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The week before half term was a busy and very exciting week for the school golfers. On Wednesday 25th May a party of 15 pupils and staff travelled to one of Europe’s finest golf courses –Wentworth in Virginia Water, Surrey. One of our parents, Tim Swan, is a medic on the European Golf tour and he had kindly organised tickets for the group for the Pro-Am tournament that took place the day before the BMW Open Championship.
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The conditions were perfect, with temperatures in the mid 20’s and the course looked superb. We were able to get close to the action and meet and talk to some of the world’s leading golf players, who were relaxed and willing to sign autographs and have photographs taken with the spectators.
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Some of us based ourselves on the 5th Hole, a short par 3. The approach to the green was amazingly narrow and surrounding the green were no fewer than four bunkers. We saw all holders of the current majors tackle this hole and none of them found the green. Rory Mcilroy was the first player we saw and he ended up in the right hand bunker close to the front edge. He produced a brilliant shot that left him about two feet from the hole, but then he missed the putt.
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Ian Poulter, dressed splendidly in black and green, got nearest to where we were viewing the action and he was in the first of the left hand bunkers. He had no trouble in getting out and holed out in par. With so many of them ending up in the traps we wondered if this was deliberate and they were using the chance to practice their escape shots from the sand.
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We then moved off from the 5th hole and tracked Ernie Els for a few holes. He was particularly relaxed and was more than willing to pose with a group of the KESW golfers. Eventually we caught up with Bruce Forsyth, Chris Evans, Anton Du Beke and Paul McGinley. Chris Evans was having a bad spell and twice he went off the course, whilst we were watching. Bruce Forsyth, at 83, was having a mean round and home advantage was clearly favouring him, as he lives on the Wentworth Estate. Anton Du Beke was a real quality amateur and he was outdriving the professionals, admittedly off the forward tees.
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The group gathered on the grandstand at the 18th and watched the players coming in. Lee Westwood hit the green on this occasion and how he would have liked to swop this result with the position in the play off on Sunday, when he unfortunately ended up in the water. This was a most memorable day and everyone was so surprised that they were able to talk to the players and get so close to the play.
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On the Friday of the same week, the golf team had a rematch with a staff team and this ended in an honourable draw at the School’s home venue at Milford Golf Club. Victories for Gareth, Clara and Euan were balanced out by victories for Mr Forster, Mr Humphreys and Mr Phillips. Another lovely day and the fish and chip supper at the end of the evening rounded off a very special week for the KESW golfers.
