthusiastic hosting through attentive topping up had a slightly darker veil and an even blacker hangover in the morning! Many fell by the wayside as just one more Jack Daniels, K’s cider, Whisky, Red Wine – to complete the circumnavigation of the globe, or perish the thought, Sloe Gin, were poured!

 

On 8th November 1999 Kevin Dornford was taken from us at the age of only 38. A much loved son, brother, husband, father and a super fit, Christian guy, Kev had a passion for his family, friends, music and sport. A fantastic guitar player Kev was handy at most sports particularly football and golf, a game which he fell in love with and played often.

 

And so it was in the wake of Kev’s far too sudden and upsetting departure we decided that a fitting way to honour his memory would be to make a more organised event of the golf competition we had started together those years before.

 

Dave Selby dusted off an old “Shove” trophy of his dads which was mounted and engraved and the Kev Cup was born!

 

A date was set in 2000 for the inaugural match to be played at Branston Golf and Country Club. Dave Selby and friends were to build a visiting team to play pairs better ball format against Lloyd, Alan, Brent and friends.

 

Such was the success of the event and surrounding japes we have never looked back and The Kev Cup has grown from strength to strength with more people than ever now enjoying the FUN, FRIENDSHIP, COMPETITION (and inevitable hangovers) that it brings.

 

Brent.