A believed all time record of 46  players (26 Old Tauntonians and 20 guests) played in 2022 at Swinley Forest Golf Club on the usual second Tuesday of March. This annual fixture has been running for some 70 years at the legendary very beautiful members club in Berkshire.

It is believed to have originated because an Old Tauntonian, who lived in Ascot, became an elected  member of Swinley and asked the Secretary whether he minded having a few of his old school chums to a guest day at the Club early in the Season in March.

Numbers were about 30 several years ago, and sometimes below, but have now steadily increased in recent years.

The morning singles was won by an Old Tauntonian with Richard Willacy scoring 36 points beating Iain Westwater by one point.

The afternoon greensomes pairs competition was won by Neil Robertson and his guest with 41 points.

For the second year in a row the annual visit to the top class Swinley Forest Golf Club event, usually on the second Tuesday in March, was postponed until the Autumn .  As the daylight hours  were more restricted than March, it was only possible to play 18 holes compared to the usual 36.  However the day was much enjoyed at an eceptional quality venue.

32 players played with marginally more Old Tauntonians attending than guests.

Mark Banham won the Old Tauntonians section with 34 stableford points and Richard Parsons won the guest’s competition with 38 points.

Next year’s event is reverting to the usual date of Tuesday 8 March 2022 and an all time high number of 48 are already registered for this 36 hole singles/greensomes event.

Due to Covid the HH was postponed from the usual April date to beginning of September.  The course conditions were expected to be very different, as was the weather.  Unfortunately Royal St George’s GC was not available for the 1st round of the competition so Prince’s  stepped in.

Taunton were drawn against Bishop’s Stortford in the 1st round and our expectations were we had a good chance of winning, however, our eventual win was not as expected.  Dave Higginson and Pete Whalley won their match as did Gary Hector and Phil Stickler, Richard Willacy and Andy Ford lost their match.  On the 13th hole Matthew Pyke, unfortunately, hit our opponents (not intentionally!) who had to be taken to hospital for a check-up and that match was declared halved (although at the time our pair were 3up with five holes to play).  So the score now stood at 2.5 – 1.5 and it was down to Iain Westwater and Ed Bradnock who were 1 up going down the 18th, however, play was stopped as the light had faded so much it was impossible to continue.  In the end it was decided to continue the final game in the morning and if Bishop’s Stortford won then the Captains could choose one of the existing pairings to battle out a sudden death.  In the end, later that evening, the Captain of Bishop’s Stortford conceded the match given that even if they won overall they were not able to produce a team for the second round.  Well…….given how long it’s been since Taunton succeeded in the first round Ramsgate certainly knew about it that evening!!

Unfortunately Taunton faced a very strong Bradfield in the next round and lost 4-1.

Team: Richard Willacy (C), Iain Westwater, Gary Hector, Phil Stickler, Greg Whalley, Pete Whalley, Andy Ford, Ed Bradnock, Matthew Pyke, Mark Jenkins, Dave Higginson

Despite being a bank holiday weekend and with travel restrictions relaxed, numbers dwindled.   However, in the end we had 9 players for this meeting (8 OTs and 1 guest).

The afternoon was kicked off with our AGM followed by lunch and 18 holes.  There was a lot to play for, Fairwater Cup(Stableford)/Vets Cup (Over 60, stableford)/Scratch Cup(played as scratch stableford)/Longest Drive/Nearest to the Pin & Team prize (best 2 of 3 scores per hole, aggregated).  It looked like a day when everybody was a winner!

During lock-down and golf courses were closed, Reigate Heath GC was saturated with walkers, being common land, and with some bad weather the course was in a dreadful state.  It looked like the course would not recover by the summer.  However, it was fantastic the fairways were green again and the greens lightning fast like they normally are AND we were blessed with perfect weather!

A good day was had by all and nearly everybody was a winner!

Results (OT’s):
Fairwater Cup – Iain Westwater (34 points, back 9 win)
Scratch Cup – Richard Willacy (29 points)
Vets Cup – David Morgan (34 points)
Longest Drive – Richard Willacy
Nearest to the Pin – David Murrell
Team Win – Mark Welsh/Richard Norris/Richard willacy

It must be added that the overall winner was Mark Welsh with 35 points but as a non OT and guest a separate prize was awarded.

Another great performance by the team who lost in the second round of the main competition to the eventual winners, the RAF.   Welcome to Andy Ford and a reappearance of Jan Becker.

Back Row:  Greg Whalley, Tim Blood, Andy Ford
Front Row: Jan Becker, Richard Willacy, Gary Hector

Main Competition

First round versus old Blundellians, Won 2-1
Second round versus RAF, Lost 3-0

I’ll leave out the stableford score on the Sunday but thanks to Pete Whalley for taking Gary’s place who was suffering back problems.  Needless to say the Brother Whalley’s took the money!!

Well done team.

Total of 16 players attended of which 14 were OTGS and two additional SGHGC members to help make up the numbers, which was very appreciative.

Day looked promising but heavy rain during lunch added risk to the afternoon round.  However, the unpredictable weather was in our favour and the afternoon turned out to be very warm and dry.

Format of the day was stableford and playing for prizes rather than the Fairwater Cup.   Scores were good and I’m sure the new handicap system favoured some more than others!!  Final top scores were,

First:            David Morgan with 39 Points
Second:      Pete Whalley with 37 Points
Third:          Terry Davidge 35 Points (count back against Andy Ford)

Nearest to the Pin 11th – Terry Davidge
Nearest to the Pin 8th – Gary Hector