Every year, we get together for a few days of golf, beers, laughs and probably more stories than good shots. The golf is the excuse — the friendship is the reason.

Life gets busy. Work, families, commitments and everything else seem to get in the way as the years go by. But somehow, every year, we put the dates in the diary, pack the clubs and head off together.

We’ve watched each other’s games improve, deteriorate and occasionally disappear altogether. We’ve celebrated great shots, suffered spectacular meltdowns, taken the piss out of each other relentlessly and created memories that have nothing to do with the scorecard.

The best thing about the trip isn't who wins the cup. It's knowing that, whatever changes life brings, this is something we’ll always make time for.

Same mates. Same banter. New stories.

And, hopefully, a few good golf shots along the way.

The Vale Do Lobo Cup — where the golf is competitive, the friendships are priceless, and nobody gets a gimme.