Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th of August saw 101 players compete in bogey competitions for four separate trophies: Londonpokalen, which is played over 36 holes, with a brief stop for lunch after 18. Queens Cup, 18 holes for ladies, Lilla Londonpokalen, 18 holes for juniors, and finally Old Boys London Trophy, 18 holes for men over 75 years of age.
The Old Boys Trophy, which was formerly the RSGS Society’s Prize was donated to GGK in 2022 to mark the competition’s centenary celebration, and was the first competition of the weekend. Played in nearly perfect conditions on the Saturday, the winner was GGK member Peter Hedenbergh with a score of +3. In second place was Ulf Odelberg with a score of 0, and finally third place went to Robert ‘Bob’ Kihlberg, who you may remember joined RSGS for the 2023 Autumn meeting at East Sussex*. Best (and only) score by an RSGS member was Lars Löfberg, in seventh place with a score of -1.
The conditions on Sunday were once again ideal, and across Londonpokalen and Queens Cup, three RSGS members started. The ladies were done first, and Charlotte Löfberg came second with an impressive score of +5. The winner was GGK member Minako Kawagita with +6, and third place went to Gunilla Parmlid, a few years over 80 with a score of +3! Needless to say, very impressive results all around. Christine Löfberg was 12th with a score of -2.
A few hours later, a group of rather tired men gathered for their prize giving ceremony. RSGS President Lars Löfberg joined the organisers from GGK, and the very generous sponsor No 1 Golf to talk a bit about Londonpokalen’s history. The winner was GGK member Per Unenge with a very impressive score of +9. In his speech he shared that he, after the first 18 holes, had a quick dip in the sea (currently around 18 degrees) next to the club. That along with a small beer with lunch is what he believes made him play so well. In second and third place were Henric Ingemarson +3, and Kjell Johansson +3 respectively. Göran Nilsson came 6th with a score of +1 – a great achievement in our opinion.
Londonpokalen is always played over a weekend at the end of August, and we would love to see more members join next year.
You can read more about Londonpokalen’s history and the heritage our Society shares with GGK here!
*All RSGS members are invited to play during the Londonpokalen weekend, as a reciprocal gesture, RSGS invites all GGK members to the Autumn meeting. Over the years a few have taken us up on the offer, and we hope that more will join in years to come!
