April in the golfing calendar bring the Masters and the QUGS. And while the quality of golf in Georgia might be of a superior class, there is little doubt that Kent edges it on geniality levels.
The QUGS arrived in good time for lunch on Thursday, clearly resolved on taking back the claret jug that had been wrestled from them at Royal County Down last year. The Dick brothers were back, keen to provide the backbone that (they at least felt) had been missing from the team; and the introduction of Johnnie McDowell to the side – a member of Sandwich – was likely to provide some useful local knowledge.
The warm up matches over Sandwich and, courtesy of Stuart Lloyd, Deal were higher on banter than good strokes – a case, perhaps, of keeping the powder dry for the match. But there was little that was dry about the informal dinner later that evening at the Toll House on the Bridge where pairings were announced. And while Al Dick rallied his team with both stick and carrot, the LUGS fell in behind the marvellous humour of Leo Faganelli, the young heartbeat of the team.
Leo’s strong heart proved quite important on the Friday morning. With temperatures dipping to alarming lows and the occasional blast of sleet across the course, his five per cent body fat provided little protection from hypothermia. Happily, he continued to be able to hit sufficient good shots to allow us to head to the clubhouse early for some warming sustenance.
LUGS led after the morning matches, but only by the slimmest of margins. Emboldened by our win at Muirfield, captain John Dennis felt confident that we could kick on and secure another victory. But it was not to be, with his team managing only three halves in the afternoon. LUGS’ inability to convert after lunch appears now to be a chronic condition – perhaps Bob Rotella can help?
No matter. The score had largely been forgotten by the time dinner came along. David and the staff at Royal St George’s treated us to some splendid local fare. Fine speeches followed from both Dan and John and even Ethan managed to put the trials and tribulations of his match with George Yeandle behind him!
Only six years old, this match is in excellent health. Roll on 2025!
| Morning | |||
| LUGS | DUGS | ||
| Leo Faganelli/Neil Falconer | Won | Al Dick/Johnnie McDowell | |
| Henry Scott/Stuart Lloyd | Ben Brennan/Paddy Deeney | Won | |
| Alex Modgill/Nick Holt | Jordan Graham/Dan McCrea | Won | |
| Tyler Kenyon/Andrew Berryman | Won | Mike Graham/Charlie Catney | |
| John Dennis/Joe Park | Halved | Ethan Boal/Andrew Dick | Halved |
| George Yeandle/Ian Raisbeck | Won | James Dowling/Dan Graham | |
| Morning Score: | 3.5 | 2.5 | |
| Afternoon | |||
| LUGS | DUGS | ||
| Tyler Kenyon/Ian Raisbeck | Mike Graham/Jordan Graham | Won | |
| Nick Holt/Joe Park | Halved | Ben Brennan/Charlie Catney | Halved |
| George Yeandle/Andrew Berryman | Halved | Ethan Boal/James Dowling | Halved |
| Stuart Lloyd/Alex Modgill | Dan McCrea/Johnnie McDowell | Won | |
| Leo Faganelli/Henry Scott | Paddy Deeney/Dan Graham | Won | |
| John Dennis/Neil Falconer | Halved | Al Dick/Andrew Dick | Halved |
| Afternoon Score: | 1.5 | 4.5 | |
| Result: QUGS win by 7 to 5 | |||
London University Golfing Society 