The Salopian no. 157 - Winter 2015

OLD SALOPIAN NEWS 67
paired with a fiery partner, whose email
address is Fergmonster.
Team scores were;-
Antony Smith &
Mark Ferguson 34 points
Richard Bevan &
Neil Crawford 24 points
Martin Cars &
James Mainwaring 25 points
Jonathon Hope &
Robin Sharp 21 points
OSGS Match versus Old
Cholmeleians on Friday 3th July
At Hadley Wood: OSGS Team Captain
Simon Shepherd (O 77-82) writes:
I am pleased to report a resounding
success for OSGS, by quite a large
score, to not very many; we now stand
2 – 1 in the series, in our favour. John
Bolton and I will chase the OCs a
little harder next year to put out some
stronger opponents.
The 4th August marked a special
pilgrimage to Crawford Country,
otherwise known as The Alwoodley
GC, lying tranquilly on Lord
Harewood’s Wigton Moor, nobbut
a pitch and a putt from the hum of
traffic in the city centre of Leeds. The
members had the nous to anoint Neil
Crawford as this year’s Captain, in
the footsteps of his illustrious father
Michael, who was Club President. The
members have shown additional nous
to elect John Smith to succeed Michael
as President.
The course was in magnificent
condition. The company was glorious
including Neil Crawford, James
Crawford, Henry Crawford (son of
James Crawford) and the prizes were
awarded by Hazel Crawford.
Jonathan Russell, non-playing
Captain, reports in all modesty on the
whitewash of the Old Reptonians at
Worplesdon on 15th August.
“We won the match 8-0, thus retaining
our bragging rights having won by a
point last year. The stars for us were
Nick Renton and, making his debut,
Simon Shepherd. There were strong
performances from John Godby and
the most improved golfer, Leigh
Whittingham who has gone from a
24 handicap to being worthy of 15.
The length of his driving was much
admired though we haven’t yet been
able to find out his secret! The other
team players were Robin Humble,
Patrick Carr and Charles Shaw.
Worfield: Winner of the Todwick
Tankard: Dan Durman, on his OSGS
debut spread-eagled a very select field,
with 38 points. Runner-up was Michael
Roberts with 34 points. Jonathan
Perkins struck his 6 iron at the 3rd
hole (145 yards) to within six inches
of the flag for Nearest the Pin prize
with Robert Lanyon closest to the hole
with his second shot at the 18th (320
yards). Meetings Organiser Charles Hill
won the prize for the longest drive
on the fairway. Mark Davies provided
five bottles of wine for prizes, with
the generosity of a Riggite, where
else? One of these went to Gaby
Byrne (EDH 2012-14) who travelled
down with her father Jim from Royal
Birkdale to sample the delights of
Worfield. Another prize for outstanding
effort went to Hugh Ramsbotham,
former President of The Salopian
Club. The open-handedness of the
proprietor of Worfield Oliver Eaton
(Rt 85-91), was, as usual, magnifico.
STOP PRESS: The Campion Trophy
Final 2015.
Anthony Smith, President of OSGS
writes:
This year, by dint of the Secretary’s
hard work, it was possible to play the
final before the clocks went ‘back’ on
23rd October.
Malcom McMullan, who was a losing
finalist in 2012, and Geoff Thomas
were the protagonists. The latter was
accompanied by his mother Chris, a
former Welsh Ladies International,
and the 2006 President of the Welsh
Ladies Golf Union.
The final is always at risk of the
weather, but fortunately, although
cloudy and cool, the match was
played in dry conditions, with the
breeze increasing as the round
progressed. Both finalists have single
figure handicaps (nine and eight), so
there was only one stroke to be given
– by Malcom.
He did not get off to the best of starts,
and his ball found steep bunkers with
unerring accuracy on all the even
numbered holes on the front nine. Not
surprisingly, Geoff playing steadily was
three up at the turn.
Perhaps Malcom’s fortunes can best
be demonstrated at the short 12th
hole. Here he hit a glorious tee shot
into the wind, straight at the distant
flag. Unfortunately he hit it so well
that it cleared the green and pitched
into the grassy bank at the back of
the green, never to be seen again. A
hole that might have been won was
inextricably lost.
Congratulations go to Geoff Thomas,
a first time winner by the margin of 4
+ 3, and commiserations to Malcom,
who has promised to try and make it
third time lucky in the future.
Our thanks go to the Council of
The Royal Birkdale Golf Club for
generously allowing the Society to
play the final on their magnificent
Links. Also thanks to Jonty Campion
for representing the family at the final.
The Fasti for 2016 is available on the
next page
Tim Lewis – Honorary Secretary –
Old Salopian Golfing Society
timjlewis2014@gmail.com
Tel: 01491 641651