Inter Corps Championship 26

ARMY GOLF ASSOCIATION

WWW.ARMYGOLF.CO.UK

INTER CORPS CHAMPIOSHIP 9 - 10 JUL 26‌ SAUNTON GC

The

draw

for

Championship,

the

52nd

generously

Inter

Corps

supported

by

a strong performance to defeat AAC 4-1. In match four, REME (A) faced last year's

Army Sport, took place on Wed 8 Jul

champions,

RE

following the conclusion of the Matchplay

producing

finals, Prize Giving, and AGM. Due to the

secure a 3-2 win. The fifth match saw RA (A)

absence of the Tournament Director, it was

o‌vercome Inf (A) 3½-1½. Match six saw RE (B)

conducted by the AGA Vice Chair, Lt Col

defeat REME (B) 4-1. Match seven, between

(Retd) Bob Gamble OBE, and overseen by

RLC (A) and R Sigs (A), was decided by yet

AGA Chair, Brig Kieran Sheldon RA. A total of

another playoff, wit‌h RLC (A) progressing to

19 teams entered this year's competition: 12 'A'

the next round. The final match of the

teams (with RCAM not fielding a team) and 7

morning was also settled in a playoff, with

'B' teams. The RE and RA 'A' teams were

RAPTC defeating Int Corps.

a

(A),

with

consistent

the

Sappers

performance

to

seeded one and two respectively, as winners and runners-up in the 2025 Championship, with the remaining teams drawn at random.

Before the main draw, a ballot was held to determine which of the 'B' teams would unfortunately miss out. This year, RLC (B), R Sigs (B) and AGC (B) were the unlucky teams.

To ensure they did not miss out completely or travel to Saunton in vain, they instead competed in an 18-hole scratch Stableford subsidiary competition on the East course each day, playing 36 holes across the two days.

Hot and sunny day on the West course

Thursday's forecast promised hot and sunny

Fatigue became a factor later in the day,

conditions,

particularly

and

temperatures

steadily

for

teams

facing

quick

climbed throughout the day to produce a

turnarounds betw‌een matches, as several of

scorching afternoon. The fairways baked dry

the

and ran firm, while the already fast greens

d‌elaying the afternoon rounds by as much as

demanded precise control. The course itself

an hour

morning

contests

required

playoffs,

was unforgiving, with narrow fairways in places and long, penal rough.

On

the

East

course,

the

subsidiary

competition followed a scratch Stableford The first match featured RAC against RAMS.

format, with the best four scores from five to

This closely fought contest went the distance,

count. All three teams produced consistent

finishing level at 2½-2½ before RAMS held

performances, leaving the leaderboard tightly

their nerve in the playoff to progress. The

packed after the opening 18 holes. RLC (B) led

second match saw RA (B) face Inf (B), which

on 96pts, followed by R Sigs (B) and AGC (B),

also required a playoff before Inf (B) emerged

both on 90pts, ensuring the title would be

victorious.‌ ‌In‌ ‌match three, AGC (A) produced

decided on the second day.

In the plate competition, RA (B) made a

totals, RLC (B) claimed victory with 182pts,

strong start, securing a 3½-1½ victory over

followed by AGC (B) on 177pts, with R Sigs (B)

RAC. REME (A) delivered one of the standout

just two points further back on 175pts. ‌RLC

performances of the afternoon, defeating

(B) are the 2026 Subsidiary Competition

AAC 4½-½. Inf (A) recorded a solid 4-1 win

winners‌.

over

REME

(B),

while

R

Sigs

(A)

also

progressed comfortably with a 4-1 victory

By the afternoon, temperatures were soaring,

over Int Corps.

prompting the Championship Committee to take sensible action. To safeguard player

In the main competition, RAMS and Inf (B)

welfare, the format for the afternoon rounds

could not be separated after five matches,

of both the main and plate competitions was

finishing level at 2½-2½. A playoff was

adjusted, with three holes removed and

required to determine the winner, with RAMS

players competing over holes 1-15 only.

eventually progressing. RE (A) overcame AGC (A) 3-2 in a hard-fought encounter, while RA

In the REME Shield, each team played an 18-

(A) defeated RE (B) 4½-½. The final match of

hole scratch Stableford competition, with all

the day, between RLC (A) and RAPTC,

five scores counting. The long week had

stretched late into the day. With the teams

clearly taken its toll. The final standings were:

tied 2-2 and the final match still in progress

8th AAC with 93pts, 7th RAC with 110pts, 6th

as the light faded, the last pairing agreed to

RAPTC with 111pts, 5th REME (B) with 116pts,

suspend play on the 16th hole, marking their

4th RE (B) with 122pts, 3rd Inf (B) with 125pts,

balls

the

2nd Int Corps with 133pts, while ‌AGC (A)

following morning. Who would secure the

topped the leaderboard with 145pts to

final semi-final place?

become the 2026 REME Shield winners‌.

before

returning

to

resume

As the sun set on a gruelling day, players from all teams earned admiration for their stamina, sportsmanship and commitment under testing conditions.

Day two started bright and early as the final pairing from the RLC (A) vs RAPTC match returned to the 16th hole to resume play promptly at 0730hrs. It did not take long for Thapa Nil to secure the decisive point, sending RLC (A) into the semi-finals, while RAPTC

dropped

into

the

REME

Cpl Niki Sutton from AGC (A) Team

Shield

Stableford competition.

On the West course, the plate semi-finals produced two convincing results. REME (A)

On

the

East

course,

the

subsidiary

defeated RA (B) 3½-1½ to book their place in

competition remained just as close. Once

the final. The second semi-final proved closer,

Friday's‌ ‌scores‌ ‌were‌ ‌added‌ ‌to‌ ‌Thursday's

with R Sigs (A) overcoming Inf (A) 3-2.

Over

on

the

the

main

winning 2&1 for RE (A), before Greenwood

produced

two

added a second point with a 2Up victory over

high-quality encounters. RE (A) defeated

Musgrove. Sutton and Williams halved their

RAMS 4-1 to book their place in the final. In

match, leaving RA (A) with an opportunity to

the other semi-final, RA (A) produced an

draw level. However, Gurung Gaz secured the

impressive display to overcome RLC (A) 4½-

decisive point for RE (A) in the fourth match

½, securing the second place in the final.

to confirm the destination of the Royal Irish

Championship

East

course,

semi-finals

Rangers Bowl. The final match between With both finalists confirmed, anticipation

Torrie and Roberts was halved, bringing the

built for an exciting conclusion to the

2026 Inter Corps Championship to a fitting

Championship, particularly as it would be a

conclusion. ‌RE (A) successfully retained the

repeat of the 2025 final between RE (A) and

title, becoming 2026 Royal Irish Rangers

RA (A).

Bowl winners for the second consecutive year‌.

The plate final teed off on the West course under glorious conditions. REME (A) and R

The AGA was once again hugely indebted to

Sigs (A), both buoyed by consistent semi-final

the

performances, were determined to finish the

allowing us to take over their club for the

week with silverware. As the matches ebbed

week. The hospitality and friendship shown

and flowed, momentum gradually swung in

to everyone involved with the AGA, players

REME

and

(A)'s

favour,

and

they

eventually

SGC

Committee

officials

alike,

and

was

members

once

for

again

secured a 3-2 victory. ‌REME (A) are the 2026

outstanding. We are extremely fortunate to

Singapore Trophy winners‌.

enjoy such a strong relationship with one of the finest golf clubs in the country, and it is something we never take for granted.

Huge

thanks

go

to

our

sponsors

and

supporters: Army Sport, PE, PING, Heckler and

Koch,

Army

Sport

Lottery,

Censys,

Banking,

ABLO

Associates.

Special

Leonardo,

Holt's

Military

Consulting

and

Scan

thanks also go to Mr Jon Southerland, General

Manager,

and

Deputy

General

Manager Liz Cann at SGC for their invaluable support throughout the week. Thanks must also go to the Tournament Committee, Plate Winners - REME (A)

whose hard work ensured another smoothly run Championship.

The main final unfolded on the East course in spectacular fashion. The contest between RE

The

Inter

Corps

Championships

27

will‌

(A) and RA (A) remained finely balanced

take place at Saunton GC from Thu 8 to Fri 9

throughout the afternoon. Stone‌ ‌struck‌ ‌first,

Jul 27.

Champions - RE (A) L to R: Cpl R Greenwood, Lt A Stone, LCpl G Torrie, SSgt C Rosie, Sgt G Gurung, SSgt J Thapa, Spr A Sutton

RESULTS Inter Corps Champions

RE (A)

Runners-Up

RA (A)

Plate Winners

REME (A)

Plate Runners-Up

R Sigs (A)

Stableford Winners

AGC (A)

Stableford Runners-Up

Int Corps

Subsidiary Winners

RLC (B)