The Old St. Beghians’ Golfing Society
Halford Hewitt 2012
This year’s Halford Hewitt took place from 29th March to 1st April, as usual along the fabulous golf courses along the Kent coast. The weather was once again remarkably mild for the time of year with high temperatures and extended sunshine enhancing what is already an excellent week. This year we were delighted to be joined by David Clarke, who left the school in 2011. David’s addition added much needed strength to the team and we look forward to welcoming many of his contemporaries over the coming years.
1st Round – St. Bees v Oundle, Royal St. Georges Golf Club
St Bees faced a tough draw in the first round of the Hewitt, playing Northamptonshire school, Oundle. Our opponents have a strong record in the competition, being consistently rated in the top twenty schools since the tournament’s inception, which included winning the Hewitt as recently as 1997.
Despite what promised to be a difficult test in front of them, St Bees maintained their usual spirit and got stuck in and gave it a go. Andrew Deall struck the first tee shot in the top match, as usual leading from the front with Adrian Peckitt. John Currie partnered by Andrew Goodwin and James Doggett playing with Stephen Moss gave us two competitive mid-order pairs who on their day are capable of beating any opposition.
All matches remained close throughout; Andrew and Adrian in the top match eventually losing a close game on the last – St Bees lost 2 down.In match two, John and Andrew got off to a slow start, going two down after three. The pair got their game together paring the difficult 4th and after birdying the 5th and 6th, they were back in control at one up. However, despite their best efforts, the St Bees pair were unable to match Oundle, who played par golf throughout – St Bees eventually losing 3 and 2.
In match three, James Doggett and Stephen Moss got off to a strong start going two up through three. Despite some hiccups the pair built on their lead and were four up after ten. But the Oundle pair showed true grit and determination and managed to pull the match back to one up after sixteen. A solid chip from St Bees from the back of the seventeenth saved par and the half. With all other matches having finished and the score 2-2, the pair knew the final hole would be important. With Oundle having missed the green on the right of the greenside bunker in two, and St Bees being in the swale on the left of the green also in two, Oundle then proceeded to pitch and hole an excellent 20 footer to save par. Stephen rolled a putt up to three feet and James knocked the putt in to claim victory. St Bees won 1 up.
In match four, David Clarke, having arrived late on the Wednesday evening and having never played the course before, was partnered by the ever dependable Andrew Crummey. David struck a drive well over 300 yards down the 1st to get his Hewitt career underway in style. Not a bad start! The pair played some solid golf throughout and eventually won 2 and 1.
In match five, Mark Morrison was partnered by Charlie Crummey. The pair complemented each other well, eventually winning 3 and 2.
St Bees beat 1997 champions Oundle by 3 matches to 2.
2nd Round - St. Bees v Tonbridge, Royal St Georges Golf Club
After an excellent result in round one, St Bees faced an even stiffer challenge against the Hewitt power-house Tonbridge. Tonbridge are ranked fifth in the Anderson scale and have won on numerous occasions over recent years. Despite our best efforts the Kent school proved too strong and St Bees succumbed 5-0.
Another excellent week was had by all and we look forward to the 2013 draw with much anticipation!
Grafton Morrish Qualifying 2012Fixby Hall (Huddersfield) Golf Club – Sunday 13th May
Our record in this event has been poor over recent years having qualified for the finals only once this millennium!
Despite this, there was an air of optimism with a strong team assembling on a particularly blustery day in West Yorkshire. Andrew Deall and Adrian Peckitt lead from the front, shooting the score of the day, a fantastic 33 points! Pairs two and three, Andrew Goodwin and John Currie, and James Doggett and Mark Morrison struggled with the conditions managing a combined score of 39 points.
With an overall 72 points, St Bees returned to the clubhouse with some optimism, safe in the knowledge that one of the usually stronger schools, Birkenhead, were not present at the qualifying stage as a result of winning the tournament last year.
St Bees managed a creditable second place, behind Sedbergh, guaranteeing their place at the finals in Norfolk in October.
The Opening of the Costeloe Short Game Area
St Bees School Speech Day, which took place on Saturday 26th May, was an extremely special occasion, not only for the red hot temperatures that graced us on that day, but also for the opening of the Costeloe Short Game Area. The area, developed in memory of two Old St Beghians who went to the school in the 1930s, is the latest addition to the Golf Academy facilities. Following the prizegiving and an excellent lunch, the Speech Day party made its way to the area behind School House, once known as the School House garden. The area, which has been overgrown with brambles, trees and bushes for at least the last fifty years, has been modelled into a state of the art chipping and putting facility. The three-tier green contains numerous pin positions, two practice bunkers and a range of chipping stations situated around it. The development, which has taken shape over the past two years, was officially opened by Alec MacCaig. Following speeches from Stuart Hemmings (Director of Golf), Huw Lewis (Director of Sport), Michael Coffey (OSBG Society President) and Mike Stamper (OSB golfer and friend of the Costeloe family), Alec struck the first putt on the green using the putter he has been using since the 1940s.
Also in attendance were James Doggett (OSBGS Secretary), Andrew Johnston, Charlie Crummey, and Matthew Rigby, along with current Head Philip Capes, new Head James Davies, as well as numerous parents, staff members, governors and pupils.
This new facility shows just how far golf has come at the school over the last few years.
Please click here to see photos from the event.
2012 Competition Dates
Team Events:
Critchley Cup
Formby GC, near Southport, Merseyside.
Sunday 12th August
St. Beghian's Day: OSBGS vs School
St. Bees School Golf Course, Cumbria.
Saturday 15th September
Queen Elizabeth Coronation Schools Trophy
Team of six
Royal Burgess GC, Edinburgh
21st - 24th September
Grafton Morrish (Finals) – Team of six
Hunstanton GC
Royal West Norfolk GC (Brancaster)
5th - 7th October
James Doggett, OSBGS Hon. Sec.
For more details: Tel: 0793 051 0086 or Email: james.doggett@hotmail.co.uk
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The St. Beghian Society, St. Bees School,
St. Bees, Cumbria, CA27 0DS.
Tel: (01946) 828093 Email: osb@st-bees-school.co.uk
Web: www.st-beghian-society.co.uk