PORTUGAL 2025 -THE SUPER BOCK HANDICAP STEAKS – Dearsley Does The Business !!

Now in its 7th year The Super Bock Handicap Steaks is a Tournament within a Tournament this is year 5 in sunny Portugal. 12 Players from across the golfing world, everyone highly motivated with massive prize money at stake. Some of the Players had been acclimatising in Portugal for 2 or 3 days and 2 of them had worked out what acclimatising actually meant and realised that thats not what they had been doing !

It all started with a Buggy crisis at Pinta on the first day – The drama was dramatic as the 12 waited, poised for action, as Roberto sourced 4 buggies, and after a 60 minute delay play got underway.

Richard Ballantine blessed the ensemble, and off they went.

MK Seve spoke out “I told you so !!”

Clive & Max took control on Day 1 at The Vale da Pinta with Nigel in 3rd, some of Max’s many Tick Tock followers demanded a drugs test but to no avail the result stood ! and the tour moved on to Salgados.

Salgados Water Sports and Sailing Club is always an interesting venue, one which brings fear and loathing and sense of impending doom !  And once again the course stood up to expectations !

After just 8 holes the mighty Julian Winch was reduced to a gibbering wreck as he searched for another ball having lost 11 on the opening holes, that was enough for this gallant competitor and he retired to the Super Bock sponsors tent.

Even Big K Shorrocks could only make 8 points on the front 9 and Max was also feeling the pain.

Nevertheless the Players enjoyed the naval regatta which continued as they played and the Wrens were as friendly as ever and there were no nasty Pirate incidents which was a refreshing change.

Chilly won day 2 with Hoppy Dearsley sustaining the pressure in 2nd and Monty cracking in a fine 17 point front 9 to take 3rd.

“The lost ball count for the day hit a record 25 which could have been higher”, says Nigel (Stato) Carby, ” if only Julian had played the back 9 !”

Just Laguna to go !

The 3rd day of the Super Bock Steaks was set fine , the 12 arrived at Laguna only to find that MK Seve had broken a hire car and was rushed to the first  Tee with seconds to spare.

The hire car’s technical issues were, apparently,  nothing to do with MK’s  interesting and novel gear selection technique which even today is being emulated by fans of Reginald Mouldsworth the infamous Formula 1 driver.

The final round was underway and all looked good in the very competitive atmosphere. Roger was piling on the pressure and Nigel had found his form. Dearsley was struggling !

The leading group had just 3 holes to play when without warning the heavens opened. Even Noah would have been shocked as the fairways flooded and greens became puddle strewn. The , now ,11 looked at each other in trepidation as they sheltered under trees and then the lightning started and the race to the club house was on.

Drowned rats looked on in sympathy as the Players gathered in a sodden club house and the decision was made to abandon the prize giving ceremony. Tears were shed. But it was agreed that the Ceremony would be rescheduled in the UK at the next available date. (watch this space).

Later that evening Hoppy Dearsley was crowned 2025 Super Bock Steaks Champion for the 2nd time , with Sir Roger Large in a magnificent 2nd place and the ubiquitous Chilly in a plucky 3rd.

The Super Bock Handicap Steaks will be up for grabs in Bridlington later in the year, courtesy of Large & Biffa Productions.