What a marvellous way to finish the OEGS Golfing Year

The OEGS golf season of 2024 has been nothing short of memorable, featuring exciting events across stunning courses and showcasing incredible talent and sportsmanship.

The Richard Day Knockout concluded with a thrilling final at Rye Golf Club, where Harry Rimmer defended his title, narrowly defeating Tony Riddick. In September, the OEGS Autumn Meeting at Cooden Beach GC saw Jay Lorton secure his fourth Crosse Trophy win under challenging conditions, while welcoming five new players to the community.

Lastly, the Triangular Match at West Surrey GC gathered teams from three schools, with the Old Reedonians emerging victorious. The season also highlighted individual achievements, memorable shots, and even a unique player profile feature on Colin Farrant, whose golfing journey and stories brought a smile to many.

In the meantime, we’re busy finalising next year’s programme of events, which, early in the New Year, will hopefully also include a heavily subsidised  indoor golf evening in London, playing on state-of-the art golf simulators and enjoying food and drink with fellow OEs. If you’d like to know more about this fun evening, contact Harry Rimmer at hmr1986@hotmail.co.uk

Also for those younger OEs who have played in the popular Texas Scramble event at West Surrey, we are looking to stage another open day event during 2025, again on a weekend and subsidised by the OEGS for under 30 year olds. Contact Colin Farrant for more details on colinpgfarrant@live.co.uk

Meanwhile, in addition to our regular programme of events, playing top-class courses, at much reduced green fee rates, we are exploring a few other golf opportunities for next year – more details will be posted in due course on www.oegolf.uk

Finally, do check out our provisional 2025 programme HERE and I hope to see you at one or two of our events during the year.

Best wishes

David Burt

OEGS Hon. Secretary

 

Richard Day Knockout 2024: A Thrilling Finale at Rye Golf Club

Date: October 26, 2024
Venue: Rye Golf Club
Organiser: Chris Walker

The Richard Day Knockout 2024 culminated in a thrilling day of semi-finals and the grand final at Rye Golf Club. The event brought together four skilled semi-finalists—Tony Dunn, Harry Rimmer, Jack King, and Tony Riddick—along with additional players and spectators, making it a memorable day for all involved.

Despite dry conditions throughout most of the day, light rain arrived in the afternoon. Fortunately, the wind remained calm, allowing for ideal playing conditions that set the stage for some incredibly close matches. Both semi-final rounds were intensely competitive, with each match going to the 18th hole. Harry Rimmer, giving 7 shots, narrowly defeated Tony Dunn 1-up, while Tony Riddick, receiving 9 shots, edged past Jack King by the same margin.

In the final, Harry faced Tony Riddick, giving him 9 shots. Harry built a strong lead, turning 4-up, but Tony staged a comeback, closing the gap to just 1-up by the 14th hole. With holes 15 and 16 halved, Harry ultimately sealed his victory with a spectacular birdie on the demanding 17th, winning 2&1 and successfully defending his title from 2023.

A special thank you to Chris Stephenson for coordinating with Rye Golf Club and hosting the day, as well as to Louise and Claire Day for joining the group for a delightful lunch. The Richard Day Knockout continues to grow, and we’re excited to announce plans for the 2025 event, with a goal of expanding to 32 players in the first round.

Congratulations to Harry Rimmer on his hard-earned victory, and thank you to everyone who took part in the tournament this summer!

 

 

OEGS Autumn Meeting 2024: A Day of Golf at Cooden Beach GC

Date: September 29, 2024
Organiser: Andrew Langlands
Location: Cooden Beach Golf Club

Seventeen golfers gathered for the OEGS Autumn Meeting 2024 at Cooden Beach GC, ready to take on the course despite overcast skies and a strong southeastern wind that added a challenging twist to the day. The weather may have tested everyone, but it didn’t stop Alex Photiou from an impressive drive to the green on the 306-yard Par 4, 5th hole—a highlight among many memorable moments. This event also welcomed five new players to the meeting, a promising sign for the growth of the OEGS community.

Congratulations to our Crosse Trophy winner, Jay Lorton, who scored 35 points, marking his fourth win of the trophy! Jonathan Winchester claimed second place with 33 points, while Ian Sands took third with 29 points.

A big thank you to everyone who joined; each player brought great energy and sportsmanship, making the day enjoyable despite the tough playing conditions. Special thanks to newcomers, who we hope to see again at future events.

Participants:
Chris Walker, Tony Dunn, Colin Farrant, Jonathan Winchester, Jay Lorton, Claire Patterson-Snell, Ian Henley, Ian Sands, Patricia Seath, Iryna Photiou, Alex Photiou, Chris Howe, Brian Baker, Gearoid O’Callaghan, Greg East, Rob Lee and Andrew Langlands.

Thoughts on the Event:
“The timing seems to suit most OEs. With a 10:15 a.m. breakfast start and golf wrapping up by 4 p.m., everyone can get home at a reasonable hour. However, scheduling a couple of weeks earlier might improve the weather conditions for next time.”

 

Event: Triangular Match

Date: October 10, 2024
Organiser: David Burt
Location: West Surrey Golf Club

On 10 October 2024, West Surrey Golf Club hosted a Triangular Match among the Old Eastbournians, the Old Reedonians (Reeds School, Cobham, Surrey) and the Old Dovorians (Dover College, Kent).

Playing in clement, seasonal weather, eighteen competitors in six three-ball matches teed off, aspiring to achieve the highest Stableford score individually and for their team, with additional prizes for the straightest (or was it the longest?) drive – no-one seemed sure! –  nearest the pin on the short par three 12th, and nearest the pin in two on the slight dogleg 16th hole.

The OE team consisted of Tony Dunn, David Burt, Iryna and Alex Photiou, David Dunn and Mike Hutchinson. Most made a pig’s ear of it – which I suppose is triangular – aggregating only 161 points. The Old Dovorians scored 171. The Old Reedonians won with an outstanding 206 points.

The winner of the individual Stableford competition was Andy Macharg (OR) with 40 points.

Winner of nearest the pin on the 12th was Jeremy Sherwood (Captain of the ORs) and winner of nearest the pin in two on the 16th hole was Richard Owen (OD).

OE member, David Dunn said: “Thanks go to West Surrey for providing such amenable facilities. It is a model golf club with everything presented in a thoughtful fashion: well-constructed practice nets, shoe and trolley cleaners positioned above grills that allow debris to drop below the surface, powerful showers, innovative and tasty food… And special thanks go to David Burt (OEGS Secretary) for organising the event”.

 

Player Profile

Colin Farrant

What was your first golf experience?

My father was a very keen (and good) golfer and thought nothing of returning home from work on a Friday, putting his clubs and dinner jacket in the car and heading off for a weekend’s golf! Very different times back then. Both my brothers played as kids but for some reason, I never did…probably too busy playing other sports as well as horse riding.

What were your reflections on golf at the college? 

Golf wasn’t really a thing when I was at the College (although our President and the Dunn’s played at school). I hardly found enough time to do any academic work let alone play golf with all the major sports plus a bit of swimming and rugby 7s, vicarage tennis, football on a Sunday morning (football was frowned on in my day) took up all my time. It would however, have made having a sneaking cigarette easier if I had played golf!

Which club did you first join and where are you a member now?

My first Club was Donnington Grove GC in Newbury where I now live. I joined when I was 55 when I took the game up. I am now a member at Newbury and Crookham GC which claims to be the 6th oldest Club in England.

Favourite club and why?

I hate them all, as they never work in a consistent way!

Best ever shot?

At the 8th at Donnington Grove – par 4 – I hit a reasonable drive, then took my trusty 4 rescue and absolutely nailed it over the brow of the hill towards the green. When we got down there, we could not find my ball. I duly marked my card as (another) blob and watched my playing partners chip on and putt out. The first one to putt out went to pick his ball out of the cup, only to find two balls in there! My only Eagle in my relatively short golfing life.

If I had my time again…I would insist on lessons in reverse to the club number. i.e. start with putter and work back to the driver.

Most enjoyable round of golf?

 No one round stands out, but anywhere that my dog is allowed to caddy for me brings me joy.

If you had one final round you could play, which course would it be on? 

My father-in-law lived on the island of Nevis in the West Indies. A rum punch at least 3 times in a round served from a fridge on a buggy circulating the course was standard, which would make for a fine finale.

 

 

We look forward to seeing you all next year on our ever-growing events calendar.

May I be the first to wish you all a very Happy Christmas,

Jonathan Winchester

Newsletter Editor