24 gathered at West Surrey GC for the annual Texas Scramble team competition aimed at younger OEs. The planned 7^th team – The College – cried off 36 hours before the event started which was disappointing.

Each player was given an OEGS branded ball to start their round.

Iryna Photiou’s team of her two sons, Alex and Andreas, along with our host David Burt, set off first and 2 of the brand new balls flew into the woods on the left, never to be seen again!

Jack Hughes’s team included his brother Conor, Jonny Robinson and Alex Prior. Josh Curryer’s team had Gearoid O’Callaghan, Matt Rust and Josh’s Dad standing in for Ian Sands (who had been their House Master), Spike Gleave’s team had Max Malewicz, Josh Veitch and Louis Loubser. Alex Bailey’s team had Tom McDonald, Jamie Gordon and Ollie May.  Charlie Baddeley’s team included Richard Apps, James Hughes and Pat Watson.  And they all followed on up the challenging 1^st hole.

I stationed myself at the half way hut allowing me to see the teams come down the 8^th, tee off on the 9^th as well as being in prime position to see the Par 3 12^th nearest the pin challenge. I can report that of the 24 players, only 3 hit the green! Max Malewicz managed to land his shot 2 feet from the pin with what his team mates said was his only decent shot of the round thus far!

Louis Loubser won the nearest the pin in 2 shots on the 16^th. Everyone opened their shoulders for the longest drive on the 18^th and there were some very impressive distances made but many did not land on the fairway and therefore did not count. Not that it mattered, as Spike Gleave launched a monster: 340 yards leaving just 144 yards to the pin on this par 5. His team finished the round with a birdie.

The 6 teams ended with just 3 points between them so my maths was challenged to work out ‘count back’ scores. In third place was Spike’s team, in 2^nd place was Iryna’s team and the worthy winners were Alex Bailey’s team.

At the prize giving, the winners each received an OEGS branded umbrella, 2^nd place a branded OEGS cap each and 3^rd place a branded golf towel each.

An enjoyable day was had by all and apart from a short squall halfway round, the weather was kind.

I look forward to next year’s competition and seeing OEs playing golf with their friends and fellow OEs.

Colin Farrant

Left to right: Winners – Jamie Gordon, Tom McDonald, Ollie May, Alex Bailey

Left to right: Runners up – Alex and Andreas Photiou, David Burt, ‘Blue’, Iryna Photiou

Left to right: Third place – Louis Loubser, Max Malewicz, Josh Veitch, Spike Gleave

Left to right: Jonny Robinson, Jack Hughes, Conor Hughes, Alex Prior

Left to right: James Hughes, Richard Apps, Patrick Watson, Charlie Baddeley

Left to right: Gearoid O’Callaghan, Brian Baker, Joshua Curryer, Matthew Rust