Urlich Kettler Wins First Prize in Herr Romantische Schurrbart Contest

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Urlich Kettler ran away with first prize in the annual "Romantishe Schnurrbart Kontest (Romantic Mustache Contest)" sponsered for charity by the German Business Men's Social Group at the Sahara Club in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday, 24 June.

"I think someone else deserved it," said Urlich, better known to his friends as Uli, "I'm not so crazy about having a mustache since my days in the national service." Uli's mustache was given the best ratings on the night for character but Mr. Kettler immediately celebrated the event by letting one of the female staff shave his mustache off. Dominick Fruth, head judge of the event remarked "I'm glad he got rid of it. I know him personally and he normally doesn't look like one of the Village People."

Kettler won by a low composite score of only six points average out of ten possible, to which he responded "six is better than five."

Second and third places were very closely contested. The second runner up was Rod Stubbs of Sydney, Australia who sported a well trimmed, black Simon LeGrue, whereas third place was taken by Lars Bo Husum from Denmark who went for the walrus look. Husum most likely lost because he had points deducted for not shaving properly the rest of his face. "I came to win big money," said Husum, "and just look what I came back with. Third place? Next year the trophy is mine!"

One of the judges, Patrick "Stone Cold" Aston, a former Welsh guardsman and retired UK police, officer described Stubb's second place finish as like "kissing your sister" and Husum's third place finish as like "kissing your sister's boyfriend. If he has a mustache, that is."

At the end of the night it was a good time had by all. "Most of us kept in perspective what this was all about," said Jan Frank, the contest organizer, "it is about charity." All of the proceeds of the event went to a local charity set up by the Sahara Club for helping disadvantaged women.