Hodogaya Spring Golf Meeting — 2008
The dawn chorus had barely faded when a perfectly matched group of eight golfers from each university assembled for the first championship of the 2008 season. Led by their respective yokozuna — Thomas (Oxford) and Dalby (Cambridge) — both teams brimmed with anticipation as veterans Sato (Oxford) and Gomersall (Cambridge) took their opening shots from the soft yellow tees.
In the absence of lady players, Hodogaya itself provided colour and elegance: plum, magnolia, and camellia blossoms decorating the course with soft pinks, crimsons, and whites. The four flights set off with competitive determination, though some strayed so deeply into Hodogaya’s inviting rough that front-nine scores above 50 were not unusual. Even so, the contest remained finely balanced as the groups returned for an early 10:30 lunch.
The Afternoon Surge
The back nine brought out the day’s true performances. Dalby, frustrated by a few missed approaches in the morning, shifted into top gear. Takeno (Oxford) kept a cool head, while Minton (Cambridge), playing Hodogaya for the first time, managed the challenging curves and hillocks with surprising ease.
Cambridge gained a slight advantage late in the round thanks to the lake bordering holes 16 and 17 being temporarily drained for repairs. But when the final scores were counted, it was the steady hand of Oxford’s senior member, Sato, whose cheerful 44 on the back nine secured Oxford’s narrow four-shot overall victory — their 17th championship to Cambridge’s 15.
Celebration & Closing
As non-alcoholic beer flowed among those driving home, Takeno was presented with the individual trophy. An impromptu committee of elders — impressed by the fluidity of his swing — agreed to reduce his handicap by five. Accepting this with exemplary British grace, he concluded the day with warm thanks to the Society’s Secretary for arranging perfect weather and an excellent setting for such a close and enjoyable match.
The next fixture was provisionally scheduled for the weekend of 27–28 September.