Golfing Society (OSBGS) Old St Beghians’ Golfing Society Report
Halford Hewitt - April 2026 The 2026 Halford Hewitt competition was held this year following the Easter Weekend from the 9th – 12th April. The OSBGS team started to gather in Kent at the beginning of the week for the practice days. We had an extra day’s practice as our first-round match was drawn on the Friday at Royal St Georges against Forest. We had two ‘first timers’ in the team this year, Luke Howorth and Sam Thomas, who provided a great boost for the team both in terms of capability and in significantly reducing the average age of the team. Luke and Sam took the event in their stride, and I hope this will be their first of many Hewitt’s.
Photo showing St Bees golfing academy students with their old teacher Stuart Hemmings, who was there with Rossall School. L-R Sam Thomas, Cameron Wood, Stuart Hemmings, Luke Howorth, Tom Wright.
We also saw the handover of the Presidency of the OSBGS from Michael Coffey to Adrian Peckitt. Photo opposite showing Michael, Adrian and Tom Wright (OSBGS Secretary) on the 1st Tee at Royal St Georges. Michael played his first Hewitt in 1966 and in a span of 51 years, has been at the helm of the OSBGS for more than 35 years and we are indebted to his unwavering and dedicated support and promotion of the OSBGS and the school.
First Round v Forest St Bees started confidently in several of the matches and were well positioned at the turn in all the middle three games, Peckitt and Goodwin were all square, Deall and Berry were three up and Wright and Wood were just one down but looking strong. However, Forest came back strongly over the back nine, converting wins in both the top and bottom matches; St Bees came back winning the third game and despite a late charge in matches two and four, Forest held their nerve to win 31/2 – 11/2. Edgar and Wilson lost 4 and 3, Peckitt and Goodwin lost 3 and 2, Deall and Berry won 4 and 3, Wright and Wood match halved, Thomas and Howorth lost 7and 6.
John Berry and Tom Wright taking a rest as Adrian Peckitt prepares to Tee off
Princes Plate Tournament Having lost in the morning we had very little time to re-group, having to ‘hot-foot’ over to Princes for the Plate Tournament. In the First Round we were drawn against Fettes, an old adversary, and now the team would reduce to six players, those not playing were able to enjoy lunch at St Georges with the remaining Fettes team! We enjoyed an excellent win against Fettes, especially as one of our debutants, Luke Howorth, was able to chalk up his first victory at the Hewitt. Team result St Bees 2 Fettes 1. Deal and Howorth won 4 and 3, Wilson and Edgar Lost 2 and 1, Wood and Wright won 2 and 1. In the second round we played against Mill Hill, well known to St Bees from the school having spent the war years at St Bees. For a number of years, we used to play an annual match against Mill Hill in Cheshire as a remembrance of those times and a number of the players attended the school during the war years. We enjoyed a close fought match but ultimately Mill Hill edged the match 2-1. Deal and Berry Lost 2 and 1, Wilson and Edgar won 4 and 3, Wright and Wood lost 2 and 1.
Further Halford Hewitt photos may be seen here.
Critchley Cup – June 2026 - Penrith GC The OSBGS golfers assembled at Penrith Golf Club on Friday 5th June, the day before OSB Day, to compete for the Critchley Cup, which is awarded to the best stableford score off handicap, other trophies being won for the best gross score, the best score for the over 12 handicaps, and the best score for players aged under 25 on the day.  We held a minute’s silence before teeing off to pay tribute to Rodney Atkinson (FN 61-66), a long-standing supporter of the OSB golf society and the school, who died suddenly a few days before the event. Rodney played at last year’s gathering.
A group photo taken after observing a minute’s silence on the first tee for Rodney Atkinson
We had a small number of OSB golfers, which was made up for by the golfing talent playing. There was a total of six golfers with two supporters, Adrian Peckitt and Mike Stamper, who were unable to play due to recent hand and hip operations. We were very lucky with the weather, which whilst being very windy was dry and sunny. The wind certainly made for challenging conditions but despite this the scores were excellent. Gareth Edgar won the Critchley Cup with a total of 33 points, just pipping Andy Deall, who won the best gross with a score of 76. Andrew Johnston retained the Dick Harrison Trophy for the Over 12 handicap and Cameron Wood won the Ken Case Tankard in the Under 25 category. Attendees: Tom Wright, Andy Deall, Ben Wilson, Gareth Edgar, Cameron Wood, Andrew Johnston, Mike Stamper and Adrian Peckitt (supporting). 2026 Winners Critchley Cup (best stableford score) with 33 points – Gareth Edgar. Scratch Trophy (best scratch score) gross score 76 - Andy Deall. Ryder Cup – Ken Case Tankard (best score of Under 25 age group) – Cameron Wood. Dick Harrison Trophy (Over 12 Handicap) – Andrew Johnston, retaining the trophy.
Critchley Cup – Gareth Edgar	Scratch Trophy - Andy Deall
Ryder Cup – Cameron Wood	Dick Harrison Trophy – Andrew Johnston
Further Critchley Cup photos may be seen here.
Cyril Gray – 23rd-25th June 2026 Unfortunately, due to injuries/operations etc, we were not able to get a team together for the Cyril Gray tournament this year, we hope we will be in a better position next year.

 

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