Keeping score

Left: The 18th Leaderboard towers over British Open winner Shane Lowry as he putts. Below left: The Leaderboard and the approach to the Green

© ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

HENRY ELSTON (S17)

Keeping score

Last summer, nine Old Carthusians headed to Northern Ireland to man the leaderboards at The Open, proudly continuing a 30-year long tradition. They share their experiences

Since 1979, pupils and alumni Smeeton (BH78–19), travelling of Charterhouse have been across the water to Northern manning and updating the Ireland to continue this tradition, leaderboards at the 18th competing with rivals Cranleigh green at The Open. Last year, nine School who man the opposite board. Old Carthusians made the trip “The scoreboards were oldwith Sam James (BH10–), David fashioned with very little electric McCombes (BH11–) and Roger assistance,” explains James Hockley (W17), one of the attending OCs. “We received information via hand-held devices and then we had to replicate the information onto the scoreboards, spelling out the players’ names and scores using individual letter and number cards.”

“We were really impressed with the professionalism and attitude of the boys,” commented David McCombes. “This was the School’s first Open in Northern Ireland, which proved a logistical challenge and meant we sent nine boys as opposed to the usual 12–15. The boys maintained the high standard set by generations of Carthusians before them and hopefully they’ll invite us back!”

It wasn’t all hard work and no play though, as James explains: “As we were staff at the event we received official kit and staff passes, so rather than stand behind the ropes during our time off, we could cross them and watch the golf unobstructed. Of course, nobody said anything because they presumed that we were supposed to be there. So it was an extra bonus to be able to watch the golf for free.” b

F You can read more about the logistics behind the scoring in The New York Times: nyti.ms/2RJr1sv

Well done to Will Dewar (D16),

Toby Rawlings (S19), Mark Barley (g16), Henry Elston (S17), Robert Elston (G19), James Hockley (W17), Jack Stewart (W17), Oliver Platts (g17) and James Platts (g17).

Matteo Bonsignore (F17), 2019 Uni Rep for Imperial College, updates us on the progress of the newly launched uni rep system

Many of my fondest memories from my brief time in the UK date back to the years I spent at Charterhouse. Whether it was the strong community feeling my Boarding House managed to create during competitions, or the opportunity to admire the beauty of the campus grounds every time I went for a run, these were all experiences I have never really lived again in my hectic life as a university student in London.

So when I was asked to be a representative for Old Carthusians studying at Imperial College, I jumped at the chance of once again being a part of Charterhouse’s community!

I knew that being an OC rep would provide me with an opportunity not only to organise my own events, but also to connect again with many of the people whom I had shared my Sixth Form years with and recreate that community feel that had been so characteristic of my days at Charterhouse.

For the many students that graduate every year from Charterhouse, the OC community has the potential to be one of their first support networks as they transition to university life in a city possibly unknown to them, making it a valuable resource for many Carthusians even before they leave the School.

Having only taken up the role in the summer term, I have yet to see just how supportive the network can be in helping new OCs headed for

Keeping the Carthusian spirit burning

Imperial to settle into London, but I am optimistic it will be capable of providing the guidance that many students like me found lacking in their first year of further studies.

I can therefore only hope that, with time, more OCs will learn about this initiative and take advantage of it – if not to contribute to the continuation of Charterhouse’s community, then at least to enjoy a free drink with old friends every once in a while! b

Uni Reps for 2019/20

• Durham: Joey Yip (S18) • St Andrews: Ben Gardner (F17),

Will Burns (g19) • Leeds: Lottie Wright (F17) • Bristol: Lilly Weiss-Skjorten (D19) • Oxford: Natalia Radomska (W18) • Edinburgh: Freddie Tidswell (R17) • America (University of Chicago):

Ibrahim Ahmed (F19)

Top: Imperial College drinks, organised by Matteo Bonsignore. Drinks were also organised at St Andrews University, pictured above, courtesy of Ben Gardner (F17)