Football and Golf Reports

OC Football: 

This weekend had tough matches for both the Cholms 1’s and 2’s. For the 1’s, they fought hard against Tonbridge but came out with a 1-0 loss. The 2’s played Brenwood 2’s with the loss of 4-1. The goal scorer for the 2’s was Ben Turnill (EG 2022). 

Though it wasn’t the results they were hoping for, both teams are looking to come back out strong in their next matches on the 5th October. The 2’s will play against Eaton 2’s while the 1’s take on KCS Wimbledon. 

OC Golf 

AUTUMN TOUR – 23rd to 26th September 2025 – North Norfolk 

Following a very successful overseas Tour to the Algarve in Portugal in 2024, we were back on home shores for a “staycation” for this family friendly event. We returned to North Norfolk where we had a tour in 2017. Day one was at Hunstanton, home of the Grafton Morrish. It was a lovely day with partly cloudy skies and a fair amount of sunshine, albeit a fresh and sturdy breeze from the north. We had a group of 12 assemble in the clubhouse prior to the afternoon round. 

Autumn Tour Dinner at The Hoste - Day 1

First group out was Robert Audley (NG 1974) and wife Liz, playing with Mark Walton (FG 1971) and John Ridddell-Carre (NG 1994). In the second group was Gerald Wingrove (NG 1972) and wife Tracey Lee, playing with our Captain for the year Chris Harris (MG 1983) and wife Gina, playing with the OCs for the first time in over 10 years. In the last group we had Anuj Anand (GH 1991), Kim Harris (GH 1973), Peter Ambrose (FG 1979) and Chris Grindal (WG 1979). Hunstanton is a course familiar to a few who have played quite a bit of Grafton Morrish golf here, including Robert, Wally and Anuj, plus a few remember it from the last Tour. We played Individual Stableford as well as a team event with the best two Stableford points in each group per hole counting towards a team score. Winning the individual event on day one was Gina Harris with 37 points, on countback from Anuj, who also scored 37 points (despite playing from a tee further back to the rest of the Gents). Robert and Liz both had 33 points. On the Team prize this was a comprehensive win by Team Wingrove/Harris with 83 points, well clear of the next team with 79 points. Following a group drink we all headed to the “home” for the trip, The Hoste Arms in Burnham Market. 

The second group of the day

Day two was at Royal Cromer, a 50-minute drive from the hotel.  There had been a sharp shower during breakfast and there were plenty of gloomy clouds en route and on arrival, despite the forecast being excellent.  We had nothing to worry about on the weather front, within a couple of holes we had the sun out, which stayed for the round.  However, there was a strong onshore wind coming off the North Sea which made it very challenging on this cliff top course with lots of elevation.  The weather and the sea views with elevation provided plenty of kodak moments.  First off again were the Audleys, this time with Anuj and Kim.  Group two was the Wingroves playing with Wally and Pete Ambrose.  Last out were Chris and Gina Harris with Chris Grindal and John Riddell-Carre.  We played the same format as the previous day.  Winning the individual very comfortably, and also with the best gross score of the day was Robert Audley.  Despite not being able to hole a single putt, leaving at least four putts few just inches short and on line.  Yet he played the last 10 holes in level par with a holed bunker shot on the 9th and a chip in on the 14th.  Robert scored 37 Stableford points; the nearest competitor was Tracey-Lee with 33 points followed by Liz with 30 points.  As a result of the best Stableford score of the day the team with Robert also comfortably won the team competition for the day. 

Sheringham Group with gratuitous pic of the Steam Train

Day three was at another cliff top course in Sheringham.  Only about 8 minutes from Royal Cromer despite being closer to the hotel it still meant quite a bit more driving.  The weather was again sunny throughout the day but the wind was the same as Cromer, if not a little bit stiffer.  The opening nine involves a handful of holes right on the top of the cliffs on the beach side of the course.  This is usually straight into the wind but as we had non-prevailing winds, they played easier.  This was the toughest day for scoring for all.  The first group today was an all-ladies group of Liz, Tracey-Lee and Gina.  Followed by all the husbands, Robert, Gerald and Chris H, also joining them was Pete.  Last out was Anuj with Kim, Chris G and John.  Once again winning the individual prize on the day was Robert Audley with 33 points.  It was clearly the high-performance group with Gerald next best with 32 points and Chris Harris with 31 points.  What was most impressive with Robert’s golf today was he did not make a six or worse on any hole (no double bogies either), which was hard to do with the windy conditions.  It was hard to figure out the team winner as the Ladies were only three in their group. 

Ladies Day at Sheringham

Husbands also together, plus Peter

We were left with only 4 players for the last day.  It was overcast the whole day at Royal West Norfolk (more familiarly referred to as Brancaster) and much cooler, but the winds were also the lightest they had been the whole trip.  We also were given a deadline to reach the club as the approach from the main road is liable to flooding due to high tide.  As Brancaster is a two-ball course we had to play Foursomes.  Teams were decided and Anuj and Gina Harris paired up against Chris Harris and John Riddell-Carre, as there was only one-shot difference in combined handicaps, we decided to play off scratch.  There was some initial confusion as the par for the ladies is 4 shots more than the men starting on the 1st hole a par 4 for the men and par 5 for ladies.  After a slow start for both teams Anuj and Gina had a winning run of 5 holes to reach 6 up at the turn.  They made five gross pars in 6 holes to finish the nine, not bad when getting 17 shots!  The match ended early with the score having a canine connection.  As is typical Anuj and Gina completely botched up the next hole which Chris and John parred comfortably.  Nevertheless, a thoroughly enjoyable round of billionaires’ golf as there was practically no one else playing.   

Overall the tour was a great success; there seemed unanimous support to take the Tour to Europe again next year with all in agreement for the Hon Sec to look into dates for Costa Navarino in Greece.