April 2025 Newsletter
Welcome to a new season of OE golf.
First and foremost I would like to congratulate Rory McIlroy on finally winning the Augusta Masters in a drama packed play-off with English veteran, Justin Rose. He is the first European to win the career Grand Slam of Masters, Open Championship, US Open and US PGA Championship titles.
Moving onto OEGS golf, we have another year of exciting golf ahead of us and you can view all the fixtures on our website.
Whilst the Masters event was taking place last weekend in Augusta, the OEGS team were competing in the annual Halford Hewitt competition in Kent. The event was first established in 1924 and is one of the world’s most prestigious amateur golf tournaments, played annually between teams from 64 English public schools.
Chris Walker, OEGS President and organiser of our Eastbourne team commented that: ”Following a couple of days of practice at Royal St George’s GC, our first-round opponents were Sherborne on Friday. Our team was not as strong as in recent years, but Sherborne did play some excellent golf against us. We went down by 4.5 matches to 0.5, the only half coming from our youngsters, Jack Hughes and Jack King. In the Plate competition at Prince’s GC the following day, we played Aldenham, fought hard but lost each of the 3 games by just 1 hole. Despite not winning on the golf course, the camaraderie was excellent and everyone had an enjoyable time”.
Bradfield won the Halford Hewitt Trophy and Radley the Prince’s Plate. The former being a very experienced team and the latter an extremely young one.
The 2025 OEGS Halford Hewitt team.
Standing (L to R): Grant Leonard, Adam Walker and Elliot Waight
Seated (L to R): Chris Walker, Charlie Oakley, Ian Sands, Ben Dawson, Jack King, Jack Hughes and Tony Dunn. Absent from photo: Ben Burrows
This year’s Halford Hewitt though was especially poignant, as we recently lost Brian Meaby, one of our long-serving members.
Brian Meaby (Powell 1949-53)
Brian represented Eastbourne in the Halford Hewitt between 1956 and 2010, so therefore playing in 7 different decades. In his 51 appearances he played 67 games but perhaps most notably he had a Hewitt record total of 30 different partners. Brian presented the Hewitt trophies in 2012.
Moving onto our annual programme of matches, I would like to highlight two particular events, which are open to golfers of all standards. Firstly our annual singles knockout competition in memory of OE, Richard Day. We have extended the closing date for entries to 21 April, so sign up today if you would like to compete in this year’s competition. Further details shown below.
Claire Day, Chris Walker and Louise Day with the Richard Day Trophy.
Secondly, following the success of last year’s summer open golf day we are, once again, staging this year’s event at the highly rated Piltdown golf course in Sussex on 16 June. You can register online to play in this popular event on the ES website. More details shown below.
Competitors at the 2024 Piltdown GC Summer Open Golf day.
Meanwhile, we have a few spaces available for our matches against the College on 15 May and the College Common Room on 1 June, both at the Royal Eastbourne GC.
The easiest way to participate in any of our OEGS events / fixtures is to apply online. Any problems contact me @ oegs.secretary@gmail.com
Meanwhile, I’m delighted to announce that we have negotiated a new arrangement with our golf clothing supplier, Glenmuir, whereby you will now be able to order Glenmuir / OEGS branded items, directly from the company’s website, with a 20% discount on the RRP, plus free delivery by Royal Mail. Check out the extensive range of top-quality men’s and ladies clothing on the specially created online page and treat yourself to a new polo shirt, sweater or perhaps a gilet.
In the meantime, a note for your diary, the OEGS AGM will take place via zoom at 6.30 pm on Wednesday 28 May. I hope you will be able to attend and use the opportunity to provide us with your views and feedback on any aspect of our Society. Further details on the AGM will follow in due course.
Finally, a brief reminder, annual subscription memberships are now due (£30 or £5 for members under 30 years old). Click HERE for details if you have yet to set up a bank standing order.
All good wishes for Easter.
David Burt (Gonville 1966-70)
OEGS Hon. Secretary
Richard Day Singles Knockout 2025
Date: May to October
Organiser: Chris Walker
Closing date for Entries: 21 April
Entry Fee: £20
The Richard Day Singles Knockout is a golf competition established in 2022 by the OEGS to honour the memory of Richard Day (Gonville 1982–87), who passed away in April 2021. The tournament features a singles match play format, with early rounds played at participants’ home clubs. The semi-finals and final are held at Rye Golf Course in October.
Harry Rimmer (right), the 2024 winner with runner up, Tony Riddick (left).
There are still places available, so make sure you sign up today to guarantee playing in our 2025 event. Click on Singles Knockout to apply online. Alternatively contact Chris Walker @ president@oegolf.uk
Summer Open Event
Piltdown Golf Club
Date : Monday 16 June 2025 at 12.00 pm
Closing date to apply: 26 May
Costs : £85 Guests, £35 Piltdown GC Members
The OEGS and the Eastbournian Society (ES) have again joined forces to put on a Summer Open Golf Day at the fantastic Piltdown Course. The picturesque heathland course located near Uckfield, East Sussex, is ranked as one of the top 100 courses in England.
Piltdown Golf Club
Skilfully carved out of ancient Sussex heathland in 1904, Piltdown Golf Club enjoys a colourful history, a stunning location, and a devoted following among golfers young and old. Visitors are drawn again and again to the challenging heather-lined 18-hole course, excellent practice facilities and welcoming period clubhouse.
This fun competition is open to anyone with a handicap and will be a great day for the average golfer, as well as low handicap players. Please feel free to arrange your own team, maybe with other OEGS members, old college friends you have not seen for some time, or with other current parents, or parents of former pupils.
- A light lunch at midday, 18 holes of golf starting at 1.00pm, finishing with tea and cake and prize-giving for just £85 per person or £35 for Piltdown members.
- The format will be Singles Stableford, playing fourball with best two scores on each hole going towards the team competition.
- Numerous prizes on offer for the winning team, runners up, highest individual Stableford score, nearest the pin and the longest drive.
We expect this to be a very popular event, so please register your interest now on the Eastbournian Society website. The deadline to book is 26 May 2025.
For further details on the event contact Jonathan Winchester (Craig 1980 – 1985) @ jonowinch@sky.com
Glenmuir / OEGS Branded Golf Clothing
Our expanded range of men’s and ladies OEGS / Glenmuir branded golf clothing is now available for members to order online direct from Glenmuir, with a 20% discount on the RRP and free delivery by Royal Mail to your UK address. Delivery to overseas members is via UPS and the cost will vary depending on the destination.
Shown below are just a few of the clothing items. However click HERE to view all the items on our specially created OEGS / Glenmuir page. To place an order, simply select the item(s), choose the size and colour and click Add to Bag. Then click Checkout to review the item(s) and click the appropriate payment method. Enter your email, mobile number, name and delivery address and then the payment details. You also have the option to register to set up an account with Glenmuir.
You can also view and purchase the full range of golf clothing items via the Shop page on the OEGS website.
Torrance Micro Stripe Polo Shirt
Lomond V Neck Lambswool Sweater
Cairn Lightweight Water Repellent Gilet
Douglas Performance Midlayer
Paloma Pique Polo Shirt
Arosa Fleece Midlayer
Rebecca Lightweight Showerproof Gilet
We look forward to seeing you at one or two of our golfing events during the year. In the meantime, if you have suggestions or comments about the OEGS Newsletter, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Jonathan Winchester (Craig 1980 – 85)
Newsletter Editor