The Horners’ Golfing Society (HGS) organises golfing events for members of the Company and invites friends and family members to participate whenever possible. We play at many different Golf Clubs around the Southeast of England and all levels of golfing ability are catered for. Additionally, an Annual Dinner and a long weekend holiday to the South of Spain (Marbella) are organised to which partners are invited.
The main events organised by the Society are a Spring Meeting at the prestigious Swinley Forest Golf Club near Ascot and an inter-Livery event in June each year at Ashridge Golf Club (near St Albans) for the Horners’ Trophy. This is now one of the most popular and well supported golfing competitions in Livery Golf and 2024 will mark its 20th anniversary.
As well as the above events, the Society organises teams that participate in the Prince Arthur Cup (the Annual Livery Golfing Competition at Walton Heath Golf Club); the Annual Lord Mayor’s Charity Golf Day; “friendly” matches against other Livery Companies and representation at the Golf Days of other Livery Companies. In a normal year the Society participates in around 15 different events.
Season 2023
Our Spring Meeting took place at the usual venue of Swinley Forest on 24th March and by welcoming members of the Plastics Industry Golf Society (PIGS) we were able to field 27 players. A good lunch was followed by 13 holes of Greensomes when the EKCO trophy was won by Charles Bettinson & guest.
In 2022 we won our annual matches against the Actuaries and Tin Plate Workers and in 2023 our team of Jack Bunyer, Philip Marchant, Richard Graham, Nick Horner and Maggie & Steve Bradbury was successful in defending both trophies.
The Horners’ Trophy, held at Ashridge GC, had another successful year with 17 teams entered from different Livery Companies. The Trophy was won by the WC Accountants with a team from the PIGS coming a creditable second. As always, this event was smoothly organised by Colin & Andy Freedman
We also entered teams into the Prince Arthur Cup (Walton Heath) and Golf Days organised by the Information Technologists, Plumbers, Tallow Chandlers and the City Livery Club.
The season ended with our annual trip to Marbella where the non-golfing guests outnumbered the golfers. However, the Ship trophy was won by Ed weeks who narrowly beat Alan Price.
Season 2024
Next year’s calendar is already taking shape and will include our Spring Meeting at Swinley Forest on 22nd March 2024; the annual match against the Actuaries and Tin Plate Workers at Burnham Beeches on 25th April; the Horners’ Trophy at Ashridge on 12th June; and the Plumbers Golf Day at New Zealand GC on 25th July.
The Future
With the number of active HGS golfers reducing in recent years and the effects of Covid, HGS has not been able to enter as many events as in previous years. Could any member interested in playing for HGS please contact myself – email in Horners’ Handbook – and I will provide further details. Players of all levels of ability are welcomed and the social side is just as important as the golf.
Steve Bradbury
Hon Sec HGS
October 2023