Old Colstonian Golf Society Spring Meeting at Minchinhampton Golf Club

I enjoyed my first sortie on to the golf course this year at the Spring Meeting of the Old Colstonian Golf Society at Minchinhampton Golf Club on Sunday. I particularly enjoyed the company of my playing partners Pat Bowery and his wife Sam – this was certainly not a good walk spoilt.

I am grateful for the following report from the new Club Captain Dave Tooze who treated us to a most entertaining post tournament speech in his ow inimitable style.

OCGS Club Captain Dave Tooze in fine form at the post tournament dinner

OCGS Spring Meeting – Minchinhampton GC – Sun, 19th April 2015

A magnificent number of OCs golfers enjoyed an excellent day’s golf at the Spring Meeting at Minchinhampton.

The course was in superb condition at this scenic venue, and although the previous week’s sunshine temporarily gave way to an easterly breeze, the sun returned and later groups benefited from more seasonal weather particularly on the back 9.

Minchinhampton always extends a warm welcome, and this was enhanced by a liberal supply of complimentary pre-match sandwiches, which were much appreciated, particularly by those of a boarding background!

The majority of groups played as threeballs, which ensured a smooth uninterrupted flow throughout the afternoon.

At the post tournament dinner Golf Society Captain Dave Tooze thanked the large number of players who had supported the day, many travelling significant distances.  In addition to long standing regulars, it was encouraging to see young players Matt Webley, Michael Ball, and Rob Green, and also Ian Roberts who had last played at Royal North Devon.

Dave also thanked Bob Jennings and Steve Tucker whose hard work and organisational skills had once again guaranteed a highly successful day.  Finally Dave paid tribute to his predecessor Glyn Evans whose efforts and engaging personality, had contributed significantly to the ongoing success of the OCGS over the last two years.

Winston Churchill had once quoted “Golf is an ineffectual attempt to direct an uncontrolable sphere into an inaccessible hole with instruments ill-adapted to the purpose.”  Clearly the OC’s succeeded where Hilter, Musolini, and Emperor Hirohito had failed, totally disproving the great man, by carding some very successful scores (24 players scoring over 30 points Stapleford.)

Prize Winners were:

Highest Overall Score

Ian Gunn   – 39 points

Ian Gunn receiving the shield for the highest overall score from Club Captain Dave Tooze
2nd     – Chris Wells – 38 points

3rd      – Mike Brown – 36 points

Highest Score (Front 9) – Paul Winterbottom – 22 points

Highest Score (Back 9)  – Keith Watts   –  20 points

Over 70s Highest Score  – Peter Huckle – 35 points

Nearest to the Pin (3rd Hole) – Sam Bowery

Nearest to the Pin (10th Hole)  – Pete Boswell

OC President Martin Tayler gave details of a number of forthcoming events, notably

Saturday, 27th June  –  Open Day followed by OCs cricket match v School XI

Sunday, 28th June     –  Mixed touch rugby tournament and mixed hockey match

Saturday, 10th Oct    –  OCs’ Annual Dinner at the School

Martin also announced that following last year’s successful outings, visits were being finalised to Bletchley Park (home of WW II codebreakers), and Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire.  Full details of all these events will be circulated and added to the website in the near future.

Peter Skeels-Piggins passed to the Captain a number of OC ties, golf and cricket sweaters, kindly donated by Mrs Catherine Sparks.  It was felt that these should be raffled or auctioned at the next meeting in July, and all proceeds would be donated to the Colston’s Foundation.  A very appropriate tribute to our old friend, Golf Society stalwart, and former OC President, the late Bruce Sparkes.

Dave Tooze again thanked everyone for their support and company, and hoped to see an equally encouraging number at

Long Ashton on Friday, 31st July    and

Royal North Devon on Sunday, 27th September

(Pat and Sam Bowery kindly offered to supply Hotel/B&B details for people who might wish to make a weekend or overnight stay).

Those attending, in addition to the prize winners and those already mentioned above, were Pat Bowery, Dave Briffett, Wiz Davis, Roger and Sally Fry, Kev Griffiths, Dave Hodgson, Alastair Huckle, Mike Humphries, Rich Jennings, Richard Lewis, Doug Lodge, Rob Pike, Dave Shaw, Andy Thomas and Andrew Smith.

Dave Tooze

April 2015