The world seemed a kinder, gentler place back in 2013. With the glorious summer of the London Olympics just behind us, the winds looked set fair for years of steady economic growth and benign international cooperation. How differently things have turned out.
And what of 2013’s golfing expectations? After a relatively comfortable victory against the SUGS at Sandwich in that year, the LUGS came to Muirfield in 2014 confident of retaining the upper hand. But defeat heralded an unprecedented run of eleven consecutive SUGS victories. Captain Dennis had tried everything – the sacrificial pairing at the top of the order, the rousing team talk, the winter training camp in Florida – but nothing worked. Even when seemingly unassailable leads were built in the morning, LUGS still managed to squander their chances in front of the golfing open goal.
Why would it be any different in 2024?
There were reasons for some optimism. The electronic tagging of Sean Dryden was a masterstroke – sounding a shrill alarm every time he came within 10 feet of Simon Holt, he could now be restrained from the (self) sabotage of earlier years. Alex Modgill was, at last, free to travel, with bouts of Covid that coincided with match days firmly behind him – and he brought with him fellow Ganton member, the sweet swinging debutant Hugh Jackson. Nick Holt was back; having been benched for some years, he was there to prove a point. And, structurally, the match was a little different too with the addition of a seniors’ flight. Would all or any of these factors count in our favour?
Yes!
The magnificent Muirfield course played harder and faster than we could have expected after the deluge of the last few months. A century since Harry Colt had extended the layout after the acquisition of the land beyond the northern wall, the course remains the gold standard of golfing architecture. And the clubhouse – full to bursting point with both members of the club and the rugby community assembling for the Calcutta Cup – was the best of settings for an outstanding golfing lunch.
A strong lead was built in the morning; but we had been here before. This time there was steel though and we ended the day with a good win.
It is fair to say that the ‘no gloating’ rule was not strictly adhered to at the dinner. But the SUGS were gracious hosts and the atmosphere, as ever, very jolly. SUGS captain, Ewan Cameron, made a very fine speech – and his freshman, Ross Finlay, brought the house down with some magnificent bon mots ably interpreted by Andrew Jessop.
Notable mentions to Fraser McCluskey, our HCEG member, for outstanding hosting, Nicola and Jonny for doing their own bespoke cementing of the LUGS/SUGS relationship and Nick Kershaw for holing in one on tour at North Berwick.
| Morning | |||
| SUGS | LUGS | ||
| Callum Connacher/David Greenshields | Won | Joe Park/John Dennis | |
| Ewan Cameron/David Simpson | Alex Modgill/Hugh Jackson | Won | |
| Simon Holt/Mark Kernaghan | Sean Dryden/Gorm Nielsen | Won | |
| Andrew Jessop/Jonny Calder | James Bull/Nick Holt | Won | |
| Sandy Reid/Ross Finlay | Nicola Taylor/Mike Kershaw | Won | |
| Mike Morrison/Fraser McCluskey | Neil Falconer/George Yeandle | Won | |
| Nigel Watt/Iain Crawford | Nick Kershaw/Hugh Maurice | Won | |
| Morning Score: | 1 | 4 | |
| Afternoon | |||
| SUGS | LUGS | ||
| Callum Connacher/Ewan Cameron | Hugh Jackson/Joe Park | Won | |
| David Greenshields/Mark Kernaghan | Gorm Nielsen/James Bull | Won | |
| David Simpson/Jonny Calder | Won | John Dennis/Mike Kershaw | |
| Simon Holt/Sandy Reid | Nick Holt/Alex Modgill | Won | |
| Andrew Jessop/Ross Finlay | Won | Sean Dryden/Nicola Taylor | |
| Mike Morrison/Fraser McCluskey | Won | Nick Kershaw/Hugh Maurice | |
| Nigel Watt/Iain Crawford | Neil Falconer/George Yeandle | Won | |
| Afternoon Score: | 3 | 4 | |
| Result: LUGS win by 8 to 4 | |||
London University Golfing Society 