Household Cavalry Sports Round-up Household Cavalry Golf 2011
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by Captain QM(T) Paul McKechnie RHG/D
he year started in March with the Household Division Championships which leads very nicely into the Colonel in Chiefs Cup both held at Worplesden GC. The first team run by Capt (Retd) Dick Hennessy-Walsh progressed to the second round in September. The second team won their morning match but were unfortunately knocked out in the afternoon. April sees the start of the invitations and we were privileged to play Sunningdale New Course. Recently rated as the 15th best course out of 1000 around the world the company, course and golf befitted such a setting. The household Cavalry team lost by 12 points, all from one match, which was soon forgotten over an excellent meal, stories of the day’s events and trick shots. Of note SCpl Chris Lewis should be congratulated after hitting a tree on the 15th, landing on the green and dislodging another ball in the process. During May we returned to Swinley Forest GC another course graded in the top twenty of the top 1000 courses around the world. The course was in impeccable condition considering the recent dry weather. The household Cavalry team lost 3-2 after a strong start. Again the company from the Artisans was excellent. A raffle was held for prizes donated by the comedian Tom O’Connor which raised £100 for the Household Cavalry Operational Casualties fund. In July the Household Cavalry held their annual match against Eton College. As
WCGC pictured from L to R: WO2 Alan Hughes (trying to call his caddie!), Trumpet Major Tim West, Tpr Adam Ward, Mr Chris Bye, SSgt Graham Simpson, CoH Dave Young (kneeling, well done!), CoH Lee Walker, LCoH Jason Wharton, LCoH Pez Perry, LSgt Shaun Hall, SCpl Gilbert Wheeler, Capt Paul McKechnie
with previous years the links with Eton College GC was very strong and the banter throughout the day ensured a close match. Eton College GC won 4 to 1. The increasingly busy diary led me to plan the revitalised match against Wimbledon Common Golf Club in July. Traditionally held in the first week of September the new date ensured all finished while daylight remained. Now entering its 18th year the match and links with WCGC were stronger than ever. Played over the famed Wimbledon Common all golfers must wear red polo shirts to identify themselves to walkers and joggers. The course was in excellent condition having benefitted from the
Colonel in Chiefs Cup Winners. L to R SCpl Gilbert Wheeler, Lt Col (Retd) Stu Sibley, Capt Hennessy-Walsh, Mr Peter Alliss, Mr Steve Wood, Mr Russell Taylor and Mr Rocky Dunkley
recent rainfall particularly the greens which were as good as I have ever seen them. The match was four ball better ball which benefitted from some close handicap groups. For the first time the H Cav team sported 5 new players who had never played the course before. WCGC is a challenging course as those that had not played it before soon found out. After some close matches, WCGC won 5 - 1. The third group containing WO2 Alan Hughes and SSgt Graham Simpson witnessed a hole in one by Mr Dave Stone. The meal, drinks and banter (golfing and otherwise) after was of equal note as old friendships and rivalries were remembered. September brings the conclusion to the Colonel in Chiefs Cup. As reigning champions the first team (pictured), led by Capt (Retd) Dick Hennessy-Walsh (holding the trophy), were keen to retain the trophy. In the morning the semi-final was played against the Welsh Guards who were rather hampered by not having all of their regular players to choose from. H Cav comfortably won 11 up. Peter Alliss arrived in time to see the matches come in for lunch and then dined with the teams. He then went around the afternoon matches in a buggy and spoke with all of us. He later remarked that he did see some ‘very interesting shots’ during the course of his trip around the various matches.
68 ■ Household Cavalry Sports Round-up