NEWS

The Old Citizens Golfing Society entered a team for this year's Halford Hewitt Golf Tournament. We are privileged to play in the largest Amateur golf tournament in the world with 640 competitors and are keen to ensure we continue to participate. It was fitting that the City of London were drawn to play the opening shot of the Competition as we celebrate our Centenary as a Golf Society this year.
 

So at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday the 2^nd April Mark Bretton hit the opening drive at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, better known as Deal. Mark's drive was one of the longest ever recorded at Deal and was level with but some 40 yards to the right of the 1^st green. For those who know the course this was a hit of some 387 yards and was achieved in a most unusual fashion. The ball hit the road outside the Clubhouse, at this stage it was out of bounds, but while bouncing along the road it somehow managed to bounce back in bounds and ended up in the overflow car park level with the 1^st green.
 

Our opponents, Stowe are now one of the stronger sides in the competition and soon prevailed over us although they did lose in the next round to Radley. Their 1^st pair proved to be very strong as it contained a plus handicap golfer who has won the prestigious President's Putter at Rye. The eventual winners were Tonbridge who retained the Halford Hewitt. The OCGS team enjoyed the main competition and then turned our efforts on to the Plate Competition at Princes Golf Club. We lost to a strong Blundells side who won quite easily.
 

We hope to do better next year and are looking to fond some new players who can participate and improve our chances. Any golfers who have left the school, having completed a years' education at CLS, are eligible to play in this unique competition. If you have a handicap of 12 or less we would be delighted to welcome you along. If you are still in Education we can assist with expenses. Please contact the Hon Sec for details.
 

On the 27^th May we returned to Worplesdon Golf Club, after a few years absence, for our Spring Meeting. The morning was a little wet but after Lunch the rain stopped and we enjoyed an afternoon's greensome. Greg Matthews had returned the Pollard Cup he won at New Zealand last year but proceeded to take it home with him having won it back this year!  Greg's guest, Anders Baker, won the Guest's AM prize with 40 stableford points. The Afternoon's Greensome was also won by Greg and Anders with 40 points with my guest and I as runners-up with 38.
 

Our next fixture is the match against the School on the 17^th June at Old Fold Manor Golf Club before the ever popular Summer meeting at Swinley Forest Golf Club on the 10^th July.
 

Any Old Citizen golfers who would like to attend these events, please contact the Hon Secretary, John Featherstone, tel no: 01732 353518 or drop an email to [email protected] or [email protected]