Ponce De Leon Invitational - History of the Ponce
Looking to hold a golf challenge with his friends, Neil Thomson decided to introduce a golf event similar to the Ryder Cup in January 2003. In the early days, there was no assurance that there would be enough interest for the tournament to become an annual event. Thomson proposed the event be called The Ponce De Leon Invitational. Many decisions from the early days of the Tournament remain today. Among these are the 4 rounds of competitive play, allowing the singles matches to be selected by the Captains, and, of course, the Final Round Singles matches. The first tournament was held the first week of January, 2003 with just 8 players. Typically, the field is 16 strong with a waiting list of at least that many. Twice, the Ponce has taken 14-16 players across the pond to play a United Kingdom team: 2012 in St. Andrews and 2018 in Sunningdale and Royal St. George's. The Ponce is scheduled each year and played at the World’s finest golf venues. To assist the community, each year a generous contribution is made by the players of the Tournament benefiting a charity that is selected by that year’s Chairman. We hope that the Ponce stages a golf tournament that is enjoyable to our players, patrons and the golf community. The Ponce is strictly an invitation Tournament.
Player Biographies (Last Updated in 2018) [ws_table id="1"]
Watch the Opening Ceremony Introductions by Captains Dom Clive and Neil Thomson in the Hogan Suite at Carnoustie
Team U.K. Player Biographies (2018) Biddle, James 39, Corporate Finance in London, Royal St. George’s / Working GC, 3 Appearances. Clive, Dom 39, International Man of Mystery, Royal St. George’s / Sunningdale / Guards Golfing Society, 3 Appearances, Captain of the U.K. Team 2012 & 2018, Tony Jacklin Spirit Award Winner in 2012, Wooden Spoon 2014 at PDL XII & British MVP in 2018. Thompson, Ian, 40, Derivatives Broker in Alton, Royal St. George’s / Guards Golfing Society, 3 Appearances, Captain of the U.K. Team 2014 at Ponce XII and MVP. Short, Brooke 39, Corporate Advisor in London, New Zealand Golf Club, 3 Appearances.
Bates, Johnathan, 36, Marketer in London, Royal St. George's / 2 appearances (2014 & 2018). Blake, Dan 39, Bank Director in London, Guards Golfing Society, 2 Appearances (2012 & 2014). Carroll, Andrew 35, Insurance Broker in London, Royal St. George’s / R& A, 2 Appearances (2012 & 2018). Davidson, Toby 35, Insurance Broker in London, Royal West Norfolk, 2 Appearances (2012 & 2018). Finch, Rupert 36, Attorney in London, Royal St. George’s and Royal West Norfolk, 2 Appearances (2012 & 2018), Wooden Spoon 2012. Moger, Richard, 40, Consultant in London, RAC Epsom / Guards Golfing Society, 2 Appearances (2014 & 2018).
Barnett, Marcus 38, Landscape Architect in London, Guards Golfing Society, 1 Appearance (2012). Birkert, Tom 37, Company Director in London, 1 Appearance (2012). Crofton, Henry, 38, Real Estate Development, Royal St. George's, 1 Appearance, Tony Jacklin Spirit co-Award Winner (2018.) Finnegan, Henry, 35, Asset Management in London, The Berkshire, 1st Appearance (2018). Garrett, Nick, 35, Real Estate investment in London, Sunningdale/RSG, 1st appearance (2018). Gibbs, Jamie, 43, Wealth Management in London, Royal Dougarie & Swinley Forest, 1st Appearance (2018) and Wooden Spoon Award Winner (2018). Gilbert, Karl 31, Investment Banker in London, Royal St. George’s, 1 Appearance (2012). Green, Storm, 34, London, Guards Golfing Society, 1 Appearance Member of the British Army (2012). Hyde, Nick, 32, Attorney in London, Royal St. George’s, 1 Appearance, MVP (2012). Ismail, Bilal, 30, Equity Sales in London, Sunningdale/ RSG, 1 appearance (2018). Grana, Francesco, 47, Financial Services in London / RSG, 1 appearance, Tony Jacklin Spirit co-award winner (2018). Spry, Ali, 42, Institutional Sales in London, RSG/ Rye, 1st Appearance (2018). Westermark, Niklas, 32, Energy Trader in London, 1 Appearance (2012).