Page 43 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

THE RATCLIFFE GOLF DAY

THURSDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2019

This year’s Ratcliffe Golf Day was held at Rothley Park Golf Club for the SPORTS EVENTS
third year running. The event attracted 16 teams, comprised of 64 golfers,
and raised £3,000 towards the Ratcliffe 2020 Sports Appeal.
As usual, Rothley Park’s greens were in splendid condition, and the
weather was warm and sunny as the golfers set off on a shotgun start at
1.30pm in teams of four. We would like to extend our thanks to all parents,
staff and Old Ratcliffi ans who took part in the day, and to those who kindly
sponsored the event.
Old Ratcliffi ans who were present included Dom North (85), Abe Mee (92),
James Belderbos (89), Adrian Farnham (95), Mir Patel (14), Tom Mulligan
(11), Andrew Yell (82), Sean Kelly (81), Gus Kelly (10) a nd Cameron
Gilchrist (13).

Andrew Yell (82)
Development Director

THE REYNARD GOLF TROPHY

SATURDAY 8TH JUNE 2019

The Reynard Trophy was played at Rothley Park Golf Club in June this year. We were met on arrival by a smiling team, armed with huge
silver platters of luxuriously fi lled sandwiches and buckets of French fries, which were enjoyed and washed down with a fi ne selection
of beers and lagers. With such refreshments on board, and conversation mainly concentrated on trips that morning to local sporting
clothiers to buy umbrellas, waterproofs, gloves, hats and hand warmers, this hardy crew of golfers set out into the rain to compete for
the trophy.
Keith Edgar (01) returned, having made his Reynard debut in the two-man shootout of 2018 with Dom Russell (78), playing with
brothers Paul (06) and Chris Morris (08), who were making their debut. They clearly had an enjoyable afternoon. The fi nal group was
made up of James Fagence-Browne (07), James Perry (08) and David Morris (07). Andrew Yell (82) and Andy Bullock (83) were unable
to commit to the whole afternoon, and so took part in a nine-hole competition, which was won by Yell. The fi nal grouping consisted of
Donal Heffernan (75) and myself. Throughout the competition, we enjoyed the unique Great Central Railway experience, with regular
‘toot toots’ and geysers of steam gushing out of the steam engines during the rainy afternoon.
The ‘Nearest the Pin’ competition was held on the fourth hole. Donal Heffernan cracked a beauty of a shot to fi ve feet from the hole, and
even though good shots ensued, this stroke could not be bettered. Paul Morris then hit a marauding drive up the 16th fairway to take
home the prize for ‘Longest Drive’.
Though he was just eclipsed by Morris, some folks are born naturals at driving, and so it proved for seasoned Reynarder James Perry; he
navigated his way around Rothley Park, confi dently taking on the ridge and furrow, fl ying over bunkers and bridges, and eagerly diving
down steep embankments. His playing partner, James Fagence-Browne, was maybe a little intimidated and, at times, shaken by this
driving performance, but there were no accidents, and James got the buggy round unscathed.
Some fi ne golf was played, and with a score of 34 Stableford points playing off 90% of his 21 handicap, Keith Edgar claimed his virgin
Reynard Trophy victory. I am most grateful to Danny Spillane of Rothley Park and his team for working hard to make sure we had a
really good day, in spite of the weather. Thanks also to those who supported the day. After about eight holes, the rain stopped, and we
managed to fi nish the round in good weather. The golf and the company were just how they should be – committed and great fun. See
you all next year.
Abe Mee (92)
Golf Secretary

The Old Ratcliffi an 2019 43