The annual gathering of English OGGS – or Exiles as we prefer to be known – took place once again at Royal Wimbledon this week, with seven enthusiastic OG golfers meeting in blustery south-west London for lunch and golf in the form of handicap stableford singles. The prize at stake was mainly pride but also the coveted John Gordon Trophy, which dates back to the last century when this group met annually at various southern venues including North Hants, before settling at Royal Wimbledon about 15 years ago.
Stalwart Bill McCall (P’62) was back to defend, and OGs spanning over four decades of Coll leavers attended with their eyes on the prize. In squally conditions, and after a soggy morning, the heathland of Royal Wimbledon presented a stiff challenge, and in the end the local knowledge of Royal Wimbledon member Francis Small (S’75) was the difference, eeking out a narrow victory over the chasing pack, with a very solid 33 Stableford points.
In the bar afterwards, we bumped into another OG in David Walker (P’01) , and hijacked him for a group photo under the Captain’s Boards featuring at least two more OGs in the late Gordon Thorburn and Chris Dundas. No doubt there are more esteemed OGs on the walls of this and many other clubhouses across the land!
In total with the Schools putting comp (reported separately) taking place the same evening, there were at least 10 OG golfers at Royal Wimbledon on the day, and hopefully we can continue to grow our numbers in the South. In addition to the defending and newly crowned Champion Golfers, other participants were Russell Nimmo, Kerr Nimmo (P’03), Dougie Lawson (C’75) David Gordon (P’88) and Willie White (P’92). Patchell’s won the House Comp !
Special thanks to David Gordon, for again organising an enjoyable gathering. We hope to meet again at a similar time next year, and all are welcome for what is as much social, as serious. Please do spread the word and help to grow and sustain this happy gathering of OGs from around the south.
Willie White
