OW Golf Society Report October 2017
Our last open meeting of the season was played at Walton Heath in September, attended by 16 people. We managed to avoid the rain but the wind was blowing a gale and the course was very difficult. This was reflected in the scores; many never broke 20. The winner on count back was Tony Harris with 31 points, second was Martin Down with 31 points and third was our guest David Morgan with 30 points. It was a good day albeit the numbers attending were a little disappointing.
The final match of the season was the Barnett Trophy match versus the school, played as usual at The Addington. Albeit the school were denied a couple of their best players on county duty, they were still able to field a side with low handicaps, and the OWGS did likewise, with four of the Halford Hewitt squad in our number. The match was played as fourball, better ball, off full handicap, and the OWs emerged victorious, 2.5-1.5, with society captain John Butler holing the winning putt on the 18th green in the last match. This was only the third win for the OWs in ten attempts; the school have won six of the others and one was halved.
For most members, the season concluded with the Autumn Tour, this time to the West Country, organised very successfully by John Gould and Tony Mason. 18 members attended. Tony hosted us at his home club, Burnham & Berrow, on the first day, and then we visited Weston-super-Mare and Bristol & Clifton on the following two days. The weather was generally kind, with the possible exception of the middle day which brought high winds and some rain. Most of us were very happy these conditions did not prevail at Burnham, which is difficult enough at the best of times! Some excellent golf was played, some not so excellent, but congratulations should go to Alan Scovell (to whom thanks are also in order, for organising the playing groups and keeping track of the scores) who won at Burnham, Don Anderson and Peter Blok (winners at Weston), and Ken Anderson (winner at Bristol). Don Anderson was Tour Champion over the three days, and the Anderson brothers’ combined performance ensured Ellis’s won the increasingly coveted, but elusive (thanks to last year’s winners, Mason’s), House Cup.
All of which leaves one matter to be decided. The annual knockout competition for members, the Challenge Cup, is reaching its climax, with a final scheduled between last year’s winner, David Hughes, and Paul Harrup.
Anyone wishing to play with and/or join the society should contact the secretary at peterbgale@sky.com.
Peter Gale OW (Hon Sec)
