About the Sussex Spitfires
The Sussex Spitfires as the name suggests hold their roots in the Southern English county of Sussex. This is obviously a great handicap for the Spitfires when assembling their squad. The population of Sussex is just 1.6 million. The All-Stars meanwhile have access to over 7.4 billion people, that’s 4,625 All-Stars to every Spitfire! Despite these enormous odds the Spitfires more than hold there own on the tournament due to their greater comradery and desire to fight for the cause.
This year the Spitfires will be Captained by Sefton Owens. Owens captained the Spitfires to their success in the inaugural competition and it is hoped that Owens experience and wisdom will once again bring the cup back home to Sussex.
Owens will be ably assisted by two Vice-Captains, Ashley Williams, who was Owens deputy in the trophy winning year and Peter Reagan. This will be Reagans second Snyder Cup appearance and he'll be watching Owens closely as it is widely anticipated he'll take the mantle in 2017.
Spitfires have largely kept the same squad from 2015, the only absentee being Kev Plumb. However, they welcome back Joe Oates who was part of the victorious 2014 winning squad. In addition, they welcome two debutants, the vastly experienced Martin Burt and the enigmatic, unpredictable talent of Gary Mumford. Mumford will be particularly useful to the Spitfires if any seals get washed up on the beaches of Fota Island and require clubbing to death.
Meet this years players
Sefton Owens
Captain
One of two ever presents in the Spitfires.
Owens captained the team to victory in the innagural Snyder Cup and was one of only two unbeaten players in the tournaments history before narrowly losing out a dead rubber game to the other unbeaten player, All-Stars Paul Coates in a titanic final day showdown last year.
Daniel Brent
Ashley Williams
Vice Captain
The other ever present in the Spitfires Line-up.
Ashley is fiercly competitive and after vice captaining the innagural winning squad he took on the mantle of team captain last year. Despite one of the most rousing Captains speeches in Snyder Cup history just before he sent his team out in the final day singles he was unable to retain the Cup.
Joseph Oates
Peter Reagen
Vice Captain
Peter made his Snyder Cup debut at the Belfry in 2015.
Another fiercly competitive player, he slumped to a shock first day defeat last year in his fourball alongside Daniel Brent. However, he made ammends in the final day singles when he slayed the All-Stars part time motor racing commentator Murray Walker in a crushing victory
Trevor Goodwin
Danny Brent made his Spitfires debut in 2015.
Dan is unassuming character off the course, well mannered and considered. However, once he's on that 1st tee he comes to life. A golfing style guru it is expected Dan will have a heavy influence on this years Spitfires clothing range whilst ensuring Pete 'Dunlop' Reagan doesn't!
Martin Burt
Martin will be making his Spitfires debut this year.
A golfer of great pedigree the Spitfires were delighted when he signed up for them this year. Strongly fancied to go through the tournament unbeaten.
Joe made his debut in 2014 in the innagural Snyder Cup.
He remains one of only two Spitfires never to have been on a losing team having had to pull out of last years team for personal reasons. His unequivocal destruction of the Spitfires Captain Nick Hancock in the final day in 2014 will never be forgotten
Trevor was another who made his debut last year (2015).
One of the Spitfires most experienced players having played across the globe including Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Bethpage, Pacific Dunes and Royal Melbourne This experience will stand him in great stead as the cup goes overseas for the first time.
Gary Mumford
Gary is another debutant and the Spitfires dark horse.
No one is ever quite sure how Gary will perform, but beware those who ridicule his seal clubbing swing, what you see isn't necessarily what you get!