It seems so long ago (Nancy): the immortal words of Leonard Cohen came to your correspondent’s mind as he belatedly sat down to write up news of the latest EOGA golf competition. A combination of circumstances, other more pressing engagements and more than a little lethargy served to delay the crafting of this report.

However, the time has arrived, as it did on Friday 12th May, when 11 Old Grammarians gathered at The Royal Eastbourne Golf Club to take part in the Spring Competition. Numbers were depleted this year – the loss of David Lockyer leaving a difficult-to-fill empty chair at the table and our usual organiser, Dave Jeffery, marooned on the island of Guernsey to name but 2. But we can always rely on a hard core of entrants who gather for this event, to enjoy each other’s company and to reminisce of times gone by and revert to their student days at the Lambe Inn later on. Oh yes, and to play a round of golf!

After 18 holes on a cloudy day made chilly by a northerly breeze, and a very unforgiving rough, 2 players returned 31 points, Mark Rayner (16) and Howard Longton (22). Mark took the title on countback to retain the prestigious EOGATrophy. In third place with 30 points was Keith Dyte (26), pushing match organiser Don Seabright (20), also on 30 into 4th, again by countback. With the last of the decent scores, Wally Manton(18) and Paul Gillham(18) shared 29 points, Wally gaining the edge. The also -rans in descending order were John Bedford, Greg Spink, Richard Platt, Bob Reid and Adrian Wood.

Beer and sandwiches followed in the clubhouse and once again Richard Platt upset proceedings by suggesting to a surprisingly gullible Don Seabright that the prizes should be given in reverse order, so allowing those at the lower end of the scoring a better pick of the donated bottles lined up on the windowsill. The climax of the event was the presentation of the Trophy to Mark Rayner, who with typical modesty vowed to return and repeat his endeavours.

Thanks to David Jeffery who managed the event from afar, to Don Seabright who gathered the players and ran the day, to Howard Longton for collecting (and dispensing) the cash and to Tony French and Alan (Swooper) Smith for checking the cards and processing the results.

Mark Rayner – EOGA Spring Golf Champion, 2023