Annual InvitationCup 2010

CELTIC MANOR

30.12.10

Firstly, may I extend a warm Christmas welcome to all players and supporters. I hope your journeys here were safe and you are looking forward to an exciting and competitive day of golf!

Now, to give a little background on The Annual Invitation Cup (AIC). It was not long ago that the idea of the cup was conjured up during a regular nightime visit to The Queen of Hearts. Since its establishment by the Wood brothers in November 2009 interest has soared with many people marking it as the next Ryder Cup. It is only fitting then, that the first ever AIC tournament be held at one of Britain’s most prestigious courses and the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup, The Celtic Manor.

With compeitors traveling from as far as Bradford, Liverpool and London this years compeition looks set to light up the 2009 sporting calender. Individual performance is a must with the AIC Jacket up for grabs. It must be remembered however, that a player is only as good as his team mate and the doubles format of this cup means players will have to combine forces and show that they both have what it takes when it really matters.

So, on behalf of the AIC founding committee, I wish all players the best of luck and hope that we have a tournament to remember!

AIC Committee

A warm welcome back

The Course

Roman Road, the first of the Resort’s courses, opened in 1995 and was ranked ‘the top inland course in Wales’ by Golf Monthly Magazine. Overlooking the Severn Estuary with views across to Somerset and Devon, it was designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr and is named after the many Roman roads that criss-cross it, the design shaped to avoid disrupting any remains.

The Roman Road course was the host venue in 2005, 2006 and 2007 for The Celtic Manor Wales Open and the 2005 and 2006 All*Star Cup which over the two years of the event has featured celebrities such as Catherine Zeta Jones, Michael Douglas, Ronan Keating, Chris Evans, Jodie Kidd, Bruce Forsyth, William Baldwin, Alice Cooper, Meat Loaf, James Nesbitt and Jane Seymour, and now the first AIC Competition!

The Main PrizeThe Green Jacket

As competitions go the AIC is Mount Everest. Just like conquering Mount Everest you face a battle of courage, strength and determination, not to mention the competitive pressue that can destroy even the greatest of men.

The AIC jacket represents the hopes and dreams of the common man. Designed and created by award winning designer ‘Oxfam’, the jacket combines elegance in look and feel, but more importantly the power to transcend the owner to the summit of golfing execellence.

As 8 young men take to the course of the 30th December 2009, only one team will be crowned champion and only one individual will take the jacket. Let the games begin...

Other AwardsFurther opportunity

Team CompetitionLongest DriveMVPMost Desirable LookNearest the Pin

“Hopes and Dreams of the common man”

Age: 23Home Club: WarwickshireAchievements to date: Being paid to practice for free!Attitude: thinker

Alex Miller, golfer, thinker, saviour and general all round nice guy is representing Warwickshire golf club and the midlands counties.

Having played golf from a young age of 17 and a half alex feels he has been hard done by not to be seeded in this event. Being paid to practice for free (as a ball collector in his youth) Alex is now one of Warwickshires finest talents.

Alex feels confident that he and Will will clean up and take the team title.

Alex MillerTEAM ONE

“General all round nice guy”

Age: 24D.O.B: 07.09.85N.I.: JT166103D

Unusual upper body power to get the ball out of tricky circumstances. Being able to kick ones self in the head. Straight, steady hitting from both the tee and more importantly the fairways. A* in religious studies. Has plenty of golf clubs for the opposing teams to borrow (Jimmy).

Can occasionally lose his temper, especially when the heat is on. Team player through and through. Good team spirit for when moral is low. Putting can let him down from time to time. Having a spare rib can be some sort of hindrance if the weather is unkind.

Overall, the timing couldn’t be sweeter. After a break of 4 weeks from the game he comes into this prestigious event fresh and injury free (unlike Matthew Wood). He’s going to be carrying 2 new wedges that MAY spin him into contention come the 18th green. Is slightly concerned over the form of his partner but is happy however with there team building techniques which could lead to domination!!!

In the picture, I surely can’t deny that I was too guilty of having sexual relations with Tiger over recent months!

Please don’t rain cuz I hate playing in the wet.

William LLoydTEAM ONE

“A* in Religious studies”

Age: 22Home town: SkenfrithHome Club: Raglan Parc Achievements to date: Raglan Parc Junior Captain 2002/03, 2003/04Interests: Girls

Born and raised in a small village in Wales, Wood has risen against all expectation to become one of Skenfrith’s leading golfers. Becoming Junior Captain in 2002 was a catalyst in Wood’s drive to be the best, something that at times took his tole on his game and the reason, many people think, for his wild off the course antics.

Despite rising to early fame, his career peaked in 2005 after which he swapped his driver for a pencil and ruler seeking a new career in Architecture. The local newspaper quoted: ‘After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father and person’

This winters return to golf, combined with his collaboration with J.Ashton has been acclaimed as one of sports greatest ever comebacks. Leaving his player lifestyle behind, Wood hopes to finally lift the greatest piece of golfing silverware.

Matthew WoodTEAM TWO

“swapped his driver for a pencil and ruler”

DOB: 23/03/1987Birthplace: Wirral, England

Growing up on the mean streets of the Wirral, Ashton learnt his trade with nothing but a single golf ball and a rusty 9 iron. The young maverick could often be found playing truant from school, perfecting his flop shot into the old trash cans around the Wirral’s notorious back alleys.

Talent was obvious from an early age as Ashton progressed through the ranks of the local crazygolf circuit. At the age of 15 he made a seamless transition from crazygolf to ‘pitch and put’, before moving on to the full course later that year. Due to his colossal frame and natural athleticism the long game fell into place easily, whilst the deft touch and versatility learnt in the world of crazygolf made the young buck a tyrant around the greens.

Despite massive pressure both from the public and a number of major investors, Ashton has resisted the allure of the professional circuit until now. Speculation is growing that a win at the AIC, the most prestigious event on the calendar, may be his springboard into the big time.

A favourite in the club house, experts are tipping Ashton as ‘the one to watch’. With his Hollywood good looks and devastating iron play, Ashton looks favourite to fill the void of golf’s ‘golden boy’ following Tiger’s recent fall from grace.

Joe AshtonTEAM TWO

“Versatility learnt in the world of crazygolf”

Age: 24Home town: SkenfrithHome Club: Raglan Parc Achievements to date: Won a meddle, which made champion contender M.Wood cry!Interests: WinningAttitude: Unforgiving, dominating, aggressive, cute

Quiet and conservative, J. Wood lives a peaceful life away from praying eyes of the paparazzi. Raised in the idilic mountains of South Wales, Wood grew up a lover of golf. It was his Grandfather R. Meyrick (a golfing legend of Raglan Parc) who introduced James to the game, and thus started one of the fiercest sibling rivalries the world had ever seen. Wood and his brother, a hotly tipped AIC favorite, challenged the world of golf across the South Wales circuit winning numerous competitions and fame along the way.

However, cracks soon formed, the pair citied creative differences as the problem; papers speculated. Finally, in his early teens, a make or break period, Wood chose to pursue his other love in life football, and as a result his golf suffered.

After several years in the wilderness Wood returned to golf in Australia 2008, what was initially described as a one of, re-sparked his interest and recent victories prove that there are two tigers in town! GRRRRRR!

James WoodTEAM THREE

“Two tigers in town...”

Age: 23Height: 5ft 11inTurned Seeded: 05/12/09Birthplace: Guildford, SurreyUniversity: Manchester UniversityBirthday: 11/01/1987

Nicknamed ‘Big Dog’ Dicky is often considered the leader of the pack on and off the golf course. Controversy flooded the media recently after Dicky was named one of the four seeded players for the Annual Invitation Cup ’09. The combined partnership between James (insert nickname) Wood and Dicky is set to be a strong contender for the AIC’09 title.

Dicky oozes charisma, often referred to as the ‘Joey Cole’ of the golf course and if one were pinpoint the strongest element of his game it would have to be the consistent flair in which Dicky brings to the game.

Dicky’s infamous tee shot slice has acquired the nickname ‘princess Di’ (shouldn’t have used a driver) don’t be surprised if you spot him taking his trusty five-iron tee shot.

Dicky LewisTEAM THREE

“Spot him taking his trusty five-iron tee shot!”

Age: 24Home town: Eaton BishopHome Club: Brampton Golf CourseInterests: Adultury

Edward Power Douglas Carne certainly plays the game to his name. Powerful and strong he has always had an interesting relationship with the Golf course. Conceived on the infamous 14th green at Brampton Golf Course, one could say it’s in his blood. Edward took to golf at an early age, but minor brushes with the law were to represent a battle away from golf. He remembers the day he drove a ball into a child hood friend’s mouth, standing only 10 metres away.

By his early teens Edward had mastered the 9 hole course at Brampton and in search of something new went on tour around the world. Brief spells in Italy, France and Holland were tainted with regular trips to sex rehab. His playboy lifestyle of saudid sex and affairs soon affected his golf. In 2009 he quit golf for rugby. This Christmas marks the return to the course for Edward. Ranked as an outsider, hopefully his maturity will help rise up the leader board.

Ed CarneTEAM FOUR

“It’s in his blood”

Nickname/s: Bros, Broz, Hugo Bross, Brosny, Pad, Paddy, Pad Lad, Tricky, Fat ManDoB: 08/09/1986Place of Birth: BradfordHeight: 6’1”Weight: 78Kg

Patrick Brosnan is a levelheaded golfer with a good temperament; he was once tipped to be “the next Arnold Palmer” by Sports Illustrated but the game has taken a back seat in his life since he began drinking heavily, late in 2005. Brosnan models his game on Phil Mickelson’s and has been quoted recently as saying, “You have to hit it as hard as you can and deal with where you end up later”. We believe the quote was in reference to his golf game and not his drinking.

Brosnan’s home course, The Shipley Golf Club, designed by the famous Dr. Alister MacKenzie, is forgiving of his style of “gung ho” golf. The Roman Road Course, however, is in a different league, Brosnan may well have the power, but will he have the precision to win the coveted Jacket?

Patrick BrosnanTEAM FOUR

“Deal with where you end up later”

The 18th HolePressure can destroy even the greatest

The first words uttered about “team danger” on the night of the controversial and first ever draw for the AIC was “dangerous”, which, of course, is completely coincidental to our team name. It is the perfect way to describe this young and developing partnership though. I read in Golfer’s World this month in an interview with Lee Trevino, when he was asked about the AIC, his reply was simply, “the cup has team danger written all over it”. These words coming from the mouth of such a golfing legend have really lifted the spirits within our camp this week, especially after the rubbish that was written in the tabloid last week about Jimmy. Between you and I, preparations are going really well, we’re both in top nick.

“The cup has team danger written all over it...”

The favourites for the jackets must be team 1, Will and Alex are looking strong, but pressure does funny things to men and those two, well, they’ve never really worked well together or been in the position of tournament favourites before. Off the record, I have already been hearing whispers of a fallout over club manufacturers and they’ve only been partners for less than a week.

Injury plagued team 2 look like they are struggling also. Everyone saw the article in the Daily Mail and the photos the pap took for the Mirror, James of Team 3 pushing Matthew of Team 2 into a road, apparently provoked by Matthew playing “mind games”. I thought it would have gone down as manslaughter personally, but luckily, its only cartilage damage. It seriously hampers teams 2 chances though, I just can’t see second seeded Joe carrying top seed Matthew through it all, which is what he will have to do if they are to be in with a chance of the prize.

“Investigating James’ behaviour that fateful night...”

Obviously then the R&A are investigating James’ behaviour that fateful night last week. Let’s hope for the sake of the competition, he isn’t too seriously punished. I doubt he would have any complaints whatever the outcome of findings are after such a brutal attack. Then of course, the wildcard seed Dicky comes into the equation. There has been a lot of mudslinging in the press, we all saw the “fairweather golfer” comments and I think he might crumble with all the abuse, I just don’t think he has the mental toughness of, let’s say, the Jedward twins.

P.Brosnan

Players should arrive in Custom AIC 2009 Team Polo, Beige Chords/Chinos, Tweed Jacket and Shoes. Shirt & Tie required for dinner. Personal Team accessories a must.

(Remember Celtic Manor is a prestigious course, so all footwear and clothing should be suitable and within the rules)

Itinerary 10:00 Arrival Celtic Manor, Newport, Wales10:15 AIC Champions Breakfast10:45 AIC Founders Words

11:00 First Tee Off16:00 Golf Finish/ Transfer to Players Accommodation

19:00 AIC Champions Dinner20:00 AIC Awards & Presentation21:00 AIC Lash(All times are likely to change)

The AIC would like to thank all competitors, staff and members. Without the dedicated help and support the AIC would not be able to make todays event come true.

Player InfoRules & requirements

JAW