The time had arrived for another EOGA golf competition, and what a beautiful day it turned out to be, with warm sunshine and very little breeze to disturb the increasingly sparse “barnets” of the 11 golfers who took part.
Late absentees from the entrants, John Bedford (transport) and Don Seabright (tweaked back), sent their apologies and wished the competitors well, but their non-attendance was quietly noted in Dave Jeffery’s (Headmaster) black book.

The Royal Course looked resplendent in the spring sunshine as our players set off, with Bob Reid and Howard Longton in the vanguard, starting at 10.00. Bringing up the rear, Greg Spink, Mark Rayner, Wally Manton and Richard Platt had their work cut out to keep ahead of a following mixed match but returned to the clubhouse in good time without getting into too much trouble.

All groups played at a good pace and managed to quench their thirsts on arrival at the 19th hole, followed by a very posh sit down affair of sandwiches and sausage rolls in the Dukes Room.

Amid much banter and reminiscing, order was called and the result was announced to a chorus of cheers (or were they jeers?) with the winner being Mark Rayner (19) with 35 Stableford points. The Cup was duly presented to Mark by REGC Catering Manager Jessica Hallewell who had been roped in at the last minute to make the winner’s photograph more interesting.

Runner-up with 34 came Howard Longton (22), just shading John Bateman (13) who scored 33 points. In 4th, a disappointed last year’s winner, Malcolm (Wally) Manton (19) shared 29 with Keith Dyte (26) but pipped him on countback. 6th and 7th places went to Greg Spink (24) and Dave Jeffery (19), both on 27 and a returning Chris Shadwell (17), one behind with 26 points. Nigel Creasey (21) and Bob Reid (28) followed on 23 with Richard Platt (36) continuing to support the old adage “if you cant beat ‘em, join ‘em” with 21.

Thanks to the Royal Eastbourne Golf Club for allowing the EOGA to use their facilities, to Dave Jeffery and Don Seabright for organising the event, to Tony French, Chief Scorer and Adjudicator and to Howard Longton for collecting the cash and adding it up correctly.

HJL