Sure enough, the heavens opened during the morning and the ground was well and truly soaked on the one-way walk into the clubhouse. However, Denham was well organised, and after drinks in a large, heated, marquee we entered the clubhouse for a fine lunch. Denham is famous for its car very, which clearly couldn’t t happen in these COVID times, but the three course lunch was an excellent replacement, and we ventured forth feeling truly replete into a now dry afternoon for a squishy 18 hole battle, played as four 4-ball better ball games.
It is possible we were a little too replete. The LMEGA pairings of Bill Green and Steven Spencer, Martin Abbott and Allan Kerr, John Ambery and David Farrar, and Edward Sawbridge and Dr Colin Griffiths has a tough time, and eventually lost the match in a whitewash, with our best less being 2 down.
This is the LISEGS 100th anniversary year, and more than one LMEGA player noted it would have been rude to spoil LISEGS sense of occasion, but in reality we were soundly outplayed.
LISEGS president Richard Barber was gracious in his victory speech (the trophy was delivered to LISEGS by LMEGA vice captain Martin Abbott a week later at Bowood golf club in Wiltshire, but that’s another story).
In particular Richard singled out his memories of playing against Derek Raphael in matches past, and noted Derek’s integrity, humour and fine sportsmanship as characteristics he would never forget. He was also kind enough to add that such qualities typified the atmosphere of LMEGA LISEGS matches over the years.
We look forward to our rematch next year, and may we carry such a reputation, polished by our finest members, for years to come.