OHJGS v Old Eastbournians at Walton Heath – 25th April

We had our usual fun encounter in our 26th annual consecutive match at Walton Heath. The golf was sadly very disappointing as we could only field 10 players as opposed to the 12 scheduled, and the opposition could only manage 8 and only 7 of these turned up….

If this wasn’t bad enough, after the first four ball set off on time at 2.30pm (seeing Jeremy Waud and young partner Glen Bridges blitz the solid opposition of Ben Burrows and Adam Walker 4/3 having trailed at the turn) the remaining matches decided between themselves to alter pairings and order resulting in Alex Fleet playing a single against Charles Oakley and going down by one hole, followed by Rick Holgate mysteriously agreeing to play as a single against two Eastbournians, birthday boy Mark Winstanley and Hugh Price (yes they were short of players….) the OE’s won here by a margin of 3/2.

Roger Goodacre and John Waterfall endured a very slow and somewhat frustrating game against the ‘senior dorm’, in the form of our old but somewhat frail friends Brian Meaby and Peter Robinson – Hurst winning 3/2 here.

The final match was not really a match at all sadly as it was all OJ’s………. Our Secretary Graham Negus partnered by Stephen Waud won by 3/2 over the ‘Opposition’ of John Fraser and Paul Ruddlesdin.

We have asked the OE’s to reorganise themselves for next year when we expect the match to return to its more conventional and competitive format but with just as much fun and bonhomie. This years match is recorded as a draw.

On a cheerier note, the dinner provided by Chef Robert Foster in the Fowler Room, was concluded with his signature white chocolate and marmalade souffle. We also enjoyed the annual airing of the Sussex 2 Iron and it was was a splendid affair.

Our star player on the day, Glen Bridges was playing off 13 and managed the back nine holes of the New Course in level par – his new handicap committee has cut him to 10 – please update your profile Glen!