Strokeplay Championship 22

STROKEPLAY

championship

16 - 18 May 2022 Little Aston Golf Club

After an absence of 2 years, owing to the pandemic, the AGA Open Strokeplay Championship returned to its spiritual home of Little Aston Golf Club (LAGC) for the 2022 Championship.

Once again, we were grateful for the generosity provided by our sponsors, Thales as our Headline sponsor, BT who have been working with the AGA to revolutionize the AGA ways of working by creating a bespoke IT package that equals that of many a private golf clubs, and Comms Spec who donate their radio systems for use at our events. All are thanked for their continued support throughout the season.

We were delighted to return to this prestigious venue, one of the best courses in UK, which has hosted the AGA Open Strokeplay Championship on 35 previous occasions.

The course was in perfect condition having

undergone some minor works with particular attention to the bunkers.

Some had been replaced, some removed and others re-shaped. With freshly cut and ironed greens they were lightening quick.

The weather on day one was warm, although at times a little cloudy, but later in the day with the wind picking up and the rain setting in it made life difficult for the last few flights on the course. It certainly paid to have an early tee time. The main competition was played off the white/red tees, which measured 6717/5749 yards; the par was 72/74 with a slope rating of 134/131.

Scoring in the first round was steady with only one player breaking par and one level. The clubhouse leader was the current Army Captain, Maj Jack Musgrove RA (+0.9) on 70, followed closely by another Army Team

regular, Gdsm Jordan Slater Coldm Gds (+3.5) on 72, and LCpl Alex Matthews RE (2.1) on 74 sat in third. There followed three players tied in fourth on 76, SSgt Adam Hayward RA (1.7), Maj Jon Howse RLC (+0.3) and Lt Neil Williams RA (+1.9).

With the changing weather conditions the afternoon round was always going to be a challenge but those starting early in the afternoon took the opportunity to consolidate their first round scores and were equally impressive during their second round.

Musgrove carded a 2 over 74, ending the day on 144, which on a course playing as it was would be hard to beat. The best second round score went to Cpl Glen Watt RAC, who carded a superb 72, which brought him up the leaderboard into second place on a total of 151, some seven shots back.

Mr Ian Bosley and Lt Neil Williams RA

Other notable second round scores were LCpl Johnny Stephenson

Day two followed a similar pattern to day one. With everyone feeling the strain as the golf course tightened its hold on the field, only the best players managed to hold their own. Slater looked like the player most likely to make a formidable charge, but was halted following a 9 and a 7 on the 17th and 18th holes and surely his race was run.

Cpl Carl Thompson Inf

SCOTS who carded a 76, Howse, SSgt Gaz Gurung RE and WO2 Kerry Roberts RA 77, Lt Col Bob Pace R Sigs, Spr Graeme Torrie RE, Mr David Wilson, and Mr Patrick Griffiths 78 and finally Slater 79 which was good enough to move him into joint second place overall.

So, after two rounds the leaderboard saw Musgrove on 144 leading by seven from Watt and Slater on 151. He would take some stopping, but on this course, there was still too much golf to be played to say for certain where the winner would come from.

As the course basked in glorious sunshine on day two, any early morning dew very quickly burned off to leave the course dry, firm, and quickening. The greenkeeping staff were out early to cut and iron the greens once more adding to an already stiff test of golf.

As the third round ended it seemed only a collapse of “Van De Velde” proportions would see Musgrove not see this through to the close.

Noticeable scores from round three; Musgrove level par 72, Matthews 73, Howse 75 and these were followed closely by the so far unmentioned Cpl Steven Farnworth LANCS 76, and Lt Jordan Aird RLC and Cpl Ben Churchill RE tied on 77.

Before we report on the final round, it would be remiss not to mention the Stableford event running

concurrently for those who did not make the cut on day one. The field of 39 had some seriously good golfers, nine of whom were playing off a handicap of five or better.

Round one saw three under par scores; Lt Col Stuart Campbell AMS with 37pts, Sgt Chris Rosie RE with 39pts and the leader, Mr David Holyoak with 40pts.

Although neither Rosie or Holyoak could emulate their morning round scores, they still managed to make runner up and third respectively with 73pts apiece. Despite a niggling back injury, which almost put Campbell out of the competition, he battled to a very creditable 39pts to take the spoils and make his total for the day 76pts.

It wouldn’t be an AGA event if we didn’t have at least one hole in one. Sgt Prades Limbu REME kept the tradition alive this time

LCpl Ram Limbu AGC

players, it was Maj Jack Musgrove RA who triumphed with his impressively consistent 70 + 74 + 72 + 73 totalling 289, 1 over gross. Winning by 12 shots in the end, Musgrove proved himself to be a worthy Champion.

LCpl Niki Sutton AGC (SPS)

with a superb 7 iron into the par 3, 13th, netting him his first ace and a handy 4pts.

Back to the main event then and with a stiffening breeze, round four saw a resurgent Churchill make a charge up the leader board after carding a one under 71. This may yet see him reach the elusive 0.4 he strives for to enable Open qualification this year. The Championship leader with no immediate challengers was able to play steady all day and carded a final round 1 over, 73. No doubt making his walk up the 18th fairway that much easier. One flight back, Howse carded a 73, as did Slater, who steadied the ship but was undoubtedly left ruing those two last holes in round three. Gurung also posted a credible 2 over 74, with Matthews and Pace a 3 over 75.

At the end of the day there can only be one winner, this year other than the course, who it would appear beat most of the

This year the course set up was fair, but challenging, lush fairways and slick greens and with the minor alterations that had been made during lockdown, particularly on the bunkers, made for a perfectly presented course worthy of such a prestigious Army Championship.

Our sincere thanks go to the Chairman, Jeremy

RESULTS Strokeplay Champion

Maj Jack Musgrove RA 289

Runner-Up

Maj Jon Howse RLC 301

Handicap Champion

Maj Jack Musgrove RA 293

Senior Winner

Lt Col Bob Pace R Sigs 313

Stableford Handicap Winner

Lt Col Stuart Campbell AMS 79 pts

Sgt Matthew Bruce-Smith Inf

Cook, the Committee, Manager Iain Burns and staff and members of Little Aston Golf Club for allowing the AGA to hold this Championship there.

And for presenting the course in such excellent condition. For the future LAGC has kindly agreed to host the 2025 Championship, date to follow.

Special thanks must go to the AGA officials for running the event in their usual professional and tireless 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.

Left to right Lt Col Stuart Campbell AMS, Lt Col Bob Pace R Sigs, Maj Jack Musgrove RA, Maj Jonathan Howse RLC

All the scores (less Scotland) have been submitted to the CDH. Photos and videos from the event can be viewed here.

The 2023 AGA Open Championships will take place at Belton Park Golf Club over the period 22 – 24 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 open on the website in early 2023.

Any queries should be directed to the AGA Office on 94222 7078 or 01252 787078.

Maj Jack Musgrove RA and Lt Col (Retd) Bob Gamble