The Grafton this year was defined by 45 mph winds on the first day making the experience particularly memorable. The wind was so intense that it was reported that no ball found the 6th green in regulation all day – a second shot to a raised green of only 100 yards.
Harrow fielded a strong team with handicaps on the better side of scratch and looked solid favourites to proceed through against John Lyon. Sadly, John Lyon could not raise a team and the GM Committee phoned around for replacements only to find Chaterhouse (who beat Harrow in the Hewitt) the only available candidate.
Our first pair of Matthew Gibbens and Toby Shirvell got off to a good start finding every fairway on the front nine to gain a 2 up lead, however, Charterhouse got their act together and incredibly managed to play the next seven holes in 2 under par which, added to a three-putt from Harrow, was easily enough in the conditions to win 3&2.
The third pair of Max Shirvell and the winning machine Hamish Morrison were much too strong for their Charterhouse opponents and bulldozed them 6&4 with some excellent golf. The right-hand/left-hand pairing is the ultimate ammunition against the enormous crosswind.
The middle pair of Finlay Matheson and Charlie Witter became the decider and all was level on the tee of the par three 16th. Sadly Harrow could not get the match over the line and we again lost 2/1.
Harrow redeemed itself in the Solihull Salvers coming second of the 29 schools taking part with 97 Scratch Stableford points. This was even better given that Andrew Cox replaced Hamish Morrison with a handicap difference of 14! The second place qualified us for another year of Sunday golf which is always a treat to be involved.
We faced Winchester in the Committee Bowl. Gibbens and T Shirvell played steadily to win 2&1, M Shirvell and A Cox put up an incredibly brave performance which might have won had an RWNGC Member not played their ball in error on the 14th and ultimately lost 2&1. Again the match was 1-1 with Matheson and Witter all square after 16. A missed green on 17 was all it took to decide the tie and Harrow was out again!
The weekend was a huge success and the
experience of competitive foursomes is invaluable going forward. We have a wonderful group of players who are
exceptionally close to being able to convert the talent into silverware. I am hugely grateful for the time given to
the OHGS by these young players who are in the middle of final years of Uni or
taking valuable days off work and to John Macpherson for coming up to help
and support. The atmosphere is wonderful
and the future is bright.
Matthew Gibbens – GM Captain
