Grafton Morrish Trophy 2014
OMT Holders succumb in tough opening round against 2011 Winners
As Proud holders of the Grafton Morrish after our famous and historic victory for the first time in 51 years, we unexpectedly encountered a tough opening round Draw against the 2011 Winners, Birkenhead, to whom we had lost narrowly in the Final that year.
We were sadly not quite as strong as the winning side of 2013 and were without the experience of Andy Fleming, so influential in team morale, Andy Robb and John McNally, who both played such crucial roles to bring us success last year.
This was the first time that we, as holders, were saved the embarrassment of having to qualify at Denham earlier in May. A rare luxury! It is customary that all leading Regional qualifiers throughout the United Kingdom are seeded so as not to draw each other in the opening rounds.
The Grafton Morrish Committee, before we had hit a shot in anger, apologised in advance to both the Old Merchant Taylors' and Birkenhead sides that we were drawn to play each other, both as past Winners in the last five years, in 2011 and 2013 respectively. They felt it was a little unjust, bearing in mind the Regional qualifying was seeded. I believe they are intending to review the situation in future years.
We opened our defence on a lovely clear, but slightly cool and breezy, morning at Brancaster at 8.00am. We were led by our two talented youngsters Alex Pinsent and Elliott Dodds - now formidable opposition. They played against a reinstated pro and a member of Hoylake playing off + 1. After a wonderful tight game, our youngsters prevailed by 2 and 1. Both sides were proud to be part of such a fine match.
In the third match, we were delighted to welcome Will Pearmain to play his first Grafton Morrish with Bill Davies, now the model of consistency of the team. They sadly had a slow start and found themselves four down after five holes. Thereafter, they settled down to play some good, solid golf but could not make any real headway to dent the strong, experienced opposition, both again members of Hoylake. Will, it was great to see you. You are becoming an invaluable member of our side.
In our second game, Tim Young and Kevin Quinn (who had kindly stepped in at late notice) played some good stuff and were 1 up with 2 to play. In breezy conditions and with the 17th and 18th playing longer than usual, Tim's fine tee shot on the 17th found a wicked, old divot. Kevin played it well, but understandably pushed it right of the green into a difficult spot. Tim, from a tough lie, played it as well as could be expected, but the oppositions solid four was good enough. The 18th was also well contested although again we were slightly right with our 2nd and failed to get up and down in two. So near, but so far, for a side defending their Title against strong opposition.
Despite their disappointment, the team, as Holders, felt it was appropriate that we should visit Hunstanton to thank the Organisers. We were warmly received by the Grafton Morrish Committee for making the effort. It was a moment to savour and one I shall not easily forget. The whole team were thanked for their courtesy. We should all be proud the way they conduct themselves, both on and off the golf course.
This year we had some highly amusing moments, not least of all regarding the Trophy. David Thomas, in his year as President, had taken the shield to a number of Dinners and formal functions throughout the UK. He kindly returned it to the Secretary at Sandy Lodge, for Bill Davies to bring up to Brancaster. As we walked down the first in the Practice Round, I asked Bill in passing that he had the Trophy. "Oh no" was his reply "it's still at home in Teddington". Knowing Bill's dry sense of humour, I dismissed his comment and asked him a few holes later. I still received the same response. By the 7th I was getting slightly worried. It dawned on me that he was not pulling my leg... sure enough it was still in London!
As I entered the Clubhouse, I met Roderick Grafton, son of the Founder, Peter. "Good to see you, David. Congratulations on last year. Got the Trophy?" Do you ever feel like digging a hole and jumping in? This was one of those occasions!!
Fortunately I know Roderick well as we are both members of Tandridge. I explained the circumstances and he roared with laughter! "Not to worry, as long as it is here for the Presentation on Sunday evening!" Soon all the Grafton Morrish Committee were fully aware of the scenario. Brian, a Committee member and Chief Starter at Hunstanton (a lovely man who played a lot of rugby for Lloyds of London against Geoff Shilling) asked in passing "Found any new trophies yet, David?" It was all done in good spirit. Fortunately, I had remembered to bring the News Sheet from last year to show Geoff's obituary, which he was very thankful to have the opportunity to read.
Although we departed early, it became clear that the OMT win was one of the most popular in recent years and appreciated by all the hierarchy. Thankfully the Trophy was safely delivered, after Bill kindly made a round trip of 8 hours to London on a Friday night. (Thank you, Bill). Over Dinner, we learnt that the Old Leysians (unlike us) were unable to cajole some of their better players into action. Nigel Washbourne and his team asked (after Dinner!) if they could borrow the Trophy for a photo shoot and pretend they had won it and forward it onto those who were absent. It was marvellous, good humoured fun!
Over the last few years we have been admirably supported by Nigel Tollitt, a local OMT member of Hunstanton. Nigel used to open the batting for the School 1st XI with our current OMT Golf Captain, David Cust!
With my wish to keep up with events of the Grafton over the weekend, I emailed Nigel to enquire about the Final Result.
Nigel's reply was as follows:-
"Hi David,
Good to see you again on Friday, sorry I was late to see the team play! A couple of beers in that old clubhouse sort of made up for it!
I did go up yesterday and see some of the final which turned out to be a real non-event on a glorious afternoon! One pair from Clifton scratched, injured, and one of their guys got a complete attack of the shanks-never seen anything like it, and that pair were beaten out in the country, so Sherborne weren't really troubled. Rather unsatisfactory and a complete anti-climax with hardly a spectator out on the course. To cap it all, apparently someone from a school that had never been to the finals before, not sure who, got out of his tree on Saturday night, got in a brawl and three police cars turned up, and he had a night in the cells!! Never before have the cops had to break up a fight at HGC!!!
Look forward to next year!
Best Wishes
Nigel"
Thank you for your support, Nigel but not so sure about the resulting bush telegraph news...
For the last ten years or so, I am very much indebted to one our Past Presidents, David Andrews-Jones and his wife, Valerie (affectionately known as Slave!). They have kindly arranged the accommodation year after year at the Briarfields, without any fuss. I, and the team, are very grateful to them and also for their wonderful support, besides kindly providing the wine one of the evenings.
Although they are not quite as agile as they used to be, they are always out there in a hired buggy, Slave driving and David giving the odd instruction! Thank you both for your encouragement to the team. It is much appreciated.
David Simpson
November 2014
