The Craigavad 2022 Review

| Gentlemen's Traditional Inter-Club Matches |

| Gentlemen's Traditional Inter-Club Matches |

ROYAL ABERDEEN

RAC

The biennial match with Royal Aberdeen resumed post-Covid at the famous Balgownie Links on 4th and 5th August 2022. Messrs Beggs and Crothers acted as white van drivers, transporting golf clubs and allowing the remainder of the team to fly in style arriving on Friday lunchtime. Unfortunately, Royal Belfast travelled one light as Gregor Law failed a Covid test just before travel. Some say he just didn't wish to go back to Aberdeen. Fortunately, they were able to arrange a guest player for us. A practice round, followed by dinner, ensured our team was in fine fettle for Saturday morning fourballs and Saturday afternoon foursomes. Weather was excellent so what could go wrong. Captain Beckett with 'young' Ditty led the way with a fine 4 – 3 win over the Captain and Vice-Captain of Royal Aberdeen. The middle games went with home advantage before Beggs and Moore, and Crothers and Craigs restored some hope. 4 – 3 down at lunch – quite a formidable affair in jackets and ties. The afternoon foursomes were exciting, coming to the last hole in the final match. Royal Belfast led 3½ – 2½ making the overall match level. The atmosphere was electric. Could

At the end of September we welcomed the Royal Automobile Club to Royal Belfast. With many of the RAC 2018 team returning this year, long standing friendships were quickly renewed. The weather was kind, the matches were competitive and played with the usual good humour. Leading by 4 points at the end of the first day, the RAC team fully enjoyed the Club’s hospitality. A strong performance by Royal Belfast’s Friday team turned the match around with Royal Belfast winning by 7 points and retaining the Palle Maille Trophy. Many thanks to the Royal Belfast players, to Tracey and Naomi for their organisation and the bar & catering team for ensuring the RAC team were warmly welcomed and had an enjoyable visit.

THE 2022 ROYAL BELFAST V ROYAL ABERDEEN TEAM Sam Beckett (Captain), Malcolm Ditty, Gordon Hutchinson, John Leckey, Peter Ellis, Peter Minnis, Angus Creed, Huw Worthington, Philip Hunter, Norman Beggs, Peter Moore, Stan Craigs, Graham Crothers (Match Manager).

THE 2022 ROYAL BELFAST V RAC TEAM Sam Beckett (Captain), Jimmy Courtney (Vice-Captain), Ian McMillan, Peter Kearney, Gavin Clarke, Michael Pierce, Richard McMullan, Chris Fetherston, Stephen Loughridge, Colin Adair, Stan Craigs, Alan Andrews, Steven Minford, David Cunningham, Angus Creed, Huw Worthington, Chris McNally, Jamie McMinnis, Malcolm Ditty, Gregor Law, Aaron Metcalfe, Trevor Howard, Gordon Greenfield, Blake Cushnie, Mark Daniels (Match Manager).

Worthington and 'guest' player Townsley rise to the occasion? Alas, we should have known. Don't trust a Scottish/ Welsh partnership! They lost 1 down and our team lost 7½ – 6½.

At the formal team dinner afterwards Captain Beckett made an excellent speech assuring us that never again would Royal Belfast depend on a Welshman.

MCC

Our visitors enjoyed the 'outstanding hospitality' which was provided throughout the day and returned home with a very favourable impression of the Club.

We entertained a 12 strong team representing the MCC Golfing Society on a glorious day at Craigavad on 12th May 2022. One of their team, Mike Gatting, unfortunately had to go home the previous evening due to a family illness and Jonathan Hool, as a dual member, was transferred to play for the MCC. The Royal Belfast team boasted three Irish internationals in our ranks – Graham Crothers, David Kennedy and Mark Adair. With the course in very good order the match was enjoyed by all who played, resulting in a win for Royal Belfast by 4

matches to 2. Results:

Michael McCord and Rob Austin lost to David Cunningham and Dermot Hoey Matt Root and Richard Stevens beat John Andrews and David Kennedy Mark Sullivan and Howard Gill lost to Gavin Clarke and Mark Adair Henry Somerset and Jonathan Hool beat Sam Beckett and Graham Crothers Phil Wilde and Bill Russell lost to Jeremy Cheetham and William Fitzpatrick Alan Howick and Stuart Lewis lost to Philip Hunter and Peter McMorran

THE 2022 ROYAL BELFAST V MCC TEAM David Cunningham, Dermot Hoey, John Andrews, David Kennedy, Gavin Clarke, Mark Adair, Graham Crothers, Jeremy Cheeetham, William Fitzpatrick, Philip Hunter, Peter McMorran, Sam Beckett (Captain/ Match Manager).

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