Matchplay & Inter Corps Championships 24 - Brochure

Saunton Golf Club

12 to 17 May 24

Foreword President AGA

Major General Mark Pullan CBE

Welcome to the Army Matchplay and Inter Corps Golf Championships, the blue-riband events in the AGA calendar. This year will see us arrive at Saunton much earlier in the season and so I suspect the course will offer different challenges to those we experience in Jul. Whatever month we play Saunton it will always present a challenge! This year will be the 101st Army Championship, 14th Army Women’s Championship and 50th Inter Corps Championship. It is always a pleasure to return to Devon and play at Saunton for 6 consecutive days; fingers crossed that the weather picks up from the rather gloomy start to the year thus far. We are eternally grateful that Saunton Golf Club has very kindly agreed to host these Championships for the foreseeable future and on behalf of us all, I thank the Chair, Captain, Committee, and the members for making us feel most welcome; something we do not take for granted and very much appreciate.

The AGA is hugely grateful for the generosity of our event sponsors; for the Matchplay Championships and the Inter Corps Championship, which are both supported by Army Sport and their Charitable Fund Thales is our headline sponsor once again and we are delighted to have a representative joining us. We might also be hosting some prospective sponsors; I hope you have an enjoyable experience that may prove equally rewarding for us all I would also like to express my thanks to the event officials; they voluntarily give up a great deal of their time and work extremely hard to ensure the Championships are a success.

Whatever the next few days brings on the weather and golfing fronts, I know you will approach this prestigious Army event in a true sporting and friendly manner.

Mark Pullan

AGA Head Office

Army Golf Association, Army Sport, Mackenzie Building, Fox Lines, Queens Avenue, Aldershot, Hants, GU11 2LB

Tel Civ: 01252 787078

Tel Mil: 94222 7078

Emails: Secretary – s.davis@britisharmysport.com

Assistant Secretary – dwalters@britisharmysport.com

Admin Officer – jdaniell@britisharmysport.com

Website: www.armygolf.co.uk

Programme of Events

The Matchplay Championships, both Men (less the Reserve Qualifying, the other two Stableford competitions and the Ladies Plate quarter finals and qualifying rounds) and Ladies, will be played on the East Course and the Inter Corps Championship on the West Course. All matches will be played in twos, unless otherwise stated.

Sunday 12th May 2024 – East Course

1100 – 1437

1520 – 1630

Matchplay Qualifying Competition

Qualifiers’ Practice Rounds (Three/Fourballs)

Monday 13th May 2024 – East Course (less Reserve Qualifier on the West Course)

0730 – 1107

0730 – 0922

Matchplay Championship 1st Round

Matchplay Reserve Championship Qualifying Round (Threeballs West Course)

1300 – 1630 Matchplay Plate 1st Round

1307 – 1637 Matchplay Championship 2nd Round

Tuesday 14th May 2024 – East Course (less Stableford and Women’s Matchplay and Plate on the West Course)

0730 – 0819

0730 – 0819

0826 – 0915

Matchplay Reserve Championship 1st Round

Women’s Matchplay Championship 1st Round (West Course)

Matchplay Plate Championship 2nd Round

0922 – 1011 Matchplay Championship 3rd Round

0845 – 1058

1300 – 1321

1300 – 1321

1340 – 1401

1420 – 1441

1345 – 1406

Men’s Stableford Competition (Threeballs West Course)

Matchplay Reserve Championship Quarter Finals

Women’s Matchplay Championship Quarter Finals (West Course)

Matchplay Plate Championship Quarter Finals

Matchplay Championship Quarter Finals

Women’s Matchplay Plate Championship 1st Round (West Course)

1900+ BBQ (all players and officials) – rolling

Wednesday 15th May 2024 – East Course (less Stableford and Inter Corps Practice Round on the West Course)

0730 – 1122

0730 – 0737

0744 – 0751

0800 – 0810

0830 – 0840

Men’s Stableford Competition (Threeballs West Course)

Matchplay Reserve Championship Semi-Finals

Matchplay Plate Championship Semi-Finals

Women’s Matchplay Plate Championship Semi-Finals

Women’s Matchplay Championships Semi-Finals

0900 – 0910 Matchplay Championship Semi-Finals

0930 – 0946

1230

Women’s Stableford Championship (Saunton Bowl) (Threeballs)

Matchplay Reserve Championship Final (Keith Seddon Trophy) 1245 Matchplay Plate Championship Final (Denton Salver)

1300 – 1340 Inter Corps Practice Round (Threeballs West Course)

1300 Women’s Matchplay Plate Championship Final (Bowles Trophy) 1330 Women’s Matchplay Championship Final (Meechie Trophy) 1400 Matchplay Championship Final (Paget Trophy)

1830+ Matchplay Prize-Giving, AGM and Inter Corps Championship Draw 2000+ Championships Dinner (by invitation only)

Thursday 16th May 2024 – West Course (less Subsidiary Competition on the East Course)

0730 – 1203 Inter Corps Championship 1st Round

0730 – 0833 Inter Corps Subsidiary Competition 1st Round (Threeballs on the East Course)

1230 – 1628 Inter Corps Plate Championship 1st Round

1305 – 1703 Inter Corps Championship 2nd Round

Friday 17th May 2024 – West Course (less Inter Corps Championship and Subsidiary Competition on the East Course)

0730 – 0833 Inter Corps Championship Semi-Final (East Course)

0730 – 0833 Inter Corps Plate Championship Semi-Final

0840 – 0943 Inter Corps Subsidiary Competition (Threeballs on the East Course)

0840 – 1032 REME Shield Team Stableford (Threeballs)

1300 – 1328 Inter Corps Championship Final (R Irish Rangers Bowl on East Course)

1300 – 1328 Inter Corps Plate Final (Singapore Trophy)

1730+ Inter Corps Championship Prize Giving

PLEASE NOTE

Timings correct at time of printing. All players are to ensure that they read the Notice Board in the Clubhouse during the event to confirm the exact timings and their specific tee times.

Welcome to the Championships

Brigadier Kieran Sheldon, Chair AGA

I wish to extend a very warm welcome to the 2024 Army Golf Championships at Saunton Golf Club. This will be the 19th consecutive year that Saunton has been the venue for the blue riband event in our golfing calendar, which is a measure of the success of the Championships at Saunton and the very warm welcome we receive each year. The East and West courses are once again in excellent condition and will present differing challenges to those normally experienced when we visit in Jul; either way I am sure it will continue to provide a stern challenge for everyone, testing skill and patience. They will certainly identify the best golfers.

We are extremely grateful to the Committee for allowing us to play and use their excellent facilities. We very much appreciate members’ patience, given the significant disruption we bring to their routine. We are also incredibly grateful to our sponsors the Army Sport Charitable Fund for sponsoring both the Matchplay and the Inter Corps Championships this year. I must also mention Thales as the 2024 AGA Headline Sponsor and Methods who have recently joined our fold as an event sponsor I also hope to introduce a number of prospective sponsors to experience Saunton! I am sure you will treat club members and sponsors with special courtesy in equal amounts.

Competition rules are included in this Tournament Brochure, which you must read, and you should be familiar with the local rules which can be found on your scorecards. Please note that ALL COMPETITORS not competing in the Army Matchplay Finals on Wednesday afternoon ARE EXPECTED to spectate on completion of their morning rounds.

We will be holding our usual rolling BBQ from 1900 hours on Tuesday 14th May. Dress will be golfing attire/smart casual (no jeans or flip flops!). The planning assumption is that everyone will pass through at some point; if you do not wish to, please inform the AGA Operations Manager by 1200 hrs on Monday 13th May The AGM will also take place after the final Prize Giving on Wednesday 15th May followed by the draw for the Inter Corps Championships. Dress for both events will again be golfing attire/smart casual (no jeans or flip flops!).

All that remains is for me to wish you all an enjoyable and memorable tournament and play your part in enhancing the reputation of your Association. Whatever happens, come rain (hopefully not!) or shine, don’t forget that we play golf because we enjoy the challenge and the camaraderie, and that we are very fortunate to be in the wonderful surroundings of Saunton.

Kieran Sheldon

Saunton Golf Club

Address Saunton Golf Club, Braunton, EX33 1LG

Telephone

Pro Shop

01271 812436

01271 812436

Website www.sauntongolf.co.uk

E Mail

General Manager

info@sauntongolf.co.uk

Jon Sutherland

Deputy General Manager Liz Cann

Membership/Marketing Manager Will Smith

Accounts Maria Hutley

Receptionists

Head Greenkeeper

Club Professional

Restaurant Manager

Head Chef

Olivia Dore / Sarah Morse

Murray Long

Andy Knight

Rachel Blencowe

Adam Powell

Course Information

Saunton Golf Club is one of the courses that Golf World magazine has named “as one of the best golf clubs that have never held The Open Championship”; others include Royal Portrush (who hosted in 2019) and Hillside Golf Clubs. The course was redesigned in 1919 by the famous course designer WH Fowler and although slight modifications have been made since the war the course is essentially unchanged. It is a true links course with the holes settling in between the dunes with little or no assistance from man.

The links on the North Devon coast lies in one of greatest stretches of natural dune land in the British Isles. The view from the Saunton Sands Hotel tops that of Turnberry in terms of the promise of perfect seaside golf. The East Course has long been an automatic choice for important amateur events, including the Brabazon, the English Amateur, the English Ladies’ Amateur and the Army and Inter Services Championships, but it has not hosted a professional tournament since the Schweppes PGA in 1966. The Editor of the Saunton Golf Club magazine suggests that “it is about time that more venues were added to the Open rota as the South West has been ignored for too long”. Few who have been to Saunton would disagree with that statement. We know that you will enjoy yourselves this week.

The strength of the East Course lies in the long par 4 holes which usually require a driver from the tee. The wind plays an important part in the decision-making process and the prevailing wind is from Hartland Point in the southwest No longer is the West Course inferior to the East and arguably needs more attention to course management than its wonderful neighbour in the East. The West needs more thought to club selection from the

tee and more precision into well-guarded greens There have been significant changes to the West Course, and it has been lengthened by over 210 yards from 6380 to 6596 yards.

Both courses are a real challenge and need careful management; cricket scores are not too difficult to achieve – be warned! Enjoy Saunton and Devon.

4th Hole – East Course

16th Tee and Green - West Course

2024 Army Championships Committee

Championships Committee

• Chairman – Brig Kieran Sheldon

• Tournament Director – Lt Col (Retd) Keith Seddon

• Vice Chair – Lt Col (Retd) Bob Gamble

• Secretary – Lt Col (Retd) Steve Davis

• Assistant Secretary – Miss Diane Walters

• Admin Officer – Mrs Jana Daniell

• Officials – Lt Col (Retd) Karen Fidell, Mr Chris Bartley, Mr Andy Harriott

Queries and Disputes

Any disputes or queries regarding the Championships are to be referred immediately to the Championships Committee. The Championships Committee’s decisions will be final.

Specific Rules of the Army Championships Safety on the Golf Course & Suspension of Play Rules of Golf Rule 6-8 (Pages 63 – 65)

The suspension of play by the AGA Championship Committee for a dangerous situation (lightning, serious rainfall etc) will be signalled by a prolonged blast on a klaxon. On hearing the klaxon, players are to discontinue play immediately and are not to resume play thereafter until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. Players are to mark their ball in the normal manner at the exact spot on the course when the klaxon was sounded. Players should take shelter in accordance with the rules of Saunton Golf Club, which will be provided separately

The resumption of play will be signalled by 2 blasts on a klaxon. Competitors, whether on the course or in the Clubhouse, will be informed by the AGA Championship Committee that play will be resumed shortly. Competitors will be given sufficient time from this notification to the 2 blasts of the klaxon to reach the point on the golf course where they finished and where they are to resume their play. Competitors are not to resume play until 2 blasts on the klaxon have been blown

Failure to comply with Rule 6-8b (Procedure when play suspended by the Committee) will lead to Disqualification and the penalty for breach of Rule 6-8d (Procedure when play resumed) will be a two-shot penalty.

Should play be suspended by the AGA Championship Committee for a dangerous situation, then players are to adhere to the following:

• PLEASE stand away from your golf clubs and trolley.

• DO NOT put up your umbrella.

• DO NOT stand under any overhead power line.

• DO NOT shelter under trees or on any high ground.

• DO NOT exit the course by walking under trees if at all possible.

• Keep as low as possible and, if necessary, crouch down in the nearest bunker or lowest point of the golf course.

• DO NOT use your mobile phone and ensure it is switched off.

Transportation

During the Championships, a player must not ride on any form of motorised transportation except as authorised by the Championship Committee. The only exception to this rule is where a player has elected to play under penalty of stroke and distance. In this instance he/she is always authorised to ride on motorised transportation in returning to his/her original position to re-play his/her shot and then to the position of his/her next shot only. The penalty for any infringement of the above is loss of hole' or 2 stroke penalty for each hole where the infringement occurred.

The 101st Army Matchplay Championship

Introduction

The 101st Army Matchplay Championship is generously sponsored by Army Sport. It takes place from Sun 12 to Wed 15 May 24 inclusive. It will be played on the East Course throughout, less the Reserve Stableford Qualifying event on Mon 13 May 24 and the Stableford competitions held on Tue 14 & Wed 15 May 24, which will all be played on the West Course.

Format

For the first 59 years of the Championship from 1911, the format was Strokeplay played over 36 holes. From 1970 to 1988 four rounds of Matchplay was preceded by a 36-hole Strokeplay qualifying event. From 1989 to 2002 the format was a scratch Matchplay event from a field of 64 players. In 2003, in order to allow more players to enter the Championship, the old 36-hole Strokeplay qualifying event was reinstated at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club followed by four rounds of Matchplay. Following competitors’ criticism of the format at the 2003 event, the Committee decided to hold a Matchplay qualifying event on the Sunday. This proved most successful and has continued since then. Each round of the Matchplay Championship will be played over 18 holes under the R&A rules and played off the championship tees. Ties after 18 holes will be decided by sudden death played over the loop of the 1st , 2nd, 17th and 18th holes. The first round of the main Army Championship begins am Mon 13 May 24 and the final pm Wed 15 May 24 There are 3 seeds; quarter finalist Spr Graeme Torrie RE, the runner-up Sgt Matthew Bruce-Smith AGC (SPS), and the 2023 champion LCpl Thomas Sanghera REME.

Qualifying Competition

The 18-hole qualifying Matchplay competition commences from 1100 hrs on Sun 12 May 24. This comprises the number of players required to reduce the field to 64 for the main Championship commencing Mon 13 May 24. For 2024, the field of 93 players required 58 players to play in the qualifying event; selection was based on exact handicap order with the highest handicapped players going into the pre-qualifying draw. The remaining 35, comprising the 3 seeds and the next 32 lowest handicapped golfers, gained automatic entry into the main Championship and the draw was made in exact handicap order, less the 3 seeds. The draw was overseen by Mrs Belynda Perkins, Assistant Ops Manager, Army Martial Arts Association, who also conducted the ballot for those individuals with the same exact handicap. The winning players in the qualifying event go forward into the main Championship draw and the losers play in the Reserve Matchplay Championship preceded by a qualifying competition as detailed below

Reserve Matchplay Championship – Keith Seddon Trophy

Losing competitors in the qualifying completion on Sun 12 May 24 will take part in the Reserve Matchplay Championship. This will comprise an 18-hole scratch Stableford competition on Mon 13 May 24 and played from 0730 hrs on the West Course The top 16 players will go forward to the knockout stages on Tue 14 May 24, with seeding order based on the Stableford scores. The best score, Seed 1 plays Seed 16, Seed 2 plays Seed 15 etc. The final will take place on pm Wed 15 May 24. The remainder can play in the Stableford events on Tue 14 and Wed 15 May 24 This event is also open to those golfers who were balloted out of the Matchplay Championship

Plate Competition – Denton Salver

Those defeated in the first round of the Matchplay Championship will take part in the Matchplay Plate Competition commencing pm Mon 13 May 24 with the final pm Wed 15 May 24

Subsidiary Competitions

Those players defeated in the Matchplay events on Mon 13 May 24 and those not qualifying for the Reserve Plate, other serving AGA golfers who were balloted out from the main draw and those playing in the 2024 Inter Corps Championship are eligible to play in the 18-hole Strokeplay Stableford competition off handicap on Tue 14 May 24. Similarly, competitors defeated in any of the Matchplay events on Mon 13 and Tue 14 May 24 and those playing in the Inter Corps Championship are eligible to play in the Stableford competition off handicap on Wed 15 May 24. Please note that both events take place on the West Course.

Finals

Five finals (including the Women’s events) will take place pm Wed 15 May 24 from 1230 hrs; all competitors ARE REQUIRED to support the events on completion of their morning rounds

Eligibility

The Championship is open to all male officers and soldiers serving in the British Army on regular or reserve engagements. All competitors must have a WHS handicap and be members of the AGA.

Past Winners of the Army Matchplay Championships

1911 Capt W Green

1912 Capt PGM Skene

1913 Capt PGM Skene

1914 – 1919 No competition – World War 1

1920 Lt VP Trew MC

1921 Lt Col W Green DSO

1922 Capt AGB Barry DSC MC

The Black Watch

The Black Watch

The Black Watch

Stoke Poges

Royal Liverpool

Royal Cinque Ports

The Queens Own Hussars Woking

The Black Watch Sunningdale

The Manchester Regt Royal Cinque Ports

1923 Maj HA Boyd DSO RA Littlestone

1924 Lt CB Omerod RA

1925 Capt AJ Barry DSO MC

1926 Lt AC Gore

1927 Capt AJ Davison MC

Royal Liverpool

The Royal Tank Corps Burnham & Berrow

The Rifle Brigade St Andrews

The Rifle Brigade

1928 Lt JVC Moberley RE

Royal Cinque Ports

Royal Lytham & St Annes

1929 Capt GNC Martin DSO MC RA Princes

1930 Capt GA Moxon RA Prestwick

1931 Lt NR Reeves

1932 Lt NR Reeves

1933 Lt MS Mitchell

1934 Capt AC Giles

The Buffs

The Buffs

Royal St George’s

Royal Liverpool

The Green Howards Royal Cinque Ports

The Royal Warwickshire Regt St Andrews

1935 Lt MR Gardner RASC

1936 Lt MR Gardner RASC

1937 2 Lt AA Duncan

1938 Lt AA Duncan

Royal Porthcawl

Royal Lytham & St Annes

The Welsh Guards Princes

The Welsh Guards Muirfield

1939 Lt TFB Law RASC

1940 – 1945 No competition – World War 2

Royal St George’s

1946 Maj JS Hamilton Gibbs RAMC Camberley Heath

1947 Capt DA Blair

1948 Maj AA Duncan

1949 Maj AK Barlow MC

The Seaforth Highlanders St Andrews

The Welsh Guards

The Coldstream Guards

1950 Col WHH Aitken RE

Royal St George’s

Royal Lytham & St Annes

Royal St George’s

1951 Maj HBC Davies RASC Prestwick

1952 Lt Col AA Duncan

The Welsh Guards Sunningdale

1953 Lt Col KH Stevens RE Hunstanton

1954 Lt Col AA Duncan

The Welsh Guards

Royal St George’s

1955 Lt MF Bonallack RASC Muirfield

1956 Lt Col AA Duncan

The Welsh Guards

1957 Capt TB Branton RA

1958 Capt MJM Collins RASC

1959 LCpl G Will

1960 Cpl G Will

1961 Maj Gen GS Cole CBE

Royal St George’s

Royal Birkdale

Royal St George’s

The East Surrey Regt St Andrews

The East Surrey Regt

Late RA

1962 Capt RB Carroll R Signals

Royal St George’s

Royal St George’s

Royal St George’s

1963 Capt JRL Harman RA Prestwick

1964 Capt PG Shillington 5 Innis DG

1965 CSMI R Issitt APTC

1966 SSI BW Edwards APTC

1967 Lt IL Pearce

Royal St George’s

Royal St George’s

Royal St George’s

The Royal Anglian Regt Muirfield

1968 CSMI BW Edwards APTC

1969 Maj RB Carroll R Signals

1970 Capt CBQ Wallace

1971 Capt CBQ Wallace

Royal St George’s

Royal St George’s

The Royal Green Jackets St Andrews

The Royal Green Jackets

1972 Capt RMW Drake RAPC

Royal St George’s

Royal St George’s

1973 Capt RMW Drake RAPC Muirfield

1974 Maj JN Fleming

1975 Maj JN Fleming

1976 Lt PB Merry

Royal St George’s

Royal St George’s

St Andrews

1977 Maj RW Rush RAOC Royal St George’s

1978 LCpl WIM Gray RAOC Royal Birkdale

1979 LCpl WIM Gray RAOC

Royal St George’s

1980 WO1 RJ Hanna RMP Prestwick

1981 Maj JN Fleming RA

1982 LCpl DG Spiller REME

Royal St George’s

Royal Birkdale

1983 Cpl WIM Gray RAOC Royal Cinque Ports

1984 Cpl ST Mariner REME

Royal St George’s

1985 Sgt WIM Gray RAOC Muirfield

1986 Sgt WIM Gray RAOC Royal St George’s

1987 SSgt WIM Gray RAOC Royal Birkdale

1988 SSgt ST Mariner REME Princes

1989 WO2 J Chilvers RA

1990 Cfn RW Smart REME

1991 Tpr J Taylor 17/21st Lancers

Royal Lytham & St Annes

Royal Porthcawl

Royal Cinque Ports

1992 Bdr D Sanby RA West Lancs

1993 LCpl J Taylor 17/21st Lancers

Royal Lytham & St Annes

1994 LCpl P Hosie The Royal Scots Royal Porthcawl

1995 Capt MG Snape REME Seaton Carew

1996 Cpl SR Stevenson RLC Royal Liverpool

1997 Maj MG Snape REME West Lancs

1998 WO2 J Chilvers RA Royal Lytham & St Annes

1999 Cpl J Taylor RE Royal Porthcawl

2000 Pte D McLachlan The Light Infantry Seaton Carew

2001 SSgt D Sanby AGC (SPS) Saunton

2002 Cpl B Loome RE West Lancs 2003 Lt Col MK Allen

Royal Porthcawl 2004 Capt RW Smart

Royal Lytham & St Annes 2005 Cpl B Loome RE Saunton

2006 Capt A Paterson RLC Saunton

2007 Cpl C Bradley AGC (RMP) Saunton

2008 Cpl B Churchill RE Saunton 2009 Capt A Paterson RLC Saunton

2010 Cpl C Bradley AGC (RMP) Saunton

2011 Cpl B Churchill RE Saunton

2012 Cpl B Churchill RE Saunton

2013 Capt SR Stevenson RLC Saunton 2014 Cpl B Churchill

Saunton

2015 Cpl B Churchill

2016 Cpl B Churchill

2017 Pte D Blick

2018 Gdsm J Slater

2019 Capt J Musgrove

2020 No Competition – COVID Pandemic

2021 LCpl D Blick

2022 Spr G Torrie

2023 LCpl T Sanghera

LCpl Tom Sanghera REME - Army Champion 2023

Introduction

The 14th Army Women’s Matchplay Championship, generously sponsored by Army Sport takes place on Tue 14 and Wed 15 May 24. It will be played on the East Course, less the Plate quarter finals

Formats:

Matchplay Championship – The Meechie Trophy

All players have been seeded in order from 1 to 16 (less the runner up from last year who will be seed number 1) based on exact handicap. Each round of the Matchplay Championship (Meechie Trophy) will be played over 18 holes under the R&A rules and played off the red championship tees commencing am Tue 14 May 24 on the West Course with the semi-final and final on the East Course. Ties after 18 holes will be decided by sudden death played over the loop of the 1st, 2nd, 17th and 18th holes.

Plate Competition – The Bowles Trophy

The eight players defeated in the first round of the Matchplay Championship am Tue 14 May 24 will take part in a Plate competition commencing pm Tue 14 May 24 on the West Course with the semi-final and final on the East Course Ties will be decided as above.

Stableford Competition – The Saunton Bowl

The eight players knocked out of the Matchplay and Plate Competition will play in an 18hole handicap Stableford Competition on am Wed 15 May 24 on the East Course

Past Winners of the Army Ladies Matchplay Championships

Year

2010 Lt Col E Cunningham

2011 Lt Col E Cunningham

2012 Pte K Woodward

2013 LCpl K Woodward

2014 Cpl K Woodward

AGC (SPS) Saunton

AGC (SPS) Saunton

AGC (SPS) Saunton

AGC (SPS) Saunton

AGC (SPS) Saunton

2015 Sig K Kennedy R Signals Saunton

2016 Musn E Dann

CAMUS Saunton

2017 Spr A Kennedy RE Saunton

2018 Cpl K Woodward

2019 Capt K Law

AGC (SPS) Saunton

AMS Saunton

2020 No competition – COVID Pandemic

2021 Pte N Sutton

2022 LCpl N Sutton

2023 Lt Col A O’Brien

AGC (SPS) Saunton

AGC (SPS) Saunton

RLC Saunton

O’Brien

Introduction

The 50th Inter Corps Championship is most generously sponsored by Army Sport and hosted by Saunton Golf Club over the period Thu 16 & Fri 17 May 24. The Championship follows immediately after the Army Matchplay Championship and is open to all Corps/Arms of the Regular and Reserve Army It will be played on both the West Course and the East Course.

Format

The format of play will be team singles scratch Matchplay over 18 holes under R&A Rules; a win counts as one point and a halved match counts as ½ point. In the event of a tie, with both teams on 2½ points, then there will be one sudden death play-off match comprising one player nominated by each Team Captain played over the loop of the 1st hole, 2nd hole, and 18th hole as determined by the Championships Committee. Teams will consist of 5 players of any rank or gender with up to two reserves per team. Reserves must be nominated before the start of the Championship. Players and reserves may only play for one team. Players can be Regular & Reserve members of their Corps/Arm; all players are to be members of the AGA. More than one Corps/Arm team can be entered, but each must be identified by a suffix (A or B). All play will be from the tournament tees. Teams knocked out in the first round will compete in the Championship Plate competition. A subsidiary Scratch Stableford competition will be organised for teams knocked out in subsequent rounds of both Championship and Plate competitions on Fri 17 May 24

Seeding and Draw

The winners and runners up from Main Championship from the 2023 Inter Corps Championship are seeded 1 and 2; that is the Royal Signals and the Adjutant General's Corps. The draw for the remaining teams will be by ballot, which takes place pm Wed 15 May 24 and will be live streamed on AGA’s Facebook page.

Team Selections

The Corps teams that have 2 teams in the competition (A and B) are to play their strongest team as the A team. To that end, Team Captains are required to submit the list of players comprising each team (if more than one) to the Championships Committee by 1600 hrs on Wed 15 May 24, prior to the main Draw. In addition, Team Captains are to submit their selected team players and playing order online no later than 30 minutes prior to their first team player’s start time on Thu 16 May 24.

Rules and Punctuality

The Championships Committee has set the following conditions for punctuality All players in a Corps/Arm team are to report to the first tee, no later than 5 minutes before their Team's allotted tee-off time, with the Team Captain reporting all present to the Starter. A Team's tee-off time, as listed on the official competition start sheet and the Championship Board, is defined as the time at which the first player in a team match is required to tee-off. Failure to comply with this rule will result in the following penalties:

1. If any player is absent at the Team's tee-off time, their match will be moved to the final match slot, and they will be awarded a penalty of loss of the first hole. If more than one player in a team is absent, matches will be moved to final match slots in their original order of tee-off and each player awarded a penalty of loss of first hole.

2. If, subsequent to the above, any player is absent when his playing opponent is ready to tee-off, the penalty will be disqualification and the result of that match will be awarded to

their playing opponent's team. If more than one player is absent, then the results of those matches will be awarded to the playing opponent's team.

3. Tees. The Men will play off the Men’s Championship Tees and Ladies will play off the Ladies Championship Tees. Even though the Ladies Tees are often ahead of the Men’s tees, the normal honour rules on the tee are to be observed, i.e., whosoever’s honour it is, strikes off first regardless of the position of the tees.

REME Shield Event

If teams’ scores are tied in the Stableford event, the REME Shield, the player with the highest individual score shall determine the winning team. If this is tied, then the usual countback system to determine the best score will be used.

Disputes

Any disputes regarding the rules of the Inter Corps Competition are to be referred immediately to the Championships Committee.

Caddies

Caddies are permitted during the event under the R&A Rules of Golf. In addition, the following local amplifying Championships rule is in force:

Caddies are to be nominated on the first tee. Players and their caddies who have just completed their match CANNOT act as a caddie for another team player.

Past Winners of the Inter Corps Championship

1974 REME 1991 RAPC 2008 RLC

1975 R Signals 1992 R Signals 2009 RE

1976 RAOC 1993 RA 2010 AGC

1977 RAOC 1994 RLC 2011 AGC

1978 R Signals 1995 AGC 2012 RE

1979 RAOC 1996 RA 2013 R Signals

1980 RAOC

REME 2014 R Signals 1981 RAOC

AGC

R Signals 1982 RE

RE 2016 R Signals 1983 RAOC

AGC

Infantry 1984 RAPC

Infantry

Infantry 1985 RA 2002 RE 2019 Infantry 1986 R Signals

Infantry 2020 No competition – COVID Pandemic 1987 REME 2004 RE 2021 Infantry

1988 REME 2005 RE 2022 RA 1989 RAOC 2006 RLC 2023 R Signals

1990 REME 2007 RLC

Summary of victories to date:

• AGC/RAPC – 7

• Infantry – 6

• RA – 4

• RAOC/RLC – 11

• RE – 7

• REME – 5

• R Signals – 9

Top left to right: SSgt James Reeves, Sgt Tolok Gurung, Lt Col Robert Pace, SSgt Somras Tamang, WO1 Steffan Gibbs, Cpl Bisal Gurung

Bottom left to right: Capt Sanjeev Rai, Saunton GC Captain Rob Tickell

The Army Golf Association

Your AGA Committee for 2024 is as follows:

Post Incumbent

President

Hon Life President

Chair

Vice Chair

Tournament Director

Men’s Captain

Men’s Vice Captain

Men’s Team Manager

Women’s Captain

Women’s Vice Captain

Women’s Team Manager

Women’s Assistant Team Manager

Women’s Development Officer

Women’s Assistant Development Officer

Maj Gen M Pullan CBE

Lord Houghton of Richmond GCB CBE DL

Brig K Sheldon RA

Lt Col (Retd) R Gamble OBE

Lt Col (Retd) K Seddon MBE BEM

Capt S Dickinson LANCS

Sgt R Over RE

WO2 K Roberts RA

WO2 Z Burrell-Knipe RLC

SSgt A Kennedy RE

Lt Col S Day RLC

WO2 C Ham AGC

Maj GJ Smith REME

Sgt K Kennedy RE

Secretary Lt Col (Retd) SAJ Davis

Assistant Secretary

Admin Officer

Miss DM Walters

Mrs J Daniell

Future 2024 AGA Events for your calendar:

22 May 24

10 – 12 Jun 24

8 – 10 Jul 24

5 – 7 Aug 24

3 – 4 Sep 24

9 – 12 Sep 24

Championship

Service Championships (Army lead)

3 Oct 24 Quill & Club Tournament Mill Ride GC

2025

The Executive Committee is delighted to announce the following key dates for 2025:

20 – 22 May 25

Championship

GC 28 May 25

10 – 12 Jun 25

6 – 9 Jul 25

8 – 9 Jul 25

10 – 11 Jul 25

4 – 6 Aug 25

2 – 3 Sep 25 Inter Regional Championship Worksop GC

8 – 11 Sep 25 Inter Service Championships (RAF lead) Saunton GC

2 Oct 25 Quill & Club Tournament Mill Ride GC