The Old St. Beghians’ Golfing Society
The Cyril Gray Tournament - 22nd-25th June, 2012
St. Bees v Watson’s – 1st round
A.M.A. Bagott and 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, 40 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 in 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 and C.B. Crummey lost to P. Tomisson and N. Kirkness 7/5
We had a frustrating start, losing the first, by taking four to get down from just off the green and then three puts from the front of the second, whilst Watsons 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 and M.W.A. Coffey lost to D. Neave and 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 ran out comfortable and deserving winners.
St. Bees v Bishop’s Stortford - 1st round Plate
A.M.A. Bagott and W.B. Morrison lost to K. Turner and 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 - 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 and C.B. Crummey lost to J. Minto and J. Brooks 5/4.
The theme of the morning continued into the afternoon, converting 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 and M.W.A. Coffey beat M. Claridge and 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. It was 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, please put your name forward.
Critchley CupThis year the 2012 Critchley Cup was played at Formby Golf Club on Merseyside on the weekend of the 20th/21st of October. The weekend started with a number of Old St Beghians arriving on the Saturday lunchtime. About a dozen were treated to an 18 hole warm-up match in uncharacteristically warm conditions for the time of year, before enjoying an excellent meal in a local restaurant in Southport. A number of them were also able to take advantage of the onsite accommodation in the golf club dormie house.
Early morning fog met the competitors, who had assembled for the contest at 9am on the Sunday morning. However, the weather improved just in time for Rodney Atkinson to get us underway. We were delighted to have four golfers who had left school the previous year, as well as four current pupils and the school’s Director of Golf, Stuart Hemmings. The conditions were again benign although slightly cooler than the previous day.
After a thoroughly enjoyable morning’s golf we enjoyed an excellent lunch in the dining room. We were fortunate to be joined for lunch by the new Headmaster, James Davies.The prize presentation followed lunch and the winners were as follows;
Critchley Cup (Best Net) - Rodney Atkinson,
Farquies Fortifier (2nd Place) - Charlie Crummey,
Bill Fox Trophy (Best Gross) - Charlie Crummey,
Dick Harrison Trophy (Best Net – 12 handicap or higher) - Ethan Spedding
Ken Case Tankard (Seniors Trophy) - Mark Pearson.Formby proved to be an all round excellent venue, a championship golf course which provided a thoroughly enjoyable test of golf and first-class facilities off the course. We would be delighted to welcome any Old St Beghian golfers in 2013 for what is proving to be an extremely popular weekend.
If you wish to become involved, please contact:
James Doggett, Hon.Sec., OSBGS,at james.doggett@hotmail.co.uk or telephone 07930 510086.
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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