March 2026 Newsletter
A Fantastic OEGS Golf Year has Finally Arrived…
As we look ahead to another busy and enjoyable year of OEGS golf, there is plenty to get involved in – from competitive fixtures and knockout tournaments to sociable meetings and our ever-popular touring events. We hope as many members as possible will take the opportunity to participate and make the most of what promises to be an excellent 2026 season.
Before diving into the calendar on the OEGS website, a quick but important reminder: annual OEGS subscriptions are now due. The cost remains excellent value at £30 per year, or just £5 for members under 30. Your support is vital in helping us organise fixtures, subsidise events, and keep the Society thriving. If you have not yet set up a standing order, please take a moment to do so. Full details on our annual membership are shown under the Members heading on our website.
The season begins with the prestigious Halford Hewitt event in April, followed closely by our match against the Old Hurstjohnians at Walton Heath, where we look forward to defending last year’s victory. Our annual Norfolk Tour takes place 24–26 April where we play three outstanding courses on the North Norfolk coast, at much reduced green fee rates.
Looking further ahead, highlights include the Foundation Golf Challenge at Royal Eastbourne in June, raising funds for the Blue Sky Bursaries Appeal, and the Richard Day Singles Knockout for which entries are urgently required. Our Summer Open Meeting at Mid Sussex Golf Club promises a relaxed and scenic day, combining competitive golf with great company.
Whether you are playing regularly or simply joining for the occasional event, we encourage you to get involved and for those members under 30 years old we are able to offer highly subsidised green fee rates for our various events during the year. Meanwhile we look forward to seeing many of you on the fairways in 2026.
David Burt (Gonville 1966-70)
OEGS Hon. Secretary
Players Wanted For Forthcoming Events
OEGS v Old Hurstjohnians – Walton Heath GC
Thursday 16 April
We look forward to our upcoming match against the OHs at Walton Heath. The format will be four-ball better ball, with the first tee time scheduled for 2:00 pm. The day will conclude with an excellent dinner in the clubhouse at 7:00pm, providing the ideal opportunity to relax and reflect on the match.
For non–Walton Heath members, the cost is £50 for the green fee and £50 for dinner, totalling £100.
As defending champions following our excellent 2025 victory, we are keen to field a strong team and continue our winning form. We encourage all those interested to confirm their availability and be part of what promises to be another enjoyable and competitive occasion. Sign up online or contact Hugh Price- dhughprice@gmail.com
Walton Heath GC
The Richard Day Singles Knockout
Register by 20 April for play from 1 May
The Richard Day Singles Knockout Tournament, established in 2022 honours Richard Day (Gonville 1982–87), who passed away in April 2021. The competition is open to all members of the Eastbournian Society, with a particular focus on encouraging younger players to participate.
The format is a singles knockout, using World Handicap adjustments based on the course and for mixed-gender matches. Players without an official handicap will be assigned a society handicap. Early-round matches can be played at any mutually agreed course, often a participant’s home club, with green fees shared equally between players.
To reduce travel, the draw is organised regionally. The semi-finals, final, and playoff will take
place at Rye Golf Club on 24 October 2026, funded by entry fees and OEGS support.
Rye GC, venue for the Richard Day semi-finals and final
Registration by 20 April is available via the OEGS website or email Chris Walker at president@oegolf.uk
Two Events in May at the Royal Eastbourne GC
OEGS v College – Thursday 14 May
Contact: Peter Henley at petershenley@gmail.com
AND
OEGS v College Common Room – Sunday 24 May
Contact: Ian Henley at ian.s.henley@btinternet.com
More details available on the OEGS website.
Royal Eastbourne GC
Foundation Golf Day Returns to Benefit Bursary Recipients
Friday 5 June 2026
Royal Eastbourne GC
The Foundation Golf Challenge returns to the Royal Eastbourne Golf Club on Friday 5 June 2026, raising funds for the Blue Sky Bursaries Appeal, which supports young people through access to an Eastbourne education. The event introduces a refreshed format, beginning with a sit-down breakfast and ending with an informal BBQ, alongside a full day of golf, competitions, and entertainment.
Participants can enjoy a range of activities, including a pre-event golf clinic with the club professional (limited spaces), a chance to win prizes such as a wheelbarrow of wine or even a car with a hole-in-one, and various on-course competitions like Beat the Pro, Nearest the Pin, Straightest Drive, and the “Nearest the Gin” challenge. There will also be raffle and silent auction prizes, including tickets to major sporting and cultural events, as well as a prize for the best-dressed team.
The day begins with registration at 8:30am, followed by the optional golf clinic at 9:00am and breakfast between 9:30am and 11:00am. Play starts at 11:30am with a shotgun start, using a four-ball Stableford format with full handicaps. Additional features include a mystery hole, a “joker” score multiplier, and opportunities to bid for starting tees or arrange transport. Refreshments, snacks, and on-course entertainment will be available throughout the round.
After play concludes around 4:30pm, guests can enjoy refreshments before a group photo and BBQ at 5:00pm, followed by prizegiving.
Entry costs £85 for non-members and £65 for members, with a BBQ-only option available for £20. Teams of four are encouraged to register early due to limited availability, and participants should provide handicap details, clinic attendance, and any special requirements when booking. To book a team or to register yourself go to Foundation Golf Day Challenge
Summer Meeting: OEGS and the Eastbournian Society Open Golf Day
Mid-Sussex Golf Course
Friday 19 June 2026
You may already have seen this event listed on OEGS website. We would like to extend a special invitation to last year’s players to join us once again and encourage other OE golfers to sign up. The closing date for entries is 31 May.
This year we are trying something a little different, with the event being held at Ian Henley’s golf club, Mid Sussex. Whilst Ian may be slightly biased, he is confident that the course offers stunning views and a great variety of challenges. For those who found last year’s conditions testing, they will be pleased to hear there is no heather – just a touch of water, a few dog legs, and some gently undulating greens.
The day will begin with a light lunch at 12:00pm, followed by a 1:00pm tee-off. The format will include fourball Stableford alongside a team competition, with prizegiving over drinks afterwards – hopefully enjoyed in the sunshine on the terrace overlooking the South Downs.
The cost is a very reasonable £60 (£30 for under 30s), which includes both green fees and lunch. We very much hope you can join us. Registration is available via the OEGS website or email Ian Henley – ian.s.henley@btinternet.com or Jonathan Winchester – jonowinch@sky.com
Mid Sussex GC
Halford Hewitt Revisited
The Halford Hewitt is a prestigious annual amateur golf tournament contested by UK independent schools, held at Royal Cinque Ports (Deal) and Royal St George’s. This will take place from Thursday 9 April to Sunday 12 April 2026.
We start our campaign against Liverpool at 1.35pm on 9 April at Deal. We wish our team the very best of luck and would encourage any OE golfers to spare the time to go and support the team.
OEGS branded Glenmuir golf clothing and Asbri accessories
Finally, if you want to get ready for this year’s golf, go to the OEGS shop and check out our extensive range of OEGS branded Glenmuir clothing and Asbri golf accessories. It’s easy to order the Glenmuir items online, all of which are delivered free in the UK.
Asbri golf accessories can be ordered direct from David Burt – oegs.secretary@gmail.com
Wishing you all a good year of golf.
Jonathan Winchester (Craig 1980 – 85)
Newsletter Editor