MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
SAUNTON GOLF CLUB
The 2025 competition once again boasted a full field, with 93 players in the main Matchplay competition and a further 8 travelling reserves, who would either step up to the main event or compete in a daily Stableford competition
The 35 lowest-handicap players gained automatic entry into the Championship, while the remaining 58 had to qualify on Sunday. Despite the wind, spirits remained high as the Championship got underway The automatic qualification cut-off was set at a handicap of 4.0, with the highest overall handicap at 9.8.
Notable victories in the Sunday qualifier included Scott from the Int Corps, who defeated WO2 Matt Priston AGC 7&6, and Maj Gary Greaves R Sigs, who overcame Rgr Robin Ashe Inf 6&5. With those results, 29 players progressed from the qualifier into the main Matchplay starting on Monday morning, while those who did not advance took part in the Scratch Monday Stableford competition. This is a fiercely contested event in its own right, as the top 16 performers would qualify to compete from Tuesday in the Reserve Matchplay for the Keith Seddon Trophy
Keith Seddon Trophy players set off early on Monday morning into a brisk and persistent northerly breeze, which made scoring particularly difficult The wind demanded accuracy and control throughout, especially on the more exposed holes Scores were generally low across the board, a fair reflection of the conditions and the scratch format The best round of the day was a determined 29pts from Capt Dipendra Rai RLC, enough to top the leaderboard Second place was shared by WO2 James Bulter RE and WO2 Ramesh Pun R Sigs with 24pts.
The main Championship also teed off on Monday at the same time as the Stableford competition, but on the East course Players faced strong winds that made early progress challenging. However, as the day went on, the skies cleared and the sun broke through, offering a welcome improvement that lifted both morale and the standard of play The field featured the best golfers in the Army, and the quality of golf reflected the occasion.
Among the standout performances, LCpl Tom Sanghera REME overwhelmed his opponent with a 9&7 win, followed by SSgt Gaz Gurung RE’s emphatic 8&7 victory. LCpl Graeme Torrie RE eased through with a 6&5 win, matched by SSgt Rob Perrins RA’s commanding 6&4 result SSgt Jim Reeves R Sigs secured a solid 5&4 triumph, while Capt Neil Williams RA underlined his consistent form with a composed 5&3 win. Last year’s winner, Cpl Ross Greenwood RE, had to dig deep to edge his opponent 2&1 in a closely fought contest
The Denton Salver Trophy, held for those defeated in the first round of the Matchplay Championship, had no clear favourites given the high standard of golfers involved. Notable scores included Sgt Tolok Gurung R Sigs beating Capt Zain Sharif AGC 7&6 and WO2 Ryan Davies RAPTC defeating SSgt Nil Thapa RLC 7&5
Tuesday also brought the first handicap Stableford for those knocked out of the main and plate championships (Monday pm), those who had not qualified for the Keith Seddon Trophy (Monday am), and the travelling reserves. Once again, the course and conditions proved testing, with finishing scores reflecting the challenge; only the top 14 players broke 30pts Leading the field on the day was SSgt Mahesh Gurung RLC with 36pts, followed closely by WO2 Mark McKenzie Inf and LCpl Elliot Homewood RE on 35pts, and Farnworth alongside Cpl Biraj Thapa AGC on 33pts SSgt Mahesh Gurung RLC is the 2025 Micky Bryant Memorial Trophy winner.
In the plate competition, winners progressing to the afternoon matches and the quarter-finals were: Ben from the Int Corps, WO1 Dave Grant AGC, Fus Harrison Benn Inf, Scott from the Int Corps, Maj James Page RLC, CSgt Thomas Purce Inf, SSgt Chris Rosie RE, and WO2 Ian Mahan Inf
In the main competition, some of the Army’s finest players faced each other, as is often the case at this stage. The hot sun and easing winds meant the course was running fast, and the greens had become slick and unforgiving – perfect conditions for matchplay drama. All three top seeds advanced, with the standout result of the morning coming from Williams, who beat Sgt Ali Hennessey RE 5&4
As the afternoon drew to a close on a sun-soaked East Course, the main competition quarter-finals produced a series of compelling matchups in near-ideal conditions In an all-Army clash, Sgt Glen Watt RAC claimed a comfortable 4&3 victory over Williams Although the match was close early on, Williams faltered after the turn, dropping three key holes with bogeys to hand Watt the advantage, which he held with composure Gurung Gaz delivered the day’s most dominant performance, dispatching WO2 Kerry Roberts RA 6&5 in commanding fashion, his unrelenting consistency sealing the match with holes to spare In what was billed as the clash of the day, defending champion Greenwood struggled to find rhythm in a tense battle against Army Development player Perrins. Despite flashes of brilliance, Greenwood appeared to be battling both the course and himself, allowing Perrins to capitalise and secure a strong 4&2 win, staking a claim for full team selection The final match of the afternoon saw a gritty contest between SSgt Matt Bruce-Smith AGC and Torrie Bruce-Smith mounted a determined back-nine push and had a 15-foot putt on the 18th to force extra holes, but the effort narrowly missed, allowing Torrie to edge the match 1Up in a thrilling finish. With the semi-finals now set, the competition promises more drama and high-calibre golf as the title race intensifies
he plate competition also served up past Ben from the Int Corps 1Up, holding his nerve on the final green to book a semi-final spot Benn, in contrast, delivered one of the most convincing wins of the day, defeating Scott from the Int Corps 5&4 with a display of consistent golf Purce overcame Page 2Up in a match that swung back and forth until late on, while Mahan beat Rosie 2&1, closing out their tense encounter on the 17th. All matches were tightly contested early, but a strengthening breeze played a key role in splitting the field over the back nine
In the afternoon session for the last eight in the quarter-finals of the Keith Seddon Trophy, Ashe proved too strong for SSgt Ishwor Pun R Sigs, securing a measured 4&2 victory Rai Dipendra also advanced, defeating WO2 Darren Mathie RE 3&2 in a match where handling the wind was crucial. WO1 Steff Gibbs R Sigs came through a competitive encounter with Maj Steve Hickey Inf, closing it out 3&1, while WO2 Ramesh Pun R Sigs overcame SSgt Sam Shrubsole REME 4&2, using the tougher conditions after the turn to take control.
With semi-final line-ups now complete across all competitions, attention turned to who could handle the pressure, and the forecast, as the tournament entered its closing stages.
Wednesday began with an early start under a brightening sky, the sun already starting to burn through and lighter winds than had been seen over the previous three days. All was set for the final day
First out were the semi-finalists in the Keith Seddon Trophy, the first year it had been played without Keith Seddon himself overseeing proceedings as Tournament Director, following his retirement from the committee at the end of the 2024 season after some 30 years of service The opening match saw Ashe face Rai Dipendra, followed by Gibbs against Pun Ramesh.
In the Plate competition, Grant faced Benn, while Purce went up against Mahan
Finally, in the main Matchplay Championship, Watt took on Perrins and Gurung Gaz met his long-time rival Torrie
The day was sadly overshadowed by the news that a soldier from a Tidworth unit, known to several members of the RAC contingent, had been found having taken his own life. Such tragic news put the competition firmly into perspective, with everyone’s thoughts turning to the family and friends affected
In true military fashion, players and officials pulled together and pressed on with the competition, though for those closely connected to the unit and college, the day was inevitably difficult
After some outstanding ball-striking and precision play from all semi-finalists, the stage was set for three exciting and competitive finals in the concluding session of the Matchplay Championships.
The line-ups were:
· Main – Perrins vs Torrie
Plate – Benn vs Mahan
Keith Seddon – Rai Dipendra vs Gibbs
In the Stableford competition, 84 players set off on the West Course, an equally demanding layout requiring careful course management, with greater risk and reward available to the longer hitters By this stage of the week, many players used the round as preparation for the Inter Corps Championship, to be played over the same course during the following two days. Once again, only the very best managed to post high scores. While 27 players reached 30pts or more, only SSgt Jit Thapa RE managed to beat his handicap, carding an impressive 38pts Sanghera and BruceSmith were also to be commended for scoring 35pts and 34pts respectively while playing off plus handicaps. Maj Pete McGann AGC took second place on countback with 35pts SSgt Jit Thapa RE is the 2025 Bartley/Taylor Trophy winner
First to tee off in the finals was the Keith Seddon Trophy. Both players gave nothing away, with the match ebbing and flowing throughout Such was the closeness that it went to the 20th hole before being decided, with Gibbs prevailing. WO1 Steffan Gibbs R Sigs is the 2025 Keith Seddon Trophy winner.
The Plate final proved just as tight, with the lead switching hands several times. As the match reached its closing stages, Mahan seized the advantage on the 17th, hitting the long par-3 green from the tee and securing a par, while Benn could only bogey A half on the 18th was all Mahan required to seal the victory, which he duly did. WO2 Ian Mahan Inf is the 2025 Denton Salver winner
The main competition final was a different story Torrie, a master of links golf, was always going to present a formidable challenge for Perrins The early stages were close, with neither player giving much away, but as they reached the turn, Torrie’s quality began to shine through Three birdies early on the back nine put the result beyond doubt, and Perrins was unable to recover. Torrie pressed on to claim a 6&5 victory LCpl Graeme Torrie RE is the 2025 Paget Trophy winner
The standard of play throughout the competition was outstanding, and sportsmanship remained exemplary, with many fine individual performances across the week Congratulations go not only to the winners, but to all who took part
The key results were:
Army Champion – LCpl Graeme Torrie RE Runner-Up – SSgt Rob Perrins RA
Plate Winner – WO2 Ian Mahan Inf
Reserve Winner – WO1 Steffan Gibbs R Sigs
Monday Stableford Winner (Handicap) – Capt Dipendra Rai RLC
Monday Stableford Winner (Scratch) – Capt Dipendra Rai RLC
Tuesday Stableford Winner – SSgt Mahesh Gurung RLC
Wednesday Stableford Winner – SSgt Jit Thapa RE
Most Improved Player – SSgt Rob Perrins RA