With Easter Sunday falling on the second Sunday in April, the Halford Hewitt commenced Thursday 30^th March. However, we were drawn to play early doors Friday 31^st March against Downside. With both teams quite close to one another on the Anderson scale, it was destined to be a close match.

As a warm up for the big day, we arranged a practice match against Bishop’s Stortford at Princes Golf Club on the Thursday. The match was played in good spirit and we managed to scrape home 3-2. The course was a delight to play and with a victory under our belts, we travelled back home (2-mile drive…) to Coldham (our usual “pad”) ready to tuck into some homemade chilli and a few beers, before an early night in readiness for the challenge ahead.

With alarm clocks set for 5:45am, we awoke to Armageddon….45 mph wind and rain! With waterproofs adorned we met our opponents Downside on the 1^st tee at Royal St Georges at 7:40am, shook hands and hoped we would stay alive.

Our first pair of Pete Walker and Tim Mote played all 18 holes, but sadly the final result was a loss, 1down. Graham Carn and Ben Twine (welcome to the team, Ben) fought hard, but succumbed to a strong second pair 5 & 3. Third pair Geoff Campbell and Adrian Sharpin lost 6 & 5 to a pairing who were only one over par after 13 holes in biblical conditions. Our fourth pair of Jack Hughes and Adam Godfrey (welcome to the team, Adam) won their match comfortably, thus ensuring it was not a whitewash. Fifth pair of Harry Rimmer and Alex Rimmer (welcome to the team, Alex) were 2 up with 3 holes to play, but as is the custom in the Hewitt, if your team has lost, then you take a half. No doubt, Harry and Alex walked off with a moral victory. The final result was therefore a 3.5 – 1.5 loss.

With Eastbourne sadly out of the main event, we then had to select a team of six to play King Edward’s Birmingham back at Princes. With the rain and wind not abating, it was decided that the 4 non-playing team members would caddy and do their best to keep equipment dry. Sadly, the match resulted in a 2-1 loss. Jack and Adam won their match, so were unbeaten in the 2023 Hewitt – well done chaps!

It was not the outcome we were hoping for, but all team members had a thoroughly enjoyable time and will endeavour to get more points on the board next year!

A big thank you to Chris Walker for all of his help in ensuring the week ran smoothly. We were well fed by Pete Walker, Tim Mote and Adrian Sharpin – thank you gents.

Onwards and upwards in 2024. We are as always very keen for other low single figure handicap OE golfers to join the society and lodge their interest on the OEGS website.

Adrian Sharpin

The Eastbourne team at Prince’s GC.

Alex Rimmer receiving expert putting tuition from Peter Walker.

The whole team preparing, very carefully, for our first round match the following day.