Bernard Darwin 2016

REVIEW

In this year’s Bernard Darwin competition at Woking GC, Rugby drew Eton. The sides were evenly matched on handicaps, and so it proved in the contest. We were up in all three matches, into the back nine, but whilst one went our way comfortably, the other two gradually declined until both were alive on the 18th hole. A chance to seal it was missed in the top match which then went down the 19th, alas to a defeat. The other close encounter lost the last few holes to lose the match on the 18th. Such are the margins in matchplay foursomes, sometimes!

The team was subject to the late withdrawal of Simon Maisey, through sudden illness. At very short notice, David Swanston made himself available, for which we are grateful. The pairings were:

1. Clive Pickerill and Jamie Clark
2. Robert Lyons and Peter Stanbrook
3. Nigel Cadbury and David Swanston.

This was a match we could/should have won, but perhaps it was just Eton’s moment. They were themselves despatched in the second round.

On a brighter note, Rugby then went on to win the Bernard Darwin Goblet, for the Plate competition.

Rugby could do with additional players coming up to the qualifying age of 55, with a single figure handicap. Searches so far have unearthed just a few reasonable golfers off 9/10 handicap. Some of these may well come into the side, especially if they are good foursomes players, like Nigel Cadbury. But we are desperately short of good (5 or less) handicap players. There are few coming through.  Alex Fletcher (6) will reach the qualifying age this winter, so will be eligible for 2017. Other than him, we know of no other strong contenders for many years to come. So, our prospects in the Darwin are the opposite of those in the Senior Darwin. Thus are the cycles of strength in these competitions.

Peter Stanbrook (T, 62-67)
Captain