Halford Hewitt

[Niall Hay]

Completely agree Mark. It would be a great read.

Great story. Will have to look if I ever make it there. Thanks!

[Philip Gawith]

Mark is right. At this time of year the fixture list at RSG is groaning with HH "practice rounds" for the various different schools There was a very scruffy group of alumni of a well-known school on display last weekend!

Tim Dickson has written a few pieces on HH in Golf Quarterly- a magazine more of you should subscribe to!

Ps what happens to B&B rates during the HH Mark??!! A modest premium surely appropriate.

[Adam Lawrence]

Henry Longhurst, who played many Hewitts for Charterhouse, generally as the partner of John Morrison (yes that John Morrison, Colt's partner) has a bunch of stories about the event in his books. I will share but one... read 'My Life and Soft Times' (which you should anyway) for some more....

"I am assured, and can only hope it is true, that a small group of people, including John Beck (later to become the only winning British Walker Cup captain) and Sir Harold Gillies, 'the well-known plastic surgeon', were discussing at lunch at Addington the desirability of founding an annual competition for teams of public school old boys, and that, the details having been agreed, somebody, almost certainly Beck, said, 'Now all we need is some bloody fool to present a cup.' At this moment Halford Hewitt walked in, to find himself almost at once to be immortalized as the founder of the best-loved tournament in golf."

[Bill_McBride]

Mark is right. At this time of year the fixture list at RSG is groaning with HH "practice rounds" for the various different schools There was a very scruffy group of alumni of a well-known school on display last weekend!

Tim Dickson has written a few pieces on HH in Golf Quarterly- a magazine more of you should subscribe to!

Ps what happens to B&B rates during the HH Mark??!! A modest premium surely appropriate.

I was thinking more of a severe gouging!   

[Rich Goodale]

Uncle Bill

Posh people in the UK are even more cheap than posh people in the USA.  Chappers will be lucky to get 2/3 of the rack rate when the Hewitters come into town.....

Rich

[Mark Chaplin]

I'm not aware that anyone puts their prices up. This year we have spectators from a school, Number One isn't set up for a school team who want 5 twin rooms. We only do king sized beds so no sharing unless you are with you wife or mistress!

Phillip did you play against Oxford or Cambridge last weekend?

[Mark Woodger]

I'm not aware that anyone puts their prices up. This year we have spectators from a school, Number One isn't set up for a school team who want 5 twin rooms. We only do king sized beds so no sharing unless you are with you wife or mistress!

...or both! 

[Philip Gawith]

I played on Sat vs Oxford Mark. RSG narrowly beat Oxford (no thanks to me! ) and thumped Cam on Sunday. I have NEVER been so cold on a golf course - was 1 degree with 20mph bitter NE wind. I was filling in btw - there are plenty better golfers than me at RSG!

[Mark Chaplin]

I got asked to play for Cambridge on Saturday as they were a man down! I was already hosting so couldn't, I agree coldest day ever on the links.

Strange how Cambridge are strong at Deal and Oxford weak, I guess both clubs send them to bed on Saturday night after a very long dinner! 

[Niall Hay]

I played on Sat vs Oxford Mark. RSG narrowly beat Oxford (no thanks to me! ) and thumped Cam on Sunday. I have NEVER been so cold on a golf course - was 1 degree with 20mph bitter NE wind. I was filling in btw - there are plenty better golfers than me at RSG!

How long does the tournament take to complete and when will this year’s winner be named?

[Mark Chaplin]

Starts Thursday and finishes Sunday. Round 1 takes a day and a half.

[James Boon]

I dont wish to rock the boat, but I really dont see what all the fuss is about? Perhaps thats because I didn't go to a fancy school and dont therefore see the fascination with such matters? I have played for Notts against both Oxford and Cambridge when they come to the club in the winter, I love RCP as a club and to some extent can understand the fascination with the private education system in this country. But surely there are plenty of other amateur events all over the country that have just as much heritage, camaraderie and competitiveness AND are open to anybody, not just some old boys network? 

Cheers,

James

ps if this comes across as grumpy, it may be because its very late here and I've wasted my time staying up to watch the England cricket team play dreadful...

[Colin Macqueen]

Ah James,

"I've wasted my time staying up to watch the England cricket team play dreadful..."

Back in the day when the England cricket team consisted of none from the hoi polloi or bourgeoisie the cricket was always wonderful!!

I didn't take your take as grumpy but I am an incurable romantic and love a wee bit of this dyed in the wool, traditional nonsense! It leavens the working man's day!

Cheers Colin

[Mark Chaplin]

Boony check out where England's finest were educated over the years and their golf club memberships, pure establishment.

[Rich Goodale]

Ah James,

"I've wasted my time staying up to watch the England cricket team play dreadful..."

Back in the day when the England cricket team consisted of none from the hoi polloi or bourgeoisie the cricket was always wonderful!!

I didn't take your take as grumpy but I am an incurable romantic and love a wee bit of this dyed in the wool, traditional nonsense! It leavens the working man's day!

Cheers Colin

Colin

If you haven't seen this before, the following is a treasure trove of HH history.

http://www.halfordhewitt.org/past_results/

Cheers

Rich

[Jason Topp]

Henry Longhurst, who played many Hewitts for Charterhouse, generally as the partner of John Morrison (yes that John Morrison, Colt's partner) has a bunch of stories about the event in his books. I will share but one... read 'My Life and Soft Times' (which you should anyway) for some more....

"I am assured, and can only hope it is true, that a small group of people, including John Beck (later to become the only winning British Walker Cup captain) and Sir Harold Gillies, 'the well-known plastic surgeon', were discussing at lunch at Addington the desirability of founding an annual competition for teams of public school old boys, and that, the details having been agreed, somebody, almost certainly Beck, said, 'Now all we need is some bloody fool to present a cup.' At this moment Halford Hewitt walked in, to find himself almost at once to be immortalized as the founder of the best-loved tournament in golf."

I like the story about the guy who ordered a Taxi to pick him up on the 14th green because he expected to win his match so easily.  His team was 5 up with 5 to play but did not finish until the 17th.

[Niall Hay]

I dont wish to rock the boat, but I really dont see what all the fuss is about? Perhaps thats because I didn't go to a fancy school and dont therefore see the fascination with such matters?

The whole premise of this thread was asking about its very unique format and where there was/is there an American version? Or a version anywhere else outside of the UK? It sounds like an incredible event for those involved.

[Adam Lawrence]

Henry Longhurst, who played many Hewitts for Charterhouse, generally as the partner of John Morrison (yes that John Morrison, Colt's partner) has a bunch of stories about the event in his books. I will share but one... read 'My Life and Soft Times' (which you should anyway) for some more....

"I am assured, and can only hope it is true, that a small group of people, including John Beck (later to become the only winning British Walker Cup captain) and Sir Harold Gillies, 'the well-known plastic surgeon', were discussing at lunch at Addington the desirability of founding an annual competition for teams of public school old boys, and that, the details having been agreed, somebody, almost certainly Beck, said, 'Now all we need is some bloody fool to present a cup.' At this moment Halford Hewitt walked in, to find himself almost at once to be immortalized as the founder of the best-loved tournament in golf."

I like the story about the guy who ordered a Taxi to pick him up on the 14th green because he expected to win his match so easily.  His team was 5 up with 5 to play but did not finish until the 17th.

That was the golf architect John Morrison (Colt's partner)!

[Mark Chaplin]

From the records ".......... team returned to their hotel with two ladies, who'd long since lost their amateur status" classic line.

Jason winning on the 12th is perfect as you can "double hut" by returning to the halfway hut for another round of drinks then calling a taxi, all of whom know where the halfway hut at the golf club is. Obviously winning on 13, 14 or 15 makes retiring to Chequers for a beer far easier and the cab fare is a pund cheaper than the hut!

Rumour has it pizza has been delivered to the hut on a scooter in the past.

[Dave McCollum]

I’d mention the “Tin Gut Golf Classic” conducted for the 12 years elsewhere and moved to my lowly course last fall.  I’d mention it, but it’s one of those Vegas things:  “What goes on in Vegas, stays in Vegas”…for our overseas friends.  Not for public consumption.

I don’t see anything like the HH working in America.  Maybe between private golf clubs, but not private schools.  Not even between exclusive private universities like the Ivies.  Our class system is entirely different.  Too much meritocracy in American education (although with scoring often measured in dollars).

[Sean_A]

Boony

Just look at the HH as another society meeting, much like the President's Putter.  They just happen to be the two most famous society meetings.  Burnham has an old school/prestige society meeting as well - forgot the name of the cup.  I would like to watch play for the PP some day. 

Ciao

[Jason Topp]

Boony

Just look at the HH as another society meeting, much like the President's Putter.  They just happen to be the two most famous society meetings.  Burnham has an old school/prestige society meeting as well - forgot the name of the cup.  I would like to watch play for the PP some day. 

Ciao

In that case my us school is involved in one that gets plenty of coverage- the PGA tour.  (ASU).

[James Boon]

Niall, Sean, everyone,

As far as I can tell the HH is an amazing tournament for those that participate. I'm also aware of the Grafton Morrish http://www.graftonmorrish.org.uk/index.html which by all accounts is very similar and I know fellow GCAer Ben Stepehsn has played in it and again I'm sure that is an amazing tournament for those that take part.

But as Sean says they are essentially society meetings, of which there are probably hundreds across the country, which are all of interest to those that take part and noone else, so I'm surprised that the HH or PP fascinate people that cant take part?

I suppose another way of putting it is that I know the colour of your old school tie matters in this World, I just dont believe that it should 

Cheers,

James

[Mark Chaplin]

James - the Hewitt fascinates as there are 640 competitors many who have been playing for 40+ years, there are teams dominating the event and others who've made the 3rd round a handful of times in 70 years.

The Putter is played in January, yet rarely cancelled by snow and anything linked to the light and dark blues still holds interest. Thats why a 100,000+ people line the Thames for the Boat Race each year.

I went to school in Tonbridge - not AT Tonbridge - at a local comprehensive school so the Hewitt holds no grip on me but the public schools are part of the fabric of RCP.

[James Boon]

Chappers,

Yes I know all that!  I enjoy the boat race and if I could afford it I'd pay for my niece and nephew to go to a school of such ilk, but I plough a hypocritical and lone furrow against the established order on this matter, harking back to my working class roots! 

Cheers,

James