ARMY GOLF ASSOCIATION
WWW.ARMYGOLF.CO.UK
STROKEPLAY CHAMPIOSHIP 18 - 20 MAY 26 LITTLE ASTON GC
Following three years in the “wilderness”, the
the sponsors and supporters of the AGA,
Strokeplay Championship returned to its
without whom events such as these would
favoured course at Little Aston Golf Club. I am
not be possible.
sure the feeling is the same, although on a slightly different scale, but the drive through
So, with a full field of 72 golfers with
the estate to the automatic gates at Little
handicaps ranging from +3.7 to 8.3, almost
Aston GC and then the first sight of the
everyone took the opportunity to play the
manicured putting green in front of the
practice round, given that it had been three
clubhouse
years since the competition was last hosted
are
very
similar
to
those
experienced by the top golfers returning to a
at Little Aston.
Masters or Open venue. It is the feeling that you are home and inspired to play your best
Round one started early, with low cloud,
golf. With its tight fairways and a mix of
slight drizzle and a definite nip in the air. This
heather, long rough and trees, together with
was particularly difficult to accept as it
the additional bunkers that protect the
followed a spell of very unseasonably hot
course on almost every shot, the premium
weather across the UK. The quality of the
was on accuracy. Measuring 6,717 yards from
field remained high, with the top golfers
the Championship tees, this parkland course
from across the Army ready to take to the
was always going to provide one of the
course on round one. The only downside was
sternest tests of golf that our elite golfers
that the reigning Champion, Lt Adam Stone
would experience this year.
RE, was deployed overseas and therefore unable to defend his title.
We welcomed two of our new sponsors to the event, Josh Edwards from PE, himself an elite
As the early groups set off, it became evident
golfer with a handicap of +1, and Mark Howell
that the course was going to prove a stern
from Censys, also a tidy golfer playing off 5. It
test for every player in the field. As the round
was a pleasure to host them both for a day
one scores came in, the usual players were
and
the
grouped inside the top 20 places. At the top
Championship was sufficiently enjoyable that
of the leaderboard was ex-Army player Capt
they will return next year. Our thanks go to all
Danny
we
hope
that
their
visit
to
Saunders
AGC(RMP),
making
a
comeback after several years away since leaving the Army and joining the Reserves, with a credible two over round of 74. He was followed
by
a
stream
of
players,
each
separated by a single shot, all the way down to the 18th-ranked player on 80. LCpl Graeme Torrie RE, Mr Ryan Wootton, Capt Jordan Aird RLC, Sgt Glen Watt RAC, WO2 Adam Hayward RA, SSgt Matthew Bruce-Smith AGC(SPS), Capt Sanjeev Rai R Sigs, Maj Neil Williams RA and WO2 Kerry Roberts RA led the way in the Maj Neil Williams RA
top 10.
Round two started in a similar fashion, with the rough and the stiffening breeze causing problems for those missing the fairways. Scoring remained consistent, with the top 20 players all scoring 80 or better. The round one leader dropped off the pace, leaving Torrie to climb to the top, closely followed by Aird and Williams N, all between 71 and 73 shots. Other notable climbers were the Army Men's Captain, Capt Scott Dickinson Inf, Mr Ben Churchill and our Chair, Brig Kieran Sheldon RA, all carding a credible 79. As day one drew to a close, the usual suspects held their nerve, demonstrating impressive consistency. Torrie led the field on 146 with rounds of 75 and an excellent 71. In
WO2 Chris Kelly RAC
second place, just three shots back, was Aird with rounds of 76 and 73. Watt sat in third
second. All that said, Watt looked to have a
place following an opening 77, backed up
commanding six-shot lead going into the
with a 74 to move up the leaderboard on 151,
final round.
level with Wootton, while Williams N sat one shot further back on 152.
In
the
first
round
of
the
Stableford
competition, which offered an opportunity to Day two and round three started under early
regroup and start afresh for those who had
morning
not
cloud
and
cooler
conditions
made
the
cut
in
the
Strokeplay
following the previous evening's rain. The top
competition,
37 made the cut and qualified through to day
challenge even as the weather improved.
two, with the 30 moving into the Stableford
Scores after the first round reflected the
competition. Five players withdrew between
difficulty of the course and demonstrated
day one and day two for various reasons. In
that course management was key to success.
the Strokeplay competition, it was no surprise
The top five were separated by only 3pts, with
to see seven Army Team players occupying
Capt Mark Nowosielski R Sigs leading the
the final three flights. However, the positions
pack on 37pts, followed by Mr Glyn Hannah
at the top of the leaderboard continued to
on 36pts, LCpl Elliot Homewood RE and LBdr
change as the morning scores were returned.
Craig Cowie RA on 35pts, and SSgt James
Watt produced an excellent round of 70 to
Stafford RE on 34pts. Only 13 players scored
move into the lead. The overnight leader,
30pts or better.
the
course
remained
a
Torrie, dropped out of contention with a round three score of 81. Aird, who had been in
In the final round of the main Strokeplay
second place at the end of day one, slipped to
competition, the course was taking its toll on
third with a 78, while Wootton moved into
most if not all of the players.
Little Aston had once again shown its teeth and posed a real challenge for even the most seasoned golfer. Three players posted a strong one over 73, followed by three posting 74, one on 75 and three more on 76. However, with Watt starting the final round with a sixshot lead, the Championship was his to lose. That proved not to be the case, as a final round of 73 saw him finish nine shots clear of his closest challenger. Although he was
Capt Jordan Aird RLC
unaware of his advantage as he came up the closing stretch, he completed the four rounds
rounds of 83-67-74-71, was Cpl Jonathan
on a credible 294 with scores of 77-74-70-73.
McManus Int Corps, playing off 7.
In second place was Bruce-Smith on 303,
To close, our thanks go to the Club Captain
followed one shot back by Torrie in third on
and the committee, to the General Manager,
304, left to rue two indifferent rounds.
Iain Burns, and his team, and to the Course
Wootton and Aird finished two shots further
Manager for presenting the course in such
back on 306.
outstanding condition. Finally, our thanks go to all the members of Little Aston Golf Club Stableford
for giving up their course for the three days.
competition, finding a level of consistency
Such was the success of the event, and the
would always be the key. However, after two
manner in which the AGA was welcomed by
days of hard work and concentration around
the club, that we hope to return in years to
the Little Aston course, that was never going
come. A final special thanks must also go to
to be easy. Once again, the course won the
all the AGA officials for the work they do
day, with only Hannah scoring better than
during the event and in the days and weeks
par
beforehand to ensure we have a full field of
In
the
with
final
a
round
credible
of
the
39pts.
SSgt
Sam
Shrubsole REME and Mr Leighton Davies
players and that everything runs smoothly.
shared second place, four points back on 35pts, with Stafford, Sgt Aidi Bennett R Sigs
Looking
ahead
and Maj Gyan Dhenga Inf one further point
Championship will return to Belton Park Golf
behind on 34pts. As the round drew to a
Club over the period 17 – 19 May 27. AGA
close, only Hannah managed to score level
members should note that this is a mixed
par pts or better across the two rounds, with
competition open to all members of the AGA.
scores of 36 and 39 respectively, giving him
With the field limited to 72 players, everyone
victory by 7pts on 75pts from Stafford and
interested
Nowosielski on 68pts.
handicap, is encouraged to enter. Entry forms
in
to
2027,
playing,
the
Strokeplay
whatever
their
will be available on the website in early 2027. In the Nett competition, Churchill was unable
Any queries should be directed to the AGA
to defend last year's title, finishing in 8th
Office
place this year. The 2026 winner, on 295 with
aga@armygolf.co.uk.
on
01252
787078
or
Handicap Champion Cpl Jonathan McManus Int Corps
Strokeplay Champion Sgt Glen Watt RAC
Senior Winner Mr Ryan Wootton
Runner-Up SSgt Matthew Bruce-Smith AGC(SPS)
Stableford Handicap Winner Mr Glyn Hannah
RESULTS Strokeplay Champion
Sgt Glen Watt RAC 294
Runner-Up
SSgt Matthew Bruce-Smith AGC(SPS) 303
Handicap Champion
Cpl Jonathan McManus Int Corps 295
Senior Winner
Mr Ryan Wootton 306 OCB
Stableford Handicap Winner
Mr Glyn Hannah 75pts