Following on from the Brent Knoll Bowl the scratch team congregated on the Kent south coast for this years Halford Hewitt competition.  We brought the weather with us from Somerset and most of the team arrived for the Tuesday practice round, which hasn’t happened for a while.  Unfortunately the extra day’s practice didn’t not help our performance!  However, on a positive note two of our pairs did go down the 18th and Pete Whalley/Dave Higginson won their match, which ends a draught for Pete who hadn’t won a point since joining the team (about ten years ago!) but has always been close.  So champagne was cracked open to celebrate this momentus occasion.

Team:  R Willacy, I Westwater, P Whalley, D Higginson, G Whalley, G Hector, D Morgan, T Blood, M Jenkins, M Pyke.

Results:
1st Round Main Competition v Radley Lost 4-1
RW/IW Lost 1 Down
PW/DH Won 1 Up
GW/GH Lost 1 Down
DM/TB Lost 4-2
MJ/MP Lost 4-3

1st Round Plate Competition v Chigwell Lost 2-1
GH/TB Lost 3-2
RW/IW Won 3-2
PW/DH Lost 3-2

Despite the poor weather in Somerset B&BGC was in good condition and not too soggy!!  The usual Taunton team turned up for this annual competition (in fact we had too many players!).  The results were disappointing but once again the team had a great, competitive weekend.  Congratulations to Pete W for his second shot to the 18th, which he holed for an eagle, and walking away with the loot.

Team
Willacy/Westwater
Hector/G Whalley
Blood/P Whalley
M Jenkins

Results
Main Competition 1st Round lost to Burnham & Berrow GC [2 – 1]
Plate Competition 1st Round lost to Warwickshire Bears [2.5 – 0.5]
Scratch Stableford – 69 points (3 pairs)

Following on from the Brent Knoll scratch warm up weekend we all got together for the Halford Hewitt competition between 10th and 14th April (a few of the team arrived on the Tuesday 9th for additional practice).  Unlike the Brent Knoll weekend the temperature was significantly warmer and rain was expected to be minimal.  No excuses!

This year’s team consisted of Richard Willacy (C), Iain Westwater, Gary Hector, Greg Whalley, Pete Whalley, Mark Jenkins, David Morgan, Martin Knight, Matthew Pyke and Dave Higginson.

This year we were drawn against Trent in the first round whom we believed, and the statistics suggested, were a possible win which would have helped our ranking no end.  However, despite our confidence and “good feeling” we couldn’t produce the goods on the day.  Unfortunately there is something to be said about having the winning feeling, attitude and confidence, however because OT golfers are determined and not quitters we will be back stronger again next year.  Come on young recent OT golf leavers make yourself known.

First Round Main competition against Trent at Deal Lost 4-1

1st Pair MJ/DH Lost 1 down
2nd Pair IW/MP Lost 3-2
3rd Pair GH/GW Won 5-3
4th Pair RW/PW Lost 2-1
5th Pair DM/MN Lost 2-1

First Round Plate competition against Brighton at Princes Lost 2 1/2 – 1/2

1st Pair GH/GW Lost 2-1
2nd Pair IW/MN Lost 3-2
3rd Pair RW/PW Halved

Thanks to all our loyal supporters who make the journey down to Deal to support and to Terry D for joining the team Thursday night.  Despite the result we all had a fantastic time with the usual banter, laughs and generally good company.  I can’t wait until next year!

This year was freezing!!!  This did not help our cause to travel beyond the first round in both the main competition and the plate.  We welcomed Callum to the team and hope to see him in the scratch team for the years to come. The team consisted of,

Richard Willacy (C)
Iain Westwater
Gary Hector
Greg Whalley
Mark Jenkins
Callum Taylor

Main Competition First Round against Blundells Lost 2-1
1st Pair  IW/RW lost 2-1
2nd Pair  GH/GW Lost 3-2
3rd Pair  MJ/CT Won 1up

Terrific battle by Callum and Mark who were 2 down with 4 to play.

Plate Competition First Round against Epsom Lost 2-1
1st Pair IW/RW Won 1up
2nd Pair GW/GH Lost 1down
3rd Pair MJ/CT Lost 5-4

Despite the result and weather, as always the weekend was very enjoyable and good to catch up with team mates again.  Better luck next year.