The tour golfers of the OCC moved from the warm and sunny courses of Bordeaux to be joined by other club golfers for the annual Green Jacket event at the picturesque Sweetwoods in the Sussex Weald. Current holder and coordinator, Ashley, was kept busy in the run up to the day, his primary function, negotiating handicaps.

Those that thought they needed it made use of the excellent practice facilities ahead of the first tee off at 12:00. And when the time came it was a nervous start for the first group, not utilising the fairway in the way it was designed.

The course wound through some lovely countryside, making use of water features and natural contours. Those that hit the ball a long way were rewarded, provided it was in the right direction !! The rest of us had to plot our way around the course, particularly the 14th that crosses a small river, twice. The scorecards recorded a few birdies and a number of pars, generally scores in double figures were just left blank.

Honours for the day went to Marcus Malley for the longest drive, beating his playing partner Oli Howell who missed the fairway, and the next !! Tom Mathews for nearest the pin and the Green Jacket overall winner, Marcus.

The post game dinner and drinks gave ample opportunity to discuss ‘what might have been’ and ‘if only I hadn’t gone into the hazard’, but the consensus was it was a great day.
Well done to all who took part.

Thoughts now turn to likely venues for next year.