A match against the College was again held at the end of June at the Dyke. This was an extremely friendly affair which on this occasion the College won by 2-1. There was some very good play from several quarters and we will hopefully have encouraged some of the younger players to join us and provide new blood when they ultimately leave. Two of this year's leavers are very promising indeed.
New blood was also in evidence at the Autumn meeting, held on a lovely warm day at West Surrey GC at the end of October. It was certainly soft underfoot but the greens, recently relaid to USGA standards, repaid boldness. Ten OBs played and the Whitmore Bowl was retained by Warwick Laing with 38pts, on a countback from the ever youthful Brian Ellis. Three others were within four points. We were delighted to welcome Keith Kan, Mark Green and Alan Chesterfield for the first time, all of whom seemed to enjoy the conviviality. Indeed, such was the effect of several bottles of an excellent Crozes-Hermitage at lunch that a challenge was laid down for the afternoon play when it transpired that five of the ten players present were all ex-Aldrich House.
Emboldened by the wine Aldrich took on the rest of the school in an afternoon matchplay event - and lost! Well the rest of us always did think that Aldrich was all mouth and... but I digress! It was an excellent meeting.