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Home > What's New > The 2003 Montecristo Cup
The 2003 Montecristo Cup
Posted: Monday, December 29, 2003
By Gordon Mott
(From Left) Marvin R. Shanken, Bill Terlato, Dick Pfeil and Jack McGowan. |
Golf is always an exercise in mastering something, whether it is your swing or the elements. This year, at the 2003 Montecristo Cup in Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico, there was a lot of the former, and a little bit of the latter. After three perfect days for golf, the heavens and Tropical Storm Odette decided to pay the tournament a visit; it rained six inches by noon on Saturday, and all hope of finishing the final round of the tournament was lost.
But no one should feel sorry for the 80 amateur golfers and 45 guests who attended the tournament, co-sponsored by Cigar Aficionado and Altadis U.S.A., at the Hyatt Dorado Beach from Dec. 3 to 8. The hotel was ready for the influx of fun seekers, as well as the contingent of pro golfers. This year, the 19 Champions Tour golfers who attended included Jim Thorpe, Dana Quigley, Alan Doyle, Jay Sigel, Tom Wargo, Jerry McGee, Walter Morgan and Tom Shaw; Brett Quigley, the nephew of Dana Quigley and a PGA Tour member, also played in the event as a pro.
This year's format shifted the professionals around to as many amateur foursomes as possible. Most amateurs played with four different Champions Tour professionals during the three-days of tournament play. The format capitalized on one of the real trademarks of the event, spending time with professional golfers. As always, the touring pros were generous with their time and advice.
Thursday's round was a modified scramble. Foursomes were allowed to use the professional's drive and score on each hole, but after the choice of best drive, each golfer played his own ball into the hole. Full handicaps were in use. Each foursome played nine holes with one professional and then switched pros for the second nine. The winning group that day was Gary Brown, Michael Uffner, Dan Jones and Dave Clery.
The same golf format was used on Friday, but a single professional, picked by lottery at the dinner on Thursday night, played with each foursome. Friday's winning group was led by Marvin R. Shanken, the editor and publisher of Cigar Aficionado, who was joined by Jack McGown, Bill Terlato and Dick Pfeil.
On Saturday, each foursome had a different pro from Thursday, and the golf format was changed to a full scramble, with the pro's drive and score still available to each foursome. Each foursome had a different pro from Thursday. But the foursome could play from the best shot all the way from tee to green. Unfortunately, after a 9:15 tee-off, the heavens opened up about 10 o'clock and the Dorado East course was subsequently closed for the day. The winners, chosen by lottery at the gala dinner on Saturday night, were Thomas and Shepard Poole, Robert Friedman and Michael Lahey.
(From Left) Marty Nitz, Steve Eiseman, Jim Thorpe, Carla and Jack Wintermans. |
The tournament's overall winners were Jack and Carla Wintermans, Marty Nitz and Steven Eiseman.
While final numbers are not yet in, the charity portion of the tournament and the auctions that were held raised more than $100,000. The biggest item was a new Cadillac SRX, which was won with a $50,000 bid by Lew Rothman of JR Cigars.
The tournament's supporting sponsors included Cadillac, Hyatt Hotels, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Montecristo Rum, Beringer wines and Netjets, the fractional jet company. Also in Cigar News:
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