A6 Golf Challenge 2011
The A6/ICT Golf Challenge 2011 – Sponsored by Thales e-Security
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This year’s A6 championship was again held at Studley Wood GC, Oxon. The course presented itself in remarkably good condition, as is customary for this fantastic woodland course. It comprises a mix of demanding holes meaning it is challenging for lower handicaps while still being playable for those with a higher degree of dispersion from the tee!
Due largely to personnel movements and OOA commitments, the number of participants was slightly down from last year. However, what was particularly noteworthy was the fact that there was representation at every rank from Gp Capt to Flt Lt and from WO to SAC; this goes to prove that the competition is open to, and embraced, by all ranks. The day was split into 2 competitions; a Texas Scramble competition in the morning as a warm-up, followed by the main event of a 2-man combined Stableford comp for the honour of becoming the A6 Challenge Champions.
The morning’s play was played around the back 9, arguably the more difficult half of the course. Victory went to the team comprising FS Mike Thay, Sgt Jasper Timmins, Sgt John MacPhail and Cpl Craig Donaldson with an impressive 5 under gross.
After a lunch we got down to the serious business of the main competition. The traditional minor prizes were available with the inclusion of a prize for straightest drive down the 18th and nearest the pin in 2 shots at the short par 4 6th. The weather also played its part with a strong wind making club selection a tricky decision; it should also be noted that some of the pin positions would not be out of place on Sunday afternoon at Augusta! As usual the scores varied from the very good to the “wish I hadn’t turned up”, with the average score being around 30 stableford points. Sqn Ldr Neil Flather won longest drive with a shot that obviously hit a manhole cover in the middle of the 10th fairway and FS Shuggie White picked up the most golf prize for a truly remarkable round, often visiting previously undiscovered parts of the course.
Best score on the day went to Gp Capt Q Dixon with an extremely creditable 39 points from a handicap of 5. He and his partner for the day, John Cragg from Thales, duly went on to claim the trophy and accompanying prizes.
Thanks must go to Thales e-security, and in particular, Ian Danter, for their continued sponsorship of this event, their generosity and participation was appreciated by all. Due to the welcome and unyielding hospitality shown by all the staff at Studley Wood, it is intended to return for a third successive year before making a decision on whether to move the venue. Please spread the word amongst all A6 personnel that the A6 Challenge is a great way to play competitive golf without being too serious and is, above all, a fantastic opportunity to renew old friendships and make new ones. Until next year…
Words: Event organiser, Sgt Japser Timmins