Fellow Tadgers,
Twenty years! Who would have thought we would have made such a memorable landmark - longer than most modern day marriages!
It's been said before that we have thrived partially due to masterful organisation, quality golf, too much sleep, too little beer, ... the list of lucky coincidences goes on ...
However, when I look through the old photos and see those young, wrinkle free, boys that have grown into mature and sensible men - you realise there is more to it.
Who cares that we have played through the era's of niblets and spoons, hickory and graphite, whippy shafts and cavity backs?
What good is having a £300 sooper dooper driver when you can hardly bend over to put the tee in the ground - due to headache, bile and sickness?
We have tried changing the format, the venues, the awards, the cost, the tour drink, food here, food there, sleeping arrangement, the weather ... but the circus keeps rolling on.
That warm feeling of anticipation on the first morning when you get to shake hands and ask those deep, perceptive, penetrating questions - "You alright?" "What you been doing?" "Fancy a beer?" ... It might be a year, six months, or only a week ago that you last met.
The golf is somewhat incidental. We all want to play well and score more than Stewart but if it doesnt happen does it really matter? It’s the tour handshakes, the Padstow moments, the brandy and lovage, the translation of Arthur's cornish, Trigger’s one-liners, the list goes on ... and I suggest to you that it is things like that, that make the memories.
So our latest adventure will be enacted abroad! How exciting is that? I assume ‘Care in the Community’ operates in all European countries?
We are always impeccably behaved (well, apart from the time that Gordon fell out with a Welshman … and Dennis had to be escorted out of the Eclipse … and Arthur fell out with a Welshman … and the near ‘altercation’ in the Kebab shop … and Brian fell out with a Welshman … and Stozzer scaling the front of the Barley …)... and I know there should be an element of "what happens on tour, stays on tour", but can anyone honestly say that they have not dined out on such gems as ... "It's my birthday, and I fancy a spam curry" or "Cardigan is a nice place" or the classic ... "So why do they call you Jacko ?"
How long can we continue? I believe Arthur is considering retiring - is 70 the compulsory age? Do we introduce Tadgers euthinasia ? Perhaps bad backs, hips and knees may have a bigger say?
Thanks to Andy for his stupendous organisational skills, Dennis and Rob (hopefully!) for getting our clubs and luggage to Cork, and of course, thanks to the rest of you for your valuable time, good humour and splendid company.
A proud T-Cap - see you all soon.
Nick