The 2018 tour was shorter than normal as we did not play against Royal Lytham & St Annes as they were hosting the Ricoh Women's British Open Championship (won in style by Georgia Hall). However there was a great turnout of 26 Amplefordians and two others from other Benedictine schools.
The China Cup - They don’t like it Up em!
Ampleforth won 3 - 2.
Ampleforth had suffered five years of successive defeats to Uppingham until last year when Anthony Sparling had suggested we play for the China Cup, a trophy presented to the North West Tour by Hugh Inman in 2000 but which had not been played for in recent years. Ampleforth beat Uppingham last year and it was pleasing that another victory was recorded in a tight match at Delamere Forest Golf Club. There were a few more Amplefordians than Uppinghamians and those not involved in the match played a separate game.
Match against Caldy Golf Club
Ampleforth won 4½ - 3½
The tide was in, the sun shone, the Welsh hills glistened, and the course was in excellent shape. This very friendly match was followed by a very convivial supper at which Francis Stafford kindly thanked our hosts and amused us with his tales.
Wirral Decanter - Jackson tames Hoylake
Ampleforth won 7½ - 3½
It was 22 a side for this match on the splendid Hoylake links, followed by the usual Black Tie dinner in the Dining Room which finished off the tour in fine style.
Hugh Jackson was the star of the show, having little mercy for his opponents as he rattled in five birdies and an eagle. It was gratifying to know he was keeping on top form for links golf in preparation for the 2019 Halford Hewitt.
Conclusion
A big thank you to all who participated with such good humour, to Kevin Garrett and my wife Annabel for hosting a number of Amplefordians, to Fr Felix for being with us and keeping the Monastic connection, to Francis Stafford for his eloquence at Caldy, and to the Secretary Nick North and Treasurer Hugh Jackson for lending gravitas to the proceedings.
Participants: Anthony Angelo-Sparling (T59), Mike Barton (T64), Richard Beatty (T81), Phillip Biggs (A66), David de Chazal (O66), Kevin Garrett (D64), Hugh Grieve (A65), Guy Henderson (A79), Paul Howell (H71), Charles Jackson (C58), Hugh Jackson (T95), John Jones (B61), Trevor Leary (Downside), Andrew Lochhead (D76), Marcus Moore (C75), Jeremy Mounsey (H72), Nicholas North (O61), Finbarr O’Connor (B77), Joe Pinnington (Belmont), Mike Postlethwaite (D59), Robert Record C95), Tom Spencer (E93), Francis Stafford (C72), Felix Stephens (H61), Donald Sutherland (E50), Peter Thomasson (J69), Mike Tibbatts (E66), Mark Webber (B76).
Next year – 2019
RLGC will host the Walker Cup on 7th and 8th September, so the date of 2nd August for the Ampleforth match is only pencilled in at this stage.
Lytham are hosting the Seniors Open Champonship the week before we wish to play and maybe unable to accommodate us in 2019. If this is the case I am hopeful, through the help of Naill Roy, that we might play Formby instead.
Provisional dates:
Tuesday 30th July – afternoon match against Upppingham at Delamere Forest.
Wednesday 31st July – afternoon match against Royal Lytham & St Annes (provisional).
Thursday 1st August – afternoon match against Caldy.
Friday 2nd August – afternoon match against Royal Liverpool (pencilled in).