The Rumble in Rye
the 135th university golf mAtch
Rye Golf CLUB
21st-23rd MARCH 2024
The 135th University Golf Match was a page-turner, a classic even, back home at Rye for its quinquennial pitstop. For those who have not been paying attention, Oxford have experienced a period of domination over the last fifteen years, the historic hegemony enjoyed by the light blues sitting at a margin of just four matches prior to this meeting. Spoiler alert, it now sits at three.
Beyond the match itself, 2024 was a year for the historians of the oldest fixture in amateur golf - small in number they may be - with thirty and fifty year reunions being celebrated in the days prior. The 1994 dark blue vintage boasted five Putter winners, not to mention two runners-up, a fact reflected in their continued fine golf. There are now only four encounters to go until the 150th anniversary of the match itself; one hopes that the powers that be might be amenable to a minor shortening of the traditional schedule to allow for a special occasion on the Sussex coast.
It was the Divots who delivered the first blow of the week in the stunning surrounds of Kent's Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, in stunning condition prior to the Halford Hewitt. Indeed, the pairs gathered in the typical fashion of this competition on its centenary year, later pairs on the balcony having a sharpener or perhaps flexing their swings at the practice ground. Others lingered by the flagpole waiting their turn, whilst those on the tee can only be described as pensive, receiving instruction as to the local rules.
A comment should also be made on the Woosterish apparel of the Stymies, sporting tweed plus twos, hooped long socks, and a cherry red sweater. In an attempt to be sympathetic, it shall here be called a nod to the earliest days of play, when holes up was used to score, and Victoria ruled the land.
Returning though to the more serious topic of the golf, congratulations ought to go to David Ng for his fine stewarding of a vastly changed side from last year, the final result of 10-5 reflecting what was a dominant performance. A warm thank you to all involved, though a special mention must be made of Ken Hannah for his keen support.
In a slight break from tradition, the 2024 playing of the Dinner Match took place prior to the hitherto mentioned encounter between the Divots and the Stymies. Spectators abounded nonetheless, and were treated to some wonderful golf. After a win in the foursomes, Oxford's pair of Eoin Curwen and Shamshad Ali faced off against Cambridge's Connel Timmons and Tom Skerrett respectively in the afternoon singles. Two wins were the outcome, resulting in a 3-0 scoreline and an abundance of post-prandial whiskey. Let us pray for more of the same next year!
It was on these foundations that the much anticipated blues game began on Thursday morning, punters predicting a nip-and-tuck battle between two competitive sides. Certainly this proved to be the case in the foursomes, Oxford working hard for a 3-2 lead.
One of the more notable shots of the day came from Cambridge's former captain Alex Mair, left of the 12th green and short-sided to a front pin. A deft dab along the ground between bunkers was greeted with gasps, some of the crowd not appreciating the delicacy of the execution until the ball rolled out to a few inches of the hole. An interesting subplot, meanwhile, came in the form of Oxford's Harry Thomas and Chris Little, pairing each other despite having been drawn on opposing sides in last year's singles. Yet this was not to prove an issue, a cohesive showing bearing fruit with an 8&7 victory.
Similar points of interest existed in Friday's singles, where in trap seven Harry Thomas - deserving of mention once again - was pitted against his foursomes partner of last year, Jonathan Pinnell. The match was to go the way of the light blues, though it remained a high quality contest throughout. Chloe Royston, in a similarly strong showing, picked up a further half-point for Cambridge against Dermot Leggett, becoming only the fourth woman to play in a University Golf Match. Interestingly enough her brother Greg represented Oxford in 2021.
jThe match-up which the crowds hoped for was between Alex Mair and Josh Fallows. But it was not to be. Perhaps they deserved a break after playing each other in the last two matches, the score one all. It was freshman Freddie Ogilvie’s bad luck to draw Josh instead. He was on the wrong end of a hurricane playing the former President’s Putter winner, though as a first year and a natural sportsman he has plenty of time and ability to come back strongly next year. Thank you Josh for all of your hard work and strong play over the last four years, and good luck in your next chapter of life.
Against the grain, no Cambridge captain has lost the Captain's match in the past seven years. True to form, the Light Blue skipper Matt Roberts won a tight tussle with Niall Curwen at the 36th hole, extending this remarkable record to eight years. It marked the end of a tough two games for the Oxford skipper, though his leadership across the year deserves great praise. One is sure that Royal North Devon will see him bounce back to winning ways with aplomb.
The Oxford secretary, Oliver Brunt has progressed from young gun to the engine room of the team. And despite shearing his magnificent locks, his powers were undiminished as he saw off the elite Austrian financier Philip Grandl.
Chris Little, further back on the course, seemed to be in control of his match against Enrique de Guzman Ochoa for much of the day. Both are graduates and bring impressive amateur records. Then Little pulled something in his back and was struggling to swing above 50%, in severe pain for the rest of the match - readers should think of Tiger Woods at the 2008 US Open, though only if they are in need of a wholly incorrect comparison. It is never easy playing an injured man, but Enrique started winning holes and he had a chance to take the match at the last with a ten footer. It slipped by, and sadly so did the return.
When the Oxford first years in the bottom two matches won handily - Aaron Rose against the style icon George Webster, and Charlie Flaxbeard against Benjamin Collier - Cambridge’s last chance slipped away. Together with Aidan Wong - whose father Arnold had played for Oxford in 1995 - against Ben Chumas, all three of OUGC’s new undergrads won their Singles. Ominous.
And so the 135th University Match ended 9 1⁄2 to 5 1⁄2, perhaps a fair reflection of the greater strength in depth of the Oxford team. All of CUGC’s points came from four players. Our thanks go to Rye, always and forever. To the members. To Jamie Clifford and his team. To Sarah and the those working in the House. To Garth and the greens staff. One now looks on to 2025, where it is certain that a stern test will be put in front of what will likely be a largely unchanged Oxford side.
