Trevor XVII, 2011 - Slaley Hall
This was our most northerly Trevor, to date, by some distance. Having not gone past the north Midlands in fifteen years, to go up to deepest, darkest Northumbria meant a long journey for the majority of trevorers, but a "home fixture" for a select few most notably the two Jockos who for years have had to get on planes for every Trevor they have attended.
When the distance was questioned a little, I think Rich put it in perspective when he reminded all that 300 miles doesn't quite relate to 12,000 when talking distance to travel to The Trevor- so "get over it!!" was his official statement on this matter.
With an additional night of pre-Trevor accommodation available, the majority took advantage of this and were suitably refreshed and ready for the off on Saturday morning - apart from the heavy heads associated with a Trevor get together night!!
On departure, although not looking forward to the drive home, the complete consensus that the trip was worthwhile. Slaley Hall was an excellent venue, particularly at the price we paid. It will be interesting to see where it features in a future Trevor survey?
The second Priestman Course was a very good track, the main championship, Hunting, course superb (with arguably the best greens we had putted on in Trevor history? - LT), the hotel fitted the bill and offered a private dining room each night for dinner, always a nice touch.
When the distance was questioned a little, I think Rich put it in perspective when he reminded all that 300 miles doesn't quite relate to 12,000 when talking distance to travel to The Trevor- so "get over it!!" was his official statement on this matter.
With an additional night of pre-Trevor accommodation available, the majority took advantage of this and were suitably refreshed and ready for the off on Saturday morning - apart from the heavy heads associated with a Trevor get together night!!
On departure, although not looking forward to the drive home, the complete consensus that the trip was worthwhile. Slaley Hall was an excellent venue, particularly at the price we paid. It will be interesting to see where it features in a future Trevor survey?
The second Priestman Course was a very good track, the main championship, Hunting, course superb (with arguably the best greens we had putted on in Trevor history? - LT), the hotel fitted the bill and offered a private dining room each night for dinner, always a nice touch.
Pre Trevor
The OHA were at full strength with all 14 players available, an embarrassment of riches for Leafy in his second year of captaincy hoping to avenge the loss at Hawkstone Park in his first year. This was the first time we had a fourteen a side match since the 10th anniversary in 2005. Rich has now (for the next period anyway -LT) relocated back to the UK and with Jules and Hoody always nailed on, perhaps this may be a sign of things to come.
Leafy’s opposite captain was long term trevorer, Sarge the first Welshman to take the reins since Prichy in the early Trevor years. The basis of his team was in place with most boys available from 2010.
Not surprisingly Sarge delved into the valleys to bring in two debutants to make up his full compliment; Colum Sullivan & Rhys Thomas hoping to show some Celtic steel to bring home the bacon for the ROW. Indeed this Trevor had the largest ever Celtic contingent with a quarter of the players having roots from across the borders.
With the overall match score tied at 7½ - 7½ a new leader was likely unless the tied Trevor at Hawkstone Park (2001) was to be repeated.
The weather was set fair once again, if not a trifle cooler than the south !!! (a few boys in shorts soon found this out - LT)
Leafy’s opposite captain was long term trevorer, Sarge the first Welshman to take the reins since Prichy in the early Trevor years. The basis of his team was in place with most boys available from 2010.
Not surprisingly Sarge delved into the valleys to bring in two debutants to make up his full compliment; Colum Sullivan & Rhys Thomas hoping to show some Celtic steel to bring home the bacon for the ROW. Indeed this Trevor had the largest ever Celtic contingent with a quarter of the players having roots from across the borders.
With the overall match score tied at 7½ - 7½ a new leader was likely unless the tied Trevor at Hawkstone Park (2001) was to be repeated.
The weather was set fair once again, if not a trifle cooler than the south !!! (a few boys in shorts soon found this out - LT)
Day One - No Quarter Given
The OHA skipper Leafy had the privilege in hitting the first shot in the morning greensomes played on the excellent Priestman course. This was almost the highlight for the OHA in this morning session as they recorded only one victory.
The ROW won the top three matches against strong on paper Hampton pairings, the following two games went to the wire with both games halved and the ROW won the final match comfortably to complete a 5-2 victory. A possible Trevor first was recorded with two new debutants both being unbeaten in
their first match – no “pressures of the Trevor” for these Welsh dragons!!
Work was required in the afternoon four balls to close the early lead the ROW had established and, after considerable trevoring, Leafy set to work to put together his afternoon pairings that he believed could turn around this poor start.
Greensomes Scores: OHA 2 ROW 5
The ROW won the top three matches against strong on paper Hampton pairings, the following two games went to the wire with both games halved and the ROW won the final match comfortably to complete a 5-2 victory. A possible Trevor first was recorded with two new debutants both being unbeaten in
their first match – no “pressures of the Trevor” for these Welsh dragons!!
Work was required in the afternoon four balls to close the early lead the ROW had established and, after considerable trevoring, Leafy set to work to put together his afternoon pairings that he believed could turn around this poor start.
Greensomes Scores: OHA 2 ROW 5
Game 1
Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 Game 7 |
Leafy & Jim
JG & Toby Clacks & Nick LT & Kill Copey & Hoody Rich & Joey Jules & Saint |
Prich & Colin
Dronny & Jon Softers & Jack Sarge & Colum Matt W & Tim Lethal & Karlos Woz & Rhys |
ROW 2&1
ROW 3&2 ROW 1 up Halved Halved OHA 1 up ROW 4&3 |
Leafy's master plan soon took a backwards step as the mighty “Thundercats” (Leafy & Hoody) were beaten in match one. The loaded Hampton pairs in matches two to four did, though, do the business, but these wins were offset by
two subsequent wins for the ROW. The decisive rubber went the way of the OHA for a session win leaving only point separating the two teams with the ROW narrowly ahead on the back of their morning thumping.
Better Ball Scores: OHA 8 ROW 6
two subsequent wins for the ROW. The decisive rubber went the way of the OHA for a session win leaving only point separating the two teams with the ROW narrowly ahead on the back of their morning thumping.
Better Ball Scores: OHA 8 ROW 6
Game 1
Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 Game 7 |
Leafy & Hoody
LT & Saint Clacks & Toby JG & Rich Kill & Nick Joey & Jules Copey & Jim |
Softers & Lethal
Dronny & Jack Matt W & Rhys Sarge & Tim Woz & Colin Prich & Colum Jon & Karlos |
ROW 3&2
OHA 2&1 OHA 5&4 OHA 4&3 ROW 6&4 ROW 4&3 OHA 2&1 |
Overall Score: OHA 10 ROW 11
The first day results suggested that both captains may be feeling the heat as both failed to record a day one win - the pressures of Trevor captaincy getting in the way of these two fine trevorers??!!
Whether a record or not, but excellent for The Trevor, the results showed that 19 trevorers had recorded first day victories.
A good, fun evening was enjoyed by all. Prichy, as usual, provided his dinner teasers and the fines masters’
extraordinaire, Rich & Softers subjected all to a harsh, yet fair battering!! Bring on day two.
The first day results suggested that both captains may be feeling the heat as both failed to record a day one win - the pressures of Trevor captaincy getting in the way of these two fine trevorers??!!
Whether a record or not, but excellent for The Trevor, the results showed that 19 trevorers had recorded first day victories.
A good, fun evening was enjoyed by all. Prichy, as usual, provided his dinner teasers and the fines masters’
extraordinaire, Rich & Softers subjected all to a harsh, yet fair battering!! Bring on day two.
Day 2 – The Great Trevor Scandal
The headline subject matter will be highlighted later in this review!!
Day two started under overcast conditions and many trevorers were caught short expecting fine weather – it’s a lot colder up north!!
The courses were reversed on day two, the greensomes played on the Hunting font nine, the afternoon better ball on the Priestman.
The match remained very tight after the morning session shared 3½ - 3½. Three out of the seven matches were halved, two went the full nine holes with the final two matches going to the eighth hole – possibly the tightest Trevor session in history??
The “scandal” raised its head in the break between sessions. A long established Hamptonian refused to go out early in the afternoon as requested by his skipper. This alone would normally be a heinous crime, further exacerbated
because the afternoon draw had already gone public. But this was not the end of the story…. when approached by Lord Trevor to point out the errors of his ways, his immediate response was “who the f**k do you think you are. It has nothing to do with you”- this to LT himself.
Once those in earshot had recovered their breath in astonishment at this outburst, the OHA captain stepped in to avoid a team crisis. The situation was resolved amicably and, thankfully, for the OHA, the afternoon performance was
not affected. But more of this later…..!!!
Once again, somehow after this team crisis, the OHA prevailed in the afternoon better balls by a slightly bigger margin than day one, 4½ matches to 2½ (9-5). The most notable victory being the first Trevor pair to win a match with a combined age in excess of 100 as Jim & Kill won their game, the final game in the session.
LT comment: the immediate past captain of the ROW had made a big point of requesting the greensomes be played first as he believed this favoured the ROW (based on his trevoring of past matches). Karlos believed that his team needed the greensomes as a warm up before the higher scoring Better Ball matches. LT duly obliged but how wrong was this trevor from the ultimate sport’s trevorer, King Juan – two session losses in the better ball by 17 – 11 points!! Can’t wait for his next Trevor!!
Greensomes Scores: OHA 3½ ROW 3½
Day two started under overcast conditions and many trevorers were caught short expecting fine weather – it’s a lot colder up north!!
The courses were reversed on day two, the greensomes played on the Hunting font nine, the afternoon better ball on the Priestman.
The match remained very tight after the morning session shared 3½ - 3½. Three out of the seven matches were halved, two went the full nine holes with the final two matches going to the eighth hole – possibly the tightest Trevor session in history??
The “scandal” raised its head in the break between sessions. A long established Hamptonian refused to go out early in the afternoon as requested by his skipper. This alone would normally be a heinous crime, further exacerbated
because the afternoon draw had already gone public. But this was not the end of the story…. when approached by Lord Trevor to point out the errors of his ways, his immediate response was “who the f**k do you think you are. It has nothing to do with you”- this to LT himself.
Once those in earshot had recovered their breath in astonishment at this outburst, the OHA captain stepped in to avoid a team crisis. The situation was resolved amicably and, thankfully, for the OHA, the afternoon performance was
not affected. But more of this later…..!!!
Once again, somehow after this team crisis, the OHA prevailed in the afternoon better balls by a slightly bigger margin than day one, 4½ matches to 2½ (9-5). The most notable victory being the first Trevor pair to win a match with a combined age in excess of 100 as Jim & Kill won their game, the final game in the session.
LT comment: the immediate past captain of the ROW had made a big point of requesting the greensomes be played first as he believed this favoured the ROW (based on his trevoring of past matches). Karlos believed that his team needed the greensomes as a warm up before the higher scoring Better Ball matches. LT duly obliged but how wrong was this trevor from the ultimate sport’s trevorer, King Juan – two session losses in the better ball by 17 – 11 points!! Can’t wait for his next Trevor!!
Greensomes Scores: OHA 3½ ROW 3½
Game 1
Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 Game 7 |
JG & Copey
Clacks & Jim Nick & LT Rich & Toby Joey & Leafy Jules & Hoody Saint & Kill |
Matt W & Colin
Jack & Jon Sarge & Rhys Karlos & Woz Lethal & Dronny Prich & Softers Tim & Colum |
Halved
ROW 1 up ROW 2&1 OHA 1 up Halved Halved OHA 2&1 |
Better Ball Scores: OHA 9 ROW 5
Game 1
Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 Game 7 |
Copey & Nick
Leafy & Jules Clacks & Toby Joey & Hoody JG & Rich LT & Saint Jim & Kill |
Woz & Tim
Karlos & Colin Prich & Jon Colum & Rhys Softers & Dronny Jack & Matt W Lethal & Sarge |
OHA 5&4
Halved OHA 2&1 ROW 4&3 ROW 3&2 OHA 3&2 OHA 2&1 |
Overall Match Score: OHA 22½ ROW 19½
After day two, every player was off the mark although two from each side were still to win, one being captain Leafy
– the first time he had failed to record a win on the first two days.
Consequently, he was fired up for the singles to say the least!!
This match score meant the following trevors going into the singles. A tied Trevor was not possible.
The OHA required 6 ½ wins to win back the Trevor, the ROW 8 singles wins to retain the trophy.
The Scandal
It may be fair to say that this evening provided the best off course entertainment (certainly the most amusing!!) ever witnessed in Trevor history, a result of the biggest Trevor fine in history. This fine was imposed on the previously mentioned OHA miscreant, now named as Jules, for his lunchtime outburst directed at Lord Trevor.
Jules asked the “fines committee” and fellow trevorers whether he may be allowed to defend himself, duly granted as everybody saw this as an opportunity for him to further dig his grave!! How wrong we all were??!!
In an astonishing courtroom performance, he managed to turn his two key witnesses, both the OHA skip, Leafy,
and chief protagonist, LT himself, into quivering wrecks with some carefully selective questioning. So good was his
cross examination that it could be argued that he deserved a verdict of not guilty at the end of proceedings – but
sadly for him the system at the Trevor may not follow true legal protocol.
The heinous crime of not only disputing a decision by LT, and then the subsequent follow up of scandalous language
directed at said person proved too much for all to bear!!
He was congratulated by the judges on his marvellous performance and attempt to reverse his original fine, but his plea was not upheld and the fine stood.
Certainly the OHA skip now had his work cut out to galvanise is troops in time for the singles after this
remarkable moment of team meltdown in Trevor history!!!
Once the drama in the court room was closed, the rest of the evening followed its normal course of
drinking, story telling, general bonhomie before the trevorers gradually retired in readiness for the singles battle the
following day. The OHA (maybe an age thing!! - LT) generally sidled off earlier as, once again, the ROW ruled in the bar. Would this have a bearing on the singles??
After day two, every player was off the mark although two from each side were still to win, one being captain Leafy
– the first time he had failed to record a win on the first two days.
Consequently, he was fired up for the singles to say the least!!
This match score meant the following trevors going into the singles. A tied Trevor was not possible.
The OHA required 6 ½ wins to win back the Trevor, the ROW 8 singles wins to retain the trophy.
The Scandal
It may be fair to say that this evening provided the best off course entertainment (certainly the most amusing!!) ever witnessed in Trevor history, a result of the biggest Trevor fine in history. This fine was imposed on the previously mentioned OHA miscreant, now named as Jules, for his lunchtime outburst directed at Lord Trevor.
Jules asked the “fines committee” and fellow trevorers whether he may be allowed to defend himself, duly granted as everybody saw this as an opportunity for him to further dig his grave!! How wrong we all were??!!
In an astonishing courtroom performance, he managed to turn his two key witnesses, both the OHA skip, Leafy,
and chief protagonist, LT himself, into quivering wrecks with some carefully selective questioning. So good was his
cross examination that it could be argued that he deserved a verdict of not guilty at the end of proceedings – but
sadly for him the system at the Trevor may not follow true legal protocol.
The heinous crime of not only disputing a decision by LT, and then the subsequent follow up of scandalous language
directed at said person proved too much for all to bear!!
He was congratulated by the judges on his marvellous performance and attempt to reverse his original fine, but his plea was not upheld and the fine stood.
Certainly the OHA skip now had his work cut out to galvanise is troops in time for the singles after this
remarkable moment of team meltdown in Trevor history!!!
Once the drama in the court room was closed, the rest of the evening followed its normal course of
drinking, story telling, general bonhomie before the trevorers gradually retired in readiness for the singles battle the
following day. The OHA (maybe an age thing!! - LT) generally sidled off earlier as, once again, the ROW ruled in the bar. Would this have a bearing on the singles??
The Lion Roars!!
This proved to be another remarkable day of singles golf – and real heartbreak for the ROW boys at the back of the field. Throughout the day from the first score update sheet, the OHA led in all the top eight games, a situation that never changed throughout the day. The ROW challenge never materialised and the OHA in the end romped home 10 matches to 4, (20 - 8 points).
This led to an emphatic overall winning margin of 42½ - 27½ in favour of the OHA, an unlikely score line after the tight first two days.
Why the singles went the OHA way so convincingly will remain another Trevor mystery. The trevorcast predicted a tight day in the singles. But the OHA boys stepped it up a notch to win the 50 - 50 matches and this proved enough to coast to victory.
Leafy got his singles win over Colin, Clacks continued his ongoing domination of Softers and these victories halted
the unbeaten records of the ROW boys. Therefore Copey remained the only unbeaten player over the Trevor and here a mention for poor Jack, a perfect example of how results can be misleading depending on who you draw.
Jack played some great golf all weekend, won both his greensomes matches but lost all the 18 hole games. In the better ball, he drew an inspired Saint on both days, then got a hot Copey in the singles (LT’s view from first hand as he played with Jack all three 18 hole rounds!! – the luck of the draw eh??!!)
Nick & Tim fought out a halved match, and by their own admission, suggested that this may have been the poorest
quality singles match in history!!
And in the final dead rubber, an inspired Prichy turned around his match against Kill to leave the veteran scratching his head as to how another Trevor singles match slipped by the wayside.
Singles Score: OHA 20 ROW 8
This led to an emphatic overall winning margin of 42½ - 27½ in favour of the OHA, an unlikely score line after the tight first two days.
Why the singles went the OHA way so convincingly will remain another Trevor mystery. The trevorcast predicted a tight day in the singles. But the OHA boys stepped it up a notch to win the 50 - 50 matches and this proved enough to coast to victory.
Leafy got his singles win over Colin, Clacks continued his ongoing domination of Softers and these victories halted
the unbeaten records of the ROW boys. Therefore Copey remained the only unbeaten player over the Trevor and here a mention for poor Jack, a perfect example of how results can be misleading depending on who you draw.
Jack played some great golf all weekend, won both his greensomes matches but lost all the 18 hole games. In the better ball, he drew an inspired Saint on both days, then got a hot Copey in the singles (LT’s view from first hand as he played with Jack all three 18 hole rounds!! – the luck of the draw eh??!!)
Nick & Tim fought out a halved match, and by their own admission, suggested that this may have been the poorest
quality singles match in history!!
And in the final dead rubber, an inspired Prichy turned around his match against Kill to leave the veteran scratching his head as to how another Trevor singles match slipped by the wayside.
Singles Score: OHA 20 ROW 8
Game 1
Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 Game 7 Game 8 Game 9 Game 10 Game 11 Game 12 Game 13 Game 14 |
Rich
Jules Leafy Clacks JG Toby LT Copey Jim Hoody Nick Saint Joey Kill |
Matt W
Colum Colin Softers Dronny Woz Sarge Jack Jon Rhys Tim Karl Lethal Prich |
OHA 3&2
OHA 2&1 OHA 2&1 OHA 5&4 OHA 3&2 OHA 4&3 OHA 4&3 OHA 4&3 ROW 6&4 ROW 3&2 Halved OHA 6&4 Halved ROW 2 up |
Overall Score: OHA 42½ ROW 27½
So Trevor XVI drew to a close, with everybody in agreement that it was worth the long trek up north. Slaley Hall had
proved a big success, quality courses and the hotel facilties were excellent. Even the weather stood the test of time – and geography!!
The trophy was duly presented to outgoing OHA skipper Leafy from new ROW captain Sarge. The overall match score saw the Hampton boys re-take the lead in the series, OHA 8½ ROW 7½.
Leafy nominated his replacement; the headmaster, Toby will take over the reins in 2012. Sarge will know that he faces an intense battle with the new skip to try and wrestle back the trophy and tie the overall match score next year.
What sagas await us next ??!!
So Trevor XVI drew to a close, with everybody in agreement that it was worth the long trek up north. Slaley Hall had
proved a big success, quality courses and the hotel facilties were excellent. Even the weather stood the test of time – and geography!!
The trophy was duly presented to outgoing OHA skipper Leafy from new ROW captain Sarge. The overall match score saw the Hampton boys re-take the lead in the series, OHA 8½ ROW 7½.
Leafy nominated his replacement; the headmaster, Toby will take over the reins in 2012. Sarge will know that he faces an intense battle with the new skip to try and wrestle back the trophy and tie the overall match score next year.
What sagas await us next ??!!
2011 Player Stats
Trevor's Summary
The two ROW debutants acquitted themselves very well; indeed Rhys was the most successful on his team.
Copey was the only unbeaten trevorer over the weekend. Colin & Softers for the ROW were unbeaten over the first two days but failed to carry this form through to the singles losing their matches (they did, though, both face stiff singles opposition - LT).
Every player gained a point although four failed to manage a win over the weekend - for the OHA, Hoody and the ROW, surprisingly an out of sorts Matt W, Karlos and Tim.
The points table is laid out in its normal format below:
The two ROW debutants acquitted themselves very well; indeed Rhys was the most successful on his team.
Copey was the only unbeaten trevorer over the weekend. Colin & Softers for the ROW were unbeaten over the first two days but failed to carry this form through to the singles losing their matches (they did, though, both face stiff singles opposition - LT).
Every player gained a point although four failed to manage a win over the weekend - for the OHA, Hoody and the ROW, surprisingly an out of sorts Matt W, Karlos and Tim.
The points table is laid out in its normal format below:
OHA Team
Copey Saint Toby Rich LT Clacks JG Kill Jules Leafy Jim Joey Nick Hoody |
% Wins
80 (4½) 80 (4½) 80 (4½) 80 (4) 70 (4¼) 60 (4) 50 (3¼) 50 (1¾) 40 (2¾) 40 (2¾)40 (2) 40 (2) 30 (1¾) 20 (½) |
ROW Team
Rhys Prich Softers Jon Colin Colum Dronny Lethal Woz Jack Sarge Tim Matt W Karl |
% Wins
80 (4) 70 (3¾) 70 (2¾) 60 (3)60 (2¼) 50 (2¼) 50 (1¾) 40 (2¼) 40 (1½) 40 (1) 30 (¾) 20 (1¼)20 (½) 10 (½) |