OH FORE  GOLF SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP

Following the December 2025 meeting of Oh Fore, which included a fine lunch afterwards, the members were asked by organiser Ian Watt to contribute some thoughts on the group:-

Keith Malone

The game of golf is all about camaraderie - as is the 1904. So how natural that Oh Fore should become a welcome addition to the 1904 family of activities. We had 9 players for our December meeting - invited to come together by our Oh Fore leader Ian Watt. 

We went out in 3-balls hand-picked by Ian - with nominated skippers to keep things moving along smoothly. Our venue for Oh Fore monthly meetings is the Par 3 18-hole course at Thornbury Golf Club. A delightful and relatively easy stroll from tee to tee - with fabulous views to enjoy of the Severn Estuary. Perhaps one day we’ll be up to taking on the main course there!

My companions for the round were Barry and Mark - both fledgling golfers with great potential to develop their game. We got round brilliantly, with good spells of chat between shots - which is what makes golf such a sociable pastime. Playing golf allows you to focus on your game - while getting to know your partners.

The great thing about the Thornbury Par 3 course is there is no real risk of losing your ball if you hit a bad shot off the tee. So there is no hunting through thick patches of heavy rough or poking about under trees or in thorny bushes. It’s easy to keep up a good pace of play, which is always important to make the round enjoyable. 

The Thornbury greens are very good - so putting is an enjoyable experience where the ball runs true. The views from the course really are outstanding: hit a duff shot and the ire is instantly forgotten as you gaze over the beautiful vista of the River Severn and surrounding countryside. 

After our round, Ian had organised us a large table in the clubhouse restaurant for us to all sit at together and eat our lunch, which we could order individually from the bar. And what’s more, Ian had even gone to the trouble of organising us a team golf quiz, which was a brilliant way to end the event. 

I would say to any 1904 members who have given golf a go before and would like to try it out some more: get in touch with Ian and join our Oh Fore group. I’ve been told golf was a long-time thriving activity during the Savages era - so why not restore the group to its former eminence?

That would be great fun and a wonderful extension to life with the 1904 
Fore !!

Ian Watt responded:

Bristol Savages golfers played for two trophies a year, The Tomahawk and the two ball mixed foursome called the Molyneux Trophy.
I spoke with Mike Newstead earlier today and the Tomahawk Trophy isn’t allowed out of the cabinet but there is a wooden replica that he is going to search for.

The Tomahawk Trophy was made in 1911 and was very much Savage history especially pre-war.
Oh Fore members can decide when ready to have an actual competition on a main course, which trophy they want to win maybe at Shirehampton in June.

We probably need to sort out handicaps for those that don’t have any to make it fair, any ideas?
Thank you to you and Jane for your participation and enthusiasm it all looks good for Oh Fore and our main club.

Jane Malone

My very first time of joining the Oh Fore golf group, with much excitement, I prepared my golf clubs and bag and prepared to do battle with the par 3 Severn course at Thornbury Golf Club. I was delighted to be teamed up with Jo and David from B and C, myself a Shirehampton Park girl, both long-time golfers such as myself. A quick photo session of aspiring golfers and “ Fore “ we were off. How lucky were we with the weather and the views, a little squelchy underfoot but a delightful challenge of each hole. Taking it in turns to master the holes, all three of us had some amazing birdie putts, 30 foot, 20 foot and 10 foot with David calling it as he saw it, great excitement when the ball drops for a birdie.

We quickly put the first 9 holes into submission and set off to play them again, wondering if we would “ lap” the last players out. There was much humour and teasing with helpful tips with Jo and David guarding the free chocolate they had been given at hole no 1, greedy guts having devoured hers before even swinging a club. Three good scores between us. A very great morning out full of enthusiasm followed by a warming bowl of soup and a glass of vino. Then as if the day couldn’t get any better, we had a mini quiz to test our wits devised by our excellent organiser Ian Watt. Roll on January, can’t wait to sharpen my skills again. Fore!

Happy Christmas everyone.

Barry Agar

Since joining the Oh Fore golf interest group in May 2025, I have enjoyed meeting and getting to know other members and developing my game in a friendly and supportive environment. 

Many thanks to Ian for setting up Oh Fore, and here’s to another year of great golf in 2026!

Mark Colfer

Thanks for organising the golf day, always great to be outside with a purpose & living in hope to one day reduce my score. Thanks for all the tips.

David Marvel

Ian Watt has done a sterling job to get a few 04 members to join in a monthly gathering of golfers, of any ability and skill, to play at the Thornbury PAR 3 course. It’s all very social and relaxed and there is no pressure about winning but merely enjoying yourself and meeting up with club members. It’s a great forum for anyone interested in starting to play golf and get help from other more seasoned players. Please give it a go and come along and speak with Ian at a Wednesday meeting. to get more details.

John Dunn

For a while I’ve been thinking it would be nice to be able to play a bit of golf but I’ve not done anything about it till hearing of the new Oh Fore golfing group led by Ian. 

I can report that they are a friendly and encouraging group, tolerant of a complete beginner such as myself, and I’m optimistic that this could be the start of a rewarding new activity.

Jo Harrison

A great idea to encourage others to join this fun day. A great revival of mixed golf under the excellent leadership of Ian Watt. Very inclusive- all standards of golf and those wishing to learn. We meet at Thornbury golf club and play the par 3 course which is a good challenge for all. We have lots of fun and learn from each other, followed by stories on the 19th over a glass of ??

Why not come and enjoy a new challenge or just enjoy 1904 friendship?

Ian Watt

If you are interested in playing more golf or even wish to try it, then come along and join in with fellow 1904 members in our interest group OH FORE.

For more details, please send an email to ianwatt2@outlook.com

Thank you for your interest and hope to see you on the golf course soon.