Winter Meeting at Walton Heath – 4th December 2020

We had a great if rather chilly Winter Meeting at Walton Heath on 4th December, nicely coinciding with the post Covid unlocking of golf by just 3 days – what timing!
We enjoyed a field of 25 golfers including a strong clutch of 9 guests.
We were delighted to welcome out Charlie Parsons for his first OJ event since representing the School against us in recent years, and nice also for him to bring his father, Philip as a very welcome guest.
It was great to see Angus Stewart back in the fold after many years and also Alex Taylor who has dusted off his sticks for serious action now that he is too old to represent England at vintage Hockey!

The day was full of its usual fun and games, intermixed with some very good scores under testing conditions – the Old Course was playing very long off the white tees, wet under foot and testy with quick greens. At the prize giving a toast was raised to our great friend and OJ stalwart, Keith Jenkin who sadly passed away in the spring.

Christian Wimshurst took top honors with 33 points, pipping Alex Taylor on 32 and ahead of third placed Simon Clapham on 31. The guest prize was won by Philip Parsons with 33 points. Nearest to the pin on the 7th was Charlie Parsons and Andy MacFarlane outdrove everyone (including Welchy!) on the 14th to take the longest drive. A new WHGC veterans trophy donated by Rick Holgate was won by Rob McCowen. The keenly contested Henderson Trophy for the best two scratch scores from our four major events of the season was secured by Alex Fleet with 65 scratch points accumulated earlier in the year.

All in all a great day and whilst the ‘Al Fresco’ lunch in the marquee was distinctly chilly, it allowed us to have lunch together under the prevailing Covid-19 social distancing restrictions – these of course did not slow the drinking too much!