Fitzwilliam Golf Society
Golf for Alumni /ae of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge



Event 2. Inter College Alumni Competition at Cambridge Meridian GC
The first Cambridge Inter College Competition for Alumni took place on 21 April at Cambridge Meridian GC. Eight college teams of six players took part.
Fitzwilliam finished in a very creditable third place with 161 points. The best five of the six scores counted - although in a tight finish, the sixth score was used as a tie breaker to seperate first and second place. The full placings and points were:-
1. Christ's 167 (29)
2. Trinity 167 (28)
3. Fitzwilliam 161
4. Peterhouse 160
5 Clare 154
6. Corpus 154
7. Jesus 150
8. St John's 147
The Fitz team (pictured right) comprised:-
Mike Hamment - Captain
Colin Dunkerley - Secretary
Bob Barltrop - Winner 2015 Fitz Open
Graham May - Runner Up 2015 Fitz Open
John Uwins - Captain's selection
Matthew Hignell - Captain's selection
MikeHamment played a Captains' role for Fitz recording the 3rd best individual score with 38 points, only one behind the Winner, Bill Smyth of Clare (39) with Don Cave (John's) second on countback. Graham May of Fitz claimed Nearest the Pin on the 3rd hole.
The golfers gathered in the evening at Peterhouse College with drinks in the garden followed by a brief tour of the college then an excellent dinner, organised by Graham Clay. Presentation of prizes followed.
The event fell on the Queen's 90th Birthday and was marked by celebratory cup cakes for the golfers prepared by Beverley May (wife of Graham), the display of a commemorative flag and three cheers for Her Majesty preceding the Loyal Toast which was proposed by Mike Hamment. The Fitz team upheld a college tradition by being the last men to leave the Dining Room.
The whole event was the idea of John Sefton of Christ's who organised the Competition with a little help from others, including the Fitzwilliam committee who took responsibility for prizes and presentations.
Possibly the most positive aspect of a very successful event was stimulating the formation of new alumni golf teams at several colleges such as Jesus, Peterhouse and Corpus. They joined the more established college societies such as our own, John's and Christ's. It was unanimously agreed that the event should take place again next year - hopefully at Gog Magog if they can accommodate a two tee start. At least two more colleges teams will be needed.
It was also agreed that the winners, Christ's, should host the Dinner next year!
Next year's Fitz team will comprise a a similar balance ie the Winner and Runner up of the Fitz Open, two committee members and two selected players.



Event 7. Match v Christ's
Our third match against Christ's was played at Gerrards Cross GC - a new venue which met with general approval as a venue. The main match was played as pairs match play in the afternoon with Fitz running out comfortable winners at 4-2. Best Fitz pair was Matthew Hignell and Graham (did you see my ball?) May winning 5 & 4 with a creditable performance by Captain Mike Hamment and Fred Hartley who won 4 & 3.
The greens were running quickly with some difficult slopes and the course had some significant ups and downs but the recent Dorset tourists were relieved to have only a light breeze and some wide, forgiving fairways.
The afternoon prizes were won by:-
Longest Drive 10th - John Uwins
Nearest Pin 13th - David Harriss (Christ's)
Nearest Pin 16th - Robin Winckless
Nearest Pin in 3 18th - Jon Prichard
The morning "warm up" Texas Scramble over 10 holes was won by the team of Brian Smith, Colin Dunkerley and Tony Price (Christ's).
The after match presentations were made by Mike Hamment as home Captain. In response, Chris Garden, Christ's Match Captain, thanked Fitzwilliam for their organisation of an excellent and sociable day.
Event 3. Match v St Edmund Hall
St Edmund Hall, Oxford are our longest standing opponents and the two colleges met for the eighth annual match on 16 May 2016 at South Herts GC in Totteridge, North London, home of the “Vardon grip”. The match was a Fitzwilliam organised home fixture.
Heavy rain at lunchtime cleared in time for the start of the match which consisted of five pairs matches in a Matchplay format. In yet another close finish, the final group finished all square to halve the match. As current holders, Fitz retained the One Size FitzHall Trophy and are now ahead in the overall series by 5-3.
Captain Mike Hamment partnered Martin Dinkele (playing his first match for Fitz) took the title of best Fitz pair with a storming 7&5 win. Paul Fairhurst took Nearest the Pin on the 14th and secured one of only two “two’s” with his subsequent putt. John Uwins fired a mighty blow up the hill on the 18th to secure the Longest Drive prize.
A new concept this year is to have a reserve match. In some of our matches, Fitz GS have more players wishing to play than the opposition does. Rather than disappoint our keen membership, our reserves came along and play a side match thereby enjoying the course and participating in the social side of the day. At this match, it was a threeball competition won by Bob Winckless. It is planned to do this again when appropriate.
Michael Archer from Hall donated, years ago, a Rabbit Trophy for this event. This year we decided to award it for the most memorable (good or bad) shot of the day. The recipient was Michael himself for a mishit approach shot from 20 yards short of the green which elicited a sharp curse, rose no more than 3 inches off the ground but finished inches from the pin to win yet another hole from his long suffering opponents.
Fitz Captain Mike Hamment presented the prizes.








Event 1. Greene King Society of the Year at Cambridge Meridian GC
Three Fitzwilliam Golf Society teams of four took part in an Inter Society Competition on 21 March. The format was a team event with the best two stableford scores per hole counting towards the team score. Battling against cold and drizzly conditions, as well as lack of practice in some cases, the three teams finished respectably in mid table out of the 13 teams who entered. Our scores were 77, 73 and 71, sadly insufficient to win the first prize of a barrel of Greene King Beer.
The teams were:-
Fitz 1
Colin Dunkerley
Charlie Brown
John Uwins
Martin Dinkele
Fitz 2
Bob Barltrop
David Williams
David Castell
Jon Prichard
Fitz 3
Brian Smith
Matthew Hignell
Peter Bennett
Graham May
.