The jontly sponsored BAE Systems and Sodexo Defence Inter Station Scratch Final was held at Sleaford GC over 22/23 Sep 11, with the 6 finalists being RAF Benson, Brize Norton, Cranwell, High Wycombe, Lossiemouth and Waddington. Wg Cdr Ian Robinson hosted BAE reprersentatives to a round of golf and watch proceedings. The RAFGA is very grateful for our sponsors' continuing support in these austere times.

Day 1 sees the relatively easier formats of Greensomes and 4-Ball Better Ball but, for many of the slightly higher handicap players, the removal of any handicap allowance proved to be quite intimidating. The Greensomes format (2-man teams, both players drive off, choose the best drive and thereafter play alternate shots) was a gentle introduction to the Sleaford course and many pairings scored well with Gerry Shields and Mark Wood generating most points (35) for their Brize Norton team. What had been a morning zephyr built up to a fresh breeze and by mid afternoon was a devilish wind requiring 2-3 clubs either more or less than usual depending whether shots were played into or with the wind respectively. The expected high scoring 4BBB format produced a glut of scores in the 30s and Sam Whittle-Tanner and Rob Blakey of Lossiemouth carded a highly impressive 4-under-par for 40 points. Overnight there was little between the teams with Brize Norton edging an 11 point lead over second-placed Lossiemouth.

Day 2 began in chilly and breezy conditions but the weather eased during the day to present ideal golfing conditions. The Foursomes format (2-man teams, alternate shots playing only one ball) is a demanding format which allows very little room for error and some near impossible new pin-positions caused overall scoring to be considerably lower. Nevertheless Sam Whittle-Tanner this time teamed up Neil Franklin and brought home another excellent score of 36 points. Going into the final session Singles, it was going to take a monumental effort from Benson, Cranwell, High Wycombe and Waddington to catch the front-runners Brize Norton and Lossiemouth. However, with 6 scores to count in the Singles there is the possibility of huge swings in scoring as players' fortunes vary out on course. Mike Bown of Cranwell performed best in the afternoon, going round in level par and picking up 36 points for this team. However, it proved to be Brize Norton who came out top in the 2011 Inter Station Scratch Championships with strong performances across the whole team, successfully holding off a hard-battling Lossiemouth team, the final points margin being a mere 6 points difference. See full team scores...

Wg Cdr Cass Singleton (3rd from left) presents Si Ackland and his team with the 2011 Inter Station Scratch Championship trophy.

Words: Neil Flather