Michael and I can scarcely believe it… 15 years on from a Summer Holiday in La Manga where the idea of The Wedge Trophy was born.
As a reminder, the name was created with a ‘clever’ ménage of Hedge, Waud and a then a rather lovely link to a golf utensil – and The Wedge Trophy was born!
The selection policy has generally been well adhered to – invite players who you and the oppo would like to spend the day with, who are capable on the craic, and can loosely hold their own so can be competitive on the golf course.
30 playings later and we have our 101st participant – and everything seems happy and well in Wedge world. (though there were questions asked AGAIN about the whereabouts of the RCP ATTC – Samuel Mason… were the Outpost Club in town again?)
As we gathered on the new terrace at Walton Heath on Saturday 20th September, the usual fare of Guinness and Bacon were taken on board. With only one newby in our ranks. (James Feneley, who as you will read later, put an excellent shift in across the board) Hand shakes and hugs were shared between the 20 players (golf players) – and much conversation about Walton not having won The Wedge in over two years was being banded around– the series was beginning to get a little tight at 16-13 in WH’s favour.
We then head out for the morning smack around the New Course – foursomes all day as is the form – with some nice feisty matches booked in for the day ahead.
First out the traps, Story and Feneley for Walton against the experienced Wedgers of Spearpoint and Glynn. God knows how Spearpoint felt, comfortably half the height of each of the other Wedgers in his group – and also Glynn, fresh off the boat from Ireland – the Deal boys must have been feeling a little discombobulated – and were dispatched 3&2 in the top match.
In match 2, Hutchison and Webster playing Shaw and Farrell. A flat match this time and one that was apparently a ding dong battle. WH down for the majority of the match, as well as being 5 down with 7 to play… almost a big comeback here, but the Deal boys closed the match out birdie birdie on 17 and 18 – finishing 1 up.
Zorko and Gates representing WH in match three, taking 6 shots off RCP Captain Hedges and Stanyard. Stanyard arguably the most talented evening goer in the society – unfortunately wasn’t quite on his golf game – with Zorko on Gates on fire with all their shots. Apparently the first dog licence to be awarded to Hedges in Wedge history (to be formally confirmed) – WH took this match out in the country, 7&6.
A delightful group out in match 4 – and arguably too social as both teams failed to put their marker down among all the story telling and joviality. Waud and Shaw for Walton versus Biggs and Maxim Williams. The match looked like it was heading for a well deserved half, however the Deal boys dealt a hammer blow to Team Walton with their first birdie of the day on the 18th hole, finishing 1 up to Deal.
The last match out – with statistically the best player in the Wedge, David Payne off +1, playing with the WH VC, Andrew ‘George Bezzra’ Berryman. Coming up against the boom-bust pairing of Cork and Lark. (would be another great pub name…just popping down to the Cork and Lark for a pint!) Anyway, not a huge amount of information was shared in the bar about this game, especially as this back match was back in the bar before the 2nd, 3rd and 4th matches! Needless to say another dog licence, this time 7&6 in Deals favour.
So as we gathered back on the terrace for the half time festivities, with Wedge Hall of Famers adorning jackets to show off their 25th and 50th playing pins. We ‘dined’ in the Fowler Room with bucket loads of chicken goujons and chips, alongside magnums of Chablis and Claret. (WH had become a posh KFC once again).
With some formal presentations to be taken care of, Michael presented our 101st Wedger, James Feneley with his Wedge tie – and then CW was very pleased to induct David Payne into the 50th cap Hall of Fame group. A really great honour for Mike and I to have had the support from DP over all these Wedge years. At one point, the House of Payne did have one of the best Wedge records going, but unfortunately the WHS tweaked his handicap from 5 to +1, and then since then has been somewhat hit and miss in the Wedge! Needless to say, DP must have attended at least 25 Wedge nights out – none more memorable than the first night out in Clapham in 2010, where he controlled the wine list on Battersea Rise, as well as the Jägermeister tray in the middle temple in Inferno’s. On that fabled night, thank god Nicola Payne was on hand to look after their 2 week old baby whilst this was all going on!
So at lunch, RCP lead WH 3-2, with the Wedge series looking ominously like it was going to be going 16-14!
The Walton team were asked to rally for the afternoon round…and RALLY THEY DID!
The first hour of the afternoon foursomes is still somewhat of a blur, as I tried to recall what actually happened on the front nine in the match I was in. What I do remember however, was the weather turning for half an hour on the back nine – fortunately our bags were blessed with waterproofs, so we dressed up, braved the conditions, and the front match was a very tight affair indeed. Walton Heath eventually winning the top match on the 18th green 1 up (and possibly another Wedge first for Michael Hedges, being ‘nul point’ for the day.)
Was this the beginning of the big come back that Walton so desperately needed?
Fortunately it seemed to be the case, as Walton comfortably took matches 2, 3 and 4– only losing the back game in the afternoon matches to snatch the Tray-phy back winning the total match 6 – 4, and taking the series to 17-13. (a little bit of breathing space for now!)
It goes without saying the evening session went very well indeed. A champagne reception at the Club to celebrate the 30th playing – then a voyage to the Spaghetti Tree in Walton on the Hill for an extraordinary few hours of food, wine, singing and dancing. (if you are into singing along with an old man singing covers with a microphone and his cd player in a regional restaurant, then the Spaghetti Tree is definitely for you!)
Lots of special mentions on a special day:
- 2 points to James Feneley on daybooooooo (WH)
- 2 points to Story (WH)
- 2 points to Gates (WH)
- 2 points to Lark (RCP)
- 0 points to Hedges (RCP)
- 0 points to Hutchison (WH) on the course / 10 points for dancing
- 0 points to Glynn (RCP)
- 0 points to Spearpoint (RCP)
- Zorko also should have entered the Hall of Fame, but due to an administrative error, this was not noticed. Many apologies Zorks – see you next time!
Please click here to view the match results – and we look forward to seeing you back at RCP in March 2026.
Semper Waltonia,
Waudo
