Golf - Spring Cup 2023

OBGS -  Spring Cup

A bright and breezy welcome and gathering at the very hospitable and accommodating Newport Golf Club was, unfortunately, not matched by the on-course weather. Nevertheless, a boisterous and convivial group of fourteen OB’s teed-off in wet and blowy weather, which made the immaculate and testing course even more challenging.

Those playing; Robert Calcaterra, Russell Davies, Gwyn Jones, Nigel Jones, George Lee, Martin Like, Kevin Noble, Peter Owen, Rhodri Parry, Michael Shellard, Charles Spencer, Jonathan Spencer, Roger Tamplin, Ian Wilson, were happily joined in the clubhouse by Hugh Phillips and Huw Richards.

Whilst good scoring was at a premium for most, the very creditable 35 points scored by Jonathan Spencer was only good enough for third place as a real duel was played out within the pair of Martin Like and Rhodri Parry. Martin played well from the start, with some crisp ball-striking and excellent distance control, to finish the front 9 with 20 points. Meanwhile, Rhodri grew steadily into his game; recovering stoically from his first drive ricocheting off the sleepers of the ladies’ tee and ending up lost in the undergrowth about 15 yards behind him, to play very steady golf to score 17 points on the front 9 and then match Martin’s 20 points on his back nine, with some lovely shots and great putting. The weather improved through the back nine, to leave the later finishers standing on the 18th green in bright sunshine. Martin, though a little scruffier in his ball striking on the back nine, continued to score well, as even his mis-hits found fairways and greens with aplomb and he made some telling recovery shots. His near hole-in-one on the par 3 16th was a thing of beauty. As they were scoring each other’s cards, there was a lot of deliberation and double checking done as Martin and Rhodri walked off the 18th green and Martin’s 18 points on the back nine was enough to secure him a one-point victory.

Following lively post-match drinks and excellent meal, Martin was presented with the inaugural Peter Owen Trophy, to be presented to the best individual golfer at the Spring Meeting, to compliment the Spring Cup, presented to the best pair. Given that Martin and Rhodri were playing as a pair, their victory in the Spring Cup was pretty emphatic. The cup was absent this year but, since, Peter has remembered that he has got it because his daughter won it with Gwyn Jones the last time it was played for, and, as such, it will be engraved and presented, in due course, at the Heads Cup to be held on Friday 23rd June at Cradoc Golf Club.

It was agreed by all that, despite the weather, Newport Golf Club had provided a great venue and a great day was had by all.