OJA Golf
We continue to plan.
2024
The last OJA committee meeting held at the Queen's Hotel on 13th January 2024 involved discussions on the 'Old Thorns' project and the 2024 annual golf tournament.
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Wev expect the annual Golf tournamant to remain in its old form for 2024 and to be
held in the autumn at the Waterlooville golf club.
The "Old Thorns' project is clearly based around a golfing venue weekend,
where members will play a tournament on the Old Thorns golf course.
It is also aimed at creating a social weekend with other (non-golfing) actvities on offer.
This will require a lot of effort, planning and OJA resources to get this project ofdf the ground.
This was approved at the last meeting.
May 2024
We wish to gauge interest in a much bigger reunion in May 2024. A new OJ committee is trying to get a day when a much wider range of OJ’s can meet. The proposal at present is to look at playing golf at a hotel complex similar to Old Thorns near Petersfield. This would develop into an evening meal where others who may have no interest in golf could convene, with an aim of renewing old friendships. The reason for a reasonably priced hotel gives a chance for people travelling distances to stay overnight
Such events are driven by demand and a desire to meet up in a cordial environment to talk of present and past memories. If you have interest in either event, please contact any of the email contacts below. I am particularly keen this should be a really inclusive event as exemplified by the College.
If you have ideas or opinions to share, please let us know. And feel free to share with any alumni we’ve missed that you may be in contact with.
Kind regards
Brian Saunders and Matt Kell
On behalf of the OJ Committee.
Please contact us on any of these emails;
Brian Saunders
Matt Kell
Click here to register your interest
2023 OJA Golf
2024 OJA Golf - TBA
I am pleased to say due to popular demand the annual Golf Day has taken place at Waterlooville golf club on
Thursday 5th October 2023.
The sad demise of the College in terms of bricks and mortar doesn’t mean an end to the many happy memories many still harbour. The golf day is an opportunity to meet old friends and swap stories.
2023 OJA golf report
OJ Golf Day Thursday 5th October 2023.
Warm weather greeted another OJ golf day at Waterlooville golf club. After the sad closure of the College, it was considered important to keep one of the functions, originally started by Brother David almost 50 years ago, alive and kicking.
Although numbers, for a variety of reasons were a lower, it turned out to be a good competition with some close scores. It was a pleasure to welcome Stefan Bartkowiak and Steve Beddingham from the OJ committee who enjoyed meeting past students. Stefan walked the course and took a number of pictures to mark the day.
As in previous years we were supported by a number of OJ’s who contributed to the event. Terry Healy, and Jason O’ Malley from Portsmouth Golf Centre and Woburn GC added to the generous prizes. Steve Beddingham, Brit Pearce, and the OJ committee donated wine, and Tom and Will Phillips donated an hour and a half on their new golf simulator at Tournerbury golf club on Hayling Island. I am always amazed by people’s kindness. Any money made on the raffle and auction goes to the Royal Marsden hospital.
The course was in excellent condition and contributed to the following results. We were able to award prizes to 7 places.
1st Brit Pearce 40 points
2nd Brian Saunders 39 points
3rd Matt Kell 38 points
4th Will Phillips 37 points
5th Stuart Powell 36 points
6th Stuart Mohammed 32 points
7th Tracy Powell 32 points
I would like to personally thank Matt Kell for his support in running the competition this year. The event in my opinion is so much more important than the results. A chance to catch up with old friends is a joy.
There is a drive to change the format in future years. It would be run on a Saturday or Sunday at a course that has a hotel. Perhaps next May. This would allow people to travel and stay overnight. It also avoids taking a mid-week day off, which a number of people expressed was the only reason they were unable to attend.
The committee would love to hear your thoughts on this. Please be encouraged to voice your thoughts though any of the contact channels you prefer.
Kind regards Brian Saunders