The tournament is played at Worplesdon Golf Club each year and in 2023 was from Wednesday 21 June through to Friday 23 June.
There are 32 schools, each team is 6 players, and the format is scratch foursomes, for over 50’s.
This year, there was a 50th anniversary dinner (held over owing to Covid uncertainty last year) on the night before the tournament. This was attended by Adrian Wood (Al. 1971-76), Chris Gates (Ry. 1985-90) and Julian Tate (Du. 1982-87) who were staying locally and enjoyed the dinner and drinks after whilst enjoying the setting sun on the terrace.
Onto the first match on Wednesday which was against King's Canterbury who were our first opponents last year. This year’s day one team included Justin Wash (Br/Ch. 1979-84) owing to Julian Hunt (Du. 1984-87) being required for urgent client work, whilst the others were Riaz Rattansi (Ch. 1985-90), Andy Sweet (Du. 1986-91), Chris Gates, Julian Tate and Adrian Wood. We went into the event with probably the strongest group of seven for some time, with Andy Sweet available and in first pair with Riaz. Leading the team out at first pair, they played well and were early in the Clubhouse waiting good news from behind, which soon came as Chris and Julian in match two also won. The final pair of Adrian and Justin were three up at the turn and played out their match, not having been informed that their match could have walked in. A half ensued so the day’s effort of a 2.5 to 0.5 win meant we could leave for home rather than have another game that day in the Plate.
Thursday saw our return for an 8.40 start against Trent and we thought we stood a good chance on paper. Was there an air of over-confidence about us? In any sport, nothing can be certain until the matches are played out and this was the case. The same pairings were again out in games one and two, who both managed to feel they had underperformed whilst losing. So, the third game being played by Adrian Wood and Julian Hunt became irrelevant and the game was agreed as a half so that the winners could go back to the Club before they had to play their next match starting at 2pm.
So, another year where we arrived hopeful and left feeling we could have gone further. Oh well, another year (26 to 28 June 2024) will see us look forward to the tournament, arrive and be enthusiastic again.