On 8th May, the Old Suttonians Golf Team competed in the annual qualifying round for the Grafton Morrish Golf Competition at Knole Park Golf Club in Sevenoaks.

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, three of the usual OS team members - Chris Cornwall (2000 M), Will Page (2002 F) and Mark Williams (1983 C), all of whom live in Dubai, could not make it back for the event. The OS were still able to put out a very solid team of six players though for the long-anticipated qualifying event and we are grateful to Sam Wroclawski (2003 L) for this report.

The playing format for the day was Foursomes - a pairs format where players alternate hitting shots until the ball is holed. The three pairs were comprised of Colin Williams (1982 C) and Richard Raye (2002 F), George Palmer (2004 W) and Jordan Miles (2014 F), Sam Wroclawski and Jeremy Baldwin (1979 F). Being the first team to go out, the OS faced the worst of the conditions - driving rain, low temperatures and gusting winds in excess of 40 mph on the first tee. All three pairs showed true determination, grit and perseverance to gain every point they could as they battled the elements out on the course.

The team successfully managed to qualify, coming third out of the 17 schools that took part on the day. They now advance to the national Grafton Morrish Finals knockout stages held in Norfolk this coming October.

Special thanks go to former parents Godfrey Palmer and Alan Wroclawski for their on-course support. Our thanks also go to Alan for his team photography and communication with Captain Chris Cornwall in Dubai throughout the event. The mixture of Old Suttonians and former parents provided a strong bond amongst the team; the camaraderie epitomised everything that is good about Sutton Valence School and the SVS Foundation and we hope to continue that at the Finals.

For more information about OS Golf, please see the OS Golf page.