The Old St. Beghians’ Golfing Society

From the Secretary:

Critchley Cup 2011

This year we were delighted to be welcomed by W.B. Morrison to Prestwick Golf Club, Ayrshire to play the 2011 Critchley Cup.
The cup took place on Sunday 21st August, although many competitors took full advantage of the weekend, choosing to arrive at Saturday lunch time and have a practice round during the afternoon. On Saturday evening we were extremely grateful to be hosted for drinks and nibbles by Brian and followed this with dinner at Eliot’s restaurant in Prestwick. The evening was held in convivial spirits with over twenty Old St Beghians in attendance.

The following morning we assembled on the 1st tee at 9am for the Critchley Cup; the weather remained dry and a slight breeze contributed to make excellent playing conditions. The course, host to the first Open Championship in 1860, lived up to expectation providing a test of golf that arguably cannot be experienced anywhere else.

We were delighted to be joined by school professional Stuart Hemmings, along with recently-left pupils David Clarke, Adam McNicolas and Will Fennel. It was also excellent to see some Old St Beghians present who hadn’t attended golf society events for a number of years. Following the conclusion of the match we retired to the dining room for an excellent lunch and the prize presentation.
The Critchley Cup was won by James Doggett with 36 points, with John Currie, who had won the cup on the previous two occasions at Royal Liverpool, narrowly losing out to a better back nine. John picked up Farqies Fortifier for second place.

James Doggett won the Bill Fox Cup with a gross 77, W.B. Morrison won the Ken Case Tankard (Seniors Trophy) with 28 points and Adam McNicholas, having just left school and playing in his first Critchley, won the Dick Harrison Cup, a prize for the best score of those with a handicap of 12 or over, with 28 points.

After lunch James Doggett presented W.B. Morrison with a society tie in thanks for his hospitality throughout the weekend. James also presented David Clarke and Adam McNicolas with ties to welcome them to the society. We look forward to seeing them take their place in the team competitions in years to come.

 

The Cyril Gray Tournament 2011

St. Bees v Watson’s – 1st round

A.M.A. Bagott & W.B. Morrison halved with B. Bingham and D. Smith.   This was a very ‘nip and tuck’ affair. The St Bees pair played tidy golf with Brian’s nerve too frequently tested by some poor approach putting by Adrian. Fortunately, he rose to the occasion. Only a superb bunker shot, stone dead at the 16th, prevented a win for St Bees. However, a halved match was no mean achievement. Brian was almost killed by the opponents’ ball at the short 13th. It was forty yards off line, and without the cry of ‘Fore’! One of the opposition had played for Watson’s in a winning team at the Halford Hewitt over the last five decades. As Adrian said, “Most of us have done that - played in five decades for St Bees, but not in a winning team!”

M.J. Stamper & C.B. Crummey lost to P. Tomisson & N. Kirkness 7/5.
We had a frustrating start, losing the first by taking four to get down from just off the green and three puts from the front of the second, whilst Watson’s got up and down from a grass bunker to win it. Indeed, it was a tale of good ball-striking and poor finishing, punctuated with a winning birdie at the sixth that was our undoing. An excellent and experienced Watson’s pair were only two over par as they ran out easy winners.

S.W. Morrison & M.W.A. Coffey lost to D. Neave & A. Williamson 4/3.
A shaky start left us three down after four. The ship was then steadied and a couple of holes exchanged, but with the start we had given our doughty opponents, the position was irrecoverable and they were comfortable and deserving winners.


St. Bees v Bishop’s Stortford - 1st round Plate

A.M.A. Bagott & W.B. Morrison lost to K. Turner & W. Greenfall 2 down.
Against Bishop’s Stortford, we were feeling quite confident after Brian holed a chip shot for an eagle at the sixth, only to be hit by two successive birdies at seven and eight. A birdie by St. Bees at the 11th was countered by a two at the short 13th, leaving us two down. The 15th was halved in birdie fours but we were still two down, and despite winning the 17th with a par four, after a gallant putt from Brian, we could not beat an immaculate par at the last and failed to take the match in extra holes. Disappointing as the result was, full credit to our opponents, who played excellent golf.

M.J. Stamper & C.B. Crummey lost to J. Minto & J. Brooks 5/4.
The theme of the morning continued into the afternoon, when we managed to convert winning positions on the first four holes into halves. Mike then unluckily had a double hit at the fifth, meaning we were one down, rather than four up. A somewhat demoralised pair then demonstrated that foursomes can ‘get to you’ on the greens!

S.W. Morrison & M.W.A. Coffey beat M. Claridge & A. Courtman 7/5.
The afternoon’s start was a little better against admittedly lesser opponents and we were square after four. Winning the fifth, we were up for the first time in the day. The turning point came at the sixth; after a bunkered tee shot, and a visit to deep heather, Tim holed a testing downhill six footer for a half, which most certainly felt like a win, and got to the opposition. We then had a run of pars, winning six out of the next seven holes for a comfortable victory, based on some straight hitting and excellent approach putting from Tim; a very solid and satisfactory performance.

Our annual match against Glenalmond, on the practice day, was reduced to four rain-sodden holes; just enough time to get everything soaking wet and for there to be no lunch on our return to the clubhouse, an avoidable mess!

Although the overall result was as disappointing as last year, the feeling in the camp was much better. We have already strengthened the squad for next year and appointed a Director of Golf; unfortunately, we are unable to dip into the transfer market! ALL OSB golfers over the age of 50 have a chance to play in this most enjoyable of old school golfing events, so do please put your name forward.

 

2012 Competition Dates

Team Events:

Halford Hewitt (www.halfordhewitt.org) - Team of ten Royal Cinques Ports GC (Deal)  Royal St Georges GC (Sandwich) Princes GC (Sandwich)	29th March – 1st April
Grafton Morrish (Qualifying) - Team of six Huddersfield Golf Club	13th May
Cyril Gray (Over 50 yrs) – Team of six Worplesdon GC, Surrey	28-30th June
Queen Elizabeth Coronation Schools Trophy – Team of six Royal Burgess GC, Edinburgh	TBC September
Grafton Morrish (Finals) – Team of six Hunstanton GC Royal West Norfolk GC (Brancaster)	5-7th October

Critchley Cup 2012 – Sunday 12th August

The 2012 Critchley Cup will take place at Formby Golf Club, near Southport (Merseyside) at 9.00am on Sunday 12th of August.
Formby is a first class links course, consistently rated in the top twenty courses in England by Golf World. It has played host to the Curtis Cup in 2004 and the British Amateur Championship on four occasions.
After the success of last year's arrangement, it will be possible to have a practice round on the Saturday afternoon (3.30 tee off ) followed by dinner on Saturday evening at a local restaurant. Limited accommodation for those who require it will be available in the Formby Golf Club dormy house.
We would be delighted to welcome any Old St Beghians of any golfing standard to take part in this excellent event. Anyone wishing to play should contact James Doggett on james.doggett@hotmail.co.uk or telephone 0793 051 0086.

James Doggett, OSBGS Hon. Sec.,

For more details: Tel: 0793 051 0086 or Email: james.doggett@hotmail.co.uk