The competition returned to its usual pre-Covid schedule this year, being held at the beginning of April and as with most previous years, it coincided with Masters week!
Despite Harriett Evans having had to drop out last minute due to work commitments, the OTGS headed down to St George’s with probably the strongest Trent team they have ever had.
Tuesday and Wednesday were practice days, and it was great to be out on the course catching up and enjoying some nice weather. Captain Rob Cox was injured on the first day of practice, so a call was made to Mark Layfield who thankfully travelled down late on Wednesday night to play the next morning.
The first round was against a good Shrewsbury team but some great golf, in extremely windy conditions, saw OTs into the 2nd round with a 3.5-1.5 victory. Mark Layfield and Toby Williams winning their game on debut along with another debutant, and youngest member, Sam Potter (20) who won his match alongside Adam Prime. Ian Birch and Alex Sowter completed the victory.
The second round was against Gresham on the Friday. Although out in the 3rd match, Sam and Adam Prime set the tone with an emphatic 7/6 victory and were first to finish. Ian and Alex secured their 2nd victory of the week soon after, along with Toby and Mark who won their match on the 18th. Unfortunately, Mike Coupland (who stepped in for Jon Carter from the first round) and Nick Hind came out the wrong side of a close game but Captain Elect Adam Hinchley, along with his partner Dom Leckie completed a deserved 4-1 victory and we were into the 3rd round for only the second time in the OT Golf Society’s history.
The OT’s half of the draw then joined the other half at Royal Cinque Port GC for the weekend.
Last year’s winners, Loretto, were the OT’s Saturday opponents so they knew this was going to be a tough game. Loretto were a very good side, but the Old Tridents were full of confidence from the first 2 rounds and still believed they could cause an upset. Rob, after a few days’ recovery, partnered Nick and fought hard from being 5down to take their match down the 17th. Sam and Adam Prime, who were also 5down early in their round, fought back hard eventually losing on the 18th. Ian and Alex, who had a close game from start to finish, also went down the 18th. Sadly, Loretto proved too strong and the Old Tridents’ tournament came to an end but, with 2 matches going down the 18th and one down the 17th, the 5-0 score line did not reflect how close they came.
It was a great week, with some fantastic golf, and the Old Tridents can take some consolation that Loretto went on to win the tournament for a second year running.
The Old Tridents Golf Society would like to say a huge thank you to Old Trident Bill Harvison, having made his debut for the OTGS back in 1977, who travelled with his friend Dixon to support them in the first round.
The next competition for OTGS is the Grafton Morrish qualifier in May. Adam Hinchley, who has now taken over the captaincy, will lead a team of 6 in the hope of securing a place in the tournament which takes place in October.
Pictured above: Dom Leckie getting ready for Loretto, Mark Layfield and Toby Williams, Loretto v Trent, Bill Harvison and friend, Alex Sowter and Ian Birch, Adam Prime and Sam Potter.