Golf - Harris Cup 2022

History of this Cup - presented by Old Breconian Edward Harris in 1938; played for at Royal Porthcawl and won by Wycliffe in that year - the following years interrupted by WW2 and laying forgotten until re-discovered 50 years later; was next played for in 1988.

In those days there was no restriction on the numbers of teams - our OBGS often entered two or even three teams. The fixture was becoming increasingly popular and participating schools grew. 

Then came Covid and everything stopped.

When it re-started a committee of Hon. Sec's was convened; by majority opinion it was  decided that each school would be restricted to one team.

Reminiscent of the dreaded storm which caused cancellation of the 2019 match,

A typically normal cloudy, light breezy but dry start to the morning steadily gave way to increasingly strong wind and rain to match, ending in almost gale conditions, making golf difficult and less and less enjoyable!!

However, thanks to the flawless organisation of this year's host Jonathan Davies  (Cheltenham) - bacon baps and coffee, always welcome and rapidly consumed, set us on our way suitably fortified.

Eight schools took part: Brecon, Bromsgrove, Cheltenham, Clifton, Dean Close, Malvern, Taunton and Wycliffe; each with a team of 8 players; 4-ball better ball, best three cards to count.

A two-tee start (1st and 9th), to ensure reasonable time spent on the course, had all the O.B. team starting on the 9th  

Our line-up :- Tom Atkin & Jonathan Arter, James Davenport & Roger Tamplin, Mat Jones & Duncan Jones, Robert Calcaterra & Kevin Noble.

Results were :- 

1st  Old Cliftonians                                         – 107 points

2nd Old Decanians                                         – 101 points

3rd Old Breconians and Old Malvernians       –   97 points

5th Old Wycliffians and Old Bromsgrovians    -  93 points

6th Old Tauntonians and Old Cheltonians      -   91 points

 Winners of top Pairs score were Old Cliftonians Harry Hood and Tom Atkinson with 39 points.              

 A very close contest for all but the clear winners!

As ever, an excellent lunch and great company, fuelled by appropriate libation – unfortunately, due to one of the players experiencing a medical episode during the course of the lunch, marred an otherwise happy and very welcome day indeed; it was accordingly deemed inappropriate to proceed with a formal prize giving, so prizes were discreetly given to the winners