Page 191 - RAPTC 23/24

The 2023 season started with a Spring Meeting in March, this allowed for a dual event for all members to visit the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Stanford Hall, in the morning, then a round of golf at Rushcliffe GC in the afternoon.
Highlight for the year was April with the long awaited RAPTC Golf Tour on Ex PENINA BUNKER. Led by WO1 (SMI) Hawkins and SSgt (SSI) Palmer, the RAPTC took 14 players of various ages and ability levels to the Penina Hotel & Golf Resort, Portugal. This tour was used as a great training week for the RAPTC Golf Team in preparation for the Army Inter Corps Championships at Saunton Sands Golf Club.
Played on a very similar terrain as Saunton Sands it made for a great training camp as well as some well overdue socialising by the poolside. The week allowed for a variety of competition formats on 2 great hotel courses, with golf every morning and afternoon, with the highlight being a 14 v 14 match against a seasoned Penina golf team, full of Ex-Pat’s, on this occasion local knowledge proved invaluable. A huge thank you as always to the RAPTC Association and Army Sports Lottery for their continued financial support to RAPTC Golf.
This season, Army Golf created an inaugural league format which would see all Corps put into 2 divisions based on previous years’ Inter Corps results. This league system allowed the team to gain valuable experience in 8 v 8 matchplay format. The RAPTC started in Division 2
RAPTC GOLF
SSgt (SSI) J Palmer RAPTC
and gave a very respectable account of themselves, finishing second, narrowly missing out on promotion.
The first 2 matches were in June and this saw early wins against both the AAC and Int Corps, proving the tour as an invaluable tool prior to the season commencing. However, up next was the formidable REME team, this was always going to be tough, and we experienced our only loss of the season. The last match against AMS team in August at Tidworth GC afforded us the opportunity to introduce some new blood in Capt (MAA) Gillard and WO1 (SMI) Kemp. Both drafted in to assist WO1 (SMI) Hawkins, WO2 (QMSI) Lester and WO2 (QMSI) Turner, some good experience was gained by all players as we head into the upcoming season.
June saw the highly anticipated Festival of Golf, this year organised by WO2 (QMSI) Turner and held at the prestigious Breadsall Priory Golf & Country Club, this event brings together serving, retired association members and guests for 2 days of golf consisting of an overnight stay, meal, and an awards ceremony. This year’s event was graciously sponsored by ex-RAPTCI Mr Gareth Thomas. Due to the variety in skill and handicaps a 2-division event was created separating the ballers from the part-timers.
The overall Scratch Champion was WO1 (SMI) Hawkins. The Division 1 (0 – 15 hcp) saw Mr Garry Easter win the Stableford competition with SSgt (SSI) Beach winning the Division 2 equivalent (16 – 28 hcp).
RAPTC Golf Team - Army Champs. Left to right: WO1 Watson, SSgt Palmer, WO1 Hawkins, WO2 Turner, WO2 Murray
RAPTC ANNUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – SERVING RESULTS
Scratch Champion
WO1 (SMI) Stuart Hawkins
Handicap Champion
WO1 (SMI) Craig Watson
RAPTC ANNUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – ASSOCIATION RESULTS
Scratch Champion
Mr Garry Easter
Handicap Champion
Mr Alan Witcomb
RAPTC GOLF AWARDS
RAPTC Golf player of the year
WO2 (QMSI) Al Murray
Most improved player of the year
WO2 (QMSI) Steve Turner
RAPTC Golf Colours
WO1 (SMI) Craig Watson
Lifetime Achievement towards British Army Sport
WO2 (QMSI) Ian Lester
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RAPTC Festival of Golf 2023