I N T E R U N I T
10 - 11 JUN 26
The Inter Unit once again returned to Catterick and it was heartening to see an increased field of 21 teams, three more than last year, continuing the steady growth seen over recent years. Although there were several teams from the North of England, it was pleasing to see others from both the South East and South West, proving that this event remains popular enough for them to take on the M1 and its endless roadworks
When we arrived to set up, the rain was just starting. Within 10 minutes it was bouncing off the clubhouse patio and the prospect of flooded greens was a definite possibility
Twenty minutes later, the clouds cleared, the sun came out, and so it remained for the rest of the afternoon: jacket on, jacket off!
This event saw all teams participate in a 36-hole Stableford qualifier played off 95% course handicap The top four teams progressed into the Main Matchplay Championship to compete for the Balfour Trophy, while the next four progressed into the Plate Competition to compete for the India Cup. The remaining teams played a 27-hole team Stableford event for the UDR Trophy
With every finger and toe crossed that the rain would hold off, we started day one
The players were all in agreement that the course was in fabulous condition but, as with any good golf course, bad shots were punished and, to quote several of the players, the second cut was "brutal". The recent rainfall had certainly helped with the greens' receptiveness, and they were holding really well. Good putts dropped, but you had to have the line.
A very commendable 37pts from Sgt Ben Robinson, 3 RHA, led the field after the morning round, closely followed by WO2 Netra Rai, 3 PWRR (A), with 36pts The top five was completed with scores of 35pts from Sgt Raju Tamang, 3 PWRR (A), WO1 Nathan Mays, LD, and Sgt Sujan Gurung, 9 Regt RLC
In the team competition, the current champions, 3 PWRR (A), posted a total score of 105pts, with all three players scoring 34pts or better 2 ITB were lying second on 96pts and The Light Dragoons were third on 95pts.
As it stood after 18 holes, the top eight were:
3 PWRR (A)
2 ITB
The Light Dragoons
3 RHA
9 Regt RLC
3 PWRR (B)
156 Regt RLC
11 EOD&S Regt RLC
Everyone enjoyed a good lunch and those crossed fingers and toes were doing us proud as the clouds continued to roll by without dropping any rain The wind was getting up, though, and this, coupled with a bit of tiredness, ensured that very few of the players in the top 10 from round one bettered 105pts 96pts 95pts 93pts 90pts 87pts 87pts 85pts
their score. Some notable individual efforts from round two came from Cpl Jhanak Dhungana, Gurkha Band, with 35pts, and WO2 Netra Rai, 3 PWRR (A), and Sgt Binayak Limbu, Gurkha Band, both with 34pts.
The best aggregate individual scores from day one were:
WO2 Netra Rai, 3 PWRR (A) - 70pts
Maj Jogendrasing Limbu, 3 PWRR (A) - 67pts
Sgt Raju Tamang, 3 PWRR (A) - 67pts
At this point, much of the clubhouse was wondering, "Can anyone stop 3 PWRR (A) from winning the Championship for the third consecutive year?"
Team scores from the qualifying competition:
It should be noted at this point that 2 FS Bn REME achieved their score with only two players and are to be commended on continuing even though it was highly unlikely that they could compete for the trophies
The draw for the semi-finals in the two Matchplay competitions was as follows:
Main Championship
3 PWRR (A) vs 3 PWRR (B) Gurkha Band vs 2 ITB
Plate Competition
9 Regt RLC vs 3 RHA
1 CS Bn REME vs 156 Regt RLC
This meant that the first Main Championship semi-final was a repeat of last year's final:
3 PWRR (A) versus 3 PWRR (B) The A Team took the honours last year, but will there be an upset this time? One thing is for sure, the B Team will be going all out to win.
Unfortunately, day two did not start as day one finished, weather-wise The first couple of groups in the Stableford probably got off the tee dry but the waterproofs were soon out all over the course as slowly but surely the rain got heavier and heavier The green staff were trying their best to clear the greens of standing water but once a family of ducks positioned themselves on the 18 just before lunch, it was clear that a decision had to be made on the afternoon’s play th
Before we get to that, some results from the morning’s play On paper the Plate was always going to be extremely tight and so it proved with every match coming to at least the 17 In the end, 9 Regt RLC beat 3 RHA 3-0 and 156 Regt RLC triumphed over 1 CS Bn REME 2½ - ½. An all RLC final then. th
In the Stableford we still had 17 teams battling for the UDR Trophy Unfortunately, we had to take the decision to cancel the final round (9 holes). The course was steadily becoming unplayable and despite their best efforts, the greens staff couldn’t keep up with the deluge of rain now falling on the course. It is prudent to point out that regardless of the weather, there were still some good scores out there, not least Cpl Will Morris, 17 P&M Regt RLC, who carded 32pts, and SSgt Bhumiraj Rai, 5 FS Bn REME (A), and Capt Carl Wray, 32 Regt RA, both managed 31pts. It should also be noted that Capt Lee Fuller, 3 PWRR (A), played in the Stableford as a reserve for his unit Although his score did not count towards the team competition, he recorded a very creditable 35pts, which in those conditions was remarkable
Team
5 FS Bn REME (A)
17 P&M Regt RLC
Royal Lancers
RMAS
32 Regt RA
32 Engr Regt
11 EOD&S Regt RLC
2 Med Regt
The Light Dragoons
2 SCOTS
5 FS Bn REME (B)
2 FS Bn REME
4 Regt RA
Huge congratulations to 5 FS Bn REME (A) who dug in deep after day one where they finished 17 A superb turnaround and very worthy winners. th
Back to the Matchplay element and both finals were now set, 9 Regt RLC would face 156 Regt RLC in the Plate and play for the India Cup The Balfour Trophy, and the title of 2026 Inter Unit Champions would be competed for by 3 PWRR (A) and 2 ITB Could the local team put their home course knowledge to good use and deprive 3 PWRR (A) of their much-coveted third successive win? Or would the team from Kent complete the treble and go down in AGA history as being only the third team to win three consecutive Championships A feat achieved only by The Black Watch, 1911-1913 and ITC Catterick (A), 2016-2018. Let the battle commence
We took the result for the Stableford over 18 holes and the results were as follows:
Despite the awful weather, we managed to get both the Plate and the Main finals off a little early with the plan to keep the greens staff just ahead of them. While the rain didn’t let up at all, we did play to a conclusion.
As expected, the Plate went down to the wire with Sgt Sujan Gurung of 9 Regt RLC and WO2 Rob Delamar MBE of 156 Regt RLC having to go out for the playoff Nothing could separate them on the first playoff hole, the 17 , but when it came to the 18 , Delamar sank his putt for a par, but Gurung had long shot for birdie It didn’t leave the hole and so the spoils went to 9 Regt RLC. th th
In the Main final, 3 PWRR (A) went up in their first and third matches very early, coming round the turn six and five up respectively, only the middle match looked close. As the rain got heavier and the ground got wetter, the “home” team began to pull back and in the end it was much closer than anyone would have expected at halfway Maj Jogendra Limbu, 3 PWRR (A), beat Cpl Tek Rai, 2 ITB. Cpl Bar Bahadur Budha Magar, 2 ITB, beat WO2 Netra Rai 3 PWRR (A),
and Sgt Raju Tamang, 3 PWRR (A), beat Capt Suman Ale Magar, 2 ITB This puts 3 PWRR (A) on course for four in a row in 2027, a feat no other team has achieved since records began.
Huge congratulations to all the players who fought hard over the two days for their units in very testing conditions. The AGA remains committed to growing this event and welcomes entries from all units able to field a team of three, playing off handicap, male, female, or mixed.
As always, we extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors, whose generosity and continued support help make events such as this possible year after year To Pozitive Energy, Holt’s, ABLO Consulting, Leonardo, Censys, Heckler & Koch (clothing sponsor) and Army Sport (grant support) – thank you!
Finally, our deepest gratitude to Catterick Golf Club, its members and committee, for allowing us to take over the course for the two days The course was in immaculate condition, and we were superbly looked after by Club Secretary Shireen Rudge, James Wallace and his pro shop staff, and, last but not least, the catering and bar team, who once again went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly, notably Sarah, Michael and Olha
Champions
Runners-Up
Plate Winners
Plate Runners-Up
Stableford Winners
Stableford Runners-Up
Inter Unit Champions 2026
3 PWRR (A) - Sgt R Tamang, WO2 N Rai, Maj J Limbu
RESULTS
3 PWRR (A)
Maj Jogendra Limbu, Capt Lee Fuller, WO2 Netra Rai, Sgt Raju Tamang
2 ITB
Capt Suman Ale Magar, Cpl Bar Bahadur Budha Magar, Cpl Tek Rai
9 Regt RLC
Sgt Santosh Rai, Sgt Sujan Gurung, Cpl Saroj Pun
156 Regt RLC
Capt Robert Barr, WO1 Paul Black, WO2 Rob Delamar MBE
5 FS Bn REME (A)
Lt Hadley Thompson, SSgt Bhumiraj Rai, Sgt Declan O’Shea
17 P&M Regt RLC
Sgt Hugh McGarvey, Cpl Jonathan Seal, Cpl Will Morris