17 April 2019
The Old Aldenhamian Golf Society put up strong opposition in the Halford Hewitt Cup tournament this year. To start with a good team defeated Dulwich in the 1st round albeit at the 20th hole. There was then a real fight against Haileybury in the 2nd round, with every match going all the way to the 18th hole. There was a fantastic spirit in the team and amongst the many supporters.This year we were delighted to welcome back Joel Bloomfield (SH & L1987-92) and David Rawlinson (B1988-93) to join the team.James Surridge (L1993-98) and Michael Deverell (B1997-2002) had a comfortable win but our 3rd and 4th pairs came up against some stern opposition and eventually succumbed to defeat. Our 5th pair, Will Kirby (L2006-11) and Dan Andrews (B2000-07) also had a tough match but built up a small lead which they held on to with some great golf, eventually being rewarded with a 5 & 4 win.With the overall match at 2 games apiece, all eyes fell on Shon Williams (M1975-80) and Joel Bloomfield. They halved after 18 holes so had to carry on in a sudden death play-off.Joel’s drive down the 19th was just a few yards right of the fairway and it nestled under the only bush that could be seen within 200 yards. Shon managed to get it back on the fairway and Joel then played a delightful shot to the green. It was straight at the pin but we had to watch agonizingly as it ran 30 feet past the flag. The opposition managed a par in 4 which meant Shon had to hole his putt just to halve the hole. By now a large crowd had gathered, mostly OAs, to watch Shon stroke it majestically towards the flag. Having allowed for a slight borrow to the right, it was just the right pace and it dropped obligingly into the hole. What a putt, a Captain’s putt if ever I saw one!So on to the 20th hole, both drives down the middle. Still reeling from Shon’s heavy blow, Dulwich went long and left whilst Joel hit a superb iron on to the green pin high. They pitched up short and then 3-putted to give Aldenham the match.It was a wonderful team effort and the many OA supporters there (about 20 on the day including the OA Society President, James James-Crook, M 1968-72) were treated to a memorable performance.Friday dawned bright and breezy but cold. with the second round match against Haileybury in prospect. We had heard that they were somewhat dismissive of Aldenham’s chances of victory. Little did they know about the quality, not to mention the spirit, of the 2019 Aldenham team and their supporters.It was a familiar story in that Surridge and Deverell recorded another win with pars at nearly every hole. Shon and Joel were again forced into a play-off but this time they made sure with a win at the 19th – on the course, not in the bar!It must be admitted that Haileybury were a talented team with a Bonallack (son of the famous Michael Bonallack) and some players on +1 or +3 handicaps. It is perhaps not entirely surprising that we eventually had to concede defeat but it is fair to point out that all matches ended on the 18th or 19th. Indeed, in the 4th match, Adam Thrussell (B1992-97) played a beautiful chip to the 18th green and David Rawlinson was unlucky narrowly to miss the putt which would have sent them down the 19th to decide the match.Never mind, each and every member of the team plus all the supporters contributed massively to the two matches. It was truly a team effort and they could not have done any better. Well done everyone, it was a great day for Aldenham.Ian EggledenOAGS, Hon SecretaryA full report can be downloaded below