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ARMY GOLF ASSOCIATION

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STABLEFORD CHAMPIOSHIP 3 - 5 AUG 26 WHITTINGTON HEATH GC

The 2026 Army Stableford Championship

With

marked a milestone as the event returned to

handicap and only a handful of shots

Whittington Heath Golf Club for the 5th

separating the sides, every contest proved

consecutive

were

highly competitive. The matches were played

welcomed by familiar surroundings, with the

in excellent spirit and remained tightly

club's new opening five holes now beginning

fought throughout. In the end, the AGA

to bed in and become an established feature

emerged as worthy winners, edging the

of the course.

encounter by the narrowest of margins and

year.

Competitors

both

teams

closely

matched

leaving Whittington Heath to claim the As with many golf courses across the UK, the

infamous wooden spoon.

prolonged spell of hot and dry weather had taken its toll on the fairways and rough,

Following the day's‌ golf, players and guests

leaving large areas of the course looking

enjoyed a superb post-match dinner hosted

yellow

these

by Whittington Heath Golf Club. The club's

challenging conditions, the presentation of

hospitality was, as ever, first-class, with good

the

friends, great company, excellent food and

and

course

sunburnt. remained

Despite outstanding.

The

greens, aprons and tee boxes were all in

ﬁne wine making for a memorable evening.

immaculate condition and were a credit to the

greenkeeping

staff,

providing

Round one of the 54-hole championship got

competitors with excellent playing surfaces

underway in scorching te‌mperatures and

throughout the week.

bright sunshine, providing a stern test for all 67 competitors. While slightly short of a full

The championship began with an optional

field due to accommodation constraints,

practice

there was no shortage of enthusiasm.

round,

allowing

players

the

opportunity to familiarise themselves with the course and conditions ahead of the main

Competitors were sent out in groups of three,

competition. The traditional opening fixture

with the first tee time at 0730hrs. The already

between the Army Golf Association (AGA) and

warm conditions quickly intensiﬁed, and

Whittington Heath Golf Club Committees

players

also took place.

management, hydration and concentration

knew

that

careful

course

would be key factors throughout the long day ahead. Following the morning round, the ﬁeld enjoyed a one-hour break for lunch before returning to the course for the second round

the

day.

With

temperatures

continuing to rise and little respite from the sunshine, endurance became as important as golﬁng ability. The immaculate greens and teeing areas continued to receive praise from the players, although the ﬁrm, fast-running SSgt Chris Hammond AAC

conditions presented an additional challenge as scores began to take shape.

Despite

the

standard

demanding play

competitors

conditions,

remained

determined

high, to

the

were beginning to take their toll, however,

with

with only 42 players managing to score 30pts

position

or more.‌

themselves favourably on the leaderboard heading

into

the

final

round

the

After two rounds, the overnight leader was

championship. The combination of a well-

Evans on 79pts, holding a narrow advantage

presented course, excellent weather and

over Hammond, Butler and Fernandez, all on

competitive spirit ensured that the opening

78pts. Grinonneau was a further point back

day provided an outstanding start to the

on 76pts, while Cpl Niki Sutton AGC(SPS) and

2026 Army Stableford Championship.

Mr Christopher Irlam were the next closest challengers, both on 71pts.

After the first 18 holes, the clubhouse leader was Cpl Krishna Pun RLC with an impressive

Day two began where the previous day had

40pts. Closely behind, on 38pts, were former

left off, with hot, sunny conditions and very

Stableford Champion Mr Ian Bosley, Col

little wind to trouble the field. While the

Stuart Campbell RAMS and Sgt Brett Evans

weather remained ideal for scoring, the

RAMS. A further ﬁve players were tied on

course was beginning to show the effects of

37pts, with another four on 36pts. In total, 51

the

players scored 30pts or better, highlighting

become increasingly ﬁrm and burnt out, and

the favourable scoring conditions.

even the straightest of drives could be

prolonged

sunshine.

Fairways

had

punished by an unfortunate bounce on the The dry conditions were certainly helping

hard-baked surface.

scores, with plenty of long drives allowing players

reach

greens

regulation,

With the competition format successfully

provided they could keep the ball on the

changed last year to a single 18-hole round

fairways. That said, the course still offered a

stern challenge through its well-protected

opportunity remaining for players to make

layout, difficult pin positions, and subtle

their move up the leaderboard. At the start of

breaks on the greens.

play, just nine points separated the top

the

final

day,

there

was

only

one

twelve competitors. Realistically, however, The afternoon round continued in much the

only the leading ﬁve players were truly in

same fashion, although the temperatures

contention, with just three points covering

climbed even higher. More excellent scores

that group.

were recorded, with SSgt Chris Hammond AAC posting an impressive 45pts, finishing

As the morning unfolded, the leaderboard

three clear of WO1 John Butler RLC in second

ebbed and flowed with every hole. Players

place on 42pts. WO2 Gary Fernandez RAPTC

traded positions and momentum shifted

and Evans followed closely on 41pts, while Lt

repeatedly throughout the round. Several

Col Adrian Grinonneau Inf returned a steady

competitors mounted strong charges, only to

39pts. Behind them were four players on

be pegged back by costly mistakes, while

37pts and a further three on 36pts. The

others quietly built their totals through

demanding conditions and increasing heat

steady, consistent play.

As the final scores were returned, it became

As the morning drew to a close, Fernandez, a

clear

regular competitor and previous winner of

decided by the ﬁnest of margins. Throughout

the event, emerged as the champion after

the morning, positions on the leaderboard

producing the most consistent golf over the

changed repeatedly as players exchanged

two days. His total of 115pts saw him claim the

points and traded places, setting up a tense

championship

ﬁnish. In the end, consistency proved to be

Hammond,

the decisive factor. While several competitors

deserving winner. In doing so, Fernandez also

produced moments of brilliance, it was those

secured the Harrison’s Shield, awarded to the

who

Senior Winner (Over 45).

that

the

minimised

championship

mistakes

would

and

steadily

making

single him

point

from

thoroughly

accumulated points over the 18 holes who rose to the top.

Fernandez’s

victory

was

built

upon

consistency rather than spectacular scoring. The best score of the day came from Lt Col

In a field where many players challenged at

John Price AGC, whose excellent 40pts round,

various stages of the competition, his ability

which edged out WO2 Sean Geoghegan Inf

and Sjt Ben Rook Inf, both of whom recorded

accumulating points throughout all three

39pts. Cpl Adam Sewell Inf followed closely

rounds ultimately proved decisive. Winning

with 38pts, while a further four players,

by just a single point highlighted how

including the eventual champion, returned

competitive this year's championship had

solid rounds of 37pts.

been and provided a ﬁtting end to an

avoid

costly

mistakes

and

continue

excellent tournament enjoyed by all who took The scoring throughout the field highlighted

part.

the excellent condition and playability of the course, with 52 players recording 30pts or

This year, a collective buffet was arranged

more. The opportunities were certainly there

following completion of the championship to

for those able to take advantage of them,

encourage all competitors to remain for the

rewarding good shot-making and consistent

final prize giving, rather than departing

play.

immediately after their scorecards had been handed in. The initiative proved to be a great success, with almost a full house remaining in

the

clubhouse

throughout

the

presentations. The atmosphere was excellent, with players reflecting on the highs and lows of the competition while enjoying the opportunity to socialise together one ﬁnal time. The strong turnout created a ﬁtting end to another

memorable

championship

and

highlighted the camaraderie that makes this Capt Carl Wray REME

event so special.

During the prize giving, sincere thanks were

Our thanks were also extended to the Golf

extended to all of our sponsors for their

Club

continued and invaluable support. We are

whose

particularly

Scan

support throughout the competition ensured

Associates, Leonardo, Heckler & Koch, ABLO

the event ran smoothly both on and off the

and Censys, whose contributions help make

course. Their efforts were greatly appreciated

the event possible year after year.

by all involved and played a significant role in

grateful

PE,

Holts,

management

and

clubhouse

staff,

professionalism,

hospitality

and

the overall success of the championship.

SSgt Chris Hammond AAC with the Taylor/Bartley Trophy for best round of the competition

WO2 Dean Geoghegan Inf with the Courage Cup

Stableford Champion 26 WO2 Gary Fernandez RAPTC with his two trophies (Handicap Cup and Harrison’s Shield)

RESULTS Stableford Champion

WO2 Gary Fernandez RAPTC

Scratch Champion

WO2 Dean Geoghegan Inf

Senior Winner (Over 45)

WO2 Gary Fernandez RAPTC

Best Round of the Competition

SSgt Chris Hammond AAC