Cardiff Golf Club 100
Hew Crawford Squirrel (1932 – 2020)
I
Hew joined Cardiff Golf Club on the day of his fourteenth birthday in 1946. Growing up on Rhyd- Y-Penau Road the area was very familiar to Hew and his friends as they had explored the countryside around Cyncoed during the war years. So eager was Hew to play he broke off a date with the daughter of the Postmaster in the village. Needless to say Hew didn’t get the chance to take her out again!
Making rapid progress with assistance and tutilage from Bill Smalldon and son Dennis, Hew made rapid progress. At that stage juniors were not permitted to play on Saturdays and Hew spent several hours of the day watching the better players tee off the first in the competitions. Among those who impressed was Dick de Lloyd who was one of very few to clear some of the few prominent trees.
Hew joined Cardiff Golf Club on the day of his fourteenth birthday in 1946. Growing up on Rhyd- Y-Penau Road the area was very familiar to Hew and his friends as they had explored the countryside around Cyncoed during the war years. So eager was Hew to play he broke off a date with the daughter of the Postmaster in the village. Needless to say Hew didn’t get the chance to take her out again!
Making rapid progress with assistance and tutilage from Bill Smalldon and son Dennis, Hew made rapid progress. At that stage juniors were not permitted to play on Saturdays and Hew spent several hours of the day watching the better players tee off the first in the competitions. Among those who impressed was Dick de Lloyd who was one of very few to clear some of the few prominent trees.
Despite the restriction Hew remembers how supportive the members were and he received much encouragement to Sunday school but as a junior couldn’t venture into the bar afterwards. At the time it was custom for everyone to hand over a penny for anyone getting a two. Club stalwart Jimmy Dean would always ensure that by next Sunday he had collected Hew’s share in a tin that was left in the Pro shop for him. This source of revenue alone funded any golf balls needed.
When Hew was 18 he became eligible to enter the senior club competitions. In this particular year Hew’s handicap came down significantly and the first of many club titles were secured. The rule in those days allowed a player to play off the same handicap through the year with reductions taking place at the end of the season in an annual review. After winning several titles including the Club Championship and Presidents Cup this rule soon changed!
After school in Cardiff Hew studied Geology at Birmingham University and it was at this stage Hew’s golf improved to such a level that he made his International debut for Wales in the Home Internationals played at the end of the season. Hew made an immediate impression winning his first five matches and in the final singles game against Ireland Hew was two up with three to play only to lose at the last hole.
During University Hew made his first individual break through winning the Boyd Quaich at St Andrews. With a four round score of 292.
Playing for Cardiff in the evening foursomes matches had helped Hew develop into a fine match player. At the time the Cardiff team was amongst one of the best and competition to play was fierce… the side was settled Hew played alongside, Dick de Lloyd, Lyndon Jones, Bob Pugsley, David Lewis and Merlin Jones. Their main rivals were at the time Aberdare who boasted several fine players well who Hew remembers well.
Hew won many National and County titles (Glamorgan and Hertfordshire) and two feats stand out for Hew, both against long time friend and rival Bill Tucker of Monmouthshire.
The first was playing against Bill in the final of the Welsh Amateur in Harlech in 1963, a year in which Bill had dominated Welsh golf and was very much the favourite. Hew had been out of form and was wondering if he could keep the score down to a respectable margin as he prepared on the morning of the final. Hew dug deep and was two down with five holes to play when Bill missed a short putt on the 14th hole. Hew remembers holding on until turning into the wind on the 17th tee, a par 4, 3 finish and two of the toughest holes in Welsh golf. Hew birdied the 17th to be All Square and then holed a 12 foot par putt on the 36th hole to win one up.
The second memory was playing for Glamorgan v Gwent at Southerndown. Playing at the top of the order against Bill Tucker again. Hew was the victor again by 1 hole and played the final 5 holes recording a 3 at each hole, four under par off the championship tees. For those who know the holes this is quite an unbelievable achievement and highly likely to be unique. Many would be delighted to play these in par.
Hew played for Wales with distinction, captaining the side on several occasions. Playing well up the order Hew played against the top Amateur golfers of the day with success…. Charlie Green, Ronnie Shade, Michael Bonallack and Joe Carr of Ireland. Just as Hew was playing his last year for Wales golfers such as Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle and Peter McEvoy were starting their careers as Amateurs.
The ultimate honour at the time was to play Walker Cup for GB&I. Hew was very close to being picked but selection in those days was not straight forward and it wasn’t to be.
After University Hew settled in Hertfordshire and was a prominent member of Moor Park. Work for the Geological Survey frequently bought him back to Wales. Hew’s book on the geology of Monmouthshire is still referred to today. During this time the commitment needed to play amateur golf to such a level with a full time job and living in Herts was quite something.
Richard Brown.
June 2020