championship HIGH HANDICAP
17
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.
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
Cpl Gary Taylor
Maj Sue McFarlane
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
to be hit, none more so than the shot of the day when Cpl Hari Rai almost drove thegreen on thePar4,6th.
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.
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 titlenext 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
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 theevent 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 availablevia thewebsitein early2024.
RESULTS
Champion Cpl Hari Rai Inf 86 pts
Runner-Up LCpl Karl Straw RLC 84 pts
2023 High Handicap Champion - Cpl Hari Rai Inf