I am sad to report the death of Martin Christmas (Charterhouse). Martin was President of the Society from 2014 to 2017 and was one of the outstanding golfers in the history of the tournament as well as being one of the most convivial and urbane companions on and off the golf course.
Martin Christmas (right) with Past-President Roger Howard
Martin played in the 1961 Walker Cup in Seattle, being the only man to win a match in an 11-1 drubbing by the USA. He also played in the 1963 matches at Turnberry and the Eisenhower Trophy in 1962. In individual championships he was runner up in the 1960 English Amateur Championship at Hunstanton in a final that was decided on the 41st hole. He reached the semi-final of The Amateur Championship in 1961, 1964 and 1965.
Unsurprisingly, Martin’s Hewitt record was similarly impressive. He represented Charterhouse from 1959 to 2000, playing 120 matches, of which he won 80 and drew 7. He won the Hewitt with Charterhouse 7 times in that period as part of a Carthusian team that attained almost legendary status. The side included Peter Benka (also Walker Cup), Dickie Scott, Mike Hughesdon and Ian Quick. They won the Hewitt in 1982, ’83 and ’84 having been beaten in the final in 1981. These days there would be a clamour for a Stewards’ Enquiry.
On his only trip to St Andrews as a member of the R & A, to play in The Amateur Championship in 1963, he lost in the 5th round and was told he couldn’t invite his American opponent into the clubhouse for a drink but would have to go to the competitors’ marquee. He resigned from the R & A immediately. For Martin, the social aspect of golf was always a key part of his enjoyment of the game.
Reporting the 1961 Walker Cup, the Sports Illustrated reporter noted that “the finest British showing was made by 21-year-old Martin Christmas, a tall, skinny, deadpan golfer with a shock of schoolboyish black hair…” By the time I met him in 1982, the hair was a little grey but he remained a calm, unflappable golfer, who took whatever the game threw his way with a nonchalance that seems to be achieved by all good players. Dulwich lost in the final to Charterhouse that year, my first Hewitt, and I was playing in the fourth pair. Martin was playing in the second pair. I recall that I had a quick sandwich lunch with a glass of orange juice and then went to the practice ground to loosen up. The Carthusians had a full roast lunch followed by kummels. The second match was slightly delayed because Martin refused to play until he had an after-lunch cigar and I remember the colourful Carthusian, John Bayman, throwing a box from the balcony at Deal so that Martin could make a selection. Looking back on it later, I have always felt we were psychologically beaten before we stepped on to the first tee and have tried to live my life accordingly, alas without the same success!
And so passes one of the greatest of Hewitt characters, leaving the world a little less special than it was before.
Celebration At Royal Mid-Surrey:
Martin died while in South Africa and the funeral has taken place out there. There will be a celebration of Martin’s life at Royal Mid-Surrey GC where he was a lifelong member and President.
This will take place at 2.00pm on Friday 7th July. Anyone wishing to be there should please notify James Tweddell (james@linkshelving.com) so that the club can assess the number of people likely to attend.
