Narwhals v Kummelians – 7th August 2026
The Narwhals v The Kummelians
Venue: Conwy GC
7th August 2026
The Gathering
The latest instalment of the Narwhals’ fixture with our friends from Nairn began, as these things so often do, some considerable time before a ball was struck.
Eight of the Kummelians made the nine-hour journey south from Nairn by minibus on Thursday and were met that evening by our President, JR, and myself at The Toad in Rhos-on-Sea. They arrived in remarkably fine form considering the journey, and a very enjoyable meal was followed by what can only be described as a suitable amount of pre-match hydration.
The travelling party was not yet complete, however. Four further Kummelians made their way up by train from London, arriving shortly after 10.00 p.m., at which point the full complement was assembled and the evening could continue in earnest. Proceedings eventually drew to a close at around 1.00 a.m. — ideal preparation, naturally, for 36 holes of golf the following day.
Among the Kummelian ranks was an impressive quintet of Ashers — Ali, James, Finlay, Rory and Robbie — giving the visitors’ team sheet something of a family feel.
Both sides assembled at Conwy Golf Club at 8.00 a.m. on Friday morning for bacon rolls, coffee and, for those who felt coffee insufficient after the previous evening, something a little stronger. By 9.15 a.m. the formalities were complete and the match was under way.
Morning Play
Captain Richard Bolger led the Narwhals out alongside Jason Shufflebotham, but not before our visitors produced a particularly nice touch. Each Narwhal was presented on the first tee with a Kummelians ball marker, which was gratefully received and immediately put into use.
The Captain and Jason clearly took the gesture as motivation, dispatching Fraser Fotheringham and James Asher 8 & 6 in the opening match. Josh Roberts and Richard Stockdale followed with a hard-fought 1 up victory over Scott Lawrie and Gus Smithson.
The Kummelians soon responded. Finlay Asher and Logan Gillies beat Duncan Whittaker and Alex Cliffe 2 & 1, while Scott Fraser and Rory Asher overcame Martin Jones and Will Powell 3 & 1. Haydn Phillips and Arthur Jones restored Narwhal fortunes with an emphatic 6 & 5 victory over Robbie Asher and Paul McDonald, before Kummelian Captain Ali Asher and Nick Ralf defeated Kevin Walsh and Brendan McNamara 3 & 2.
HALF-TIME: THE NARWHALS 3 - THE KUMMELIANS 3
Lunch, Then Everything to Play For
Lunch provided an impressive array of sandwiches and wraps with numerous fillings, crisps and the necessary liquid refreshments before Captain Bolger said a few words. He thanked the Kummelians for making the considerable journey to North Wales and spoke warmly about the friendships and camaraderie that fixtures such as this create. He also apologised that he would unfortunately be unable to join the evening meal and celebrations.
With everything still to play for, the afternoon matches commenced at 2.30 p.m., the Captain once again leading from the front, this time partnered by Josh Roberts.
The opening match against Scott Lawrie and James Asher went all the way, with the spoils shared. Behind them, however, the Narwhals began to edge ahead. Jason Shufflebotham and Richard Stockdale continued their excellent day with a 4 & 2 victory over Gus Smithson and Finlay Asher.
Fraser Fotheringham and Rory Asher kept the visitors firmly in the contest with a 4 & 3 win over Duncan Whittaker and Martin Jones, before Alex Cliffe and Will Powell answered with a 3 & 1 victory over Scott Fraser and Logan Gillies.
Haydn Phillips and Arthur Jones halved their match with Paul McDonald and Ali Asher, leaving the final match to provide a fitting conclusion.
A Fitting Finish
And what a conclusion it was.
Kevin Walsh, playing after almost a year away from the game following the extraordinary misfortune of rupturing both Achilles tendons, was accompanied by Brendan McNamara in the final Narwhals pairing. Together they produced an emphatic 7 & 6 victory over Nick Ralf and Robbie Asher. Given Kevin’s long road back to the golf course, it was surely one of the performances of the day, while Brendan proved a more than able partner in helping secure the final point.
The afternoon session had gone 4–2 to the Narwhals, producing the final result:
| THE NARWHALS 7 — THE KUMMELIANS 5 |
There were several performances worthy of mention, but particular congratulations must go to Jason Shufflebotham and Richard Stockdale, who both emerged from the day with a perfect two points from two, and to Kevin Walsh for marking his long-awaited return to match golf in such emphatic fashion.
Match Manager: Will Powell
