The annual 12-a-side golf match between the OPs and the College took place at Goring & Streatley GC on October 6th. For the first time in recent years the College, who have a squad of 16 decent golfers this year, triumphed by three and a half points to two and a half points.
Match 1
Nick Beattie (18) & Robin Knight (12) vs Jack (10) and Phil (19). The College won 6&5
"Two long-hitting and very decent College golfers thrashed us 6&5," writes Robin. "We thought we were playing a stableford fourball match. On this basis the College scored 41pts to our 35pts. So we didn't play badly but were overwhelmed. Giving Phil two shots on the 8th when he drove up to the water tower was a bit of a downer. Also seeing the boys drive through the 14th with irons! Jack is a talented games player (England schoolboy hockey player) and drives straight and long. Phil may be a 19 handicapper at Calcot but he hits the ball miles - downwind at the 18th he virtually drove the 390 yard hole. And he putts pretty well. And we were too old!"
Match 2
Charles Llewellyn (12) and Robin Hawkins(15) vs Cameron (7) and Scott (14). The College won 7&6
"Far too embarrassing to comment. We were annihilated, by two good players," writes Charles. "I went round the first nine holes dead on my handicap, by which time we were six down. I think they were one or two under combined gross. Scott did most of the damage! Waited for ages for them to blow up, but they never did. And they both drove 50-100 yards past us!"
Match 3
Giles Fuchs and Richard Sarsefield- Hall played Nick and Theresa. OPs won 3&2
"On the first both Nick and Theresa hit right and short whereas Giles and Richard hit long and straight. One up," writes Giles. "We went 3 up, but then the youngsters started to draw us back. But the OPs were never less than 1 up. The youngsters showed flashes of excellence, Theresa chipping in from 40 yards to win a hole even though the OPs pared that hole. Nick was hitting his 5 wood 260 yards and was consistently striking all clubs. This peaked when on the short par 4 (290 yards) he hit a 5 iron onto the green. However all the College's good golf wasn't good enough to shake us oldies."
Match 4
Tim Lee & Peter Hughes vs Angus McPhail & Nick Penn. Match result: all square
Match 5
Richard Parrett and Mark Dumas vs Matt Hardcastle and Alex. College won 2&1
Mark writes: "The OP's won the 1st and then I stupidly gave Alex a Mulligan on the 2nd which they won. After that the OP's didn't win a hole until about the 13th by which time we were 5 down. We then made a comeback and were only one down going down the 17th which they won with a stroke. We never really thought we could win, but on the 17th tee they were imagining a loss so it was quite exciting. We all had a great day and thought the students were charming."
Match 6
Charlie Parry and Rory Copinger-Symes vs Richard May (a local member who plays off 7) and Alistair (handicap 27). Result: OPs won 2 up.
"The College were two up after 9 holes but the OPs came back strongly and drew level on the 16th and then won the last two holes," reports Charlie. "The OPs dovetailed nicely and the game was played in an excellent atmosphere. Alistair got a net 1 on the 12th where he received two shots - hard to beat!"