Page 190 - AGC_Journal 2018(FINAL)_Neat
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AGC JOURNAL 2018


             Snowboarding                                                                                                             Golf Tour




             By Lance Corporal Tara Ingham                                                                                            By Warrant Offi  cer Class 2 Jason Moore

             In January 2018, 18 members of the Corps had                                                                             As we fl ew into Orlando it certainly didn’t feel like it had been three years
             the opportunity to take part in Exercise Green                                                                           since we last landed in the United States, but a few new to the group were
             Hucker 4, joining up with the Intelligence Corps                                                                         excited to be playing some quality golf. 
             Snowboard Training Camp and Championships at
             Neustift, Austria. We were ready and buzzing for
             two weeks of sun, snow and snowboarding.
                                                                                                                                                                  The team at Bay Hill
                                                                                                                                                                  Golf and Country Club
                                                           We all jumped onto the early morning bus; those with
                                                           a little less experience fell victim to the morning ‘bus
                                                           stumble’ where people scrambled to fi nd their footing
                                                           as the bus pulled away to take us to our next stop, the
                                                           Stubai Glacier.  Some of the participants had never even
                                                           seen a snowboard before, but everyone was eager to
                                                           get onto the gondola to take us up the amazingly white
                                                           mountain. There were blue skies, a chill in the air, and
                                                           the sun was beating off  the glistening piste, what more
                                                           could you ask for?
                                                           Training Commences
                                                           We were placed into our respective groups: beginners,
                                                           intermediates and the advanced and made our way to
                                                           the slopes. For some this was completely new territory
                                                           and there were worries that they were going to be like
                                                           Bambi on ice. For others, they were eager to conquer                                                                         The team, less
                                                           the whole mountain, making the most of the knee deep                                                                         Brendan MacConnell,
                                                           powder during their stay.                                                                                                    at Sawgrass
                                                           Training Progresses

                                                           As the initial training week progressed, people began
                                                           to fi nd their feet, going to extra lengths and having the                  Warm Up                                        Palmer had a home here and the event bears his name.
                                                           courage to push themselves outside of their comfort                                                                       Each group had a caddie for ball spotting and assistance
                                                           zone. This was down to the amazing instructors that                        On the fi rst day we were up early for an 18 hole warm up and   with distances and reading the greens. It must have been a
                                                                                                                                                                                     frustrating day for the caddies as their advice bore little fruit
                                                           we had. Some of the days the weather conditions were                       skills training in the afternoon with more than a few aching,   from the twelve supposed golfers they were accompanying. 
                                                                                                                                      old stiff  bodies. Things did not let up on day two as we travelled
                                                           outrageous, minus 25 degrees with a wind chill of minus                    an hour to Mission Inn Resort for a fantastic, but tough 36
                                                           28 and barely being able to see two feet in front of your                  holes.                                         Internal Competition
                                                           feet.  However, before we knew it, the beginners were on
                                                           red runs, the intermediates were throwing themselves                       Matches                                        As in previous years, the most heated competition was the
                                                           down black runs, and the advanced were showing off                                                                         competition within ourselves to be the Tour Champion. Paul
                                                           their tricks in the Zoo Park.                                              Some of the group were still sore from the previous day’s   Dixon was the favourite going in, but thanks to the tricky
                                                                                                                                      exertions but Red Tail Golf Course hosted us for our fi rst match   Florida grass, succumbed to the chipping yips. He still
                                                           Race Week                                                                  of the trip. The members of this lovely course within a small   managed to fi nish third leaving yours truly and Guy Wilkinson
                                                                                                                                      community welcomed us with warm hearts and deep pockets   playing off  a handy handicap of sixteen.
             Preliminaries                                 Race week arrived with people getting the opportunity                      and it was fi tting that the match ended in a pleasurable draw.   Finale
                                                           to tackle the border cross and the Slalom. Many people
                                                           had not had the chance to try these before, so everyone                    Golf Lesson
             On arrival at our accommodation, we sorted our   was excited to give it their best shot. Both of these events                                                           LPGA International Golf Resort proved a testing fi nale having
             equipment and stocked the cupboards with food.   were based on the best time in which you complete                       After the previous day’s stalemate, students of Celebration   hosted the US Open qualifi er the day before with myself scoring
             Everybody was then ready for a night of exploring   the course within your respective group.  After the                  University gave us a lesson in how to play golf, especially on   a very important 32 points on the penultimate round when
             the local area and getting to know their fellow   competitions, there was an award ceremony where the                    their own tricky course with small undulating greens and lots   everyone else found the going very tough and managing to
             snowboarders.                                                                                                                                                           move from eight points behind to just one. The leaders tee’d it
                                                           winners were awarded a medal.                                              of trouble. The weather also contributed with the temperature
                                                                                                                                      hitting the mid eighties for the fourth day running. Everyone   up together for the fi nal round with Guy Wilkinson aching for
             First Day on the Slopes                       Endnote                                                                    was ready for the fi rst day’s rest.            his fi rst major Corps victory and after some scares did enough
             The night drew in quickly and the much anticipated   Overall, the Exercise was an amazing experience that                Legends Location                               to see it home.
             morning arrived. Everybody proceeded to rush around   gave everybody the opportunity to learn new skills, go                                                            Summary
             ensuring they had all of their essentials for the fi rst day   outside of their comfort zone, have some competition       We were off ered a great opportunity to play a venue that had
             on the slopes, including at least two freshly cooked rolls   and hopefully head towards their ultimate goal of           not long hosted a prestigious Professional Golfers Association   Orlando proved a great location with over 50 courses to
             with fi llings of their choice.                                                                                           Tour event (won by Rory McIlroy). The golfi ng legend Arnold   choose from with ideal weather.  The golf proved tough but all
                                                           eventually competing within the Army Championships.                                                                       participants improved some if not all aspects of their game.





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