On Saturday 10 October, Shiplake College representatives from across the decades met at Badgemore Park Golf Club in Henley for the inaugural Old Viking Society Golf Day.
Participants arrived to breakfast rolls and hot drinks served in the clubhouse where players were seated at tables within their teams of four, in compliance with the club’s social distancing policy. After a brief introduction from organiser and former staff member Peter Webb outlining the order of the day, it was time to tee-off. There were nine teams taking part in the tournament, with not only former pupils and staff participating but also a team of current pupils (future Old Vikings) and Headmaster Tyrone Howe.
18 holes later it was back to the Clubhouse for burgers and chips before the winners were announced. There were prizes for the highest scoring teams, Stableford (Old Vikings only), Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin.
The overall winner of the Stableford Trophy was Charlie Taylor (86W) with silver awarded to Harry Vardigans (14S) and bronze presented to former Head of College and current governor Jon Bartlett (87S). The prize for the longest drive went to Cameron Dempster (12E) while current Year 12 pupil, A Long was awarded Nearest the Pin.
The team with the highest combined score were awarded with gold medals. Well done to Jo Cochrane (93B), Harry Vardigans (14S), Peter Webb and Seamus Jeffs who is a member at the club and helped on the day. The silver medal winning runners up were Chris Haynes (87S), Gavin Lake (87E), Paul Goodsir (87B) and Jon Bartlett (87S). Third place bronze medals went to Andrew Cadell (84E), Simon James (85B) and Charlie Taylor (86W).
After the presentation, Headmaster Tyrone Howe thanked the OVS for making him so welcome and for inviting him to such an enjoyable event.
Peter Webb, who is also on the OVS Committee, said: “It was a delight to welcome Old Vikings old, new and future to the club. Absolutely everyone in attendance agreed that this event should become an annual fixture in the OVS calendar."
Alumni and Events officer Catherine Brazil said: “After postponing or cancelling more or less all of our events this year, it was fantastic to finally be able to get some of our members together in a socially distanced, safe way. A huge thank you to everyone who came along and took part. And a special thank you goes to Peter for organising and of course to Badgemore Park for hosting. I am already looking forward to next year’s tournament!”
