A Fun Day Delivers a Day to Remember!
If last year’s Old Dovorian–College Fun Day at Etchinghill Golf Club will forever be remembered for its biblical rain and defeated waterproofs, then 2026 will be remembered for the exact opposite. This year, the sun took centre stage — blazing, relentless, and determined to make up for lost time. And what a day it turned out to be.
Players arrived early, greeted by the smell of a full English breakfast drifting from the clubhouse. Spirits were high, and so were the temperatures. With the mercury climbing to a sweltering 33°C — one of the hottest May days on record — golfers swapped waterproofs for sun hats, layered on sun cream, and filled their bottles with ice‑cold water in preparation for the challenge ahead.
A special mention must go to Michael, whose heroic buggy‑based shuttle service kept everyone hydrated. His constant supply runs back to the clubhouse were nothing short of life‑saving as the sun beat down on the fairways.
Thanks to the superb organisation from Vicky and Chris at the College, this year saw our largest turnout yet — 22 enthusiastic players. The group split into two teams of three and four teams of four, playing a lively Texas Scramble format (with Florida Scramble rules for the fourballs). The atmosphere was buzzing, competitive, and full of good humour.
It’s clear that the College’s golf sessions at Etchinghill are paying off. The standard of play has risen dramatically since this fixture was revived, and this year’s results were nothing short of extraordinary.
Both Team A and Team F shot a sensational one‑over‑par, an achievement made even more impressive by the tricky pin positions and the energy‑sapping heat. After a tense countback, Team F edged ahead to claim first place.
We were also delighted to welcome the Olsen Welch brothers — both playing off plus two — who joined Teams A and F. Their presence added a touch of professional polish to the day. Louis, representing the College, is now studying Professional Golf Management at the University of Myerscough, and his talent was on full display.
Team C secured third place with the lowest net score after the careful (and slightly mathematical) application of handicaps.
Two standout shots earned nearest‑the‑pin honours:
- Ralph Hardy on the demanding uphill 5th
- Wayne Benstead on the beautifully deceptive downhill 17th
Both shots were met with cheers, admiration, and perhaps a hint of envy.
A heartfelt thank‑you goes to the Old Dovorian Club for their generous £200 donation. Combined with contributions from the players, this ensured that the Dover College students’ costs for the day were fully covered. It’s a wonderful example of the OD community supporting young golfers and helping this fixture continue to grow.
To round off the day, we must extend a friendly nudge to Matt Cole, father of Brodie. We strongly encourage him to submit a few more scorecards at his home club — because rarely do we see someone with his handicap drive a 279‑yard par‑four green or strike an iron so sweetly onto the 18th, finishing pin‑high. A memorable moment and a brilliant way to end the round.
A scorching day, superb golf, and fantastic company — everything the OD–College Fun Day is all about. Here’s to an even bigger and better event next year.
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