The jinx of retaining the Inter Services (IS) golf crown struck again as the RAF Men’s team relinquished their 2009 title to the Army in a tense week on The Open-qualifying West Lancs golf course. A stop-start week in outrageous winds and often dreadful rain made life very difficult for all players, but it was a gritty Army team who came out on top to continue a trend of year-upon-year trophy exchange between the Men’s teams.

The RAFGA Team arguably started the week as favourites but there were no ‘Bookies’ around to provide any odds and, given the nature of the weather, any potential theoretical team advantage disappeared Eastwards as fast as our advertising banners; I think I passed one last week at flight level 230. The West Lancs course design is subtly tough and can test the very best players in ‘normal’ conditions (is that a 25mph westerly?) but throw in a 50 mph wind and gusts above that (reportedly 73mph on the second day), with plenty of rain and ball-gobbling, fast-growing, wild rough to boot, and things can quickly become quite unpleasant; let me just say that we were thankful that this was not a strokeplay competition.

The 2010 RAFGA IS squad comprised Sqn Ldr Dean Lewis (Capt), Flt Lt Liam Pucill, Flt Lt Ben Spoor, Sgt Chris Audin, Sgt Paul Holliday, Sgt Andy Moss, Sgt Steph Usher, Cpl Ross Caldwell, Cpl Steve Davies, Cpl Richie Larratt, Cpl Billy MacLeod and SAC Darren Gould. Our solid Captain, Deano Lewis, had led from the front in this year’s RAF golf calendar and had a difficult choice to pick his final line-up, given that all of the IS squad had played themselves into focus during the season and deserved to make the Team . In terms of how the players could cope with the conditions, Lewis’ down-selection really wasn’t helped much by the first practice day as only around half-a-dozen holes could be completed before the combination of high winds and heavy rain forced everyone to abandon the course. Fortunately, having seen the layout during the match against the RAF 'A' team just two weeks prior, most appreciated the challenges despite that being a rare tranquil day at. Lewis decided that Steph Usher was ready for his Inter Services debut and that Ross Caldwell and Andy Moss would play a supporting role.

In the Army vs Royal Navy match, the weather again made life difficult. For the morning foursomes, two rain-soaked and wind-burnt teams battled hard with the Army grafting a 4-1 lead. However, in the afternoon, the sun shone and a dry, warm wind meant that the Royal Navy was able to produce a fighting 4½ - 5½ singles loss to limit the overall Army victory to 9½ - 5½. This was to prove important in how the week’s competition would play-out.

The morning of the RAF vs the Royal Navy witnessed the week’s worst wind conditions. With the course in such great shape and despite a regular dousing of rain, it was deemed not possible to place a ball on a number of greens and remain at rest; the wind was horrendous. Play was suspended and the foursomes matches were eventually cancelled. This threw in an interesting conundrum for the Combined Services Golf Association Committee: with one match played and a second day’s match in jeopardy, the permutations on how to complete the competition were becoming limited. As it was, the afternoon wind abated enough for the course to become playable and the singles went ahead (not before the CSGA and sponsors were despatched to suffer the consequences of massive crosswinds, much to the delight of the watching Service players who lampooned every first tee shot....thanks!). The Royal Navy unexpectedly stole a 7 – 3 win with only Steve Davies, Darren Gould and Chris Audin able to gain a point for the RAF, all with resounding wins of their own.

Effectively, the Royal Navy had played themselves back into the whole competition, given that the RAF would have to beat the Army in the next day’s match to retain the trophy and, if that occurred, the overall result would thus have to be determined by singles results as the RAF vs Royal Navy match had not included foursomes. Gripping stuff!

Our seafaring friends could only observe on the final day and politely enquire match scores as they nervously fleeted around the course between dramatically changing matches. The morning foursomes saw the RAF lads take a decent lead of 3½ - 1½ with a solid team display from well-matched pairings producing the goods. The RAF Team were looking resplendent in their new golf kit secured through much hard work by WO Colin Yates, for which we are grateful; at least the boys would have plenty of room in their new trousers to make a decent swing. And so it was, the RAF Team now needed a good haul of singles points (at least 8½ but 9 would have avoided further debate) to not only beat the Army but to equal the Royal Navy with their singles differential; anything less and the Royal Navy would be crowned champions. The Army, however, still had the trophy in their sights if they could prevent an RAF victory in the match. Where were those Bookies when you needed them? Too busy at the England vs Pakistan cricket match, I gather.

As the singles got under way, you guessed it, the wind became unexpectedly stronger as the gusts became more persistent. Wind-burn did give way to sun-burn and the quality of shots remained all the more impressive as the stakes rose. Nothing could be assumed in any game as any error could prove critical and the punishing wind always generated opportunities for scores to invert. In an exciting finish, news travelled through the back nine that the Army were nibbling away and gaining valuable points; it looked like the RAF may not retain its crown. Nevertheless, personal pride was still at stake and, willed on by the Royal Navy, a number of matches ebbed and flowed, making the whole outcome utterly unpredictable. In a bitter blow for the Royal navy, the Army made a number of final-hole birdies to salvage enough points for an overall half and thus claim the title.

The disappointment was hard to bear, for both ourselves and our Royal Navy colleagues but it was a close-fought event, played in very good and fair spirit and our congratulations go to the Army for their win. Our team battled valiantly and can be proud of their efforts; Captain Dean Lewis can take heart at his own performance which was first-class. On reflection, if the foursomes against the Royal Navy had gone ahead, it may have produced a different score line. Que sera, as our team played well and all deserve congratulations for their combined efforts. As the post-match evening unwound, the RAF Team spirit was clearly something to be part of, as half the Army team joined our group to enjoy the camaraderie that the Inter Service competition generates.

Congratulation to the RAF Ladies for their thoroughly deserved victory, well done!

As always at these competitions, we fully appreciate the support of those who made the Inter Services possible and such a great occasion, particularly the CSGA sponsors whose generosity allow the event to be played in such great locations. Special thanks must go to our own sponsors QinetiQ and Clairemont with whom we enjoyed some great fun in harsh conditions but I hope they enjoyed their time as much as we appreciate their support. Thanks to my RAFGA Committee colleagues for their physical efforts throughout the week, particularly WO Colin Yates for his unmatched enthusiasm and to Phil Crossland for his financial and scoring wizardry. We’re grateful to PGA Pro Al Currie for his support during West Lancs week and the year in general. Finally, to Damian Townsend, whose first and last season as Assistant Director of Golf came to an end with his posting to the USA (to finally sort out his handicap), thanks for all your help and good luck in the ‘States.

All of the match results can be found on our website along with some photos which can never identify how tough conditions were. I am so glad that golf developed beyond links courses.

Report by: Wg Cdr Richie Matthews