Inspired by the very successful event at The Berkshire in 2015, Ashridge members Jon Connell, Mike Keenan and John Casson stepped up this year to invite OHs to their lovely Hertfordshire club.
The Youth Team (apparently)
The Stableford format for the day saw teams of four competing off full handicap, with the best two players to score on each hole and all four on the par 3s. Unsurprisingly, the day was a sell-out, with the 52 available places taken by golfers of all standards and a full range of handicaps from 5 to 24. It was particularly encouraging to welcome Alexander Wallace’s team of 25 year olds, as well as half a dozen others still young enough to boast a full head of hair (and of course Jerome Wilcox who pretends to be young).
Ashridge teased us on arrival with a light mist, which soon cleared to reveal a glorious morning of autumnal sunshine. Remarkably (for Harrovians), everyone showed up fairly promptly, although Geoffrey Goddard had his team captain worried for a while. Not all the scores reflected the mass of talent on show, with the early morning dew blamed for a rash of 3 putting by those who needed an excuse.
At the excellent lunch, all were welcomed by OHGS Captain Stephen Bois who extolled the pleasures of the Society’s fixture card and encouraged any non-members to sign up and join in the fun. Prizes (generously provided by Jon Connell) were then presented as follows:
Nearest the Pin: Shane Ruddy
Nearest the Pin
Longest Drive: Simon Connell
Runners-Up: Jon, Sean, Simon Connell, Andrew Butler (100 pts)
Runners Up
Winners: James Mitchell, Laurence Clarke, Guy Chambers, Tom Climie (105 pts)
The Winners
This October event is now set to be regular fixture, with early rumours of an invitation to New Zealand GC in 2017.
