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Old Haileyburian Golfing Society Captain’s Report 2015

 

Firstly can I say what an honour it was for me to be elected the 39^th Captain of the OHGS at the AGM midst last year’s Autumn Meeting. I am really looking forward to my two year tenure and I hope to play golf with as many members as possible during this time. On that note a quick advert for the Society; OH golf is not just about the Halford Hewitt and scratch meetings, it is very inclusive and there is something for everyone, all ages and all golfing ability so whether 18 or 80, low, medium or high handicap. All our gatherings are underpinned by 3 Greats; great courses, great company & great lunches. If you haven’t been a regular attendee in recent times or you are interested in joining the Society please do come along, there is a fantastic spirit, both on & off the course, within OHGS!

 

I have a tough act to follow as successor to Richard Pickford and must congratulate him on his dedication to the Society over the last two years. He oversaw a particularly successful period for OH golf, 2013 Halford Hewitt Plate winners, Grafton Morrish runners up the same year and in 2014, successful runs in the Senior’s equivalents, the Bunny Millard & Peter Burles Trophies, reaching the finals in both.

 

So a brief summary of the key moments that have taken place over the last 12 months:

 

Halford Hewitt:

 

Team: Sam Smale, Rupert Kellock, Rob Bonallack, Steve Thomas, Stuart Havelock, Mark Courage, Simon Heck, Ed Songaila, Sevi Rixson, Rob Ambrose (Reserves: Graeme Skinner, John Morison & Charlie Carr).

 

The 2014 campaign was something of an anti-climax after the joy of winning the Plate competition in 2013. The Scratch Team captain, Derek Skinner, commented that despite Haileybury losing in the 2nd round, he felt there were a number of positives, including the playing improvement of some of the younger players, most notably Sevi Rixson, Ed Songaila and Rob Ambrose and the excellence of team spirit that has developed.

 

Looking to next year, he will continue to focus on improving the balance of the pairings and, with the possibility of the availability of a boys’ Italian International on the way, introduce further youngsters to the team.

 

 

Results:

Round 1 saw Haileybury beat Chigwell 4-1 at Deal. The pairings were Rixson & Songaila, Thomas & Bonallack, Kellock & Havelock, Ambrose & Courage, Smale & Heck. The only losing pair, somewhat surprisingly, was Thomas & Bonallack who failed for the first time in many outings to increase their Hewitt win percentage. The teams enjoyed a very pleasant lunch together afterwards.

 

In Round 2, we were soundly beaten by Radley 4-1. Kellock & Havelock, however, played the team’s best golf and were convincing winners, securing the team’s only point.

 

We live to fight another day and at the draw for the 2015 competition, held at the East India Club in January, we have been paired against Wrekin in round one. We return to Deal for a mid morning tee time on Thursday 9^th April 2015 and all supporters are most welcome.     

 

Halford Hewitt Squad Meet 2015

 

This was held at Royal St George’s last weekend (Saturday 28^th February) when 14 hopefuls travelled to the Kent coast to do battle with the famous links under the severest of weather conditions. 36 holes foursomes in cold, wet & very windy conditions made for some interesting scores! The team will be announced very shortly.

 

Grafton Morrish:

 

Having reached the final 2 years ago we arrived at Denham in May 2014 for the qualifying round full of confidence. We not only successfully qualified for the finals we achieved the best combined score on the day.

 

So to the finals, we were drawn to play Stamford at Hunstanton in the first round and the team selected to play was:- Steve Thomas & Stuart Havelock, Graeme Skinner & Andrew Duck and Ed Songaila & Seve Rixson.  A 2-1 victory saw us through to the second round and a tough afternoon fixture versus Wellington. Another 2-1 win followed and at the end of day 1, two victories later, everyone in the Haileybury team had secured a point.

 

On Saturday morning we were pitted against Sherborne who had not dropped a point in their first two rounds. It was nip & tuck affair, both teams in with a chance with 3 holes to play but unfortunately we could not quite close them out and a couple of putts dropping in the opposition’s favour made all the difference. So for the second year running we were beaten by the eventual winners, no disgrace in that!

 

The 2015 qualifier will once again be held at Denham on Sunday 17^th May 2015.

 

Mellin / Burles / Millard 2014 (Report by Sandy Terris)

 

What a great 3 days for OH Golf.

 

Our prize winners were Nigel Gardner and Donald MacLeod who won the John Beer Salver for the best qualifying score in the Bunny Millard and went on to reach the final just losing out to a very good Downside pair. In the context of past Haileybury performances in this over 75 age group this gave all present great joy.

 

Sandy Terris & Ian Much, and Jim Everitt & Mike Ennever had a real roller coaster ride in the Burles Trophy. Having been truly thumped by Bradfield, they regrouped in the Plate; beat Sherbourne down the first extra hole only for the reverse situation to occur in the next round against Forest. Ian Much could certainly hold his head high after some sterling support to the cause.

 

In the Mellin proper our first round opponents Bradfield were the biggest obstacle to reaching the final. Jon Moore &  Paul Marciandi, Sam Smale & Pip Young and Derek skinner & Graeme Titmus all played winning games to see off Bradfield and then Sherborne in the afternoon.

 

Saturday morning saw Forest as our semi-final opponents and they clearly had a weaker member in each of their pairs. Except for Jon & Paul romping the first 9 hoes in 34 shots, Haileybury failed to rub home their clear superiority early enough.

 

Haileybury reached the final against their “Arch Enemies”  Shrewsbury who were clearly fresher and more confident after their easier wins which saw them to the final. The Final was close for the first 7 holes in all matches, but an inexorable tide of Shrewsbury wins saw them come out clear winners.

 

Again in the overall context of the event Haileybury came out well and in my view all players punched up to their weight and had a thoroughly enjoyable tournament on a golf course where the nearer the green you came the greater the punishment for a poorly judged shot. West Hill greens are notoriously tricky and test player’s concentration, stamina and skill to the limit. Role on next year to see if we can get back in the winners enclosure.

 

School Matches:

 

The match results versus the other schools and Haileybury boys were as follows:

 

School Match Results 2013 – 2014

 

Again these were most enjoyable occasions with a wide variety of golf, some good lunches and good banter throughout. I would still like to see a greater number of members participating in these matches.

The results were as follows:

 

School Matches
Vs. pupils May ‘14	Lost 1-2
Vs. Stowe ‘14	Won 4.5-1.5
Vs. Radley ‘14	Won 5.5-2.5
Vs. Malvern ‘14	Won 4-1
Vs. Pauline’s ‘14	Won 3-2

 

 

 

 

 

Match v Pupils No2:

 

The match against the boys was ably represented :-

OHGS				School
Lawrence Baker & IAN SAUNDERS	3&2	vs		Harrison & Jack
Simon Horwood & GRAEME TITMAS	AS	vs	AS	Tom & Zach
Rob Ambrose & Kevin Bartlett-Hollier	2 up	vs		Leo & Enrico
Steve Thomas & Stuart Havelock		vs	4&2	Gian & Matus
	2.5		1.5

 

This was the first year that the match vs the Pupils was played twice, the second match played in its new Autumn Slot to make it easier for the Upper Sixth to participate. The match was played at Essendon Country Club and proved a successful outing for the OHs. We were particularly pleased to welcome Kevin Bartlett-Hollier to his first match as an OH, lord knows we ended up really needing him!! It should also be noted that Gian & Matus, overcame the OH No1 pair in Thomas & Havelock, a pair unbeaten in 9 Halford Hewitt outings. Gian Ferrari played some scintillating golf being 6 under par over eleven holes during the round.

 

At the 2014 AGM the Master in Charge of golf at the School, Ian Saunders was appointed an honorary member of the OHGS and we were pleased to welcome him to Sandwich for the Autumn meeting. Golf at the school is on the up and there are some very useful low handicap prospects for the OHGS scratch teams in the next few years. We are probably only a couple of very good players away from being serious contenders for the Halford Hewitt so it is my hope that we can successfully nurture this talent as they move from incumbent pupils to OH’s.

 

 

 Seniors Meeting Played at Ashridge Golf Club: June 2014

 

After an improved turnout in 2012 the turnout this year was a little disappointing, with a number of notable absentees with leave off chits from the San. We wish all those unable to play this year speedy recoveries.

 

As for those who attended I am assured the golf was played to the highest standard and Ashridge hosted a wonderful lunch and excellent golf course. In glorious sunshine and on a very consumer friendly course, off the white tees we played 3x 3-balls and 1x 2-ball.

 

1^st:  John Palmer- 36 points

2^nd: Pip Young - 35 points

3^rd: Sandy Terris and Donald MacLeod - 34 points. (no count back, Sandy?)

 

Extra prizes went to Mike Stewart for the most no scores [5], and Tom Boardman for fewest blobs [0]. Mike got a prize for his 2, one of only 3 on the day; the other two had already won a prize. We welcomed Robin, a farmer  from Brancaster to his first OH meeting. We need to recruit more to play!!! Calling all Over 55’s. We will return to West Hill Golf Club in June 2014.

 

Spring Meeting: 23^th May 2014 at Berkhamsted Golf Club:

 

This years Spring meeting saw the Old Haileyburians visit Berkhamsted Golf Club in Hertfordshire for the first time. A very good turnout saw 20 OH’s battle it out for this year’s prizes. Notable winners included Stuart Havelock winning the Scratch competition after returning to the amateur ranks after a brief spell in the professional game, we are delighted to welcome you back; Andrew Jobson’s maiden victory in the Spring Cup and Ed Songaila’s maiden win in the foursomes, (obviously nursed around by seasoned campaigner Sandy Terris in the Spring foursomes).

 

This years Spring Meeting saw 15 Halford Hewitt players turn out which is surely  a record and the lowest average age in living memory. Lunch was filling and of its kind the finest we have had. The wine was wet. The company as ever was wonderful and a hard core of members stayed until well after 9pm.

 

Results:

Spring Meeting
Higginson Scratch	1st	Stuart Havelock	72
	2nd	Rob Bonallack	75
Spring Cup Handicap Prize	1st	Andrew Jobson	40
	2nd	Simon Heck	36
	3rd	Stuart Feast	35
Seniors	1st	Graeme Titmas	33
	2nd	Sandy Terris.	33
Spring Foursomes	1st	Songaila & Terris	36
	2nd	Thomas & Zeidler	35

 

Wimbledon Putter:

 

Haileybury finished third in qualifying with Sam Smale and Ed Songaila securing 10 points (5 wins) from their 7 matches. Still we have avoided the ignominy of having to sit out 2015.

 

Spring & Autumn Meetings

 

These are the flagship events in the Society’s calendar. Both were very well attended last year, as already mentioned, the Spring was held at Berkhamsted for the first time and the Autumn at it’s customary home Royal St George’s. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Hon Sec Lawrence Baker for all his hard work in organising and getting these meetings off the ground and specifically, for donating a new trophy that is to be competed for over the two meetings. Whilst the Bonallack Bowl is awarded to the best gross scratch score over both Spring & Autumn events, Lawrence’s trophy is for the best combined handicap score. In donating, the only condition he attached, is that the winner must keep it filled with port during the latter stages of the fabulous Friday night dinner in the dining room at Royal St George’s.   

Results:

Higginson Scratch (Medal)
1st	Sam Smale	68
2nd	Steve Thomas	74
Handicap Prize (S'ford)		pts
1st	Phil Zeidler	43
2nd	Paul Pickford	42
3rd	Jeremy Cary	38
Seniors (S'ford)		pts
1st	Graeme Titmas	38
2nd	Sam  Smale	38
Usher Goblets (S'ford)		pts
1st	Sam Smale &	40
	Geoff Zeidler
2nd	Stuart Havelock &	39
	John Palmer
3rd	Ed Songaila &	37
	Mike Stewart
FriendShip Decanters (S'ford)		pts
1st	Andrew Duck	42
	Clive Pickfford
2nd	Stuart Havelock	39
	Gary Feast
Bonallack Bowl (Combined Scratch Score)
1ST	Sam Smale	144
2ND	Stuart Havelock	147
3RD	SteveThomas	158
COMBINED (S'Ford score)		pts
1ST	Philip Zeidler	75
2ND	Stuart Havelock	70

Like past captains before me I would just like to remind members (particularly the younger ones) that the Society does provide generous subsidies to encourage attendance at our main meetings and Matches and they will be guaranteed to receive an enthusiastic and warm welcome. We have made significant inroads to making contact with some of our members in order to boost attendance this year and beyond.

 

The Society continues to be in sound financial health and thanks go to Derek Skinner as Treasurer for keeping us all on the straight and narrow. 

 

Sam Smale continues to run the website so please let him have updates or changes to school matches as soon as possible. My thanks also go to Sam for his continuing role as President.

 

We look forward to another busy year in 2015 and I would urge you all to visit the OHGS website (www.ohgs.org) in which you will see all the fixtures, meetings and matches. Please sign up to as many of the events as you can.

 

Alternatively there is an OHGS Whatsapp group which is full of youthful banter and acts as great communication medium for the younger OH’s! The group administrator is Steve Thomas who can be contacted via the Hon Sec if you would like to be added.

 

On the subject of communication I would like to reiterate previous Captain’s pleas to the society for updates to contact details. Can you please all make sure that your own contact details are kept up to date. All relevant information should be forwarded to the Secretary with OH e-mail in the subject line at haileyburygolf@gmail.com

 

Finally I would like to take this opportunity in wishing you all a great golfing year and look forward to seeing as many as you as possible at our various matches & meetings, the details & dates of which are as below!

 

Vivat,

 

Jeremy Cary

Captain

2015 Fixture List

 

 

2015	Event organiser	Venue	Date
Halford HewittTrial	Derek Skinner	Royal St George's	28-Feb
Malvern	Mark Courage	Sunningdale (HH Warm up)	08-Mar
Radley	Graham Marley	New Zealand	14-Mar
HH v Stowe	Mark Courage	Royal St George's	31-Mar
Halford Hewitt	Derek Skinner	Royal St George's/ Royal Cinque Ports	08/04 - 12/04
V School boys	Graeme Titmas	Hanbury Manor	04-Oct
Grafton Morrish Qualifier	Captain	Denham	17-May
Spring Meet	Hon Sec	Worplesdon GC	22-May
Paulines	Richard Pickford	Woking	30-May
Seniors	Hon Sec	West Hill	22 June 2015
Wimbledon Putter	Sam Smale	Wimbledon	22-May
Triangular Trophy	Jeremy Cary	Hankley Common	13-Sep
Autumn Meet	Hon Sec	Royal St George's	18/09 - 19/09
Grafton Morrish Final	Captain	Hunstanton / Royal West Norfolk	24/09 - 27/09
Mill Hill	Paul Marciandi	New Zealand	17-Oct
Stowe	Mark Courage	Sunningdale	01-Nov

 

 

Originally Written: 01-Apr-2015 10:43, Last Updated: 01-Apr-2015 11:43