Fitzwilliam Golf Society

Harpenden Mencap Day – Harpenden Common 9 June 2023

​

Fitzwilliam Golf Society entered its usual two teams into the annual Harpenden Mencap Charity Golf Day (organised by Matt Hignell and his wife Anne). Fitzwilliam was very well represented with, not only the two Fitz GS teams but also a Mornie Onions team.

​

Last year’s weather at this event was overcast but this year’s event was played on the hottest day of the year so far, under a baking-hot sun and clear blue skies – all of which took its toll on the competitors. Despite the recent extended dry spell, the Harpenden Common course was in excellent condition with some deceptively fast greens and some surprisingly slower.

​

The Fitzwilliam teams were:

Fitzwilliam I

Brian Smith (Capt)

Andy Flint

Steve Tapping

Dave Castell

 

Fitzwilliam II

Colin Dunkerley (Capt)

Stuart Lester

Robin Winckless

Bob Barltrop

 

Steve Tapping had very kindly stepped in at the eleventh hour to replace Charlie Brown (who was suffering from his first bout of Covid) proving that it is always useful to have a reserve or two for these events.

​

Society Captain, Brian Smith, very generously provided two bottles of wine to go to the highest individual score in each of the Fitzwilliam Golf Society teams. The winner in the Fitz first team was Steve Tapping with 33 points, while Colin Dunkerley was the winner in the second team with 37 points.

​

On the 2nd hole, Andy Flint’s ball hit the trees on the left and then dropped in a bush near to the base of the tree, finishing two feet above the ground. Unfortunately, being no Bernard Gallagher, Andy declined the opportunity to play the ball where it was and declared the ball unplayable – definitely not the usual Fitzwilliam attitude to adversity.

​

As usual the competition format was a relaxed affair but this year the best three scores counted on 14 holes and with all four scores counting on the four par-three holes – these four holes were probably the difference between the final scores of many of the teams.

 

The winning team score on the day was 120 points with 119 for second place So the two Fitzwilliam Golf Society teams, Fitz I having score 109 points and with Fitz II beating them having scored 110 points, were not disgraced.

Yet another excellent afternoon that raised some much-needed money for a very worthwhile charity.

​

Bob Barltrop, Match Organiser