Page 38 - Chiron Calling Autumn/Winter 2022

Annual RAVC Reunion Golf Competition
by WO2 (RQMS) Dan Martin RAVC
After a few unpredictable years, the RAVC Reunion Golf Competition returned on the 25th of June 2022 in its more traditional form over the John Shipp weekend. The turnout was excellent with 28 competitors and it was great to see so many past and present members with several guests from both the DATR and 1 MWD Regt in attendance.
The day commenced with a golfers’ breakfast’ of a bacon butty with coffee and the opening welcome from event organiser WO2 Dan Martin. With the weather proving favourable, the sharks were in force and a prize table was full of desirable items from Tops to balls and vouchers to be won. This year competitors would be challenging in a few categories such as Best and Worst Pair, Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin, as well as the three main Trophies the Veterans Vs Serving, McGregor Cup and the RAVC Chiron Cup.
All groups were pre-arranged and the time had come for the 1st of nine to set off. Under the pressure of 27 other competitors all bearing down and willing a shank, Ex RSM Andy Pedlar stepped up and got the day off to a great start, a superb drive down the centre of the fairway. The next six hours consisted of some great golf, a few screams of “Fore!” as balls shot across multiple fairways and the odd flying club that apparently just slipped out their hands. Never the less the day was superb and was enjoyed by all who competed.
With scores totted up and eyes on the prizegiving everyone was eager to find out how they got on, the prize table looking superb due to the continued support and sponsorship of RAVC Veteran George McGregor. CO DATR Lt Col Mike Robinson had taken time out to support the event and present the prizes. First on the podium was Ex CO DATR Lt Col Martyn Thompson MBE and RSM Craig Woodall scooping Worst Pair of the
day, at least they won something!
Best pair went to WO2 Dan Martin and LCpl Stuart
Hunter and Longest Drive and Closest Pin awards went to Sgt Adam Faulkner and SSgt Neill Wigman. The Best Guest WO1 John Butler was awarded the McGregor cup for the second year running and this year RAVC Chiron Cup winner was Cpl Anthony Wood narrowly beating WO2 Dan Martin in second and Cpl Dan Gregory in third, well done Cpl Wood. To finish off the prize giving the CO awarded Team Serving overall winners over Team Veterans with captain WO2 Dan Martin stepping up to collect this prestigious Trophy.
A quality day was had by all, brilliant to catch up with RAVC friends past and present, some good golf on show, followed by the traditional social get together in Melton town. A massive thank you to all that attended and
CO DATR for conducting the prize giving and closing address. A huge thank you to the RAVC Benevolent Fund and George McGregor for sponsoring the event
and ensuring the prizes were worth playing for. I Look forward to seeing you all next year and hopefully making the event bigger and better.
Serving team captain WO2 Dan Martin showcases the Veteran Vs Serving Trophy along with his awards for competition runners up and Best Pair, not a bad day out the office.
36 / Chiron Calling
Lt Col Mike Robinson presenting the awards for Worst Pair to Lt Col (Retd) Martyn Thompson MBE and RSM Craig Woodall, good prizes for being so bad.
The RAVC Reunion Champion Cpl Anthony Wood collects the Chiron Cup with a cheeky grin.