Diary of Match Reports 2011
5th May 2012 – Spring Meeting at Royal Ashdown
Forest
The very wet Spring we have had did not auger well for our Spring Meeting at Royal Ashdown. As it was, the rain held off and we managed to play the foursomes in the morning and singles in the afternoon despite a late start after the Society’s AGM. (The Old Etonians had somehow slipped onto the tee before us !) One drawback was that buggies were not allowed due to the wet conditions, which meant that Hugh Strode, our past President, did not get his opportunity to drive Sir George Bull around the hilly course. Some members chose to slip away after an excellent lunch but Pat Sheahan completed 36 holes in his inimitable way, carrying his bag.
The winners:
Honan Cup: (4-Somes stableford) – Chris Healy & Stephen Willis
Mitchell Putter: (4-Somes scratch) - Geoff Daly & Simon Murphy
Raby Cup: (Singles stableford) - Nick North
President’s Plate: ( Singles scratch) - Finbarr O’Connor
Donnellon Trophy: (Singles over 60) – Hugh Grieve
Players: Finbarr O’Connor; Nick Price; Chris Healy; Alex Cuppage; Mike Edwards; Hugh Grieve; Crispian Collins; Sir George Bull; John Gibbs; Barney Bussy; Geoff Daly; Simon Murphy; Nick North; Pat Sheahan; David West; Anthony Fizgerald; Hugh Strode (lunch).
30th March 2012 – Halford Hewitt Tournament
Result: Lost to Watsonians 3 ½ to 1 ½
This year we had a very tough draw in Round 1, against the holders Watsonians. However, we were full of hope having had a successful trial weekend.
The weather was favourable and we managed to gain an early lead in three of the five matches. After 9 holes we were still up in these matches, but a substantial lead in match three had been reduced somewhat after an unfortunate difference of opinion on a Rules issue.
As the games progressed we found that we were beginning to struggle in four of the five matches, but the players in match five increased their lead before winning quite comfortably ( for us!). We lost the top two games and with match three all square and playing the 19th, we also lost match 4, so the overall result was 3.5- 1.5 in favour of Watson’s.
Afterwards, the Watsonians invited us into the bar at Deal to make a presentation to us. In the course of doing their research on our team for the match, they had accessed our website and discovered that we were celebrating the centenary of our golf society this year. They certainly caught us by surprise and presented us with an engraved Quaich and some whisky to mark our centenary. We then discovered that the Watsonian golf society was in its 125th year. Unfortunately, we did not have anything to present them with other than the match we had just played!
The following represented Ampleforth this year:
Matt Camacho and Alex Faulkner (lost)
Simon Hardy and Christian Minchella (lost)
Mark Whittaker and Edward KItson (half)
Hugh Jackson and James Faulkner (lost)
Tom Davies and Chris Murphy (won)
The following were members of the squad: William Frewen, David Piggins and Patrick Faulkner.
Once again, many thanks to all the OAs who turned up to support. On to next year...
25th March 2012 – OAGS v Old Gregorian GS
Result: OAGS won by 5 matches to 3
Martin Hattrell organised our team against our fellow Benedictine rivals on a bright sunny day at Sunningdale GC. Almost the best weather he could ever remember, especially at that time of year. The Old course was in excellent condition. OAGS went into lunch down 1-3 but clearly the excellent lunch and good wine had a debilitating effect on our opponents as we won all 4 matches in the afternoon.
AM Matches
Ed Kitson and James Faulkner - win
Matthew Camacho and Simon Murphy - lost
William Frewen and Tom Scrope - lost
Martin Hattrell and Fr Edward Corbould - lost.
PM Matches
Ed Kitson and Fr Edward - win
William Frewen and James Faulkner - win
Martin Hattrell and Matt Camacho - win
Tom Scrope and Simon Murphy - win
25th February 2012 – OAGS v Aldeburgh Golf Club
Result: OAGS won by 7 matches to 3
The first fixture of the OAGS Centenary year was our regular battle with members of Aldeburgh Golf Club. Simon Hardy organised a marvellous day over the links course. The match was poised at all square (2 ½ to 2 ½ ) when we went in for the usual excellent lunch – hospitality obviously affected the members’ swing as the OAGS prevailed in the afternoon
4 ½ to ½, thus winning the match and reversing the previous year’s result.
Players: Simon Hardy; Matthew Comacho; Chris Healy; David Piggins ; Chris Ogilvie; Minnow Powell ; Fr Edward ; Andrew Mangeot; Jocelyn Waller; Mike Edwards.
16th October 2011 - OAGS v Old Paulines at Royal
Ashdown
Blessed with glorious Autumn sunshine, the last match of the season against the Old Paulines at Royal Ashdown resulted in a draw. Finbarr O’Connor dropped down South and played his usual scintillating round but it was noted that the President, Pat Sheahan, was somewhat tired going up the hill on the 18th – the end of a hot day and a long season ! A wonderful lunch was enjoyed by all.
Players: Pat Sheahan; Crispian Collins; James Pettit; Alex Cuppage; Mike Edwards; Hugh Grieve; John Daly; Finbarr O’Connor.
15th October 2011 - OAGS v OACC Match
Results:
William Frewen & Simon Murphy 1 - 0 Henry Hickman & Alex Codrington
Chris Healy & John Gibbs 0 - 1 Tony Fitzherbert & George Hattrell
Martin
Hattrell 1 - 0 Tom Davies
Henry Rowan Robinson 1 - 0John Kennedy
Fr Edward 0 - 1 Peter Edwards
Barney Bussy 0 - 1 Piers
Cartwright-Taylor
Michael Edwards 0 - 1 Robert Record
Nick Price 1 - 0 Quentin Macfarlane
Total: 4 - 4
7-9th October 2011 – OAGS Autumn Meeting
The Autumn Meeting at Ganton Golf Club was blessed this year with much better weather than on many previous occasions and everyone remarked that the course was in the best condition they had seen in years. The greens were very fast and the bunkers, as usual, caused many a problem. The informal Seniors v Not-so Seniors match on Friday afternoon (organised by Guy Henderson) was won by the Seniors. Despite the crowded schedule the morning Singles and afternoon Foursomes on Saturday were enjoyed by all despite the last foursome creeping in through the gloom and light drizzle. A splendid supper at the Ganton Greyhound rounded off the day with much banter and trophies were presented to:
Ganton Driving Mashie [Singles Scratch] - Guy Henderson
Ampleforth Bowl [Singles Handicap] - Finbarr O’Connor
Palengat Cup [Singles over 50] - Hugh Grieve
Gibbs Salver [ Foursomes scratch] - Marcus Moore & Sean Geddes
Goremire Putter [FoursomesHandicap] - Charles Jackson & Anthony Carroll
Players:
Robin Andrews; Fr Matthew ;
Anthony Carroll; Dominic Carter; Justin Carter;
Fr Edward; Mark Cuddigan; Sean Geddes; Hugh Grieve; Chris Healy; Guy Henderson;
Ian Henderson; Charles Jackson; Hugh Jackson ;Christian Minchella; Marcus
Moore; Nick North; Finbarr O’Connor; Peter Peel; Nick
Price; James Rayner ; Pat Sheahan; Peter Thomasson;
Mike Tibbatts; Fr Wulstan
The match against the boys on Sunday was played in the wind but no rain. The result was a draw 2.5/2.5. After the match, everyone enjoyed the traditional roast lunch with ‘Ganton cake’.
OA Team: Chris Healy & Marcus Moore; Sean Geddes & Christian Minchella; Finbarr O’Connor & Justin Carter; Anthony Carroll & Guy Henderson; Paul Ainscough & James Rayner.
7th October 2011 – Grafton Morrish (Public Schools Golf Association)
Despite being knocked out in the North-West regional round of the
Grafton Morrish in May, the OAGS had a very late call to form a team, due to a
withdrawal, in the final rounds at Brancaster. Mark Whittaker managed to
quickly muster a team and we played Bradfield, one of the strongest teams, in
the second round but lost 2;1
Hugh Jackson & David Piggins; Simon Hardy & Chris Healy; James Faulkner & Mark Whittaker.
3-5th August 2011 – OAGS North West Meeting
The North West Meeting was blessed this year with marvellous weather as well as the usual kind and welcoming hospitality afforded us by our various hosts. The match against Royal Lytham and St Anne’s was preceded by a delicious lunch of fish and chips and mushy peas, and the match was closer than normal, the OAGS losing by 5 games to 3 but with two of the losing matches going to the 18th green. In the evening the members assembled at Annabel and Mike Barton’s home for supper.
The tide on the Dee estuary was in when playing on the Wirral at Caldy and the course looked magnificent. Perhaps this inspired the team as a victory ensued (4.5/3.5). There was a very convivial diner at the club afterwards.
The much awaited match against Royal Liverpool at Hoylake
was lost by 5.4/4.5. The day was concluded with a splendid
black tie dinner in the clubhouse. This is the twelfth match
against Royal Liverpool.
Players:
Marcus Moore; Tim Myles; Robin Andrews; Finbarr O’Connor; Kevin Garrett; Hugh
Grieve; Fr Felix Stephens; Anthony Sparling; Peter Thomasson; Pat Sheehan;
Anthony Carroll; Michael Barton; Nick North; Fr Edward Corbould; Charles
Jackson
22-25th
June 2011 – Cyril Gray (over 50’s) at Worplesdon
This year we were drawn against Gresham’s in the first round. Our top pair, Andrew Mangeot and Finbarr O’Connor won comfortably while Michael Edwards and John Gibbs narrowly lost to a strong third pair. William Frewen and Geoff Daly recovered a three hole deficit to level their match on the 14th green but were unable to capitalise on their recovery and lost on the 17th green.
In the Plate competition we beat Taunton
before narrowly losing to Brighton
College in the Quarter
Finals.
Potentially we have a very strong squad eligible for the Cyril Gray with several more strong candidates rapidly approaching the magical age of 50. As Del Boy would say ‘This time next year!’. See the team photo – if you are better looking or better at golf put your name forward !
3/4th
June 2011 – Northumberland Meeting at Bamburg & Goswick
Mark Cuddigan once again organised the OAGS meeting on two of the best courses in Northumberland. Fr Edward said his usual prayer for good weather and members were blessed with a glorious day on the Friday at Bamburgh with temperatures in the mid 20’s followed by a cooler overcast day on the Saturday at Goswick with temperatures in the mid teens!
Both matches were played to stableford full handicap: Charles Jackson won at Bamburgh with 36 points and Jack Cuddigan won at Goswick with 34 points. The overall winner was Charles Jackson with 67 points and runner-up Mark Cuddigan.
Players: Mark Cuddigan; Jack Cuddigan; Charles Jackson; Hugh Jackson; Fr.Edward; Robin Andrews; Simon Ainscough; David Thunder; Anthony Carroll; Richard Batho; Jonathan Brown; Ray Allison.
20/21st May 2011 – Irish Meeting in Dublin
The Irish Meeting this year consisted of one round on Friday and two rounds on Saturday at Portmarnock links just outside Dublin followed by a round on Sunday at Killeen Castle (next venue for the Soldheim Cup). This eleventh meeting was superbly organised, yet again, by Richard Beatty and the matchplay gamesmanship puts the Ryder Cup contenders to shame. The usual mix of wonderful conversation, good humour and the odd pint of Guinness, combined with some challenging links golf, makes it a memorable visit for those who cross the water. The meeting could not happen without the superb hospitality of those OAs who live in and around Dublin.
The GB v Ireland President’s Cup was won for the second year by team GB
Great Britain: Nick North; Finbarr O’Connor; Mike Tibbatts; Pat Sheahan; Rob Murray-Brown; Simon Murphy; Marcus Moore; Michael Edwards; Andrew Lochhead; Pat Sheahan
Ireland: Richard Beatty; Julian Beatty; John Beatty; Charles Carroll; Patrick Carroll; Conor O’Shea; David Tyrrell; Jocelyn Waller; Hugo Townsend
7th May 2011 – Spring Meeting at Royal Ashdown
Forest
We met for our usual Spring Meeting at Royal Ashdown. Numbers were slightly down this year but most members managed to play the foursomes in the morning and singles in the afternoon. The hilly course, set in the wonderful forest, is rather too much for some members who chose to play either before or after the splendid lunch. The day is concluded with the Society’s AGM and prize giving.
The winners:
Honan Cup: (4-Somes stableford) Finbarr O’Connor & Nick Price
Mitchell Putter: (4-Somes scratch) Chris Healy & Ed Kitson
Raby Cup: (Singles stableford Hugh Grieve
President’s Plate: ( Singles scratch) Finbarr O’Connor
Donnellon Trophy: (Singles over 50) John Gibbs
Players: Finbarr O’Connor; Nick Price; Ed Kitson; Chris Healy; Alex Cuppage; Mike Edwards; Hugh Grieve; Crispian Collins; Hugh Strode; Sir George Bull; John Gibbs; Barney Bussy; Nick North & Pat Sheahan; Tom Spencer; John Vincent; Peter Strode.
7th-10th April 2011 - Halford Hewitt
We arrived for the Hewitt this year with a somewhat depleted squad. Three members of the original squad of twelve were unable to attend. Fortunately, William Frewen was available as a late reserve and he played .
We lost to Uppingham in Round 1, by 3-2. It was an extremely close contest and was witnessed by a number of supporters. The match stood at 2-2 with one game going into extra holes. The 19th was halved in dramatic par 4s, and after we had secured a very good par 4 at the 20th , Uppingham won the match with a birdie 3. Uppingham progressed to the last 16, before losing to one of the favourites, also in extra holes.
Results
Mark Whittaker and James Faulkner lost 5&4
Simon Hardy and Christian Minchella won 2&1
Matthew Camacho and Lucas Domecq lost 4&3
Edward Kitson and Alex Faulkner lost at the 20th
Minnow Powell and William Frewen won 2&1
We remain hopeful for next year!
12th March 2011 - OAGS V Old Gregorians at Sunningdale
Result: Match drawn 4:4
Spring was definitely in the air when we met our fellow Benedictine old boys from Downside for the traditional early season match at Sunningdale. Martin Hattrell gathered an eclectic bunch of OAGS members - scraping the barrel with the Hon. Sec. playing off 18 handicap. It was a sunny and warm day. We played the New course in the morning and the Old course in the afternoon followed by a convivial lunch. Players: Martin Hattrell; James Faulkner; Alex Faulkner; William Frewin; Michael Kennedy; Mark Whittaker; John Gibbs; Nick North.
27th February 2011 - OAGS V Aldeburgh Golf Club
Result: AGC won by 6 matches to 5
Eleven OAGS members gathered under a rain laden sky to play this early annual fixture against some friendly foe. The course was in excellent condition with the gorse in full bloom.
Although wet, in was not too cold, and the morning foursomes resulted in AGC leading by 3 ½ -2 1/2 . At the usual excellent lunch, the England v France rugby match at 5 pm was uppermost in most members’ minds, and so Simon Hardy (D76) announced that the afternoon match was to be curtailed to 9-holes, which of course led to unanimous approval. Players: David Piggins; Simon Hardy; Andrew Mangeot; Chris Healy; Chris Ogilvie; Peter Ogilvie; Glen Ogilvie; James Faulkner; Nick North; Mike Edwards; Jocelyn Waller.
19th/20th February 2011 - Halford Hewitt Trial 2011
Saturday
We played 18 holes of scratch stableford singles at Royal Cinque Ports GC. James Faulkner won, on countback from David Piggins. Christian Minchella was third on his first visit to Deal. The conditions were appalling, but were probably ideal preparation for the Hewitt itself!
Sunday
We had a foursomes match against King’s School Canterbury. In the morning , we won by 3 matches to 2. In the afternoon, after a very good lunch, 4 matches went out again and we managed to win all of them. Lucas Domecq ( playing at Royal St George’s for the first time) and Matt Camacho were 1 under par after 11 holes on the way to winning their match 2&1.
The following have been selected in a 12 man squad for the Halford Hewitt this year:
Mark Whittaker
Matt Camacho
James Faulkner
Alex Faulkner
Edward Kitson
Tom Davies
Simon Hardy
Minnow Powell
David Piggins
Hugh Jackson
Christian Minchella
Lucas Domecq
We have be drawn against Uppingham in round 1 at Royal St George’s on Thursday 7/4/11 at 0910. Supporters are very welcome!