The Maharajah of Kutch Trophy

THE INTERNATIONAL CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN

THE MAHARAJAH OF KUTCH TROPHY  - JULY 2025

The Maharajah of Kutch Trophy match, together with the equivalent golf competition, took place against the IC of France at Moor Park on the 17^th and 18^th July.

The match which is for 45+ age category is generally played every two to three years alternately in GB and France. The 2022 match in Agon-Coutainville resulted in a win for the IC of France in both the tennis and golf, so the IC of GB team were fired up to try to regain both cups. The tennis matches started on Thursday morning on the grass courts in front of the magnificent Moor Park mansion in dry but somewhat overcast weather, with the strong IC of GB team taking a 2-1 lead in the first round of matches. As the morning progressed the IC of GB successes continued with the team taking a 4-1 lead into lunch.

The three pair golf matches teed off from 2pm on the West Course with guest appearances for the IC of France by David Waite and Benson Greatrex (IC of France Hon. International Members) plus Billy Bartlett (Sue Bartlett’s) husband due to late dropouts from the ICF team because of injury.  In close matches the IC of GB golfers managed a clean sweep to go 3-0 up after Day 1.Both the tennis and golf were somewhat disrupted by rain with the afternoon tennis matches being unfinished. As a result, the IC of GB took the lunchtime 4-1 tennis lead into Day 2.

Thursday evening dinner took place at Luna Rossa Italian restaurant in Gerrards Cross which was within walking distance of the Bull Hotel where the ICF Team and some of the IC of GB team were staying. The meal went very well with both sets of players thoroughly enjoying the evening.

Friday morning saw much better weather with a predicted high of 30c for the day. Tennis matches started on the match grass courts at 10:30. The ICF started well with 2 wins, but the IC of GB clawed there way back to 2 all on the day. Following the buffet lunch, more tennis was played and the two unfinished rubbers from Thursday were completed.

Friday’s golf matches were played on the High Course – a Championship standard course where an Open qualifier was played earlier in the year. Matches were again close, but IC of GB came out ahead after taking two of the three matches.

The final match results were 7-4 to IC of GB in the tennis and 5-1 to GB in the golf.

However, although the matches were completed by around 6pm on Friday there was still the official dinner held at Moor Park. Our nine IC of France guests were joined by fourteen IC of GB players and guests. The food for the three course dinner was excellently presented by the Moor Park chefs, a fitting meal for the great surroundings.

IC Captain, Peter Harding said a few words welcoming the IC of France team and then handed over to Match Manager, Benson Greatrex who expanded on the match results and gave Dominique Legat  (an Honorary International Member of the IC of GB ) an IC 100 tie. Dominique responded, his main theme being the spirit in which the match had been played and the level of hospitality which had been received by his team.

All in all a very successful match. We are fortunate to have our ongoing arrangement with Moor Park which enables us to run matches like this, in addition to our Golf Day and IC of GB members privileges of paying much reduced green fees for golf during the year.

My thanks to the (quite numerous!) IC of GB players who played in the match – some for the IC of France! All in all, 14 IC of GB Members played – Sue Bartlett, Wendy Carter, Pat Wire, Alec Allen, Neil Howitt, Andy Hutchinson, Mike Harpin, Graham Neale, Pieter van Houten, Chris Hearne, Peter Harding, Nigel Watts, David Waite and me. Sue’s husband Billy also played golf for the IC of France as a guest!

Particular thanks to our Captain, Peter,  who helped to organise the afternoon tennis in my absence playing golf!

Thank you also to Dominique Legat for bringing over the IC of France players who were all excellent company on and off the courts and courses.

Benson Greatrex

July 2025.