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Match v Transport Golfing Society - Hankley Common GC - Tuesday 5 July 2022
Match Report
The last time MTGS won this encounter was before decimalisation, the Miners strike, Margaret Thatcher, the SNP’s first Westminster seat and Boris Johnson winning the Classics prize whilst in 3rd year at Eton.
Or so it seemed at least to those hardy souls in the MTGS team who year after recent year have attempted to prise away the trophy from the TGS whose grubby hands have been clamped on it since those days of yore.
The augurs were not that brilliant this time either. Two late cancellations to the MTGS team had left us searching for past Presidents, preferably under 95 years of age, which has been a tough gig in recent times. However, Peter Featherstone was happily able to answer the call and in the event he played a blinder, but more of that later.
We were still a man short but as it turned out TGS had brought nine players to Hankley for reasons which escaped both them and us so in the end we were kindly ‘donated’ one of theirs, the ever young Colin Younger, who also played a blinder - or so he told me - but still lost 2 down. We were of course very grateful to Colin for turning out for the MTGS but I was moved to ask that if this happens again, could we have someone better next time - like Martin Broome.
The draw and pairings were made over coffee and bacon rolls and we were off from the first tee at 9am playing singles stableford but in the more social 4ball format of the game.
The golf course was in compelling condition. The best, in the opinion of many, to have been played on in the year so far. A lovely, sunny and partial cloud cover of a day almost the perfect conditions for good golf. Greens lush but quick and true. Fairways fast running but the heather lurking left and right to collect the errant shot.
They have taken the tree out between the 4th green and the clubhouse and the view from the clubhouse terrace now takes the eye far and beyond and for the first time no doubt since the James Braid and Harry Colt era, the 7th green is visible in the distance. Surely, this is one of the very finest inland courses in the land. There is so much space about and the free draining turf gives a real links-like playing quality to the surfaces which are of the highest order.
So, to the match. Well let me not linger any longer. We were beaten again. This time it was 5-3. It was in actual fact quite close as a contest save for your correspondent who was well beaten by a resurgent Bob Hughes of TGS. It pains me to tell you the score but let me just say that it was one worse than a dog licence and you can work that out for yourselves.
Our heroic winners were Peter Featherstone who got to dormy 2 on the 16th and won 2 & 1 against TGS President Steve Burtenshaw. Roger Prowting triumphed over the very hard to beat Frank Silvester and our anchorman, Oliver Harris, came home with a great win on his home turf against TGS’s Neil Shingles.
In all fairness, Martin Derrick, John Smith and Mike Evans fought hard and played some good golf but all were edged out in close contests.
So once more TGS take home the trophy. But it’s only a game someone said and how true that is ……………………… when you lose.
It is never just a golfing contest however against TGS. Upon arrival in the morning, interest invariably turns towards the various exotic, luxury and sports vehicles driven in by our respective team members and parked in the clubhouse car park. Quite a number of outstanding machines on display this year but only one winner - MTGS’s Peter Featherstone and his stunning red Ferrari. No contest really, slam dunked it.
There had been some communication issue with the dress code for lunch. MTGS all neatly attired as usual in jacket and (society) tie which although no longer required by the Club was felt to be de rigour so far as we were concerned. On the other hand, TGS arrived for lunch looking as if some of them had just come off a beach in Barbados. Shorts and open necked shirts, chinos and shirts with flowery patterns, they all looked very relaxed and casual as indeed they were entitled to be.
So as to achieve some sort of ‘casualness’ and empathy with our opposite numbers, we quickly declared ‘shirt sleeve order’ for the MTGS team which was universally approved. An independent onlooker could however be excused for musing that this odd gathering was possibly a group of senior prison governors holding an ‘open day’ lunch with the first intake of those beginning a stretch at Her Majesty’s pleasure.
And then there was the Hankley carvery. What can one say. Roast pork with extra crackling, Steak and Kidney pie with extra kidney and lamb shank without a shank in sight. Nicely complemented by Louis Latour’s Grand Ardeche and even more complemented by the Chateau Garonne St Gemme Haut Medoc.
We did manage to consume rather a lot of the above mentioned. Help was to hand however in the shape of Oliver’s members card to which, through his kind offices, the bar tab was charged. At his members discount we must have saved a packet.
A fine day. Beautiful golf course. Competitive match. Great company. Excellent bar and catering.
Long may it last.
Surely it must be our turn to win next time?
Gerry Lynch
MTGS Match Manager