OBGS - London & South East Cup

OBGS London and South East

Fulwell Golf Club 12th May 2023

An unfortunate choice of date, clashing with a train strike, the Surveyors 7’s and a month with several Bank Holidays, together with injury and commitments for several OBGS stalwarts, resulted in a reduced turnout at a chilly and damp Fulwell Golf Club.

Disrupted travel plans led to a slightly disjointed, but lively and warm, catch-up over coffee and bacon rolls; with Jamie Thompson making a two-hour plus drive from Essex knowing he would have to leave immediately to go back to manage a presentation night he had organised, reconnecting for the first time for in a long while, with Alfred Smith, David Layton, Llyr Raw-Rees and Steffan Raw-Rees. Kevin Noble hosted the day. All bar Jamie played at last year’s event.

The course was in fantastic condition, with the damp helping to take a bit of the sting out of the pacey, true, greens, and proved to be a good challenge to all, bar one. Those who were beaten by Kevin last year made good on their promise to beat him this year; as did Jamie, for good measure!

David beat Kevin on countback, both narrowly beaten by the more consistent Steffan; who himself was only narrowly beaten by the closely fought pair of Jamie and Llyr, who, depending on which scorecard could be relied on, either beat Jamie by one point, or lost to him on count-back !

All of which paled into insignificance when compared to a fantastic round by Alfred. Controlling prodigious distance, for the most part, with lovely touch and solid putting; he lost two balls and still managed to come home at 6 over par.

Having watched him not play to his handicap of about 16 last year, and Alfred’s uncertainty over his own capacity, having only played a handful of rounds since; Kevin felt comfortable with Alfred’s handicap of 13 this year. The rights or wrongs of this were rendered completely redundant by the fact that he could have played off scratch and still won (a challenge he may well face next year !). It is fair to say that Alfred was probably as surprised as he was pleased by his round.

Upcomming Fixtures

Heads Cup at Cradoc GC on Friday 23rd June.

The Old Llandovarian match is on Friday 8th September at Cradoc GC.

The Harris Cup match is on Thursday 5th October at Royal Porthcawl GC.

Anyone wanting to play in any of these should email Kevin – kev.noble@yahoo.com – as soon as possible.