Grafton Morrish 2017
L-R Giles Legg (St Anne’s 1983-88), Toby Clifton-Holt (Keen’s Elm 1996-2000), Adan Yates (Shapwick 2008-13), David Gregory (Etonhurst 2017/18), Peter Stokes (Kingweston 1986-89), Lewis Casserly (Millfield 2008-13)
The OMGS team qualified for the Grafton Morrish, via winning the west region at North Hants GC scoring 98 points, the highest score from any team across all the regional qualifiers.
The team travelled to Grafton Morrish finals on the 29th Sept – 3rd Oct in high spirits playing our 1st round match v Seaford at Royal West Norfolk. After much consideration, the team was decided and lucky enough to have the late morning slot, meaning we only required waterproofs for a few holes. Match 1 Giles Legg and Adan Yates usually very strong paring for the OMGS losing 4&3. Match 3 won convincingly 7&5 with a new partnership of Lewis Casserly and Peter Stokes. Match 2 Dave Gregory and Toby Clifton-Holt managed to get back from being 3 down with 5 to play to half the match, thus requiring sudden death down the 19th (unfortunately not the bar) Dave hit an excellent 2 iron off the tee leaving a simple wedge shot for Toby to the green leaving a 12ft putt for birdie, with Seaford conceding after reaching the green in 4 and missing the putt for a bogey 5.
A quick lunch and turn around and the team set of again at Royal West Norfolk against Charterhouse, past Grafton Morrish champions. All three matches went up early and never really looked in danger through the 18 holes giving Millfield 3-0 win with Giles and Adan 5&4, Dave and Toby 2&1, Lewis and Peter 3&2 victories.
Day 2 saw Millfield still in the main competition now at Hunstanton GC in round 3 playing against George Heriot’s 5 times winners of the Grafton.
An equally matched team saw all the matches never getting more than 2 holes apart to either team. Giles and Adan managed to come from 1 down and birdie the last to half their match against GH’s strongest pair. Dave and Toby again managed to win their match 1 up leaving the pressure on the final pair to half the match to see Millfield through to Saturday afternoons 4th round. Lewis and Peter are 2 down with 3 to play, Lewis and Peter squeeze a win out of 17th putting the momentum in Millfield’s favour.
GH’s make a hash of their approach shot, (up and down will half the match) Lewis hits an excellent 120 yard wedge to 8 ft, to a tight pin on 18th leaving Peter a putt to half the match and a ticket to the 4th Rd…….unfortunately the putt was short.
All is not lost, Millfield has to go down the 19th not for the first time this weekend.
Adan hits an excellent drive coming up 30 yards short of the first green. GH’s lead player hit an excellent drive on the green to about 40ft. Everything to play for and we have Giles pitching the ball to 5 ft, excellent shot under the circumstances (no one wants an early bath)
GH’s putt hit the flag and roles to 2 ft. Unfortunately, Adan misses a tricky putt down the hill and GH’s roll in their putt for a birdie 3.
A great weekend was had by all, even with the disappointment after such a successful year in 2016.
We would like to thank everyone who is involved from our (chief beverage officer) Michael Stent, OMGS Secretary Richard Champion, Gavin Bradbury, all the supporters and of course the OM society.
We always welcome new players, so if you are interested in being involved in the OMGS matches/days please do get in touch toby@aaclifton.co.uk.
please see below some of the fixtures for 2018.
15th October 2017 OMGS v The School @ Burnham and Berrow GC
20th October 2017 OM golf day @ Castle Combe GC
23-25th March 2018 Brent Knoll Bowl @ Burnham and Berrow GC
13th May 2018 Grafton Morrish Qualifer @ North Hans GC
Early June date TBC Schools Putting tournament @ Royal Wimbledon GC
Late June date TBC OMGS summer meeting @ Royal Wimbledon GC
4-7th Ocotber 2018 Grafton Morrish @ Hunstanton GC