26 OG golfers braved a stiff westerly gale at Elie on 10th October for the Annual Meeting. There was spirited discussion about whether the morning or the afternoon golfers had the best of the conditions – though consensus was that there was a 3-4 club wind throughout the day. Happily the sun shone throughout the weekend and the wind died on Sunday with lovely benign conditions for the morning round where we were joined by Andy Todd and 3 pupils from the College.
The Boyes Challenge Cup (scratch) was hotly contested, with afternoon starter David Rennie, 7-time winner, battling Tom Simmonds our Tournament Secretary. Tom’s impressive 68 pipped David by a couple of shots in the end for his second victory, but both were exceptional rounds in challenging conditions. Third in the Boyes was secured by Mike Thomson, who got up and down from approximately 250 yards (hitting a 6 iron) at the 18th for a par and a scratch 77.
David Rennie had his revenge on Tom Simmonds by picking up his 6th Neishes Challenge Cup (handicap) with a nett 67. Jim Gully split the pair with an impressive nett 69.
The Tullis Veterans Trophy had 18 entrants. Those in their 50s only receive ¾ of their handicap, whilst those in their 60s receive their full handicap – hence Jim Gully had a nett 72 in this competition; again picking up the runner’s up prize, and splitting Andrew Watson, who had come up from Rye for the weekend (as an aside – thank you to all who travelled many miles to Elie), who had a nett 73 and Sandy Dudgeon who triumphed with a nett 71.
Finally, in the Ladies Trophy there was a reversal to last year’s result with Tilly Davenport producing a nett 67 to secure family bragging rights over mum Samantha. Fi Skinner produced a very creditable nett 70 to be runner up.
Happily for the Hon Sec, Captain Booker started the AGM promptly, and steered the meeting to completion by 6.20. Jamie Skinner was proposed to re-join the committee as Captain Elect to succeed Niall Booker in October 2027, and Tom Simmonds was proposed and elected to the Committee to replace Stephen Titterington, who stepped down after several years of service to the committee to general acclaim from the Meeting. AGM Minutes and papers will be circulated this week.
41 diners were then treated to pre-dinner speeches from the Warden, Jenny Davey, and Head of Golf, Andy Todd; with after dinner entertainment from Charlie Crummey, ex-captain of the Golf House Club, and Sandy Dudgeon, who in addition to his excellent golf, produced an eloquent reply on behalf of the society on what was really a most convivial evening.
As noted above, Sunday conditions for the David Stocks Memorial Tankard (handicap stableford) were much more benign – with warm October sunshine bathing Elie and only a mild sea breeze. The field performed strongly with 11 of the 15 scores being 35 points or better. Sadly the bright sunshine and the small handwriting of the Hon Sec contributed to a small mix-up when announcing the prizes, as I attributed Russell Crighton’s score to Mike Clarke – I will remedy this for next year and write larger, and more legibly!
Of the pupils, golf scholar Amy Blackadder was again victorious with a creditable 33 points. The Ladies Stableford was hotly contested, with excellent scoring. Fi Skinner (41 points) narrowly prevailed over Samantha Davenport (40 points).
The scoring in the Gents event was equally tight – with a four-way tie at 37 points for third place. Andrew Gully thanks to a terrific inward half (21 points) pipped Captain-elect Jamie Skinner, current Captain Niall Booker and big brother Jim Gully. Russell Crighton secured second place with 38 points, just behind the winner of the David Stocks Memorial Tankard for the third time, Brian Richmond who finished with 39 points – a splendid effort from the Big Man.
The Golf House Club were, as ever, warm and welcoming hosts – despite the busy weekend with a large club meeting on the Saturday, and then a full tee-sheet of members, ourselves and other visitors on the Sunday.
Many thanks to all those who turned up, played, brought guests and had a good time, and here’s to another successful year for the OGGS.
Ruaraidh Stewart
