Mike Smeaton from Owermoigne is the latest name to be engraved on The Society of Dorset Men’s Hambro Challenge Golf Cup- competed for annually since 1938.. He was presented with the 77 year old silver cup by Society President Lord Fellowes of West Stafford DL at the County Dinner, at the George Albert Hotel near Evershot.
There were early showers at Dorset’s own birthplace of the Ryder Cup, Came Down Golf Club, but the sky soon brightened-up as a record 26 members set out to compete in the 2015 Society of Dorset Men competition for the famous Hambro Cup.
Peter Fry and John Holdaway, both previous winners of the trophy, led out the field at 9.30am and some fine golf was played. Frank Skinner played three shots on the long fourteenth and after what was at first a fruitless search, the ball was found in the hole for an eagle three. More good golf was needed to win prizes for nearest the hole in two on the third, again by Frank Skinner and nearest the pin on the tenth by Mike Smeaton.
A good lunch was enjoyed by all competitors followed by the prize presentations. When all the cards were in and added up the prizes were presented by Society Secretary Hayne Russell, for nearest the pins and for first, second and third places. Just missing out were three fine rounds of 33 points each, but with 35 points each Charles Cooper just pipped John Holdaway on count back for second place. Mike Smeaton with 39 points was the clear and deserving winner. The annual Hambro Cup competition is organised by John Rousell.
Captain Angus Hambro [1883-1957] from Milton Abbas was a leading member of The Society of Dorset Men. He served as a junior member of the Government in the First World War. He was the Conservative MP representing Dorset South from 1910-22 and Dorset North from 1937-45. He was a Captain in the Queen’s Own Dorset Yeomanry.
The Society of Dorset Men was founded 111 years ago on 7 July 1904. The Society has a long and rich history, beginning as The Society of Dorset Men in London and aiming to bring together fellow Dorsets in the capital city. Since the 1950s, the main activities of the organisation have been centred on Dorset. Today, there are around 1,200 members throughout the UK and all over the world. The President is Oscar winner and ITV Downton Abbey playwright Lord Fellowes of West Stafford DL. He succeeded Sir Anthony Jolliffe GBE DL DSc DMus in 2011, the only Lord Mayor of London to be born in Weymouth- who still lives in Wyke Regis.
The four objects of The Society of Dorset Men are: “to make and to renew personal friendships and associations, to promote good fellowship among Dorset men wherever they may reside, to foster love of the county and pride in its history and traditions and to assist, by every means in its power, natives of Dorset who may stand in need of the influence and help of the Society.”
Membership of The Society of Dorset Men costs £10 a year. For further information, consult www.societyofdorsetmen.co.uk/page8.html or telephone Membership Secretary Peter Lush at 01305 260039.
Michel Hooper-Immins
