2022 Season Report: Swinging For Success

by Mike Crowston (OA 1966), OA Golf Club Secretary, as published in Versa [Issue 11; Autumn 2022 edition].

The OA’s golfing year began with a visit to South Beds Golf Club, a course which brought back many memories for older members. Whilst the number who played was small, an enjoyable three-man team fun competition was won by Tony Clarke (OA 1961), Graham Tate (1960) and the secretary.

At the end of April, we played the annual match against Mid- Herts GC. A diplomatic result saw the OAs lose 3-1, a reverse of the result for the previous three years. The next fixture was the OA Cup at Welwyn Garden City, the home course of David Hughes (OA 1994). For most of those attending the course proved quite difficult. However, the top three all returned respectable scores playing to or better than their handicaps. Graham Tate proved triumphant, winning the trophy for the first time, followed by multiple winner John Cox (OA 1974) and Kevin O’Donoghue (OA 1959).

In July we returned to Leighton Buzzard for the Briggs Goblets pairs competition. The winners were Tony Walters (Antelope) and Rob Allsopp (OA 1969) with a combined score of 62 points, beating Kevin O’Donoghue and Ian MacKenzie (OA 1980) by one point. All four were to be commended for their efforts in the extremely hot weather. August saw us at Harpenden Common for the Society’s Captain’s Day. The twenty members who played were made up into four-man teams. A close competition resulted with only four points separating the top three teams, the winners being the Captain Peter Dredge (OA 1960), Tony Clarke, Graham Tate and Kevin O’Donoghue.

At the time of writing our one remaining fixture is the annual three-day trip to Lakeside Lodge, chosen as much for its cuisine and accommodation as for the golf. A report will follow in the next edition of Versa. The Society is open to all OAs, and anyone interested should contact the Secretary via development@st-albans.herts.sch.uk.