HIGH HANDICAP
championship
25 May 2022 Test Valley Golf Club
As the most junior of the AGA competitions, the High Handicap Championship was brought under the banner of the AGA for the first time this year. Previously the event was coordinated by Lt Col Richard Sanders, a former Regional Secretary. His promotion and assignment to Scotland rendered it impractical for him to continue to run the event, therefore, the AGA would like to formally thank Col Richard for setting up and driving the event to this point since its inception in 2014. This year’s competition was held at Test Valley Golf Club (TVGC), a venue used periodically by the South East Region, and so was familiar to a few of the competitors. Based on chalk, the course drains well and with little water on the course it served as an ideal venue to hold this competition which serves
to provide the players with an experience of higher level competitive golf. Playing two rounds in one day was a first for many in the field and mental fatigue affected some. Whilst the course was a little forgiving in places, the rough was high and the greens slick, having been cut and rolled prior to play. It achieved all we set out for – a fair but stern test. The tee boxes were set up as they would be for all AGA Championship events with sponsor 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. Having brought competition under umbrella of the AGA, longer-term plan is drive attendance to
WO2 Ian Lester RAPTC
the the the to the
heights of all other competitions; a full field of 66. This year we achieved almost 50% of our aiming mark; a field of one lady and 28 men played 36 holes off the yellow and red tees. Flights were sent out in threes at 8-minute intervals with one higher, one middle and one lower handicap player in each flight. This ensured the speed of play remained on track, and the slightly better and more knowledgeable and experienced players were able to assist the lesser so players. This clearly worked well as there were no hold ups on the course, all flights completed their rounds in around 4 hours and 15 mins which ensured all players had time for a good lunch. As the morning wore on, the wind subsided a little and the temperature rose, as did the standard of golf. There was plenty of good ball striking even if the speed of the greens was to cause more than a little angst to some. That said, there were some good scores posted at the
striking the flag stick to drop close to the hole.
WO2 Gregory Tucker RLC
halfway point. The clubhouse leader was SSgt David Whitwham RLC (26) on 40 pts, in joint second were Cpl Chris Hammond AAC (26) and LCpl Lee Williamson RLC (21) on 39 pts, closely followed by Cpl Roshan Mabo Inf (18) in third on 38 pts, and WO2 Ian Lester RAPTC (19) in fourth on 37 pts. The next three players were all tied on 35 pts so it was tight at the top of the leaderboard. All to play for then in round 2 – who could hold their concentration and nerve in the afternoon rounds? With temperatures warming and the sun peering through the gloom of the clouds, some great drives were to be hit, none more so than the shot of the day when Maj Alistair Hughes RLC drove the green on the par 4 dogleg first and WO1 Vicky Van Zyl AMS almost finishing the 18th from 100 yds with the ball
The standard of play across the board, belied many a handicap, there was every chance that several of the players were on a downward trajectory in terms of their handicap and as such may not qualify for next year’s competition. There is always the Stableford event in August at Whittington Heath – so as one door closes, another opens. Round 2 was closed with Mabo scoring a very respectable 41 pts, WO2 Gregory Tucker RLC and Sgt Scott Young Inf both finished on 38 pts, Hughes on 37 pts, followed closely by Spr Lloyd Jenkins RE, Sgt Joe Jacobs Inf, Sgt Alan Smith Inf and Whitwham all on 36 pts, and Williamson, who scored his first ever birdies, one in each round, finished on 35 pts.
Three of the morning’s top five made it into the prizes at the close of play but of course there can only be one winner. Mabo put together 2 under handicap rounds of 38 & 41 pts and assuming his golf will only get better, he will be unable to defend his title next 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. For the future, TVGC has kindly agreed to host this event for the next 5 years, dates to follow. 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
SSgt David Whitwham RLC
manner both at the event and back in the office. Finally, the AGA is eternally grateful to Thales as the AGA headline sponsor for 2022. The 2023 High Handicap Championship will take place back at Test Valley Golf Club on Wed 17 May 2023. AGA members should note that this is a mixed competition open to ALL members of the AGA with the field limited to approximately 66 players; all interested in playing whatever handicap should enter. Entries will be available on the website in early 2023. Any queries should be directed to the AGA Office on 94222 7078 or 01252 787078.
Top three
SSgt David Whitwham
RESULTS High Handicap Champion
Cpl Roshan Mabo Inf 79 pts
Runner-Up
SSgt David Whitwham RLC 76 pts
Third Place
LCpl Lee Williamson RLC 74 pts
Fourth Place
WO2 Gregory Tucker RLC 72 pts OCB
Fifth Place
Maj Ali Hughes RLC 72 pts
High Handicap Champion 22 - Cpl Roshan Mabo Inf
LCpl Lee Williamson
WO2 Gregory Tucker
Maj Ali Hughes