OEGS Spring Highlights: Victory, Coastal Challenges and Upcoming Events

The OEGS season kicked off in style with a resounding 4–2 win over Hurstpierpoint at the prestigious Walton Heath Golf Club on 17 April. Hugh Price led a strong side, enjoying glorious weather, fine food, and excellent company. It was a rare triumph in this long-standing fixture, now in its 32nd year. The day concluded with a celebratory dinner, where the “Sussex 2-iron” was handed over to Hugh by Jeremy Waud of Hurstpierpoint.

It was great to have Iryna Photiou playing for us once again, along with her son Andreas , who joined the team at relatively short notice – and they both won their respective matches.

Interestingly enough, as well as designing both Walton Heath courses, Herbert Fowler also designed Cooden Beach Golf Club, which opened in 1912 and is where our Autumn meeting takes place on Sunday 7 September. In total Fowler designed 50 courses across the UK and was renowned for using the natural landscape to provide the core course features.

Our attention then turned north to Norfolk, where twelve OEGS members enjoyed glorious sunny weather for our annual three-day coastal tour. The trip began at Hunstanton GC on 25 April, with OE, Andrew Sherwood,  kindly organising a number of members  to join us. Peter Henley and Mike Fuller triumphed in the opening foursomes amid a bracing North Sea wind. Saturday took us to Royal West Norfolk GC (Brancaster), with Ian Henley and Brancaster member, Paul Freeth, winning the Peter Robinson Salver. Dinner and laughter followed at The Nest Farmhouse.

Sunday’s final round, further along the coast at Sheringham GC, delivered sunshine, calmer conditions, and spectacular views. Steam trains and sea breezes framed the closing four-ball, where Peter Henley and local member Sean Dempster secured yet another victory and made it a weekend clean sweep for the Henley brothers, which not surprisingly was rewarded by applause and groans from the other OEs.

Our annual tour to Norfolk is one of the highlights of the year, playing three outstanding links courses. So if any members would like to join us in future years, please get in touch with me. New tourists are most welcome, no matter what your playing ability is.

A more comprehensive article by OE Norfolk tour member, Will Hawes, can be seen in the news section on our website.

Meanwhile, looking ahead, several exciting events await. The Summer Open at Piltdown GC on 16 June offers a top-100 English heathland course, with lunch, 18 holes, and tea for £85 (£35 for members). There are still a few places available, so sign up today on the ES website to secure a spot.

On 20 July, the classic match against Old Tonbridgians takes place at West Sussex GC — a true gem ranked 11th in England. With 36 holes, a superb lunch, and generous subsidies for younger players, this promises to be a standout day.

Then on 31 August, we are again holding our popular annual Texas Scramble event at the picturesque West Surrey GC, aimed at younger OEs and recent leavers, for a relaxed, fun day of team golf, prizes and affordable participation. Match fees will, once again, be generously subsidised for players under 30 years old. Gather your OE friends and join the action!

In the meantime, we are currently investigating the feasability of organising a match against Old Radleians at Royal Ashdown Forest GC on Sunday 13 July. For those of you who may not be aware of the history of Eastbourne College, it was nearly 85 years ago on 20 June 1940, that the school re-located to Radley during World War II and didn’t return to Eastbourne until the end of the war in 1945. Given our strong historical links with Radley it seems fitting to organise a golf match with the school, which became our home for five years. If you are interested in playing in this event, please contact me for more information at oegs.secretary@gmail.com

For all OEGS event details and sign-ups, visit our website or contact the Match Managers listed below.

Finally, don’t forget to check out our extensive range of Glenmuir / OEGS branded clothing, which you can view and order online direct from our Shop.

Let’s keep the OEGS momentum going — see you on the fairways!

Best wishes

David Burt – (Gonville 1966 -70)

OEGS Hon. Secretary

oegs.secretary@gmail.com

 

Upcoming Events

Summer Open Event

Venue: Piltdown Golf Club, Uckfield – club website

Date : Monday 16 June 2025 at 12.00 pm

Costs : £85 Guests, £35 Piltdown GC Members – 18 holes including lunch and tea

Contact: Jonathan Winchester @ jonowinch@sky.com

We still have some places available for the Summer Event at Piltdown GC.  The picturesque heathland course located near Uckfield, East Sussex, is ranked as one of the top 100 courses in England.

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.

Register today on the ES website to ensure your place in our summer open event.

 

Old Eastbournians V Old Tonbridgians

Venue: West Sussex Golf Club, Pulborough – club website

Date : Sunday 20 July 2025 at 9.00 am

Costs : Under 30s £40, Over 30s £80 – 36 holes including lunch

Contact: Ben Burrows @ burrowsbd@gmail.com

Experience a fun, old-school golf match at West Sussex GC, one of England’s finest courses, perfect for OE golfers of all abilities. Ranked 11th in England’s Top 100, this must-play venue offers 36 holes of foursomes, with tee times at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast from 8:00 a.m., followed by exceptional golf and a very excellent lunch — all for approximately £80. We are also able to provide subsidies for members under 30 years old, making it even more accessible. This is a chance to play a classic course and enjoy a fantastic day of golf, food, and camaraderie. Apply to play online at www.oegolf.uk

 

OEGS Texas Scramble

Venue: West Surrey Golf Club, Milford, Surrey – club website

Date : Sunday 31 August 2025 at 12.00 pm

Costs: Under 30s £45, Over 30s £80 – 18 holes including lunch

Contact: Colin Farrant @ colinpgfarrant@live.co.uk

The OEGS is organising and subsidising a fun golf day primarily aimed at pupils who have left the College within the last 20 years. Join us for a round of golf with your OE friends at an excellent 18-hole Surrey golf course. There is no handicap restriction to entry.

The idea is for OEs to organise a team of 4 to play the Texas Scramble format with prizes for both team performance and highest individual score, nearest the pin and longest drive. Apply to play online at www.oegolf.uk

 

Player Profile: Jonathan ‘Jono’ Winchester

Apologies for the self-indulgence, but I’m filling in while I await more biographies from OEGS members. So here are my golfing thoughts……

What was your first golf experience?
At the age of 10, my father decided to take my two older brothers for golf lessons at Highwoods in Bexhill. I was incandescent with rage at being left out—and somehow managed to tag along.

What were your reflections on golf at the college?
I initially thought I’d play cricket, as I was a reasonably good opening bat at Westerleigh Prep School. However, I never made it into any of the first five teams at college! With the support of Robin Harrison, my housemaster in Craig, I played golf instead. My early memories are of Royal Eastbourne Golf Club—drinking Tennents and smoking in the junior changing room. I also remember my last lesson on a Thursday finishing at 10 am, which meant I could spend all of the day playing golf.

Which club did you first join and where are you a member now?
I joined Cooden Beach Golf Club when I was 14. Because I moved overseas and around the UK, I’ve probably held more different membership categories than anyone else. The club probably saved me. I wasn’t very academic, and during school holidays, I would spend all my time at the golf club rather than catching the train to Hastings and getting into trouble.

Favourite club and why?
My Ping Putter. I bought it for £8 when I was 15 from the pro’s father, Fred Robson (second place in British Open), and I still use it today.  This year, I decided to get it regripped for the first time. I took it into the Cooden Beach Pro shop. I was informed that they would free of charge if I had bought it from the shop.  I reliably told them I had……

Best ever shot?
I lived in Australia for 13 years, and on a holiday in UK, I played against a friend at Cooden Beach. On the first hole—430 yards—I holed out with an 8-iron for a two. I had to give my friend a shot, and he chipped in for a three, so the hole was halved. The best ever shot I witnessed with Nigel Wheeler’s (College English & house master) seven iron at the 7^th at Cooden Beach Golf Club. He holed it! This picture is taken 37 years after that event at the 7^th……Nigel is on the right!

If I had my time again…
I would have had more golf lessons. But then, learning was something I always found difficult. I’ve always played off about 12, but I’m sure that if I’d had lessons earlier, I might have reached single figures. That said, I’m having lessons now—so it’s never too late.

Most enjoyable round of golf?
Ria Bintan Golf Club, which has the most fantastic par five I’ve ever played. You tee off from high above the fairway, which winds through a mini forest, and the green sits out in the ocean.

If you had one final round you could play, which course would it be on?
It would have to be Cooden Beach GC—for the memories, friendships, and stories retold time and again. And, in recent years, it became the place where I reconnected with special friends, including Emma Garrett (Nugent 1985 -86), after 37 years, at the OEGS Autumn event in 2021.

If you would like to tell your own golfing stories and your relationship with the game, please do let me know.

Jonathan Winchester – (Craig House 1980 -85)

Newsletter Editor

jonowinch@sky.com