The XL club golfing season got off to its traditional start with enjoyable outing at St George’s Hill. The forecast snow held off and a debutant, Justin Jones teed off the season with Phllip Stride and they were soon 3 up after 3. In a see-saw game, the Esher team were level by the half-way hut and finally sealed victory on the 18th.
Vince Chandler and Chris Greet secured a fiercely fought half, before Chris Farrell (one of two to make the trip down from Yorkshire) and Nick Ray secured a win against the pairing of Ian Fisher and Guy Humphry-Baker who were amongst several players who could have played for either side. Sadly, that was the end of the points for the XL club as Nick Kingsbury and John Heasman were startled to find one of their opponents knocked it effortlessly round in 79 on a cold day in far from easy conditions.
Both the pairings of Michael Estorick and Peter Wise, Bruce Leith and Tony Stebbings succumbed to strong finishes. In the final match, Alastair de Friez and Simon Davies fought bravely until a final scamper off the 18th as the forecast drizzle arrived with everyone else safely in. We were delighted to see Peter Wilson (another man supporting both teams) in the bar, and sorry that the injured Alastair Lawson couldn’t be there. A typically good St George’s Hill lunch followed as an enjoyable day stretched into the early evening in the bar.
The final result was 4½ to 1½ in favour of Esher CC.
Thanks to all the SGH members for their continued support for this fixture; a fine way to start the season despite the result.
Julian Winder, Match Manager
