When your correspondent woke to a temperature of -7C it did not bode well for the annual Xmas Fayre just half an hour down the road at Tandridge. Unsurprisingly we arrived to find that all 18 greens were frozen and were temporary and the ground was in places ringing like a drum.

It was to be expected that scores would be high, given that the course was playing some 1,000 yards short and the temporary greens were unprotected by bunkers, but the winning score was a surprise.

In cold but bearable weather, with luckily no wind to speak of, the 36 entrants were competing for the Winchester Bowl and for the first time this year any players who had worked on, in or behind the Ring were competing for the Harry Scott Memorial Trophy, presented by Triland Metals.

A number of scores in the 40s came in early as Tanya Epshteyn carded a 42 to take the clubhouse lead for the membership, while guest Charlie Richardson led the guests with 43. It was not long before both were eclipsed as Steven Smith came in with 45 and guest Phil Beck with 46. Even those stratospheric scores were not enough, and perhaps because the course conditions improved slightly, the later starters scored more heavily.

Rakesh Gupta, who has now joined as a member, scored 46 and outdid Phil Beck on a countback to win the guest prize while Melanie Wells came in with 47 to take the Harry Scott Memorial Trophy. The very last threeball, however, produced the score of the day with Chris Edwards scoring 50 points to take the Winchester Bowl.

Melanie was presented with her trophy by Sakai-san, Chairman of Triland, who gave a touching tribute to Harry as did Melanie in her acceptance speech. Appropriately enough, for those who knew Harry well, the trophy is a wonderful claret jug!

Sakai-san was also nearest the pin and Bill Green outhit Tanya Epshteyn to take the prize for the longest drive.
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Due to the very poor course conditions and the lack of facilities for the ladies due to a locker room refurbishment, the club was kind enough to offer a discount. All players who would like to receive their £10 rebate should contact David Ratcliffe with their bank details. Ladies receive £20.

The new Harry Scott Memorial Trophy was created by Triland Metals in memory of Harry and was presented for the first time at the 2019 Xmas Fayre by Sakai-san, Executive Chairman of Triland. The trophy will be played for by any member who has worked on, in and around the Ring or the LME itself. The claret jug might be seen as a most appropriate shape for those who knew Harry well.

Here is Sakai-san's speech:

Captain Edward Sawbridge, Honourable Vice Presidents & Secretary Steven Spencer, thank you very much for allowing me the great honour to offer the Harry Scott Memorial Trophy to the LMEGA. Thank you, Martin Pratt, for your all arrangements.
 
One year ago I joined the Service to celebrate the Life of Harry Scott with many of my LME friends. The entrance music was The Eagles’ playing “Take It Easy”. That event and music reminded me of my old days.
 
I stayed in London for 2 months in 1989 as a trainee of Triland Metals. After that I worked for the Triland Tokyo Desk for 3 years (1990-1993). My professor was Harry Scott.
 
Harry was in his late 40’s, much younger than many of us here today, but already he was affectionately known as “Fossil” in the Ring! He loved smoking, drinking, eating and chatting. He was short-tempered, but very generous, like the big holes on the today’s temporary greens! He taught me a lot about conventions including LME trading, life in London and even table manners.
 
I had plenty of pleasant memories with Harry. He was a special man.
 
I often went to the Ring together with the team. Every time, he tried taking me to a pub before lunch. I don’t drink a lot, usually enjoying only one or two glasses in the evening and I always become very sleepy immediately after drinking. One day I inadvertently slept on the sofa just outside of the Ring (at Plantation House), and a naughty guy called “Mr. Busy” from another broker (I cannot remember his real name) made drawings on my glasses with white correction liquid!
 
One day, Harry nicknamed me “Typhoon”. On one weekend when Harry was visiting Tokyo to visit our Tokyo LME desk, I took him for a drive to the seaside near to Tokyo. We faced heavy traffic jam and made a lot of U-turns. He told me later he wished to call me “Disaster” at that time!
 
Now, I would like to present the Harry Scott Memorial Trophy here….
22nd November, 2018
Toshiro Sakai,
​Executive Chairman Triland Metals Limited

 Almost! Almost!

​On what was possibly one of the nastiest bouts of weather experienced this year and following the LSE's failure to confirm the summer date, we finally managed to come to grips with the London Stock Exchange at Hankley Common. 

A strong northerly breeze driving a mixture of rain and sleet made it difficult to get direction and club selection right, but it did not prevent one of our opponents holing his second shot at the 411 yard first hole for an opening eagle.

Despite that ominous omen, the LMEGA fought out a reformatted match with determination, playing only 18 holes of fourballs.

John Ambery and Derek Raphael won comfortably 5 and 4 although your Secretary and Martin Watkins failed to hold their opponents, one of whom was one over par gross for the first nine, leaving us with little chance, finally going down by a dog licence, 7 and 6.

Meanwhile, the Captain and Tanya Epshteyn were battling it out all square at the 16th when the Captain finally awoke from his hypothermic trance and had net birdies at the 17th and 18th to snatch the match 2 up. 

Everything now came down to the final match where Bill Smit and Neal Avent were one down at the 18th tee, needing only a half to regain a trophy we have not won for many years. Sadly it all came down their opponents holing an 18 foot putt on the final green to leave the LSE winners 1 up.

The LSE thus retain the trophy and we have to wait till 16th July next year for our next chance, but consolation and warmth came in the form of Hankley's outstanding lunch.