OB Golfing Society Victorious in the 2025 Halford Hewitt

The Halford Hewitt (HH) is the largest amateur golf event in which 64 public schools put forward ten players to compete on two prestigious golf courses on the Kent coast – Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club (RCP) in Deal and Royal St George’s Golf Club (RSG) in Sandwich for a four-day tournament each Spring. First played in 1924, Bradfield first entered in 1927 and has been playing ever since, a total of 211 matches. After a slow start, Bradfield have fielded an increasingly strong team and succeeded in reaching three previous finals in 1988, 2001 and 2014. The 2025 tournament played 10 – 13 April was finally their time.

Halford Hewitt Team Captain, Mike Jones (F 67-71) shares his report of this year’s successful tournament…

‘IT HAS CERTAINLY BEEN A LONGTIME COMING, BUT WHAT A SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT BY ALL INVOLVED AND OVER MANY YEARS’

‘It has been my job and privilege to captain and run our side for the last six years with the support of Simon Denehy (E 71-76). I took over the task in 2019 and my primary and clear message to our squad of potential players at the outset was to both win the Hewitt and ensure all enjoyed the journey. 2025 also marks the final year of my captaincy, so it is even more special that we have succeeded, our long-held dream has finally become a reality.

In preparation for the event this year we played trial matches against the Old Wellingtonians and the Old Wykehamists at Sunningdale, then the following team was selected from the trial at RSG in early March;

Angus Creighton (H 15-20) & Tom Watson (D 13-18),

Jonny Rafferty (H 03-08) & Dan Torrance (C 01-04),

Justin Foord (C 00-04) & Matt Ruffell (A 15-20)

Jack Banton (G 11-16) & Jamie Gallacher (B 90-95),

Aidan Benger (G 15-20) & Adam Williams (E 87-92),

Jeremy Silver (H 88-93) Reserve

Objectively we had a very strong team of golfers, most off a handicap of 1 or better, who all got on well together, so we had high hopes. The above pairings were used for all our matches but we opted to change the order in which they played on a regular basis to both suit our own ambitions, as well as confuse the opposition!

‘WE HAVE CREATED A WONDERFUL TEAM SPIRIT AND HAD A LOT OF FUN ALONG THE WAY’

DAY 1 V BLUNDELL’S, RSG

Whilst we won 4/1, it was a close run and a tense match. With both Dan/Jonny and Jamie/Jack posting wins, we needed one point from the other three pairs which were all having very close matches. Eventually with our first pair, Angus/Tom, playing the 20th hole, our second pair of Matt/Justin won on the 19th hole with Matt holing a very good putt. Whilst obviously a good start, there was scope for improvement.

DAY 2 V WHITGIFT, RSG

Following Whitgift’s very good win on Day 1 against a strong Radley side, we knew we had a tough match ahead. Both Jamie/Jack and Angus/Tom won well, so it was left to Jonny/Dan to win the last hole with a birdie 3, though a 4 would have been good enough, following a lovely iron in by Dan they won 1 Up and posted and overall win of 3/2. Better golf than the first day, but still potential to up our game.

DAY 3, RCP

AM V WELLINGTON

Having lost to Wellington in both 2021 and 2024, we were very keen to put the record straight. Wellington had a strong team, but with our first three pairs Justin/ Matt, Jonny/ Dan and Angus/ Tom all winning 3/2, we were relatively comfortable winners 3.5/ 1.5. This stronger performance put us in a good place for the next round in the afternoon.

PM V CRANLEIGH

Cranleigh had reached the semi-final in 2024 and beaten us relatively easily in 2023 so this was another serious match. A good 4/1 win was achieved once Justin/Matt won a very tough match on Hole 18 against Colin Montgomerie’s son and his partner.

So, we moved onto the final day with all players feeling good after a much better day on the course. The last time that we had reached a Sunday was in 2014 when only three of the current team played; Jamie Gallacher (B 90-95), Adam Williams (E 87-92) and Jonny Rafferty (H 03-08).

DAY 4 AT RCP

AM V HARROW: SEMI-FINAL

Harrow are one of the top teams having won the event 11 times, but we were ready and confident. With Angus/Tom back playing at top again and winning well and Jamie/Jack also winning easily, we needed one more point. Justin/Matt were going down the 19^th which they won after a tense struggle giving us a 3.5/1.5 overall win and a place in the Finals.

PM V WINCHESTER: THE FINAL

In our previous three finals we had not done ourselves justice, so it was the time to put this right. Winchester were a very strong side, who we knew well. They won the event as recently as 2018, but equally we had beaten them in 2023. At the turn it was close but Jonny/Dan came through and won 4/3 and we lost at pair 4, leaving three very close matches on the course. Both our first pair, Angus/Tom again, and third pair, Justin/Matt, playing their best pair, were 1 down with only three holes to play so it was looking ominous. However, both pairs came good over the last three holes to win on the last 1 Up, meaning a win for Bradfield and no need for our final pair Adam/Aidan to play the last few holes of their game. The final score was 3.5/1.5 and a first HH win for Bradfield.

FINAL STATS

GAMES PLAYED: 30, WINS: 18, HALVED: 7, LOSSES: 5

A special mention to Angus/Tom who did not lose any matches (winning 4 & halving 2), maintaining their undefeated record since 2022 as well as 11 games in a row undefeated. All players should however be commended for their commitment on and off the course, it was a fantastic team effort.

AND FINALLY…

Adam Williams records 100th Halford Hewitt Match

The match versus Whitgift on Day 2 of the tournament was also a particularly special for Adam, his 100^th game in the HH following the only other OB to have achieved this, John Cox (G 69-73) in 2015. Adam has been an absolute stalwart of the team since 1993, he has never missed a game. He has demonstrated a real commitment to the tournament and has been ever reliable on the course with a 70% record of success, as well as mentoring many of our younger players over the years. We look forward to many more years with him on the team.

The John Allday Legacy Fund

A special mention for an old friend and mentor of so many, the late John Allday (E 53-57), who we sadly lost in 2024. John lived for the HH, first as a player, then as captain and more recently as a wise and trusted adviser and supporter. He contributed so much to enable our success and I know he would be so proud of us all. The John Allday Legacy Fund has been established from John’s kind legacy gift to the OB Golfing Society and be used to help fund future Halford Hewitt campaigns.

Jonny Rafferty (H 03-08) new Halford Hewitt Captain

For most of the players the HH is their best golfing week of the year and winning it their biggest ambition realised. Now that it has been achieved, I know they will all still be hungry to win again soon. Jonny Rafferty (H 03-08) now takes over the Halford Hewitt Team Captaincy and we wish him the very best of luck in the tournament that takes place in the OBGS centenary year.

‘Thank you’

I cannot finish without saying ‘Thank you’ to

The School, for your long term commitment to golf at the College with both the course & practice facilities
The OBGS, for all your support
Spectators, for all coming down & supporting the team – OBs, partners & parents. A special mention to Martin Young, our President, who was ever present
Jez Silver, for all his support and particularly for caddying for Jonny
Simon Denehy, for his support over the last six years

Look forward to the OB Golfing Society Centenary

Achieving 100 years as a club is an impressive milestone. From quiet beginnings to winning the Halford Hewitt win in our 99^th year, the future now looks very bright, not least because the winning HH team included four players under 23. We look forward to celebrating our ‘significant’ anniversary with a special golf event at Bradfield on Sat 6^th June and a Centenary Dinner currently pencilled in for Wed 11^th Nov.

If you are interested in joining the OB Golfing Society visit the Club page or contact Club Secretary Andrew Shilton on andrew@janeshilton.co.uk