Golf 2005
Captain of Golf 2005: Alex Howe OH/W
School v OBs, May 2005, at Tiverton Golf Club
All the omens were good for our annual contest between youthful enthusiasm and ageing experience - all ten players were volunteers! No press-gangs, bribes or downright threats were required and the team looked to have an excellent blend of skill, burgeoning talent, Mexican banditti (fully equipped with ponchos, bandoliers, sombreros and pearl-handled colt 45s), two fillies and a complete dark horse! Simon Waddington was injured and the school team had all the armoury to bring a rude and long awaited halt to the OBs relentless victory march. The only cloud over the intense and exhaustive school team preparations came in the form of an 18th birthday party on the Saturday night, which may well have reduced the amount of sleep enjoyed by some.
The School put their captain, Alex Howe, off first to set the tone and he duly obliged, defeating Peter Crews 2 & 1. Out second came old man Norris, up against the vastly experienced and still highly competitive OB Golf Club President, William Moberley. The latter's opening story of how he once defeated Brian Barnes had the desired effect of unsettling Ali and the scores were duly levelled. Chris Gibson, ever the gentleman, found that the fairer sex can also play golf and off single figures to boot; he was soundly beaten by Antonia Eisenberg but he was still smiling about it several hours later. Then came the first hint that this could be the school's day. Last year's captain fantastic, Dougal Lyon, returned from six months gapping as a caddy in Florida, only to find our secret weapon, Harry McDowell, lying in wait. Taking a rest from his 1st X1 cricket duties and armed with an imaginative handicap, Harry produced the first real upset of the day and forced Dougal to wear his shades over his eyes for a change. George Lyon, once again, defied all laws of physics with his swing and promptly talked a bemused Martyn Grose to defeat 4 & 3, despite the fact that the Tiverton Golf Club Handicap Committee have at last caught up with our greatest bandit. Richard Carroll continues to show great promise at golf when not playing cricket, but he found Richard Swarbrick just too consistent and competitive when going down by a very respectable 2 & 1. Then came a major setback. The School had cunningly pitched Emma Carroll against the ex Master i/c golf, Nick Swarbrick. It turned out to be a vain hope that the glint in Swarbrick Senior's eye might cause a blurring of his vision, a stiffening of his swing and twitch in his putting stroke; but alas, he is not known as the Senior Pro for nothing and it was Emma who was most distracted by the worldy charm and general bonhomie on offer. One more victory was needed from the last three games and there was precious little match-hardened experience amongst the school's trio. However, enter one Oli Steer-Fowler, who despite apologising for every bad shot and excessive self-criticism, managed to get the better of Graham Howe. With five wins posted we could not lose. Tom Seamer and Simon Sobczak put up brave performances in going down 3 & 2 and 3 & 1 respectively to Andrew Jeffrey and Tony Ward; the latter couldn't believe his luck in finding someone he could actually beat.
As every year, we are immensely grateful to Simon Waddington and his band of OBs who selflessly give up their time to entertain the pupils for the day at Tiverton Golf Club. It is a very special occasion and the pupils enjoy it hugely whether they win or lose. The rot has been stopped and maybe next year we will actually manage to win! PGK
| Afternoon Singles | |||||
| OBs | School | ||||
| Peter Crews | M 70-75 | Lost 2 & 1 | v | Alex Howe (Capt') | OH/W 00-5 |
| William Moberley | OH 52-56 | Won 4 & 3 | v | Ali Norris | OH/W 00-5 |
| Chris Gibson | M 69-73 | Lost 4 & 2 | v | Antonia Eisenberg | NC 04-05 |
| Dougal Lyon | FH/W 99-04 | Lost 1 down | v | Harry McDowell | SH/P 00- |
| Martyn Grose | FH 47-52 | Lost 4 & 3 | v | George Lyon | SH/P 98- |
| Richard Swarbrick | M 77-82 | Won 2 & 1 | v | Richard Carroll | OH 03- |
| Nick Swarbrick | Staff 64-97 | Won 7 & 6 | v | Emma Carroll | NC/W 03-05 |
| Graham Howe | M 67-72 | Lost 1 Down | v | Oli Steer-Fowler | OH 01- |
| Andrew Jeffrey | W 61-66 | Won 3 & 2 | v | Tom Seamer | SH/P/W 98-05 |
| Tony Ward | FH 65-69 | Won 3 & 1 | v | Simon Sobczak | OH/W 00-05 |