Halford Hewitt 2024 was going to be a special one for Glenalmond. Not only was it the centenary of the tournament, first played in 1924, but it was destined to be the year that Glenalmond played its 100th match in the competition. There are only 6 schools who have played fewer matches, but they did have a head start on us since we only started in 1968. Since 1968, we are the 34th/64 on the list of matches won – very much mid-table.
Usually only the 10 in the team will travel, but this year we were thrilled to have an array of former Hewitters come to support the team and enjoy some fun. It was quite a trip for the supporters, who enjoyed a round at Royal St Georges, a celebratory dinner, a round at Rye, followed by the Hewitt centenary cocktail party, and then a game at Princes Golf Club for the Peter Kenyon bowl. I encourage those who fancy a three round golf trip in future years to get in touch.
To celebrate our 100th match, we had a dinner at our team hotel. We have been using this hotel for well over 30 years now, and they looked after us extremely well, providing a cake to finish our dinner. We were also grateful to the Rossall team, who gave us a magnum of champagne to celebrate the occasion. (Gratefully received!!)
Back row L-R, David Primrose (21 caps – 2006-2024), Harry Morgan (1 – 2021), John Laird (5 – 2022-3), Niall Watson (7 – 2019-2024), Geoff Ballantine (16 – 1977-1993), Richard White (8 – 2017-2024), Ruaraidh Stewart (11 – 2012-2021), Niall Booker (3 – 2017-2023)
Seated L-R, David Rennie (30 – 2000-2024), Mo McEachran (34 1995-2024), John Gordon (75 – 1973-2023), Jim Patrick (57 1976-2019), Sandy Gray (77 – 1977-2024) John Bushell (47 1991-2022), Mike Thomson (24 – 2007-2024)
Front row L-R Tom Simmonds (11 – 2014-2024), Cameron Grieve (1 – 2024), Campbell Gibson (1 – 2024)
To celebrate with all the schools, a cocktail party was held in a marquee in the Royal Cinque Ports Car Park. We were treated to specially brewed Hewitt beer, from Uppingham team member (and friend of the OGs) Eddie Allingham.
Finally, Thursday at 1:30pm, we teed off against Harrow at Royal St Georges.
Out top were Mo McEachran and David Primrose, reuniting when last year David couldn’t make the trip over from Australia. They found themselves in a tight game, but couldn’t prevail and they lost on the 17th 2/1.
At 2 were Tom Simmonds and Sandy Gray, hoping to extend their winning run to 6 games. Sadly, the form that had let them to so many good victories couldn’t be found, and again they lost in a tight game at the 17th 2/1.
At 3 were Campbell Gibson and Niall Watson. Campbell (we are delighted to say) had only just had his amateur status re-instated after a summer on the Tartan Tour. Their loss is certainly our gain, as he and Niall formed a formidable partnership and they managed to win their match 2/1
At 4, another new boy, Cameron Grieve, who played with the experience David Rennie, and although they will hopefully win many games together in the future, will have to wait at least until next year to do so, finding some tough opponents, losing 4/3.
At 5, Richard White and Mike Thomson, reunited after playing together in the Covid impacted 2021 Hewitt, started brightly to get an early 3 hole lead, but a combination of bad luck and some bad shots meant that they too fell to a 4/3 defeat.
This meant a 4-1 loss to Harrow and for us to enter the plate, and we were not to be able to make it 101 matches in the Hewitt, that will have to wait until next year.
The plate is no longer the punishment that it used to be, as Princes has worked hard in recent years and has become an excellent course, and well worth a visit. Only 6 players are required for the plate, so 2 pairs were able to be released. We elected to keep the pairings unchanged, so pairings 1, 3 and 4 from the previous day were given another go. We were drawn to play Forest, who while they do not have a stellar Hewitt record, did make the plate final last year and (spoiler alert) were to go one better in 2024.
Our top two couples had reverse fortunes from the day before, with Mo and David securing a 2/1 victory, but Campbell and Niall falling to defeat. Excitement was growing as the bottom game was tight, and indeed it went to the 19th. Playing the 19th hole in a deciding game in the Hewitt is one of the most pressurised things you can do, but sadly for Glenalmond, we couldn’t quite manage it, and fell to defeat at the 19th.
While 2024 will not be looked back with in great fondness regarding our golfing results, we have to remember that we were playing two very good sides in both matches. Furthermore, we had enormous fun with the strong supporters base and we celebrated out 100th match and the Hewitt centenary with gusto, welcoming two new players to the side in the process. We have learned a few things, and hopefully luck will be on our side next year and we get a decent run in the tournament.
