OW Golf Society News

Mike Berners Price and Tony Harris

Tony Harris held his Captain’s Day meeting at his home club, Effingham GC, on Thursday 30th April. A very healthy 29 players turned up – healthy as in ‘a good total’, that is – on a generally fine day, which enhanced the glorious views to be had from the top of the course.

All three of the ‘podium’ places were determined on countback. David Hughes pipped David Mason to third place, both scoring 37 points, and Mike Berners Price (pictured with Tony Harris) edged out Peter Gale, both 38 points, to take the Captain’s Trophy.

Congratulations to the Grafton Morrish side, who safely qualified at Royal Wimbledon (10th May) for the finals in October.

On 13th May the society held its annual match with the School and staff, with a new format that proved very successful. The OWGS and staff combined against the school, so that each of the five 4-ball matches comprised two boys pitched against one OW and one staff member.

The score of 4-1 (3 wins and 2 halves) to the boys was well earned, but it was actually a lot closer than the score suggests. In two matches the boys sank the most outrageous succession of long putts on each of the last four holes to go from two down to a win in one match and a half in the other! But that only shows the confidence and never say die attitude that is serving them well in a period of great golfing success. Perhaps even more satisfying was to see their obvious enjoyment of the game, and a great team spirit and camaraderie in what is not always an easy sport to gel as a team.

There were two other matches played in the period, both renewing friendly rivalries of one sort or another. The match vs OMWs was played at Purley Downs this year, and for the first time in a few years, OMWs came out on top, 3-1. On the other hand, Whitgift scored a rare success in the Tandridge match vs Old Alleynians, where we came out 5-4 winners. Both matches were thoroughly enjoyable events.

The evening meeting at Addington Palace (10th June) saw the annual contest for the Hornsey Walker Cup (contested since 1927) and the slightly more recent Veterans Cup. It was a tough day for many, and the stableford scores were lower than on other occasions; the firm and slick putting surfaces tested our judgement of speed and indeed our ability to land the ball on the greens in the first place. But this is a great course, and, inevitably, class shone through in the final reckoning. Robert Hollidge scored 37 points and took the Hornsey Walker Cup with Roger Oldfield (33) taking the Veterans Cup.

As always, aspiring Whitgift golfers – OWs, teachers and parents – are encouraged to contact me for details of how to join our meetings. Details are on the WA website (under ‘affiliated societies’).

Peter Gale (Hon Sec)

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