Page 195 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

The Serving Ri es Of cers’ Cup – 14th July The Berkshire GC
Building on the success of the inaugural Ri es Serving Of cers’ Cup held last year at the Berkshire, the Chairman of Ri es golf decided to organise something similar. Turnout was even better and less any serving of cers at 4 RIFLES, all the Regular and Reserve Battalions were repre- sented.
The majority of us met at RMAS the evening before to exploit nearby free accommodation. After an excellent meal at the Brickmaker’s Arms in Windlesham and some local interaction in a bar in Camberley, we mustered for breakfast at The Berkshire GC at 0730. The 4 balls started at 0810 on the Red course - format; individual full handicap stableford with the best two Battalion combined scores going towards to the Cup.
The rst ight (Mills, Field, Wrighly and Kilpatrick) didn’t see any opening drives hit the fairway. The dreaded heather (with adders!) at the Berkshire was to become everyone’s nemesis.
Most were occasional golfers and no one was threatening at making a last ditch effort to qualify for Royal Birkdale. Henry Hughes scored an impressive 38 points of 7, winning the best stableford score. This was even more impressive when acknowledging he has 4 month year old son. Jono Mills was the highest serving stableford with 34 points. A blob on the last was particu- larly frustrating for him. Toby North won longest drive with a c275 monster on the 15th and Jono Boardman was nearest the pin on the 18th. Peter Wrighly won the most golf played. His trendy trousers and “turn ups” were commented on by many of the Rfn. We were surprised that the adders failed to nip his exposed and tempting ankles.
Whilst not actually at RD in 5 RIFLES, Mark Shercliff and Damian Flanagan ripped themselves away from high powered jobs at Andover in order to play for their old Battalion. Flying of cers back from Estonia proved somewhat dif cult! Their combined total of 61 points secured the silverware from the holders, 2 RIFLES. 2 RIFLES were second with 56 and and 6 Ri es third with 52 points.
At lunch, the chairman discussed future options for golf in the Regiment. As well as encouraging more serving of cers to play, the aspiration is to hold an all ranks inter Battalion golf match with one of the Battalion’s hosting. With an active golf crowd and good links with local clubs, WO1 Camlin offered up 3 Ri es for next year. We will secure a date and Commanding Of cers are encouraged to support by releasing players and offering travel and subsistence.
This was an excellent event and thanks to RHQ for helping to play for the green fees was inval- uable.
THE FIRST FLIGHT DIDN’T SEE ANY OPENING DRIVES HIT THE FAIRWAY. THE DREADED HEATHER (WITH ADDERS!) AT THE BERKSHIRE WAS TO BECOME EVERYONE’S NEMESIS
Teams: 1RIFLES 2RIFLES 3RIFLES 4RIFLES 5RIFLES 6RIFLES 7RIFLES TRGS member
Major Jono Mills, 2Lt Peter Wrighly
Major Jules Kirkpatrick, Major Vince Mears
Major Alex Price, Captain Toby North, WO1 (RSM) Camlin Lieutenant Colonel Al Field
Major Damian Flanagan, Major Mark Shercliff
Lieutenant Colonel Jon Penhale, Major Sid Cobbold ...Johnathan Boardman
Henry Hughes
THE RIFLES
RIFLES SPORTS 193
Players contesting the Serving Of cers Cup 2017
Majors Mark Shercliff and Damian Flanagan 5RIFLES with the Cup