The Castle Cup is a seriously good time
Players from the Castle Cup on September 21. Front row: Mark Voss, Rich Nipert, and Azim Khan. Back row: Alex Mercer, George Schneider, Greg Brooks, Mike Gersack, John Ramirez, Mike Vernon, Mike McFarlin, and Eamon Twomey. Not pictured: Lance Bourque and Mark Rousseau (aka Rob Lowe).
A men’s group has been enjoying an annual day of competition since 2018. It is called The Castle Cup.
According to Mark Voss, an unofficial committee member and organizer of The Castle Cup, it started as a way to celebrate the end of the Village men’s 4.0 tennis team season. Tennis, golf and cocktails make up the triathlon day. Random partners are paired for doubles tennis and two-man scramble golf pairings make up the competition. The day is capped off with an evening awards ceremony.
“The Castle Cup is something guys look forward to every year and is really a great bonding time for our tennis team and friends,” explained Mark, who proudly shared that he is a three-time champion.
The original award “cup” was a mere $2 plastic trophy, which has since been upgraded to one boasting engraved names of the winners. Each year, the winner proudly takes the trophy far and wide and sends photos of the traveling trophy to the group.
This year’s event was held on September 21 at Lone Tree Golf Club. One player flew home from a family trip abroad with ample time to avoid jet lag ahead of the competition, and another player skipped a high school reunion to play. The men take The Castle Cup very seriously, and the competition is fierce.
This year, Rich Nipert won by just a half point. According to Rich, some people strive to win an Olympic gold medal or a Super Bowl ring, but for him, this event meant everything. “After enduring non-stop smack talk from my opponents over the months leading up to the competition, all that really matters to me is that I can now proudly hold The Castle Cup!” shared Rich.
Over the years, the field of players has expanded to include close friends and colleagues. It is organized by a mysterious “committee” that plans the day and the invitation list.
The men bond over sports, laughs and life – and keep up with a group text string that sometimes dings nonstop. They have created lasting friendships.
Not surprisingly, the past winners list is a source of on-going debate. The pride attached to this cup is immense. “What a fantastic event with an exceptional group of guys,” concluded Rich.
The original Castle Cup was upgraded to a slightly nicer version that includes engraved names of the winners. Each year the winner takes the cup around town and around the world and sends photos of its travels to the rest of the group.
By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Kathi Mercer and Mark Voss
