A pretty damp morning met the gathering of familiar faces at 9.30am (ish), ready for 18 competitive holes of golf at the Royal Eastbourne. For a variety of reasons, the expected dozen was reduced to nine men, able and willing – well maybe willing for all, but able……?

The early starters had the benefit of a couple of dry holes, but it did not last for long, with strong winds and squally showers being the order of the day for the rest of the field throughout the round. All entrants completed the required 18 holes – some quicker than others – with some reasonable scores, considering the playing conditions.

The clear winner, with 34 Stableford points, was Paul Gillham (19), a gap of 3 points separating him from the chasing pack – all on 31 – of Howard Longton (22), Wally Manton (19) and Chris Shadwell (17), finishing in that order on countback. (For those non-golfers reading this, countback is a method of separating players finishing on equal points in a Stableford competition. It’s complicated, so if you want to know more, as Gwyn Richards used to say – “You can just look it up Boyyo.”)

A few points behind, Keith Dyte (26) and John Bateman (11 – a proper golfer) both came away with 26, Keith getting the nod on countback. The final places were taken by Nigel Creasy (21), Adrian Wood (24) and Richard Platt (32). Discretion prevents me from announcing their scores – it is the taking part, after all.

Post match we were joined by John Bedford, Don Seabright and Chris Ody for some well-earned refreshment and chat before the presentation of the Cup to the winner by EOGA President, Brian York. Brian once again announced the results in reverse order, which made for a big build up for the presentation of the cup to past winner Paul Gillham, but ensured the lower placed players were given the widest choices of the wine bottles on display!

Thanks must be given to organisers David Jeffery and Don Seabright – both unable to play this time – and to Tony French, who deciphered the scorecards and worked out the placings – yes countback again! Not forgetting your trusty correspondent, Howard Longton.

Paul Gillham receiving the trophy from Brian York