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Grafton Morrish Public Schools Old Boys Golf Competition 2009
Our 2009 pilgrimage began with the spring qualifying event at Royal Ashdown Forest Golf club in East Sussex. On Sunday 10th May, our hand-picked team of low handicap golfers gathered to ensure that we were one of 8 teams to qualify from the 21 schools assembled, with the added incentive that the top placed school on the day would be seeded and receive a bye into the second round of the competition proper to be held in Norfolk in late September. Our first stableford scratch foursomes pair of Chris Taee (1981-1986; Day) and JJ Moore (1998-2000; Etonhurst) were first to tee-off and bagged a hard fought 23 points. Our second pair of Jon Greener (1987-1989; Kingweston) and Gavin Bradbury (1981-1983; Kingweston) rallied well to secure 27 points with a second best score on the day of 34 points coming courtesy of some impressive putting from our final pairing of Doug Morss (1987-1989; Kingweston) and Ed Matthews (1981-1986 Joan’s Kitchen). Our combined score of 84 points was good enough for 3rd qualifying spot.
So on Friday 25th September, we arrived at Royal West Norfolk Golf Club to play recent winners KCS Wimbledon School. In typical quirky Millfield fashion Steve Rumball (1973 -1978; Kingweston) set the scene for the day’s events by not only losing his practice ball whilst trying to chip onto the tee from 15 yards, but also double hitting the chip at the same time whilst our opponents looked on! First off were JJ Moore and Matthew Condren who, despite losing the first three holes, recovered to record a great 2/1 victory against two scratch golfers. Despite some solid golf, Gavin Bradbury and Andy Russell (1995-2000; Kingweston) were unable to overcome their opponents who were under par when they won. With the match coming down to the final pairing, things were looking good as Stephen Rumball and Giles Legg (1983-1988; St Anne’s) played some fantastic golf to be 2 up after 11 holes. With the wind freshening slightly, KCS Wimbledon rallied with birdies and holed putts against our solid pars to reach the 16th tee 2 up. Grinding out an impressive par on the difficult 16th hole reduced the deficit to one down with two to play. With both teams having found the fairway on 17, with a good up and down KCS secured their par, Steve Rumball leaving Giles with a do or die par putt which unfortunately slid by to hand the match to KCS. A great effort from our third pair who played great golf to stay with their experienced scratch golfer opponents for so long.
KCS went on to reach the finals only to lose narrowly to George Herriot’s school. All in all a great few days! If you are a low handicap golfer (2 or less) and would like to play competitive old boys golf for Millfield in the Grafton Morrish, please email gavinbradbury@aol.com as it would be great to get some new blood to ensure that we get our name back on the trophy after a gap of over 25 years!
Gavin Bradbury (1981-83; Kingweston)
Photo left to right top; Matthew Condren, JJ Moore, Gavin Bradbury bottom: Giles Legge, Andy Russell, Steve Rumball
Tassie Foursomes by Sandy Meacher (née Evans; 1970-75; Day)
Enjoying the view of the St. George’s Hill Estate we couldn’t help but cast our minds forward to our bacon butties and a good days’ golf. We had been told of the magnificent lunch but our hungry tummies would not wait that long! Our Teams were Millfield 1 sisters Jane Rees ( nee Evans; 1973-1976; Day) and myself and Millfield 2 Julia Burton (nee Gregory; 1970-1974; Johnsons) and Sarah Stirk (1994-1996; Warner).
On this beautiful, hot, sunny day there was a buzz of excitement in the clubhouse as the collection of old girls from over 30 schools were reuniting and anticipating a challenging day of golf. This was the final time The Tassie would be played at St Georges Hill before re-locating to The Berkshire. The course was playing in its usual magnificent condition with undulating fairways and lightning fast greens. Each school enters two pairs making one team. The format of the competition is 27 holes, foursomes, medal play. There are two first prizes: and team handicap prize won by Roedean but Millfield put up a fine performance coming 6th. Millfield 1 won the Best Scratch Pair: Jane and Sandra with a score of 110. Millfield 2 came a close 2nd. Jane and Sandra hit many greens in regulation and sunk some critical 10 footers to clinch victory.
Thank you to Julia for enthusiastically captaining the side and also to Margaret Hawker and Karen Nicholls for organising our team. Sisters Win Title
Note from Margaret Hawker (Former Tutor)
It was a wonderful surprise to get news of more OMs keen to play in this event and especially sisters Jane and Sandra, Day Girls from the 1970’s, who both had single figure handicaps. We therefore fielded our strongest team ever and as Jane, Sandra and Julia all knew one another from their school days and Sarah was playing in this event for the 3rd year, it was a very happy reunion and a most successful day as Sandra’s report indicates. Next year’s Tassie is at The Berkshire on Monday 21st June and I look forward to hearing from any OMs keen to take part in this event. (margaret.hawker@tesco.net or telephone: 01458-442564).
Other News of OM Golfers
Victoria Kayser (2005-2007; Acacia), McGill University, Canada. Team member and winner of individual tournament in October 2008. Portia Abbott (2000-03; Portway), Jackonsville State University. Won on the US women’s collegiate circuit as well as the Fred Marx Invitational hosted by the University of Louisiana-Monroe, with rounds of 71, 74, 73. Adam Carson (2007; Day). Winner of the Fairhaven Trophy 2009, member of the England U18 Squad 2009, and European Boys Team 2009. Ben Evans (2000-03; Millfield). Plays on the Challenge and European Men’s Tour. Oscar Sharpe (2008-2009). Attends the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Florida. Member of the England U18 Squad 2009.
Great Initiative By Alex
Alex Quinn (2007 – 2009; Joan’s Kitchen) was a member of the newly formed Intercollegiate golf team and, unable to compete against a national side, he came up with the idea of having a competition between the major educational institutions in the UK. Thus, “the College Cup” was born, the inaugural event taking place at the Shire, London, in October. Well played Alex! Interested? Have a look at www.TheCollegeCup.com