Lance and Charlie Forster, representing Basingstoke Golf Club, won the 75th edition of The Antlers 36-hole Scratch Foursomes Medal event at Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club in Richmond last weekend with 142 points, including the opening round an impressive 66.
They were placed ahead of Liam Cella and James Lennon (Sandy Lodge GC) in second place and Stephen Ross and Jacob Austin (Sunningdale GC) in third place after counting back on points gained on the famous JH Taylor course.
Charlie Forster, who won the Peter Alliss Memorial Trophy on the same course last year, plays at Long Beach State College in the United States and was recently selected for the GB&I team for the St Andrews Trophy. He and his father were presented with the event’s new trophy – the Martin Christmas Trophy – in memory of the former club president.
More than 50 teams entered the Antlers tournament this year and a handicap vote was needed to reduce the number of teams to 48. It included representatives of clubs from Sunningdale, The Berkshire, Wentworth Club, Royal Wimbledon, Walton Heath, Worplesdon, Centurion, Sandy Lodge. , Burhill, Felixstowe Ferry, Fairhaven, Frilford Heath, Roehampton, Burnham Beeches, Copthorne and Effingham.
“The tournament has been a great success, it has had a big and high-quality field for many years,” said the team’s general manager Mark Gailey. “We have had great feedback from competitors who have praised the course and greens, as well as the catering and general organization. Once again, The Antlers has proven to be the best foursomes scratch event in the country,” he added.
The Antlers, which takes its name from the type of club, was first played at Royal Mid-Surrey in 1933 and was once considered the GB&I Walker Cup captain’s last chance to try out a pair of foursomes before facing the American team. Among the past winners of the clubhouse honors board are well-known names in broadcasting such as Bruce Critchley (1974) and Richard Boxall (1981).
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