High Handicap Championship 23

HIGH HANDICAP

championship

17 May 2023 Test Valley Golf Club

As the most junior of the AGA competitions, the High Handicap Championship was brought under the banner of the AGA for the first time in 2022.

Previously the event was coordinated by Lt Col Richard Sanders AGC (SPS), a former Regional and Corps Secretary. Now in its second year under the watchful eye of the AGA, we are pleased to announce that entries remain on an upward trajectory and our aim is to reach maximum participation (c66 entries) in line with all other AGA Championship events.

This year we achieved almost 50% of our aiming mark; a field of one lady and 30 men played 36 holes off the yellow and red tees. Flights were sent out in four balls at 8 minute intervals, so the pace of play was key to the success of the day. With a little supervision all flights pushed on and play flowed nicely with all groups through 18 in just under 4¼ hours.

Cpl Gary Taylor

We were once again hosted by Test Valley Golf Club (TVGC), a venue used periodically by the South East region and therefore was familiar to a few of the

competitors. The course is based on chalk and so drains well and with little water on the course it seems a popular choice as a host venue.

The Championship is played over two rounds in one day this was a first for many in the field, and mental, as well as physical, fatigue affected some. Whilst the course was a little forgiving in places, the rough was high and the greens were quickening, having been cut and rolled prior to play. It achieved all we set out for – a fair but stern test. The tee boxes were set up as they would be for all Championship events with AGA, sponsor and event banners flying. The players were formally briefed and then introduced on the tee. For some, this added an extra layer of stress to the first shot of the day but again, it added to the experience.

Maj Sue McFarlane

The AGA committee selected the date well, as the course was bathed in sunshine and with minimal wind as the players arrived, this was to remain throughout the day and bode well for

some good scoring opportunities. As the morning wore on the temperature rose, as did the standard of golf. There was plenty of good ball striking and whilst the run out may have been less than in the height of the summer, the slightly slower greens gave confidence for them to be attacked. This was clearly evident from the morning round scores. The clubhouse leader was Capt James Flood (26) on 45 pts, in second place was LCpl Karl Straw (22) on 43 pts, closely followed by Cpl Hari Rai (20) on 41 pts in third. In fourth place on 39 pts was SSgt David Whitwham (26), followed by WO2 Lee Wright (28) on 38 pts in fifth place. Then came two on 37 pts and four on 36 pts. So, with the top 10 players all scoring upward of 36 pts, the afternoon round would be all about consistency and who would be able to hold their nerve and concentration in round 2.

to be hit, none more so than the shot of the day when Cpl Hari Rai almost drove the green on the Par 4, 6th.

The standard of play across the board, belied many a handicap, with several of the players on a downward trajectory in terms of the standard of their game. It was likely their handicap would reduce once Club Systems had recorded the scores overnight – after all this was the purpose of this event, and certainly a proportion of the field may not qualify for next year’s competition. Of course, there is always the Stableford event at Whittington Heath GC at the beginning of August for them to pit their wits against some of our more established players. As one door closes, another opens.

With temperatures dropping and the sun hiding behind a layer of cloud during the early afternoon, some great drives were

Round 2 was closed with Rai improving on his morning round to card a very impressive 45 pts, next up was Wright, also improving on his morning score with 44 pts, followed in 3rd was Cpl Gary Taylor

WO2 Marcus Murcott

LCpl Ben Lee

on 42 pts, and Straw on 41 pts. Then two were tied on 39 pts and a further 5 tied on 37 pts.

Three of the morning’s top five made it into the prizes at the close of play with WO2 Marcus Murcott climbing into the top 5 with two steady rounds of golf. As always there can only be one winner and Rai managed to piece together two excellent rounds of consistent golf of 41 & 45 pts. Assuming his golf will only get better, it is unlikely that he will be unable to defend his title next year.

Our sincere thanks go to Alastair Briggs, the Club General Manager, Maria McKenzie, the Events Organiser, and staff and members of Test Valley Golf Club for allowing the AGA to hold this Championship on their course and for presenting the course in such excellent condition. Going forward, TVGC has kindly agreed to host this event for the next 5 years, dates to follow, and to work with us to increase the field of players year on

year. Special thanks must go to the AGA officials Diane Walters and Jana Daniell for administering and running the event in their usual professional and tireless manner both at the event and back in the office. Finally, the AGA is eternally grateful to Thales as the AGA headline sponsor for 2023.

The 2024 AGA High Handicap Championship will take place back at Test Valley Golf Club on Wed 22 May 24. AGA members should note that this is a mixed competition open to ALL members of the AGA with the field limited to approx. 42 players; all interested in playing whatever handicap should enter. Entries will be available via the website in early 2024.

RESULTS Champion

Cpl Hari Rai Inf 86 pts

Runner-Up

LCpl Karl Straw RLC 84 pts

Third Place

WO2 Lee Wright REME 82 pts

Fourth Place

Capt James Flood RE 81 pts

Fifth Place

WO2 Marcus Murcott AGC 75 pts

2023 High Handicap Champion - Cpl Hari Rai Inf