On the hottest day of the year (so far), on the sun drenched parkland of Denham, the annual gathering of the London Scottish Schools Golf Society took place with a group of Scottish educated gentleman in teams of four representing their old schools for a day of fun and competitive golf, with the ultimate prize being The Anniesland Trophy.
The entry was a bit lighter than prior years, but as always the Glasgow schools were well represented with teams from Kelvinside, Glasgow Academy and the High School of Glasgow. Defending champs Stewart’s Melville, with Loretto, Gordonstoun and Glenalmond completed the field along with the Wanderers (a team of singletons from different schools where a full team could not be raised) and a team of Guests.
Three times in the past Glenalmond have won this event – from the heady days of 2003 when we entered 3 teams and the event was won with a record score by our ‘C’ team, to 2010 and most recently, 2012. We also finished runners-up in 2016 and under the regular captaincy of Alasdair Cockburn, we have a proud tradition in this well run and fun event.
Typically this year the day again clashed with the start of the Cyril Gray tournament at Worplesdon, so not for the first time the search was on to build a team. The ‘ever-organised’ Alasdair had finalised his selection in advance and we were set, but as is so often the way, sneaking in a practice round in the days leading up to the event created its own problems with two late injury withdrawals, including our ever present captain!
A string of e-mail/whatsapp/text/phone calls ensued and by luck, someone said ‘Yes’ with Chris Hardie (P’74) answering the plea so we could field a team, alongside regulars Tim Worlledge (S’70) and Willie White (P’92)
The format is singles stableford with the best three (from a team of four) to count toward a team score. Unfortunately, the pressure was on the Glenalmond team, as with only three players we did not have the luxury of jettisoning a less good score. Glenalmond teaches resilience under pressure. We were ready!
A huge thunder and lightening storm with biblical rains had passed through in the early hours and taken some of the fire out of the golf course, but with a relentless sun beating down amidst a Met Office Red weather warning, the course was drying quickly and the scene was set. Denham, in spite of the overnight rain was in magnificent condition with greens running fast and true.
With the legendary Denham lunch, arguably the ‘best lunch in English golf’ to look forward to, Willie was first back to the clubhouse with a very solid 36 points. Tim quickly followed with another solid 34 points leaving a good foundation for the team and opportunity to be competitive. Having stepped in at late notice, Chris again stepped up with an excellent 39 points leaving Glenalmond with a team score of 109, enough to have won the event in each of the last 5 years…. There is a however a ‘but’ …. And alas, it was not to be.
Gordonstoun, having finished runners-up in two of the last three years and having never triumphed in the 40+ year history of the event, brought a team intent on putting that right. They stormed (with the additional benefit of being able to drop their fourth score) to a tally of 111 points to win the Cup and consign a gritty and resilient Glenalmond team to the runners-up slot…..
Consolation for Glenalmond was in seeing Chris pick-up individual honours on countback from a Gordonstoun player. 22 on the back nine was impressive and hopefully means he will feel duty bound to defend this title and join the OGGS team again in 2027!
With a fabulous golf course, amazing lunch and good company, this is a fun event. Handicaps from all competitors ranged from low single digits to high twenties. Golf skills are helpful but not a requirement and this is a terrific event for handicap, rather than scratch golfers. We are always on the look out for players, with the hope again of being able to field more than one team. Please do look out for it and sign-up. Cajole your cohort of OGs and others. The more the merrier.
In the meantime , well done to our friends from the Moray Coast and wishing speedy recoveries to our injured team mates.
Until next year…
Willie White
