The Mellin Tournament 2026

West Hill GC, June 24th – 26th

Report by Steve Carr

 

Mellin Week 2026 will be mainly remembered for two phenomena. First, the record-breaking heatwave, which quite rightly reduced the rounds to 12 holes of the fabulous West Hill. And second and most important for OO golf, the evergreen pair of Nick Owles and Patrick Fossett, winning the Bunny Millard for over 75s, meaning Oundle have won five of the last six editions. An incredible achievement.

 

As for the other two squads, it was a case of nearly but not quite. We lost in the semi-final of the GL Mellin Salver (over 55s) to Cheltenham on the final green, having already overcome our old adversary Shrewsbury in the 2nd round after two extra holes. Congratulations to pair 3, Barry Peak and William Rice, who won all 3 of their matches, including that heroic sudden death.

 

The Peter Burles (for over 65s), lost agonisingly in extra holes in the 2nd round to our nemesis and eventual winners, Shrewsbury, having come through in sudden death in the first round versus Bedford.

 

An honourable mention must go to Nigel Hetherington and Michael Williams, who had a good enough qualifying score to get into the final four of the Bunny Millard, but tournament rules exclude them for being in the semis, if the same school has already one pair through. Bad luck but well done.

 

Despite the incredible heat, great fun was had by all, both on and off the course, and thank you to the hardcore of supporters for their encouragement: Shane Dodd, Peter Fox-Andrews and James Aston.

 

Mellin 1st Round v Bedford

Steve Carr (S84) & ‘Paddy’ McAuliffe (Sc83)                      won 3&2

Mark Eddy (StA84) & Peter Pentecost (StA73)                  won 2&1

Barry Peak (Sn84) & William Rice (Sn79)                          won 2&1

 

Mellin 2nd Round v Shrewsbury

Steve Carr & ‘Paddy’ McAuliffe                                            lost 2&1

Mark Eddy & Peter Pentecost                                              won 4&3

Barry Peak & William Rice                                                   won on 2nd extra hole

 

Mellin 3rd Round v Cheltenham

Steve Carr & ‘Paddy’ McAuliffe                                            lost 2&1

Mark Eddy & Peter Pentecost                                              lost 1 hole

Barry Peak & William Rice                                                   won 3&2

 

Burles 1st Round v Bedford

Nick Copestick (Ldr69) & Jeremy Monroe (G73)               won 6&5

Fred Domellof (F76) & Peter Edwards (Sc73)                   lost 5&4

Copestick & Monroe won on 1st extra hole

 

Burles 2nd Round v Shrewsbury

Nick Copestick & Jeremy Monroe                                        lost 5&4

Fred Domellof  & Duncan Smith (C71)                                won 3&2

Copestick & Monroe lost on 1st extra hole

 

 

Bunny Millard Salver (over 75s)

Patrick Fossett (B65) & Nick Owles (N63) qualified in 2nd place

Nigel Hetherington (F65) & Michael Williams (N69) came 4th = but not eligible for knockout round

 

Semi final v Bradfield

Patrick Fossett & Nick Owles                                   won

 

Final v Shrewsbury

Patrick Fossett & Nick Owles                                   won 4&3

 

Steve Carr & Andrew McAuliffe

Mark Eddy & Peter Pentecost

Barry Peak & William Rice

 

Winners of the Bunny Millard Trophy. L-R Patrick Foster, Nick Owles