GOLF

The Old St. Beghians’ Golfing Society

2012/13 was another good year for the society with a number of new members getting involved in the various competitions and events. Both Adam McNicholas and David Clarke, who left school in 2011, represented the teams at the Queen Elizabeth and the Halford Hewitt respectively, and David Schindler made his OSB debut coming to the rescue at the eleventh hour to play in the Grafton Morrish Finals in October. It was also great to see 2011 leavers Josh Oldham, Simon Graham, Dan Jones and Ethan Spedding at the Critchley Cup, along with older debutants, Chris Stewart and Mark Pearson. We hope they enjoyed getting involved and look forward to seeing them again in the coming year.

The Cyril Gray Tournament – 2012

Wednesday 27th June:
Dinner Match v Glenalmond
Brian Morrison and Adrian Peckitt beat Andrew ‘Beano’ Thomson and Alistair Loudon.
Tim Morrsion and Stephen Moss lost to John Gordon and Chris Munro.
Douglas McCreath and Michael Coffey lost to Bill McCall and Jim Patrick.

Tournament first round
Thursday 28th June: 
Gresham’s
Brian Morrison and Adrian Peckitt beat P. Cook and D. Somerville.
Tim Morrsion and Stephen Moss beat M. Barnard and T. Hales.
Douglas McCreath and Michael Coffey lost to P. Watson and R. Mumby.

Friday 29th June:
Rossall
Douglas McCreath and Michael Coffey lost to Geoff Henney and Robert Fox. 
Brian Morrison and Adrian Peckitt beat M. Ewart and P. Marsden.
Tim Morrison and Stephen Moss beat R. Sharp and A. Stephenson.
Ampleforth
Brian Morrison and Adrian Peckitt beat A. Mangeot and F. O’Connor (who lost at the 20th!).
Tim Morrison and Stephen Moss beat Martin Hattrell and Simon Hardy.
Douglas McCreath and Michael Coffey lost to C. Healy and W. Frewen.

Saturday 30th June:
Canford
Brian Morrison and Adrian Peckitt beat M. Padfield and A. Hutton.
Tim Morrsion and Stephen Moss lost to S. Moore and P. Robinson.
Douglas McCreath & Michael Coffey lost to Jeff Archer and Ian Gill.

Adrian Peckitt reports:
This was my first Cyril Gray, and what a fantastic few days golf it was.
The clubhouse was very relaxed and had a friendly atmosphere, a wonderful golf course in perfect condition.
I was delighted to be playing with Brian and our games complimented each other, with my driving the ball consistently well and long, and with Brian hitting great irons into greens and holing all the 15 foot putts. This gave us the platform for our 5-0 winning sequence.

We had a very enjoyable game in our "friendly" match against Glenalmond. Playing Alistair and Andrew we secured a 4-3 win, this was followed by an excellent dinner.

In the match at Gresham’s we had an early lead but lost our way and were four down after twelve. We missed the chance to win the 14th and were three down with four to play. We won 15 and 16 but then found trouble off the 16th tee. Fortunately our opponents gave us a second chance and Brian holed a difficult 15ft putt for the win. The 18th was halved and we overpowered our opponents at the 19th to win the match.

Against Rossall we played in match two. We played very well in this game leading from the start and sealing victory at the 16th.

Our next match against the top pair for Ampleforth was another closely fought game. Holding onto a slender lead, Ampleforth made an excellent four at the last hole to square the match. The 19th was halved in four; then Ampleforth found trouble to the right of the second play-off hole and St Bees secured the win.

In the semi finals we again played in the top match and we secured a comfortable win against Canford, who had switched their team order so we were playing against their third pair.

A truly memorable tournament!

Stephen Moss reports:
Glenalmond. This is always a fun match. Tim and I got reacquainted, but not sufficiently in time to hold off our opponents, who cruised to a comfortable win.
 
Gresham’s. The first match of the tournament. Tim and I got our game together and really never looked like we would relinquish our lead.

Rossall. For me, an old foe from school days, there was much to talk about: old matches at respective schools etc. The golf went by, hardly noticed, enabling Tim and I to win the day.

Ampleforth. A really tough match in the end. We were four up at one point, but their youth (just over 50) and good fortune on a number of holes reduced us to a quivering but steely determination on the 18th hole, where we won one up.

Canford. Unfortunately Saturday morning may not have been built into our fitness regime. We were a bit under par against two good players. When we had a chance, they recovered to halve what were looking to be winning holes. We lost on the 16th, but felt our campaign was well fought.

Douglas McCreath reports:
This was my first Cyril Gray, and it was a pleasure to be in the company of fellow Old St Beghians in such wonderful surroundings. Whilst delighted to receive the invitation from Michael, it was with a sense of trepidation that I accepted, knowing that my game was in poor shape. I needn’t have worried, Michael had already worked out a strategy which was to work well for St Bees, by putting us out as partners each time against our opponents’ better pairs, Michael‘s tactic had the effect of drawing fire, leaving our two stronger pairs to push through and produce notable victories against gritty players from Gresham’s, Rossall and Ampleforth. Although Michael (who played well) and I lost all of our matches, it provided an example, perhaps, of less is more! This is a team event, and it was a privilege to be there and witness first hand our progress to the semi finals.
 
Particular memories include: arriving in Worplesdon’s empty car park on Saturday morning - a badge of honour for the four surviving teams; Jim Patrick (Glenalmond) sinking 180 feet of putts in six holes; an historic golf course and Club with a proud heritage; plenty of good banter, decent weather, a comfortable hotel, convivial company, excellent food and wine. I’d highly recommend participation in the Cyril Gray Tournament to all over 50 golfers and I’m certain Michael would be delighted to hear from you.

Halford Hewitt 2013

The Halford Hewitt took place as usual on the fabulous courses along the Kent coast during the first week of April. The weather, although not as balmy as the last two years, was still relatively mild and it remained dry all week. A record number of St Beghians made the trip south, including David Sim, playing in his first Hewitt since 1999, and Adrian Bagott, whose drive from Dornoch, just north of Inverness, to Kent has to be one of the longest commutes in the competition. We were also delighted to be joined by Stuart Hemmings, school golf professional, whose attendance surely meant that St Bees were the only one of the 64 schools playing who had their very own teaching professional as part of the squad.

In the first round St Bees were drawn against Cambridge school, The Leys, on Royal St Georges at 7.45am (!) on Friday morning. However, the week began for some as early as Monday, with some Old St Beghians choosing to travel earlier in order to take advantage of a practice round or two on one of the best golf courses in the British Isles.

Thursday is typically first round day for most of the draw, however each year due to the size of the field, a handful of first round matches are always played on Friday morning – this year St Bees was one of those schools.

With a “free” day on Thursday and thirteen competitors vying for ten places, the captain decided that we would hold a stableford competition at Prince’s to decide the team. This certainly focused the mind, with many St Beghians, somewhat out of character for some, opting for an “early night” on the Wednesday evening.

First tee nerves were certainly present at 9am on Thursday morning, with all competitors keen to make the team. Following the conclusion of play a nervy few minutes awaited some who had not played so well. Special mention should be given to Adrian Bagott, who showed that there’s no replacement for experience, qualifying for the team and in doing so playing in the Hewitt 51 years after his debut in 1962.

With the team decided, another early night was needed in order to be up for a 6am breakfast and at the course for 7am ready for our first round match at 745am. The Leys held an Anderson scale ranking a couple of places above St Bees, so, following our giant killing of 1997 winners Oundle the previous year, confidence was high.

A strong wind greeted competitors on Friday morning with Deall and Peckitt as usual leading the team off. Sandwich certainly bared its teeth, with the wind, as strong as three clubs, making conditions extremely testing.

Deall/Peckitt – Lost 1 down
Doggett/Sim – Won 3 and 2
Morrison/Moss – Won 5 and 4
Bagott/Edgar – Lost

With the match poised at two games each, it all came down to the deciding match where John Currie partnered Andrew Goodwin. A good three at the 16th had put the pair one up. They then got out of trouble on 17 with The Leys missing a short putt to win the hole. St Bees, one up heading down the 18th. Two good blows got both pairs only to just within 100yds of the green, a sign of the strength of the wind. A great approach from Andrew on to the putting surface was followed by the Leys’ player hitting a shot into the swale on the left of the green. With about 25 people looking on, The Leys hit a great putt across the slope, which narrowly missed the hole, and conceded for a five. John and Andrew made a solid two putt to halve the hole and win the match.

First Round; St Bees beat The Leys – 3 matches to 2.
There was little chance to savour victory, with our second round match scheduled for 2.45pm the same day. St Bees were presented with a much sterner test against Radley, a strong team consistently ranked in the top ten schools in the event.
Despite some close matches, Radley’s strength showed through with them eventually winning 4½ to ½. Having spent nearly twelve hours on the golf course on Friday, it was certainly time for a rest!

Second Round; St Bees lost to Radley – 4 ½ to ½
Well done to all who took part. As well as the team players, thanks must also be given to all the travelling support. The presence of people like Alex MacCaig, who first played in the Hewitt in 1949, and Adrian Bagott, who first played in 1962, ensures that the significance of the Hewitt and St Bees’ proud record in the tournament is not taken lightly by younger generations.

Another great year at the Hewitt, an excellent turnout and another first round win! Next year can’t come soon enough!

St Bees squad in full; Adrian Bagott, David Chidley, David Clarke, Andrew Crummey, Charlie Crummey, Michael Coffey, John Currie, Andrew Deall, James Doggett, Gareth Edgar, Andrew Goodwin, Stuart Hemmings, Alec MacCaig, Mark Morrison, Stephen Moss, Adrian Peckitt, David Sim & Mike Stamper.

James Doggett, Hon.Sec., OSBGS,
Email: james.doggett@hotmail.co.uk or telephone: 07930 510086.

 

Home

The St Beghian Society,    St Bees School,    St Bees,    Cumbria,    CA27 0DS.
         Tel: (01946) 828093      Email: osb@st-bees-school.co.uk      
Web: www.st-beghian-society.co.uk