Quill & Club Tournament

QUILL & CLUB

tournament

06 October 2022 Army Golf Club

The annual AGA Quill and Club Tournament is organised by the AGA committee as the season’s close for all the current and past organisers of AGA events at Army, Corps and Regional level. This year it was hosted at the Army’s spiritual home, the Army Golf Club in Aldershot on Thu 6 Oct 22. In a break from the norm, and to provide a better opportunity for the Regional and Corps Secretaries to discuss issues from the Annual General Committee meeting at length, the two events were separated with the Committee meeting taking place, virtually, the following week. This also meant less stress for the AGA staff and made for a more convivial occasion. The tournament was once again most generously sponsored by Mr Geoff Hill, Astute. We remain grateful for his continued support, although unfortunately Geoff was unable to attend this year.

Given the disruptions of the past 2 years, as we navigated our way through the pandemic, our hopes of a larger than normal turnout were high. In the end we were pleasantly surprised with a good turnout.

Unfortunately, neither our new President, Maj Gen Mark Pullan, stepping up from Chair as Lt Gen Giles Hill left the Army or our new Chair, Col Kieran Seldon, were able to attend owing to increased work commitments.

Unfortunately, our ever-present Vice Chair, Lt Col (Retd) Bob Gamble had to step down at the last-minute owing to prior engagements.

This left the Assistant Secretary to run the event, with the Secretary admirably performing his front of house duties. All things considered, we had a reasonable field of 21 players; 19 men and 2 ladies: Sue Lambert and Fiona Gray, returning after

Maj (Retd) Hamish Miln

some time away. It was also good to see the AGA Headline Sponsor Thales, supported by the effervescent Nick Miller, along with potential sponsors for next year: Sam Keen from Holts Bank and an old friend of the AGA Jason Botterill from Qioptiq; we hope and look forward to seeing more of them all next year on the circuit. Competition for the day was the usual format of 18 holes Stableford played off full handicap from the yellow/red tees. It must be said the course was in excellent condition given the particularly wet weather we had experienced in the lead up to the event.

The weather had picked up for the day with a warm front sitting over Aldershot, rain was not forecast. The course was playing well with only one temporary green, owing to a new greenside bunker being built, which put the usual 12th green out of play. After the blisteringly hot summer and only recent rain the course was in surprisingly good condition with lush fairways, all we could ask for when all was said and done.

With a good range of handicaps, the highest being 17 and the lowest at +1, the returning previous Secretary, Martyn Allan who it would appear was making good use of his retirement, dropping four shots in four years.

In fairness to all players there were some very steady scores carded, half scoring 30+ and the rest in the 20s, bar one. The course stood firm and proved a good test for everyone, and with a few “risk and reward” holes that favoured the brave it kept all players honest, although there were some impressive scores posted by a few of the brave.

Results in the overall competition proved fairly close with only 3 points separating the top four players, then there was a gap of 3 to the next group of 3 or 4 players. But all things changed when the last flight came in with Andy Harriott, attending for the first time in some years, posting a score of 40 pts off of a handicap of 3, so hats off to Andy who played a great game on a tough track. Unfortunately for the Secretary, Andy’s score pushed him out of the running for a prize (Andy also took the nearest in two prize from him as well). So, in third place with 36 pts was Jamie Lucas, then in second place with a credible score of 37 pts was Ian Lester and taking the spoils and the trophy with an outstanding 40 pts was Andy Harriott.

Secretary AGA - Lt Col (Retd) Steve Davis

Nick Miller accepting his prize from Sec AGA

In the guest and sponsors competition all three scored well, with the second and third places decided on count back. Nick Miller from Thales, with his new golf swing, took the spoils with a score of 36 pts, three up on Sam Keen in second place and Jason Botterill in third. All three were inside the top 6 of the overall competition, so well done to you all!

The event closed with a lovely two course carvery meal, which must be said was first class. Our thanks to the chef and of course to all at the Army Golf Club for making us feel so welcome and hosting the event impeccably.

As usual a great time was had by all, and this event was a fitting close to the AGA Majors season. Next year we have a new venue, in a new region. As a trial we will take the Quill and Club up country to The Nottinghamshire Golf and Country Club and it will take place on Thu 5 Oct 23.

Andy Harriott accepting his prize from Sec AGA

RESULTS Winner

Andy Harriott 40 pts

Runner-Up

WO2 Ian Lester 37 pts

Third

Adrian (Jamie) Lucas 36 pts

Guest / Sponsor Winner

Nick Miller 36 pts

Guest / Sponsor Runner-Up

Sam Keen 33 pts OCB

Guest / Sponsor Third

Jason Botterill 33 pts OCB

Nearest the Pin

Andy Harriott

Nearest the Pin in 2

Andy Harriott