Another busy year in prospect for the OH Golfing Society, after a very full and successful 2016, when as many as 30 different events were played in. The championship fixtures, consisting of the Halford Hewitt, Bernard Darwin at 3 age levels, Grafton Morrish, and Public Schools Midland meeting, all saw enthusiastic OH teams competing against strong opposition with mixed results: 2 rounds won in the Hewitt v. Blundells and The Leys, under non playing captain Alex Mann, before succumbing to the ever strong Charterhouse; the Bernard Darwin side, led by our new President Jamie Warman, were unfortunately just unable to overcome Clifton in defence of their 2015 title, though the Seniors team, under leadership of Jeffrey Bonas, did reach the semi finals before colliding with those Carthusians again; the Grafton with a team of 6, captained by Jeremy Fricker, qualified for the finals at Brancaster and Hunstanton, beating Lancing in the morning before losing narrowly to Stowe, eventual finalists, in the afternoon. There was also a fair result by our Midlands team of 8 at Little Aston, led by our new Secretary William North, who finished well up the field with 98 points, just 8 behind winners Wrekin. Alastair Mackenzie and Adrian Gracey, runners up in the individual best pair competition, were the heroes for Harrow.
Two matches were played against the School side, at Woking and Sunningdale, kindly organised by master in charge Simon Page. While the school team lost both encounters to the strongly led OH teams under Jeremy Fricker and Jan Brugelmann respectively, both meetings proved to be great experience for the boys at these two famous courses and helped to prepare them for their inter school matches. The Harrow meeting on the home course was also enjoyed by a good number of OHGS members, especially fathers with sons at the school.
As many as 7 meetings, all of them at different first class courses in the south east, were played by 14 under 30 OH’s at concessionary rates, an increase over the already healthy numbers of 2014 and 2015, and competitions were much enjoyed by all participating, including those hosts from the clubs involved. Former Moretons housemaster Simon Berry has consistently been a great catalyst for these events.
The annual Spring Meeting at Royal St. Georges, run by new match captain Geoffrey Goddard, was a fine success too, with 28 players enjoying the considerable challenges of a cold east wind over that famous and severely testing links, with Rupert Fisher, who had brought in the previous year’s winner, taking the Henriques Stableford Cup in fine style at his home club. Likewise the Autumn meeting at Royal West Norfolk GC, once again ably run by our Treasurer Thomas Olesen, attracted 28 players including Chairman of Governors John Batting, all of whom much enjoyed tackling the wind in fine conditions on a very different type of links, and a selection of worthy winners of the 5 trophies pleasingly comprised a good few ‘rookies’ at this fixture. The Harrow Association meeting this year at Ashridge, in
The Harrow Association meeting this year at Ashridge, in perfect autumn sunshine, attracted a maximum entry of 52, and has again encouraged several non-OHGS players to join our society. This event is now well established and will in 2017 be played at the New Zealand Club near Woking.
Another match was played against the Old Etonians at Worlington with mixed success, and an exciting match against the Brigade of Guards at the usual Worplesdon location was tied, under the captaincy of Andrew Gammon.
The annual Rix Hill knock out championship continues to attract OHGS players, with the prospect of playing in the final at Valderrama – a fine reward after early rounds at many privileged courses.
The OHGS is proud of the close relationship it has developed with the school golf teams, and I have found it particularly rewarding to meet and watch some of the undoubtedly very talented young players coming through, judging by some of the spectacular shot making witnessed. Hopefully, many of these young bloods will be available for future years’ participation in again winning some of the major events where OH’s have triumphed in the past.
The 2017 golfing season will follow a very similar programme of fixtures, with the added attraction of a Scottish meeting in June at Muirfield, North Berwick, Gullane, and Luffness. We look forward to welcoming more new members who we are confident will enjoy considerable golfing opportunities available with the OHGS.
Extensive work has also taken place this year to make our website more interesting and informative; look under www.ohgs.org.uk, where details of how to join the OHGS are clearly set out. What more indeed could any OH golfer wish for? For just £20 annual subscription, there’s really a lot of joy to be had, in great company, at any of the wide range of fixtures!
Stephen Bois – OHGS Captain,
November 2016.
