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Public Schools golf tournaments really got started with the Halford Hewitt in 1924.

A tournament to be held in the Midlands, was conceived in the late 1930's and a driving force behind it was one M. K. Foster, after who the main trophy is aptly named. Sadly, Hitler got in the way and M. K. Foster passed away before having a chance to rekindle his idea in peacetime.

Thankfully, the baton was picked up by J. Cooke of Uppingham, H. M. Pepper of Repton, T. Heaton of Clifton and S. Scribbins of Malvern ably assisted by H. Lindop, the first Hon. Sec.

At a meeting held in the Walsall Club, Bridge Street, Walsall on May1st 1947, a committee was formed for the purpose of running the first tournament on July 17th 1947 at Little Aston Golf Club.

Over 110 players from 13 schools now compete for five separate trophies. The foursomes format consists of 18 holes in the morning and 15 in the afternoon with great camaraderie and conviviality at lunch, afternoon tea and a well patronised Pimms bar at the halfway house.

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Thursday 23rd June 2022

PUBLIC SCHOOLS MIDLANDS MEETING 2022 REPORT

With Covid over and no current restrictions in place the competition finally returned to a completely convivial event both in the clubhouse and on the course.

Sadly numbers were down due to the non-participation of former regulars Cheltenham and King Edwards School. A matter that will be primary on the agenda of the AGM on Thursday, 13 October 2022.

The new house team at Little Aston, under the guidance of Fay, managing this event for the first time, did a sterling job and are to be commended. The food was again exceptionally good and appreciated by all.

Following a glorious spring, the golf course was in magnificent condition with the fast greens catching many out. It is notable that the best score was returned by a pair of Little Aston members.

Checking of the scorecards, the most laborious job of the day, was once again undertaken by David Warmington, without whom I would struggle.

The chairman of Little Aston Golf Club and skipper of the Uppingham team, Jeremy Cooke presented the prizes.

It was good to see the team from Harrow had a healthy contingent of young talent; a trend which requires adoption by all teams to ensure the future of this event.

Wrekin always seems to enter a happy, sociable team and they emerged this year as popular winners with a magnificent score of 106.

For the morning round:

The M K Foster Challenge Cup for the school with the best three scores

1st Wrekin - 106 points

C Fenton & N Rose - 39
C Jones & O Davies - 39
D Horton & R Parton - 28

2nd Bromsgrove 96 points

The Rusti Guzzi for the partners returning the best Gross Stableford score

1st - C Fenton & N Rose - 39 (Wrekin) - 39 points
2nd - C Jones & O Davies (Wrekin ) - 36 points

The Pud Bowls for the partners returning the best Net Stableford score

1st N Copestick & D Smith (Oundle)
2nd - A Orchard & A Webb (Harrow)

For the Afternoon round:

The Malvern Salvers for the best Net Stableford score

1st - J Hudson & F Beharrel (Uppingham) 31 points
2nd - C Lawson & P Brownhill (Repton) - 30 points

The Repton-Uppingham Salvers for the best score by partners with a combined age over 110

1st - W North & J Rugg (Harrow) - 36 points
2nd - A Gifford & D Scarborough (Malvern) - 29 points

A E Bishop. P.S.M.G.S. Hon. Sec.

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Sunday 27th June 2021

PUBLIC SCHOOLS MIDLANDS MEETING 2021 REPORT

Chronologically, this should be the 89th report. However, thanks to the Covid pandemic, there was no tournament in 2020. Therefore it is the 88th report in the 89th year of the tournament.

Sadly, Stowe failed to raise a team, as did Warwick who were due to enter for the first time; we hope they return in 2022. 96 players took part.

The continued dining and bar restrictions determined that the customary buffet lunch was replaced by a waitress service and maximum tables of 6 in the dining room; not ideal with teams of 8. However lunch appeared to be enjoyed by all and the club’s new chef and catering regime met the requirements perfectly. The excellent cakes, served with afternoon tea, were a huge improvement on previous years.

Little Aston golf course has never looked better. The incessant winter work, undertaken by the current team, continues to produce benefits that really become apparent as one walks round the course in the summer. Long may it continue.

Neil Andrews, President of Little Aston, presented the prizes.

The captaincy of the Repton team was relinquished by the P.S.M.G.M. treasurer Jon Gough, in favour of a much younger man, Alex Needham who was ably assisted by his brother and playing partner, William. In the afternoon they were joined by their grandfather, David Pepper. Alex put together a winning side that scored six more points than their nearest rivals.

For the morning round:

The M K Foster Challenge Cup for the school with the best three scores

1st Repton - 100 points

A Needham & W Needham - 36
P Stafford & B Greatrex - 34
K Andrews & N Andrews - 30
2nd = Cheltenham & Shrewsbury 94 points

4th Rossall - 94 points

The Rusti Guzzi for the partners returning the best Stableford score

1st - N Cadbury & R Prior (Rugby) - 37 points
2nd - A Needham & W Needham (Repton) - 36 points

The Pud Bowls for the partners returning the best net strokeplay score

1st - P Stafford & B Greatrex (Repton) 26
2nd - N Cadbury & R Prior (Rugby) - 24 countback

For the Afternoon round:

The Malvern Salvers for the best net foursomes Stableford score

1st - S Ponniah & J Ponniah (Harrow) - 32 points
2nd - C Elliott & A Thompson (Cheltenham) - 29 points

The Repton-Uppingham Salvers for the best score by partners with a combined age over 110

1st - R Green & I Sawers (King Edwards School) - 32 points
2nd - M Taylor & P Bingham (Bromsgrove) - 30 points

A E Bishop. P.S.M.G.S. Hon. Sec.

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PUBLIC SCHOOLS MIDLANDS MEETING 2019 REPORT

In the 87th year of the tournament 100 golfers took part and, in their second year, Stowe raised a full team of 6 and competed with all.

An overcast morning did not dampen the spirits of the competitors who played in good pace, no doubt eager to enjoy the excellent lunch provided in the clubhouse.

The course was not running in the style of summer heathland as in 2018, due to a torrential downpour 24 hours prior that had closed the course. Notwithstanding the previous days weather, the greens were in superb condition and highly praised. Clearly the damper conditions suited many, as scoring for the top three teams was 6% higher that 2018.

Keith Andrews, President of Little Aston, presented the prizes.

Much to the delight of the tournament’s long standing and diligent card checker, David Warmington, Shrewsbury were the easy winners by 4 clear points. This was due to their anti-youth policy which paid dividends as septuagenarian, 5 handicapper, Anthony Smith played a sublime round in the morning and carded 40 points with his partner and 10 handicapper Charles Hill.

In contrast, Cheltenham’s youth policy was also a success as Andrew Morris (1) and Harrison Ottley-Wood (+1) won the gross prize with a 76. We look forward to seeing them for many years to come.

Many thanks to all the participants; we hope to see you again next year.

For the morning round:

The M K Foster Challenge Cup for the school with the best three scores

1st Shrewsbury - 103 points

A Smith & C Hill - 40

R Bevan & N Crawford - 33

R Holt & J Hope - 30

2nd King Edwards School - 99 points

3rd Cheltenham - 98 points

The Rusti Guzzi for the partners returning the best Stableford score

1st A Smith & C Hill (Shrewsbury) - 40 points

2nd C McEvoy & D McEvoy (Cheltenham) - 37 points