2007 OW and School Golf Championship

Milford Golf Club was the setting for the first ever combined OW and School Golf Championship and exactly fifty competitors took part. It was decided last year, after twenty eight years, that Brian Bicknell and Danny Abbott, both founding member of the OW Golf Society, would hand over the organisation of the event to the school. All constituent parts of the school were represented; Old Witleians and their guests, pupils, parent's, governors and staff and the competitor's ages ranged from 13 to well over 60!

We were fortunate that the weather was kind to us, given that other parts of the country were suffering torrential rain, but it was a blustery day, that made some of the holes more tricky than normal.   The format for the competition was a four ball Stableford competition, with full handicaps operating. "Bacon baps" and coffee were served before play got underway at 11.00 a.m. The Abbott family and friends were first to tee off, followed by some younger OW's and the first pupil Stewart Philo. Some two hours later the last group of staff joined the fray.

The course was in excellent condition with the greens playing quite fast that caught several players out. This was the first time that the course had been used for the Championship and unfamiliarity posed some challenges particularly on holes 6 and 12 where there were some severe "dog legs".  In addition to the main competitions there were also two nearest to the pin competitions on holes 2 and 17 and the longest drive on hole 9. This kept up the interest of those that were finding scoring difficult.

Play continued at a reasonable pace and as the morning went on the players were blessed with glorious sunshine. The last two holes on the course both involved water hazards that tested the accuracy and the distance that the players could achieve. The eighteenth hole for the men was a real challenge and player's drives had to carry about 180 metres over a lake to reach the fairway although a shorter alternative was available for the less adventurous.

As the players came in and relaxed over drinks it was clear that the golf had been difficult but that everyone had enjoyed the play. In the evening a buffet supper was held in the Selborne Room Quad and the many prizes were awarded. Here is a list of the main prize winners only:

At the end of the evening as a token of appreciation of all their efforts of the last 28 years  Brian Bicknell and Danny Abbott were each presented with a glass decanter.

The date for next year's event has been confirmed as Wednesday 18^th June 2008 at  Milford Golf Club - please contact Gwyn Phillips if you would like to take part.