2019 Season Report: Weather Putts Games On Hold

by Kevin O’ Donoghue (OA 1959), OA Golf Club Secretary, as published in Versa [Issue 5; Autumn 2019 edition].

The Old Albanian Golf Club’s season started on a glorious day in March at the ever-popular Sandy Lodge Golf Club near Northwood. Numbers were somewhat reduced because several members chose this time to take a late winter break but the 11 who turned up were very impressed by the way the course had survived the previous dry summer and the subsequent poor growing conditions. As usual we played a team game in threes with the worst score of the three being discarded on each hole. The winners were Tony Clarke (OA 1961) and David Hughes (OA 1994) who were given a little help by a ‘hidden pro’ to make things as fair as possible. As it happens, Tony and David played so well they won easily, rarely needing the help of the ‘pro’.

The annual match against Mid Herts Golf Club was called off because of dire weather warnings as the tail end of hurricane Hannah passed through. It proved to be a wise decision. Another fixture affected by the weather was the match against the Old Berkhamstedians at Mid Herts – postponed to save people from travelling considerable distances (e.g. Jersey). Again, the decision was justified.

Peter Dredge’s (OA 1960) Captain’s Day was held at a new venue for the Club – Whipsnade Park. This time we were blessed by fine weather but scoring proved difficult, possibly because the course is quite long or because of unfamiliarity. Regardless, Robin Farrar was a clear winner.

The main event of the year, the OA Cup, was held at Harpenden Golf Club on a baking hot day in July. As it happens, first, second and third places were all filled by Harpenden members as was the trophy for non-Oas (Antelopes). Proud first-time winner of the OA Cup was Don Mills (OA 1970).

The re-arranged match against the OBs was held at Aldwickbury Park early in September. Last year at the same venue, the OAs were given a sound drubbing but this year saw a considerable improvement as an honourable half was secured.

The season continued with the autumn tour over the first three days of October when we returned for a third visit to the Lakeside Golf Centre near Huntingdon (pictured above).

The annual pairs competition for the Briggs Goblets takes place at Mid Herts in mid-October, our last meeting of the year.