May/June 2026 update (incl Grafton Morrish /Cyril Gray)
CYRIL GRAY 2026
Last year, Whitgift beat Ampleforth in the Plate final, but this year, Ampleforth turned the tables and won a slightly truncated final 2-1; it was played over only 13 holes (omitting holes 11-15), because of the heatwave. Whitgift had reached the final courtesy of a walkover when Bishop’s Stortford withdrew because they could not raise a team. This might have worked to Whitgift’s advantage insofar as they did not have to play on another very hot morning, but equally it could be argued that Ampleforth had had the chance to get the feel of the course.
Certainly they started more quickly than Whitgift and took an early lead in all three matches, due in part to some superior putting. However Whitgift fought back across the board, and after nine holes were ahead in the second match (Casebourne/Kiddell) and level in matches 1 and 3 (Hayes/Williams and Haswell/Ufton respectively). With only four holes remaining, they appeared to have the momentum.
Unfortunately Whitgift came unstuck on the par 3 10th in both the matches that were level, and badly missed the green in both cases. Ampleforth took their chance to reassert themselves and take back their lead, winning match 3 with a bogey 4. Whitgift also lost the next hole (the 16th) in match 1, and subsided 2&1 on the 17th. Casebourne/ Kiddell closed out their match 3&2 (achieving a 100% record in the Plate matches), setting up a tense decider as Haswell/Ufton reached the 17th still 1 down in match 3. But a wonderful approach from the heather by Whitgift was followed by a half-hit chip and the hole, and the match, was lost to a solid par 4 by Ampleforth.
The main competition final was won by Watson’s, who beat Taunton.
Whitgift (l to r); Neill Williams, Martin Hayes, Jonny Ufton, Mark Haswell, Rob Casebourne, Richard Kiddell.
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Whitgift have reached the semifinals of the Plate competition, beating Blundell’s and last year’s Cyril Gray champions Glenalmond on Thursday. Bishop’s Stortford are the next opponents. Matches are being cut to nine holes because of the continued heatwave, and the Seniors competition, normally played as a stableford on the tournament Friday, has been cancelled this year.
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From left to right – Casebourne/Kiddell; Edwards/Hayes; Ufton/Haswell.
Phew. The temperature reached 36 degrees during the first round of the Cyril Gray (the Hewitt for over-50s) at Worplesdon on Wednesday 24th June. And if you think that is just above freezing, you are either in a different country or on the wrong scale!
It was very, very hot (even to watch, let alone play), and with a heatwave forecast to last the duration of the competition, the organisers took the sensible decision to push the start of the Plate back to Thursday and to limit the further rounds (not the Final) to nine hole matches, to ensure no-one was expected to play more than 18 holes on any one day. And there were iced towels available at the half-way hut. This is the ‘old man’s Hewitt’, after all.
And Whitgift found the first round competition from St Paul’s too hot to handle. Not the strongest possible team for Whitgift, perhaps, but certainly not a weak one, with handicaps maxing out at about 6. Nonetheless, St Paul’s started far the stronger of the two teams and some extravagant early putts put them two up after two holes in both the top matches. In the top match, featuring debutants Rob Casebourne (50 years, two weeks old!) and Richard Kiddell for Whitgift, this was a lead that was never dented, and despite an improvement in fortunes over the next ten holes, a further two outrageous putts at 13 and 14 from St Paul’s took them four clear and the match finished 4&3 at the 15th. Well, they say “it all comes down to the putting” and they were certainly right in this case!
Martin Hayes and Nick Edwards in the second pair had an even tougher start, and were three down after three holes, which they rapidly recovered over the next three to bring the match back to all square after six; Martin nearly holed out for a one at the 4th. But some wayward play, especially around the turn, allowed St Paul’s back in front, and this match also finished at the 15th.
With the top two matches lost, Jonny Ufton and Mark Haswell, playing steadily throughout, had to end their match prematurely, as it could no longer affect the result. They were two up at the time, but the official result gave them only a half.
So a disappointing outcome, and the last match won in the main Cyril Gray competition remains the 2024 final, But the Plate is still to come (also to be played over nine holes); maybe Whitgift can repeat their success in winning this last year. They will need to start stronger than on Wednesday.
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MATCH v TRINITY
The second of our matches was played at Purley Downs GC in early June, against Trinity GS, with the natural local rivalry between the two schools being enhanced by the presence of many PDGC members on both sides of the match. Thanks to the generosity of those members, other OWs and OMWs were able to play in the match at very cheap rates.
Conditions were very windy, and a close match was drawn 3-3, so Trinity retained the relevant trophy, the Harrods Putter. Apparently there were discussions as to whether there should be some sort of tie-breaker, with Whitgift preferring a cumulative totals of holes won (led no doubt by Mark Chatham/Alan Blok, who recorded a 7&6 victory) whilst Trinity suggested a singles play off down the 1st hole! But past history suggests that Whitgift retained the trophy at least once after a draw, so it is only right and proper that Trinity should retain it on this occasion.
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CAPTAIN’S DAY
Mark Chatham’s Captain’s Day meeting was held at his home course, Wildernesse GC, on Thursday 28th May, in the middle of the end-May heatwave that we had, but not so hot that the golf was unduly affected. Nonetheless, all those finishing were eager for their post-round drink (or two)!
A full field of 32 was reduced somewhat by a few late withdrawals, due either to illness or reluctance to play in the heat, but 28 can claim to have completed the course, some at a more leisurely pace than others. Everyone enjoyed the course, which was in great condition. It is challenging, being mostly tree-lined and therefore quite tight, with greens which are naturally quick and all the more so after the long dry spell. Those who can hit the ball straight and putt consistently fared the best.
All in all, scoring was quite good and there were five scores at 34 points or better; a three-way tie for third was settled on count back in favour of Michael Wall, but those three were three shots adrift of the front two, guest Laura Thomas (the Captain’s sister-in-law) and Kevin Prideaux de Lacy, both of whom scored 37. Laura, a 10-handicapper, became the first female ever to win an OWGS event, claiming first prize with a stunning 23 points on the back nine and therefore the better countback score. Kevin however won the Captain’s Cup, given the society rule that only members are permitted to win the trophies.
All enjoyed the very welcome post-match dinner, itself well above par, and were grateful to Mark for his hospitality and administration of the event.
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MATCH V SCHOOL
The match against the school was played at Croham Hurst on Wednesday 13th May, and it was refreshing to be able to field a team which was younger than usual, strengthened by the presence of recent alumni Rocky Chapman and Johann Perera. This match is contested by one schoolmaster and one OW, playing against two schoolboys.
The schoolboys normally show the rest of us how the game can be played, but on this occasion both we and they were in the end frustrated by the weather, which produced some very heavy showers and a cold northerly wind, so the afternoon sunshine in which the match started (photo) was soon forgotten. All of the matches were called to a halt before the 18th, and the luckier groups abandoned their games on the 10th or 11th, next to the clubhouse. Rumour has it that the combined masters/OW pairs were ahead at the time, but the records will show this as ‘Match abandoned due to rain’!
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GRAFTON MORRISH QUALIFYING
Whitgift were successful at Grafton Morrish qualifying this year. Led by Toby Kemp, the team won the preliminary round held at Royal Ashdown Forest, scoring 92 points across the three foursomes pairs. All playing off scratch, Laurie Evans and Jack Raison led off the field and scored 29 points; Rocky Chapman and Nick Baxter-Brand had an eventful round with two eagles and five birdies, but with three double bogeys thrown into the mix, finished with 32 points; Carl Hills and Rob Sandford, a newcomer to these events, played very steady golf without much joy on the greens, and came home with 31 points. An impressive total from Whitgift left playing partners Winchester, this year’s runners-up at the Hewitt, trailing in second place with 87 points, the same total as Cranleigh, and Sherborne took the final qualifying space, on 83. Wellington, Whitgift’s nemesis in April’s Hewitt, finished in fifth place, outside the qualifiers, and other notable non-qualifiers, in other area heats, were Eton, Harrow, and Loretto. Qualifying is not straightforward!
Whitgift will play the Grafton Morrish finals in October, at Hunstanton and Royal West Norfolk (Brancaster).
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Upcoming –
Grafton Morrish Qualifying – for the first time, we are playing our qualifying round at Royal Ashdown, on Sunday 10th May, starting at midday. Toby Kemp is captain of the side.
The match vs the School takes place at Croham Hurst on Weds 13th May.
Mark Chatham’s Captain’s Day meeting is on Thursday 28th May, at Wildernesse. There is currently a capacity field of 28, but new applicants can go on a waiting list in case of any cry-offs.
