Matchplay & Inter Corps Championships 24 - Brochure

2024 Army Golf Championships Matchplay and Inter Corps Championships

Saunton Golf Club 12 to 17 May 2024

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 Matchplay Qualifying Competition 1520 – 1630 Qualifiers’ Practice Rounds (Three/Fourballs) Monday 13th May 2024 – East Course (less Reserve Qualifier on the West Course) 0730 – 1107 Matchplay Championship 1st Round 0730 – 0922 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 Matchplay Reserve Championship 1st Round 0730 – 0819 Women’s Matchplay Championship 1st Round (West Course) 0826 – 0915 Matchplay Plate Championship 2nd Round 0922 – 1011 Matchplay Championship 3rd Round 0845 – 1058 Men’s Stableford Competition (Threeballs West Course) 1300 – 1321 Matchplay Reserve Championship Quarter Finals 1300 – 1321 Women’s Matchplay Championship Quarter Finals (West Course) 1340 – 1401 Matchplay Plate Championship Quarter Finals 1420 – 1441 Matchplay Championship Quarter Finals 1345 – 1406 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 Men’s Stableford Competition (Threeballs West Course) 0730 – 0737 Matchplay Reserve Championship Semi-Finals 0744 – 0751 Matchplay Plate Championship Semi-Finals 0800 – 0810 Women’s Matchplay Plate Championship Semi-Finals 0830 – 0840 Women’s Matchplay Championships Semi-Finals 0900 – 0910 Matchplay Championship Semi-Finals 0930 – 0946 Women’s Stableford Championship (Saunton Bowl) (Threeballs) 1230 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

01271 812436

Pro Shop

01271 812436

Website

www.sauntongolf.co.uk

E Mail

info@sauntongolf.co.uk

General Manager

Jon Sutherland

Deputy General Manager

Liz Cann

Membership/Marketing Manager

Will Smith

Accounts

Maria Hutley

Receptionists

Olivia Dore / Sarah Morse

Head Greenkeeper

Murray Long

Club Professional

Andy Knight

Restaurant Manager

Rachel Blencowe

Head Chef

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

East Course Scorecard

West Course Scorecard

2024 Army Championships Committee Championships Committee • • • • • • •

Chairman Tournament Director Vice Chair Secretary Assistant Secretary Admin Officer Officials

– Brig Kieran Sheldon – Lt Col (Retd) Keith Seddon – Lt Col (Retd) Bob Gamble – Lt Col (Retd) Steve Davis – Miss Diane Walters – Mrs Jana Daniell – 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 – The Paget Trophy 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 Year 1911 1912 1913 1914 – 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 – 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950

Winner Capt W Green Capt PGM Skene Capt PGM Skene No competition – World War 1 Lt VP Trew MC Lt Col W Green DSO Capt AGB Barry DSC MC Maj HA Boyd DSO Lt CB Omerod Capt AJ Barry DSO MC Lt AC Gore Capt AJ Davison MC Lt JVC Moberley Capt GNC Martin DSO MC Capt GA Moxon Lt NR Reeves Lt NR Reeves Lt MS Mitchell Capt AC Giles Lt MR Gardner Lt MR Gardner 2 Lt AA Duncan Lt AA Duncan Lt TFB Law No competition – World War 2 Maj JS Hamilton Gibbs Capt DA Blair Maj AA Duncan Maj AK Barlow MC Col WHH Aitken

Regiment/Arm The Black Watch The Black Watch The Black Watch

Golf Club Stoke Poges Royal Liverpool Royal Cinque Ports

The Queens Own Hussars The Black Watch The Manchester Regt RA RA The Royal Tank Corps The Rifle Brigade The Rifle Brigade RE RA RA The Buffs The Buffs The Green Howards The Royal Warwickshire Regt RASC RASC The Welsh Guards The Welsh Guards RASC

Woking Sunningdale Royal Cinque Ports Littlestone Royal Liverpool Burnham & Berrow St Andrews Royal Cinque Ports Royal Lytham & St Annes Princes Prestwick Royal St George’s Royal Liverpool Royal Cinque Ports

RAMC The Seaforth Highlanders The Welsh Guards The Coldstream Guards RE

Camberley Heath St Andrews Royal St George’s Royal Lytham & St Annes Royal St George’s

St Andrews Royal Porthcawl Royal Lytham & St Annes Princes Muirfield Royal St George’s

Year 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Winner Maj HBC Davies Lt Col AA Duncan Lt Col KH Stevens Lt Col AA Duncan Lt MF Bonallack Lt Col AA Duncan Capt TB Branton Capt MJM Collins LCpl G Will Cpl G Will Maj Gen GS Cole CBE Capt RB Carroll Capt JRL Harman Capt PG Shillington CSMI R Issitt SSI BW Edwards Lt IL Pearce CSMI BW Edwards Maj RB Carroll Capt CBQ Wallace Capt CBQ Wallace Capt RMW Drake Capt RMW Drake Maj JN Fleming Maj JN Fleming Lt PB Merry Maj RW Rush LCpl WIM Gray LCpl WIM Gray WO1 RJ Hanna Maj JN Fleming LCpl DG Spiller Cpl WIM Gray Cpl ST Mariner Sgt WIM Gray Sgt WIM Gray SSgt WIM Gray SSgt ST Mariner WO2 J Chilvers Cfn RW Smart Tpr J Taylor Bdr D Sanby LCpl J Taylor LCpl P Hosie Capt MG Snape Cpl SR Stevenson Maj MG Snape WO2 J Chilvers Cpl J Taylor Pte D McLachlan SSgt D Sanby Cpl B Loome Lt Col MK Allen Capt RW Smart Cpl B Loome Capt A Paterson Cpl C Bradley Cpl B Churchill Capt A Paterson Cpl C Bradley Cpl B Churchill Cpl B Churchill Capt SR Stevenson Cpl B Churchill

Regiment/Arm RASC The Welsh Guards RE The Welsh Guards RASC The Welsh Guards RA RASC The East Surrey Regt The East Surrey Regt Late RA R Signals RA 5 Innis DG APTC APTC The Royal Anglian Regt APTC R Signals The Royal Green Jackets The Royal Green Jackets RAPC RAPC RA RA RE RAOC RAOC RAOC RMP RA REME RAOC REME RAOC RAOC RAOC REME RA REME 17/21st Lancers RA 17/21st Lancers The Royal Scots REME RLC REME RA RE The Light Infantry AGC (SPS) RE RE AAC RE RLC AGC (RMP) RE RLC AGC (RMP) RE RE RLC RE

Golf Club Prestwick Sunningdale Hunstanton Royal St George’s Muirfield Royal St George’s Royal Birkdale Royal St George’s St Andrews Royal St George’s Royal St George’s Royal St George’s Prestwick Royal St George’s Royal St George’s Royal St George’s Muirfield Royal St George’s Royal St George’s St Andrews Royal St George’s Royal St George’s Muirfield Royal St George’s Royal St George’s St Andrews Royal St George’s Royal Birkdale Royal St George’s Prestwick Royal St George’s Royal Birkdale Royal Cinque Ports Royal St George’s Muirfield Royal St George’s Royal Birkdale Princes Royal Lytham & St Annes Royal Porthcawl Royal Cinque Ports West Lancs Royal Lytham & St Annes Royal Porthcawl Seaton Carew Royal Liverpool West Lancs Royal Lytham & St Annes Royal Porthcawl Seaton Carew Saunton West Lancs Royal Porthcawl Royal Lytham & St Annes Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton

Year 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Winner Regiment/Arm Cpl B Churchill RE Cpl B Churchill RE Pte D Blick PARA Gdsm J Slater COLDM GDS Capt J Musgrove RA No Competition – COVID Pandemic LCpl D Blick PARA Spr G Torrie RE LCpl T Sanghera REME

Golf Club Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton

LCpl Tom Sanghera REME - Army Champion 2023

The 14th Army Women’s Matchplay Championship – The Meechie Trophy 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 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Winner Regiment/Arm Lt Col E Cunningham AGC (SPS) Lt Col E Cunningham AGC (SPS) Pte K Woodward AGC (SPS) LCpl K Woodward AGC (SPS) Cpl K Woodward AGC (SPS) Sig K Kennedy R Signals Musn E Dann CAMUS Spr A Kennedy RE Cpl K Woodward AGC (SPS) Capt K Law AMS No competition – COVID Pandemic Pte N Sutton AGC (SPS) LCpl N Sutton AGC (SPS) Lt Col A O’Brien RLC

Golf Club Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton Saunton

Lt Col Alex O’Brien RLC – 2023 Army Ladies Champion

50th Inter Corps Golf Championship – The Royal Irish Rangers Bowl 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 Year 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990

Winner REME R Signals RAOC RAOC R Signals RAOC RAOC RAOC RE RAOC RAPC RA R Signals REME REME RAOC REME

Summary of victories to date: • AGC/RAPC – 7 • Infantry – 6 • RA – 4 • RAOC/RLC – 11 • RE – 7 • REME – 5 • R Signals – 9

Year 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Winner RAPC R Signals RA RLC AGC RA REME AGC RE AGC Infantry RE Infantry RE RE RLC RLC

Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Winner RLC RE AGC AGC RE R Signals R Signals R Signals R Signals Infantry Infantry Infantry No competition – COVID Pandemic Infantry RA R Signals

R SIGS (A) Team – Inter Corps Champions 2023

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 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 Secretary Assistant Secretary Admin Officer

Incumbent 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 Lt Col (Retd) SAJ Davis Miss DM Walters Mrs J Daniell

Future 2024 AGA Events for your calendar: Dates 22 May 24 10 – 12 Jun 24 8 – 10 Jul 24 5 – 7 Aug 24 3 – 4 Sep 24 9 – 12 Sep 24 3 Oct 24

Event High Handicap Championship Inter Unit Championship Strokeplay Championship Stableford Championship Inter Regional Championship Inter Service Championships (Army lead) Quill & Club Tournament

Location Test Valley GC Catterick GC Belton Park GC Whittington Heath GC Worksop GC Formby GC Mill Ride GC

2025 The Executive Committee is delighted to announce the following key dates for 2025: Dates 20 – 22 May 25 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 8 – 11 Sep 25 2 Oct 25

Event Strokeplay Championship High Handicap Championship Inter Unit Championship Matchplay Championship Women's Matchplay Championship Inter Corps Championship Stableford Championship Inter Regional Championship Inter Service Championships (RAF lead) Quill & Club Tournament

Location Liphook GC Test Valley GC TBC Saunton GC Saunton GC Saunton GC Whittington Heath GC Worksop GC Saunton GC Mill Ride GC

2018