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The Hoyle Cup was played last week and the result was a push. You may not have heard of the Hoyle Cup, which wouldn't be so surprising. The Hoyle Cup did not exist until last Thursday but, already, it is at least as important as the Walker Cup, the Curtis Cup, the Ryder Cup or any other Cup for that matter.

What, you may ask, is the Hoyle Cup? The Hoyle Cup represents all that golf is about. Golf is a sport where the contestants treat each other with respect and courtesy. It is a sport where the spectators see no need to bring in sticks or stones, knives or guns, to use on each other should the game not quite go to their liking. The Hoyle Cup is named after one of the nicest people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. Walter Sherman "Mickey" Hoyle is a true gentlemen, a man of integrity and honesty who also happens to be a very fine golfer.

Golf is a sport that is conducted in a spirit of goodwill. Be in no doubt, the desire to win is as strong in golfers as in any other sport, but they compete in a spirit that is respectful. Just watch Tiger, Sergio, Phil or Paddy and you cannot fail to see their desire to win.Watch also as they finish up their round. Off come the hats, handshakes all around, and well wishes to all for tomorrow.

That's golf in a nutshell, a well-fought battle that begins and ends in a spirit of friendship, however painful the battle has been for any given contestant.

Mickey Hoyle is the complete golfer and is as fine a putter as you will ever want to meet. Try as he might, though, he has not as yet been able to get me to see the putting light. My failure to learn from Mickey does deter him at all for, despite the uphill battle he faces with me, he continues to provide valuable support.

I tested that to the limit last week when he watched me leave a two foot downhill putt six inches short, performed, of course, at a critical point in the match. We were both exasperated at the time, however, we laughed and joked about it afterwards. "Practically impossible to do," said Mickey "but you somehow managed to find a way to leave that downhill two-footer short of the hole."

Mickey's eyes were twinkling, and I knew I was in for the leg-pulling I deserved. We bantered back and forth for a while and, because of Mickey's good nature, a painful moment turned into a memory that I shall cherish forever.

That is the type of guy Mickey Hoyle is and that is why the Hoyle Cup exists today. It exists to honour Mickey Hoyle and to showcase that which golf stands for. The Hoyle Cup is a competition played by the contestants for sure to try and win but, more importantly, during which the Mickey Hoyle effect will shine through. Honesty, integrity, and good-natured humour will always be the mainstay of the Hoyle Cup, just like the man Mickey Hoyle is and just how golf should be played.

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