Hymers’ produced their best display for many years in the Grafton Morrish Northern qualifier at Huddersfield Golf Club. A team total of 78 points placed them 5th of ten schools playing for the right to play in the finals at Hunstanton and Royal West Norfolk in early October. Sadly only four went through as of right.

Scratch player and Newcastle University Captain George Clark (OH 2011-21) once again partnered captain (and Dad) Jonathan (OH 1980-90) to an excellent 29 points. A birdie at the 472 yard par four opening hole was a real bonus, but a succession of three putts just before the turn curtailed what could have been a rare return in the 30s.

Another pairing from 2022, Will Saville (OH 2010-20) and David Page (OH 1979-1986) struggled on the front nine, but rallied to come back in 15 points for a battling 24 points, which left all eyes on the top of the hill at Fixby’s famous 18th hole for the anchor pair to appear.

Alex Limb (OH 2007-17) and Tim Atkin (OH 2001-2009) started really strongly and were level gross after four holes. Four costly blobs left them feeling that their 25 points could have been so much better, but the team total of 78 was the best return in the event since 2010. Excellent greens and bright sunshine however pushed up the scoring slightly for everyone and the Huddersfield hoodoo struck again as the results were announced.

Ampleforth topped the qualifiers with an immense 91 points, closely followed by Birkenhead (87), St Peters (86), and Giggleswick (84). Although Hymers didn’t have the agony of missing by a couple of points like in 2022, the team will await the qualifying scores from the other regions to see whether the north gets another spot for the finals.