Our defense of the Bernard Darwin Trophy fell on stony ground this year as we were not as strong a team as last year. However I am confident that next year we will be back to full strength as a few new 55 year olds become available for selection and a few of the older war horses can be retired to grass.
Nonetheless we did not lose to Clifton, our opponents in last year’s final, in the first round without putting up a good fight. Realising we might need to concentrate our forces to try to win two matches the weaker pairing of Posford and Stewart were sent into the heavy guns and duly dispatched 7/6. Their plight was immediate and little pity was shown to them by their opponents who counted among them an ex Walker Cup player.
So from very early on it was clear that the pairings of Warman and Fricker, and Tindall and Sheffield would need to win their matches. In the top game Warman and Fricker after a sloppy three holes mid round which put them 2 down managed to win the 16 th and the last hole to take their match into extra holes. Pars at the 19 th and 20 th brought halves but at the 21 st an over-eager putt from Clifton ran two feet past and the return was missed. A win for Harrow at the 21 st !
Right behind Tindall and Sheffield (still playing beautiful steady golf aged 75) were 1 up with 4 to go but brought back to all square by the 18 th and so also required to go into extra holes to decide the outcome. Again the first two extra holes were halved in pars but on the 21 st the Clifton pair played a stunning second shot onto the green from a long way back which Harrow could not match and so hand – shakes all round and the sad trudge back to the bar.
So it was very nearly a good win and likewise in the afternoon where we came second in the consolation Bernard Darwin Goblet……second prize a pack of Mizuno balls each, a good reminder that our golf that day was not Pro V1 quality .
Despite a day of woe we all had a very enjoyable day at the most hospitable Woking golf club where the many friendships of the past were put to the test over the Brexit vote but a good reminder that the love of golf conquers all!
Until next year then and the chance to regain the cup. For the record Charterhouse beat Tonbridge in the final which is always annoying.
Jamie Warman
