This is now a much anticipated match against an OH side representing The Old Harrovian Golfing Society (OHGS). It is partly a warm-up for The Micklem Tournament as well as being its own event. It is a great opportunity for the team to get to know some of the OHGS members (of varying vintages) and to play a competitive game on the superb Woking course. Last year The School were thoroughly demolished 0 – 6, and so this year the pressure was on to produce a better show.
We were fortunate with excellent weather. The sun shone most of the day; there was a gentle breeze; and the course condition was excellent, particularly so the greens this year.
Play commenced at 2pm, after an excellent lunch in the clubhouse (SNP was desperately trying to encourage the OHs to have a glass of wine or two). The course was packed as a number of other schools also use the day to play matches against their old boys.
Ed Bayne (the captain for this week) went out in the first game against The OHGS’ Jan Brugelman. The match started out very even as they were all square after 4. Brugelman continued to be very consistent and took full advantage when Bayne dropped a couple of shots over the next few holes. Bayne was 4 down at the turn but managed to get a few back through the next couple of holes. Although he was playing well, it wasn’t enough to keep up with Brugelman’s excellent play. The game finished at the 15th, with Bayne losing 5 and 4.
In the second game, Will Yu (The Knoll) took on recent OH, Farri Gaba. Yu played consistently well from the fairway but was less consistent off the tee in the earlier part of the round. He fixed the tempo of this and started to drive much better. A highlight was a wonderful uphill 230 yard approach that left the ball within 1 yard of the pin. Farri Gaba never quite found his rhythm, and although he played some beautiful shots, he could not keep up with Yu’s play. Yu closed the game on 16, wining 3&2.
In the 3rd game, Qassi Gaba (Lyons) took on Jerome Wilcox. This was an excellent, tight match with a high standard of golf played throughout the round. Gaba played well on the front nine, hitting all fairways and was 3 over at the turn with the match at all square. Gaba went on to play even better over the back nine, again hitting all but one fairway. He had a birdie on 14 and was only 4 over for the round. His consistent play just had the edge on Wilcox and he eventually won on 16, 3&2.
In the 4th game, Ollie Connell (Rendalls) took on Alaister Orchard. Connell got off to a slow start by losing the first hole but then made a par 3 on the 2nd to get back to level. This was followed by a few bad holes putting him behind, including missing a short put on the 5th which was a big set back to him. Connell made a birdie on the par 3, 7th. Ultimately the consistent play from Orchard was too much for Connell to overcome, eventually losing on 13, 7&5.
In the fifth game, Charlie Witter (Elmfield) took on Robert Tindall. A confident start from Witter put him 2up after five holes. This was followed by a few solid pars from Witter with the match at 6up by the ninth. Tindall did not find his rhythm in the crucial middle stages of the game and Witter continued to play well. The match was over on 13 with a 8&6 victory for Witter.
In the final game, Hamish Dicketts (Elmfield) took on the might of Jeremy Fricker. Dicketts knew that his match was going to be tough once he had found out that his OH opponent is a 6 handicapper and an avid matchplay golfer.
After an excellent start by Dicketts, with only one dropped shot after six holes, he found himself 3 up (and feeling good). By the turn, Fricker had decreased the lead to two. The following 3 holes were halved in pars. Fricker won the 14th to reduce Dicketts lead to only 1up. However, a birdie on 15 by Dicketts took him to 2 up, and then a further par at the short par 3, 16th, sealed the game for Dicketts and the match for Harrow, with a 3&2 win.
Overall, an excellent day with some wonderful golf played by both teams. The School were extremely happy with the win.
Many thanks to Jeremy Fricker for organizing and captaining the OHGS side.
Harrow won 4 – 2
1st Game
Ed Bayne (B) v Jan Brugelman (P 2003): Lost 5&4
2nd Game
Will Yu (K) v Farri Gaba (L 2009): Won 3&2
3rd Game
Qassi Gaba (L) v Jerome Wilcox (M 1979): Won 3&2
4th Game
Ollie Connell (R) v Alaister Orchard (G 1985): Lost 7&5
5th Game
Charlie Witter (E) v Robert Tindall (M 1972): Won 8&6
6th Game
Hamish Dicketts (E) v Jeremy Fricker (E 1972): Won 3&2
