Fitzwilliam Golf Society

Oxbridge Alumni Invitation Golf Day – Berkhamsted – 31 May 2023

​

This is the occasion when Fitz Golf Society invites representative golfers from a wide range of Cambridge and Oxford colleges to come together for a genial day of pairs golf – with the added spice of a varsity team match.

​

A Fitzwilliam home team of 12 hosted players from 11 other Oxbridge colleges. A total of 44 players took part – the largest event of the year for Fitz GS.

Clare 5

Johns 4

Christs 2

Downing 2

Pembroke (O) 4

Keble (O) 2

St Edmund Hall (O) 3

Merton (O) 3

Magdalen (O) 2

Hertford (O) 2

Christ Church (O) 2

​

This was the second year of the Alumni Invitation Day and we visited Berkhamsted once again. It’s a lovely course with an excellent clubhouse – very popular with societies. They allow us to start from two tees simultaneously which is essential for the large number taking part. After weeks of dry weather, the course was hard and running - so high scores were plentiful.

​

The format was pairs betterball and the pairs winners were:-

1st. 49 points. John Payne Cook (SPC) & Chris Mercer (Merton)

2nd. 47 points. John Steers & Philip Butler (Christ Church)

3rd. 47 points. Peter Jones & David McCammon (St Edmund Hall)

​

Other very good scores recorded included:-

44 points.    Andrew Garden & Dave Castell (Fitz)

                   Jim Sleigh & Colin Dunkerley (Fitz)       

                   Justin Snoxall & John Saner (Keble)

43 Points.   John Uwins & Harry Coe (Fitz)

                   Andrew Doherty & Andrew Mawby (Magdalen O)

​

There were four feature holes and the winners were:-

Nearest the Pin 6th Andy Howard (Clare)

Longest Drive 7th John Uwins (Fitz) – who else?

Nearest the Pin 11th Tony Foster (Hertford)

Nearest the Pin in 3 16th Jim Sleigh (Fitz)

​

With the winning pairs scores dominated by the dark blues, the winner of the Varsity Match was Oxford with an average score of 42.8 points compared to Cambridge’s 38.8. This gained revenge for last year’s light blue victory.

​

As well as having a genial golf day, one of the main aims of the day was to encourage Oxbridge alumni golf. At some colleges, this is in its infancy or meetings have not resumed following Lockdown. So, it was heartening to hear plans being discussed for college golfing events and some inter college matches being mooted over a convivial dinner. The Berkhamsted catering, as always, was excellent and the Trio of Chicken and Strawberry Tart were enjoyed by all.

​

Next year’s event is already booked - at Berkhamsted on 26 June 2024.

​

Colin Dunkerley

Match Organiser