Another agonising day for the Marlborough Hewitt side.

Our top pair, Amor & Hewer, never really got going and went down 4&3.

Our 2nd pair, Bawden and Powell, had  thrilling ride.  After 12, they were 2dn but a sequence of great shots brought them back to 1dn after 15.  two big hits on 16 saw them make eagle and suddenly they were all square.  Halves at 17 and 18 and they were down the 19th.  The oppo made 5 having gone into the brook but we got down in 2 for the 4 and the win.

Our 4th pair of Greenwood and Matthews were once again strong.   They were always up and saw out the game on 15 for 4&3 win.

Our 5th pair, Blockley & Murray, traded holes for the first 12 and were all square after 12.  Some narrow misses meant they were climbing a steep hill and they capitulated on 17.

Match at 2-2.

Our 3rd pair, Mayne and Rhodes, had a similarly thrilling time to Pr 2.  Back and forth the match went, with a quite a few clutch putts holed but it was Hugo's 3-wood into the wind on 16 that led to the second Marlborough eagle and back to all square.  Halves on 17 led to both pairs on 18 after 2.  Justin holed from 25' and we thought we were home.  Repton followed us in from 12'.  The 19th was halved in 5 and then Repton made a birdie from 20' to claim the match and the rubber, 3-2.

We go again next year and would welcome more support down there.  Thank you to those who made the journey down - I think they'd say it was thrilling spectating.

Marlborough came through 4-1 this morning at Deal against Merchant Taylor's.

Top pair of Hugo Mayne and Justin Rhodes were up against it and were never ahead, being 1 down after 1.  Although they clawed it back to all square twice, they went 2down after 12 and then won 13, lost 14, won 15 but lost 16 & 17.  Hugo made a very good stab at his first Hewitt

2nd pair of Worcester Bawden & Oscar Powell also went 1dn immediately and the 2dn after 8.  They scrambled back to all square after 12 and went ahead after 15.  A very good 4 at 16 put them 2up with 2 to play and they halved 17 to win 2&1.

3rd pair of Hamish Greenwood & Elliot Matthews were clinical.  They went up immediately and were 4 under when they won 5&4

4th pair similarly kept their foot on the pedal after also starting 1up.  They slowly ratcheted up the pressure so by the turn they were 4up.  Merchant Taylor's had no answer and, after a scintillating hybrid into 15 from Angus to 4', we won 4&3

Our 5th pair of Jamie Amor & Jim Hewer did their usual. Up early and with their foot on the neck of Merchant Taylor's, they played par golf to close it out 4&3.

Next Repton, 1005 Deal, Friday 10th.

Anyone wishing to follow the match tomorrow, 1005 at Deal against Merchant Taylors, can do so by joining the 'Hewitt Spectators 26' WhatsApp group.

If you'd like to do so, and are not already on it, please contact Matt Mockridge via WhatsApp on 07905 224516 and I'll add you if I can.

This year's Hewitt team will be:

Hamish Greenwood & Elliot Matthews

Worcester Bawden & Oscar Powell

Hugo Mayne & Justin Rhodes

Chas Blockley & Angus Murray

Jamie Amor & Jim Hewer

Our first round game is against Merchant Taylor's on Thursday 9th April at Royal Cinque Ports GC, starting at 10 05.

We hope to see many of you there to support.

Members will be saddened to hear that Tony Hill, who has done so much for the society, died on Saturday 27th December. Tony died peacefully at his family home in Brent Knoll

There is a live-stream link for those who cannot attend the funeral in person:

After the funeral, the link will take you to a recording of it

Tony will be remembered particularly for his partnership with John Uzielli in the Halford Hewitt, providing an almost certain point in every match they played. He was extremely generous to all that new him, including providing accommodation for many years to those playing in the Brent Knoll Bowl at his home club, Burnham & Berrow

Tony Captained the OMGS 1974-75 and was President between 2013 and 2016. He first played in the Halford Hewitt in 1966 partnering Richard McClean, with the team reaching the semi-finals. His partnership with John Uzielli started in 1970 and they were in the winning team of 1972. Their partnership continued until 1984, reaching two more finals on the way, with two further appearances together in 1989 and 1990. They also played together in the winning Bernard Darwin team of 1988

Tony will be sorely missed

The funeral will take place at St Michael's Church, Brent Knoll, Somerset on Thursday 15th January at 1.30pm

The service will be followed by a family only cremation

The family welcome all to join them for a reception at The Red Cow, 134 Brent St, Brent Knoll

Additional parking will be provided for the service in a nearby field off Hill Lane. Tony's nephew, Barnaby Boss, who is also an Old Marlburian, has confirmed that the Church holds 300 and he is expecting a full house

Tony's Service will be streamed/recorded for those who cannot make it - details to follow

Members will be saddened to hear that Cedric Mullis, former Captain of the society (1996-97) and dedicated OMGS supporter, died on Saturday, 18th October 2025 at the age of 94. He will be greatly missed.

Marlborough sadly beaten by Hurst and Storm Amy!

Scores: 

1. Jamie Amor & Hamish Greenwood Won 5 and 3

2. ⁠Worcester Bawden & Oscar Powell Lost 4 and 3

3. Oscar Oliver and Albie Payne ⁠Lost on 19

Game 1, got up early and kept the pressure on with 3 birdies.

Game 2, lost a few early holes including the 1st to a 40ft off the green putt. Found themselves in a hole at 6 down after 9, then showed some fight to get back to 4 down but damage was done early on.

Game 3, good battle against two +2 golfers. We were up after 6, had a tough middle stretch to find ourselves 3 down after 12; fought hard into the wind but were still 2 down walking onto the 15th. Oscar had to hole a 12ft putt to half in 3 after the oppo boxed a 20ft putt for par. Our boys won the 16th and 17th with solid pars. All square down 18, with two great approaches, birdie putts missed by both and it was onto extra holes. Oscar had the honour, hit a great drive but, downwind, ran out of fairway and ran into the only deep bit of rough on the 1st hole - a grassy bunker. Hurstpierpoint stepped up from the fairway and knocked it to 5ft, then holed the putt to make birdie and advance.

A creditable effort in the Stableford Plate saw us come 7th.

More work to be done!

The thoroughly youthful Marlborough team will be:

Hamish Greenwood & Albie Payne

Jamie Amor and Oscar Oliver

Worcester Bawden and Oscar Powell

Their first match on Friday morning, 3rd October, at Royal West Norfolk, Brancaster, will be against Hurstpierpoint, teeing off at 9.04.  Their afternoon game (!) will tee off at 2pm.  They would love some support.

We wish them luck.

We have received sad news from Janine Michelmore that Hugh Michelmore (Class of 1970) died on 4th May 2025

RIP Hugh Michelmore

Members will be saddened to hear that John Uzielli died on Friday 27th June 2025

John represented all that is best in the Old Marlburian Golfing Society. He was Captain in 1973/74 and President between 2010-13. He first represented Marlborough in the Halford Hewitt in 1958 and continued to play in that tournament, with huge success until 1990

The Marlburian Club has published John's obituary:

John Uzielli obituary

To celebrate John's life, a thanksgiving service will be held at the Church of St Michael and All Angels, Sunninghill SL5 7DD on Monday 22 September at 12 noon. And afterwards at The Berkshire Golf Club