Stableford Championship 23

STABLEFORD

championship

31 July - 02 August 2023 Whittington Heath Golf Club

The 2023 AGA Stableford Championship returned to its spiritual home of Whittington Heath Golf Club for the 38th time, missing only once during that time due to the new course construction in 2021. It was wonderful to return to familiar surroundings amongst friendly and welcoming members and staff. The course was progressing well following the redevelopment associated with HS2 and it must be said, the course was again in excellent condition, something we have come to expect.

Following months of warm dry weather in the early part of the year, Whittington had recently fallen foul to periods of torrential rain, so on arrival we were met with lush fairways, hard fast greens and substantial rough. The forecast for the three days looked to be indifferent, but with harsh weather hitting Whittington on the final day.

First up was the annual match against past Captains and members of Whittington Heath GC, and the AGA officials with a select few AGA members

Sgt Mike Cupper RA

Sgt Aidi Bennett R Signals

and sponsors. With the teams evenly matched handicap-wise, all bode for a close-run match. With scores even through to the last match, all but one match being won on the 18th. That one, of course, being the AGA Secretary’s.

Unfortunately, having injured his hand the day before, and against his better judgement, he proceeded to play. With the weight of expectation weighing heavily on his partner’s shoulders (Lt Col Stu Campbell AMS) they tried in vain to hold their own, but on this occasion, fortune did not favour the brave and they went down 5&4. The result left the AGA winning the Wooden Spoon, which is awarded annually to the losing team. At the end of the day the only winner was the golf. The match was followed by a dinner where old friendships were cemented for another year.

With a field of 59, including last year’s Champion, Capt Mukunda Rajali Inf, sporting his new handicap of 17 (down from last year’s 22). Round 1 started better than forecast, although the wind had picked up and was gusting across the

Cooper REME (18) and Lt Col Suart Campbell AMS (5) on 37 pts, followed by Capt Paul Simpson REME (7), Maj Scott Dunn Inf (10), WO1 Michael ‘Charlie’ Brown AGC (9) and LCpl Ben Slaven R Sigs (28) all on 36 pts. There were 35 players scoring 30 pts or better in round 1.

SSgt Pasang Sherpa RLC

course which sent many a tee shot into the rough off the first. The greens had been cut and rolled first thing, so they were waiting to add to some of the pain of the fairways. However, as the day progressed the wind abated, and the sun shone through to create good scoring opportunities. Unfortunately, Sgt Barrie Fraser Inf had to withdraw during round 1 due to an ongoing chest infection.

The competition format ballots out those with the lowest handicaps, so this event provides an opportunity for the middle to higher handicap players to have a good run for the trophies. Any idea that the lowest handicap players will automatically fare better is a myth well dispelled early in the first round.

Clubhouse leader Cpl Steven Farnworth Inf (1) posted a solid 33 pts, which looked tidy for the first hour. But as the field completed round one, 33 pts was never going to cut it, although there was only 8 pts separating the top 10 players. Stand out score saw LCpl Buluhang Rai RLC (13) leading the way on 41 pts, Sgt Robert

The wind settled down and with the sun shining throughout the afternoon, the competition settled into some rhythm, which ensured the scoring remained consistently high for the top half of the leaderboard with, once again, over 30 players scoring higher than 30 pts.

Interestingly very few of the top 10 of the first round were able to hold their consistency and so the leaderboard was starting to become congested as the day progressed. This would ensure the focus into day two, when some players tend to drift off the pace. The afternoon scores saw Cpl Michael Parry AGC (24) as the round 2 leader on 39 pts, next up was Cpl Lee Williams AGC (12) and Capt Steve Pammen AMS (19) on 38 pts, followed by SSgt David Whitwham RLC (27), Cpl Simon Nunn R Sigs (17) and Pte Jason Browring AGC (10) all on 37 pts.

Thereafter, there were 5 players on 36 pts and a further 6 on 35 pts.

Results after two rounds then; Rai lead the pack on 74 pts, closely followed by Williams on 73 pts, then Campbell on 72 pts, and Pammen, Brown and Lt Col

Mr Ian Bosley

Adrian Grinonneau Inf (16) all on 71 pts.

Such close scoring meant day two was set up for some stiff competition.

The forecast for day two was set for torrential rain with the potential for thunder and lightning. To our surprise we were met with strong winds and sunshine. The overnight rain had softened the greens so they could be confidently attacked, but to even things up the grounds staff took revenge with some brutal pin positions which did take its toll later in the day. So, with the course looking immaculate, something we had come to expect at Whittington Heath, day two got under way.

Scoring on the third round once again remained high, although with more new names appearing further up the leaderboard. LCpl Benjamin Lee Inf (26) lead the way with an impressive round of 39 pts, right behind on 38 pts was Capt Stephen Johnson AMS (10), with Maj Alastair Wills AGC (13) one back on 37 pts.

Browring remained in the overall running on 36 pts joined by WO2 Gary ‘Geordie’ Fernandez RAPTC (13) and Maj Robin White Inf (16) all on 36 pts. Once again, there were over 30 scoring 30 pts of more. WO2 Claire Ham AGC was the leading female competitor remaining in the top third.

The leaderboard was starting to take shape going into the final round where realistically the winner could have come from any of the top 10 players: • • • • • •

•

LCpl Buluhang Rai RLC (13) = 107 pts Lt Col Stuart Campbell AMS (5) = 105 pts Pte Jason Browring AGC (10) and Cpl Lee Williams AGC (12) = 104 pts Sgt Mike Cupper RA (24) and Capt Steve Pammen AMS (19) = 103 pts Maj Robin White Inf (16), SSgt David Whitwham RLC (27) and Lt Col Adrian Grinonneau Inf (16) = 102 pts Capt Paul Simpson REME (7) and WO1 Charlie Brown AGC (9) = 101 pts

WO1 Ian Barnes RLC

The final round saw lots of tired legs and sore feet with several blisters, and mentally fatigued players starting to drift from the leading pack as the course setup and prevailing weather conditions took its toll. The number of players breaking 30 pts was down to 28. That said, the scores remained consistently high with 39 pts again topping the board with the reigning champion Rajali finding his game to hold on the best score of round 4. Three others followed one back, Brown, Mr Ian Bosley (10) and Maj Gina Smith REME (13), finding her game at last, with an impressive 38 pts.

One back were four others, resulting in some movement at the top of the leaderboard. Unfortunately, some fell away. Noticeably Campbell struggled to 24 pts. After turning up on the wrong tee, Browring proceeded to double across to the correct tee and lost his first ball off the tee. He then bogeyed the next two holes to put an end to his championship push. Hero of the day was Grinonneau, who after being stung by a bee and with a swollen hand, still managed to out drive his playing partners straight down the middle.

Of the final groups contesting for the lead, there were lost balls within the first three holes. The balls having only to drift off the second cut of rough to be lost for another day; either that or left for Keith or Steve to find as they ‘spotted’ flights throughout the day.

So, as the day drew to a close with the expected dark clouds looming ever closer and with some to the front runners falling away, LCpl Buluhang Rai RLC, with four consistent rounds, came in as the winner by 3 pts on 142 pts.

The top 10 positions were: LCpl Buluhang Rai RLC – 142 pts WO1 Charlie Brown AGC – 139 pts Sgt Mike Cupper RA – 138 pts Mr Ian Bosley – 136 pts OCB Cpl Carl Thompson Inf – 136 pts OCB Pte Jason Browring AGC – 136 pts LCpl Benjamin Lee Inf – 135 pts OCB Lt Col Adrian Grinonneau Inf – 135 pts Capt Paul Simpson REME – 134 pts LCpl Tim Shaw RLC – 133 pts

Our thanks go to Thales, our headline and Stableford Championship sponsor, Army Sport and Communications Specialist Ltd for their continued support. To the Club President, Kelvin Edwards, and Captain of Whittington Heath GC, Ian Hilary. To Oli Baines, the Club Manager, and Emma in the office hot seat and her team for helping to arrange the event. To all the restaurant and kitchen staff for their kind hospitality. To Mike, the Club Professional, and Ben, his assistant, and finally to Adam and the team of green keeping staff for presenting an excellent, challenging course. The AGA is indebted to all at Whittington Heath for their continued warmth and friendship. We hope to see you all again in 2024.

RESULTS Stableford Champion

LCpl Buluhang Rai RLC 142 pts

Scratch Champion

Cpl Steven Farnworth Inf 120 scratch points

Senior Winner (Over 45)

WO1 Charlie Brown AGC 139 pts

Best Round of the Competition

LCpl Buluhang Rai RLC 41 pts (round 1)

L to R: Taylor/Bartley Trophy & Handicap Cup Winner - LCpl Buluhang Rai RLC Harrison's Shield Winner - WO1 Charlie Brown AGC Courage Cup Winner - Cpl Steven Farnworth Inf