AIR FORCEROYAL GOLFING SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER 2000Thoseofus at the Spring when Vice MarshalMeeting Air theprizesCecilBeamish presented

andmadea speech about the ofgolf the importance continuingtoplay,littletouching ethos and ofthought that in less than a us.would nomonth Cecil longer with

Hebe

a as athad record an having played the level for. andfine amateur highest Ireland,

representing hiscounty,theRAFandtheCombined Services. Whatisnotsowellknown is thathe

Hebore his illness

was also,inhisyoungerdays, a veryfine rugby player and camecloseto being capped for Ireland.

debilitating same courage tenacity he showed onwith the and always the

pitch.golf and the rugbycourse

issuccessorHis as our President AirChiefMarshal Sir Patrick Hine. Sir Paddy as he isaffectionatelyknown isalso afine golfer having representedtheRAF and Combined Services. As

Isleteenagera 1949 he won the Hampshire, of Wight and Channel Islands AmateurinChampionship,the CarrisTrophy andthe Brabazon Trophy andremains the youngest golferto win

wasHe 1952.the Brabazon. the Society's Championin

At ourAGMGroup Captain Charles Donovan waselected a Vice Presidentinrecognitionofhis contribution to the Society overmanyyearsandparticularlyduring his period as Chairmân.

hadSadlyWing Commander Glenn Lloyd has to relinquish the Chairmanship due tofailing

Weare very sorry to lose hiswisecounsel and experience and extend to him our thankseyesight.

and bestwishes. Hissuccessoris Ray Piercey. After warservice as a pilot,Ray flewwitha numberHe aof airlines. is keen golfer and was Captain of WestByfleet Golf Clubin 1997. Helooks

forawrd to joining inmanyofourmeetingsand matches this year.

Wehad 37 for the Spring Meetingat Luffenham Heath.The prizes were provided by theRAFAssociation for which we areallverygrateful. The morning medalwas won by Gwill Evanswith

a net 69 and theafternoon foursomes by TonyMorgans and Roger Taylor with 39 points.

The Scotish Tour attractedthe largestfield for many yearswitha numberofsinglefigureex

RAF representative playerscompeting.Sandy Aitken withstood the challenge to defend his winoftoMickthepreviousyear by just beating Clarke retain the ScottishCup.ThePrize-givingdinner

at The Ramnee Hotel was a memorable eyening enlivened by.CharlesDonovan's speech when hepresented the Captain ofNairnDunbarwith an engraved glassbowltomark the Club'scentenary.

Our otherguest for the evening was Group Captain Stu Butler, the Station Commander at Kinloss.

We were grateful for the opportunity to stay atRAFKinlossand for this year's Tour we hope to

stayat both RAFKinloss and RAFLossiemouth.

we was aThe Guest Meeting at Denham,where are always made to feel so welcome, again58populardaywith membersand their guests.

We enjoyed fine weather for theAutumn Meeting at theBerkshirewhere we had 24 onthefirst day and including on the day. However, only eleven bothdays.21 2 ladies onsecond played

George Cunnington narrowlybeat Malcolm Middlemistto winthe Championshipand John Jagger

just managed to pip David John for the Handicap Championship. The Ladies Cup was won byMildred Parke.Thefoursomes medal for the Sassoon Cups was won by Pete Rogersand George

Stocks.

well down onthe at wasAlthough the field for YorkshireMeeting Fulford previousyearsthe

was a success. 26 competedmeeting again resounding members for theHalifaxTrophywhichwaswon by Hughes. by Hugheswas wonSt Hook.Barry The Andrews greensome Walter andWally

The Club Captain, George Ringwood, presented theprizes. is a member of the Society,asistheHe

Vice-Captain, Ted Kendall and the Secretary, Ron Bramley. A unique treble for us!

StAttendance attheWinterMeetingat George's Hill was as expected whenwehad 22

The stableford for the Swinton Cup waswonby Mike Harding. Mike anmorning Fennmembers.the George Grant-Govan Cups.foursomesJohn led the field in the afternoon for

ofInflation in green fees seems defylogic and race ahead other inflationaryindexes.Hart

to

Althoughwe enjoy considerable discountsthereisno doubtthat costplaysa partinthedwindling

attendances at theAutumn and Winter Meetings. YourCommitteeis particularlyconcermed about

the Autumn Meeting andalthough a two day meeting is planned forthis year thefutureformatis

being reviewed.Oneoption under considerationisto reduce themeeting to one day with theChampionship being decided over 36holesmedal play ratherthanthe present 36 holes medalqualifying with the topfourplayingmatch playknock out on the second day. Thesecond day could

bereplaced by another golfmeeting at another venue. Your suggestionswould be mostwelcome.

Wehad our usualprogrammeof 17 matches.Wewon five and drew three andit was goodtorecordwins against West Hillandin particular The Seniors Golfing Society which was captained

this year by Bob Price,one ofourVicePresidents.Itwas ourturntovisitLancashireforthematchwith British Aerospace whichwas played at Fairhaven. British Aerospace's warm hospitality did

extend to letting us win the Roses Trophy forathird year andwewill be trying even harder at

Fulford this year when the match returns to Yorkshire. We entertained Hunstanton forourfirst

"home" match at Woodhall Spa whereweplayedthe two courses. Everyone has heard of theWoodhall'sfamous Hotchkin Course but the newer Bracken Course is a very fine course andhas

featured inonelistas the 10th best new coursesin the UK.weBowlIn the Brent Knoll at Burnham and Berrow in the first iround of the mainlost

ahadcompetition and the ConsolationSalver. We strong team for the Graham Butler Scratch

Foursomeswhereourteamoffourplayers had acombined handicap of five. However, the wind onthe first day played havoc with the scores and although we scored well on the second day we wereplace 13th out of 16 teams competing. Unfortunatelywehad to withdraw from the High Post

Invitational Foursomes.The tournament clashed witha visitbeing made.by.theCombinedServices

commitmentsGolf Teamto

meantAustralia.

that weThiscould

reducednot put

the

together

field for

ateamselection

ofsufficient

and otherstandard.

personal and work

the includes The together forAs usual annual mailing Handbook with aform members tonotifytheir changeof address and any other details. The Handbook hasourfixturelist and ifyouwishto play in anyofthe matchesthenplease contactthe Team Captains/Organisers. It would help

tothem have poola of as sometimes it be tomake the Ourplayers can difficult up number required.

lady might Present WRAF on Maymembers be interestedinthe v Past fixtureatSleaford 5th

please see page 18 of the Handbook.included isa notice and form forthe RAF Championships.Also entry Association Golf

At the ofthe have683end yearwe includingmembers 40ladies and have newwelcomed 33members duringtheyear.

We regretto recordthedeathsofthe following members.Air Vice Marshal C.H. Beamish

Lieutenant Lt S.Flight CasabayoFlight LieutenantM.w.Diffey

Mr JonesD.K.S.J. JonesMr

MrH.P.M'QuadeSquadron Leader J.R. Morris

MrJ.C.T.Reckitt

MrJJ.Silvester

Mr A.Wright

January 20001st

9dsTO31911PHREPORTSMATCH .

WestHillG.C.

Onabeautifulwarmand sunny daywe went intolunchleading 4-1.Oursuccess continued in the afternoon and wefinished

comfortable winners 7%-2%.Afriendlyandconvivial matchändasusual the West Hill wereexcellent hosts.

Wg (C) L.A.G.LindenCdr G.H. Cunnington Sqn Ldr D.J.SaadyTeam:K.R. FIt Lt D.C StallanDalgleish Dr J. McKenzieG.A.J. Downman Cdr N.A.D.Nugent P.WardWgGp CaptJ.S. Hart

Knoll Bowl at Burnham G.C.Brent andBerrow

Welost inthe first round of the main competition and madeasimilarexitin the Plate competition. Cramb andSkellerm'sexcellentsix years unbeatenruninthiscompetition came toahaltas theylostboth of their matches. Audin andMarshalareto be congratulated onwinningboth their matches.Allgames were playedina wonderful atmosphere offriendship andsportsmanship which is a characteristic of this fine Tournament.

Sgt D. MarshallSac C.AudinTeam: Fit Lt B. CrambSkellernWgCdrD.Backhouse Wg Cdr I. (C)Sgt K. Hampson

Aero Golfing Society at WestByfleetG.C.

Thisis always afiercecontest and was the 50thanniversary of the first match.Afterthe morning fourball betterball games

weled 44-2% After afinelunchour fortunesslumped and 10 of the 13 singles werelostto givethe AERO afine win.

GpCapt H.A. GriffthsTeam: Gp CaptK Bassingthwaighte R.Piercey (C)

SaadyG.E.Blaker Sqn Ldr D.J.M.J.H. Harding

D.L.Air Cdre C.w. Bruce John A.J. Wonnacott

Air Cdre G.J.B. Claridge Wg Cdr M.J.Middlemist

FltLt W.C. ParkeP.D. CliffWg Cdr

SpaG.C.Royal AirForceatWoodhall

Thematch wasplayed as a fourballbetter bllin themorming and singlesintheaftemoon.Wehada fairly strong side,

probablymatching thehandicaps ofthe RAFteam. Themorming gameswereclosely contested but going down1%-3%madetheaftermoontask that much harder.However, the singleswerehalvedat5-5and this wasamagnificentperformance

8honlytolose by 6%-

Team: A.W. MathersG.V.Bassi Sqn Ldr G.D.Smith (C)

CorkishG.W. Fit Lt G.J. Nickerson Sqn Ldr S.R. Telfer-Smith

N.E.JrTechC.B.Emmott Peters

RimmerCpl M.T.M.J. Feeney

HenleyG C.

As usualwewere warmlyreceivedbythe Henley Club withtheClub Captainleadingtheirside.Unfortunatelytheweather

didnotmatchthewelcomeand it rained continuously throughoutthe afternoon. Althoughthematch was lost2-4 it was

fairly wellbalancedwith with two gamesgoingtothe 18th green. At the excellent dinnerinthe eveningthe Danesfield Cup

was once presented tothe Captain.again Henley

B.E.Sqn Ldr D.A. AmTeam: Evans WgCdrI. Marshall

Gp CaptJ. EvansAir CdreJJ. Burke WgCdr M.J.Middlemist(C)Everett Gp Capt M.G. PeakerAVM K.A. Campbell D.J.

FarrowGp CaptJ.L.Dillon WgCdr D.R. VickersL.W.

atForres,Moray (Old), Dunbar ClubsScottish Tour Elgin andNairn Golf

aGeorge againorganisedanexcellentTour. We had ourlargest fieldforsome time numberofex inter service

Jacksonwith

and participating. This led to some excellentscores with Aitkenjustbeating Mick Clarke byasinglefigure golfers Sandy

welcomeshot for the Scottish Cup.All the courses as in excellent andwewere made tofeelmost bywere usual condition

tohavewithusRamnee Hotel memorableall the Clubs. The giving dinner at The was a occasion. It was a pleasureprizeguest honour McKintosh,again who entertained us all with his afterdinner speech. Our of was Finlay the

Charles DonovanCaptain of Naim Dunbar,and an engraved bowlwas presented to him to markthe Club'sCentenary.

W.H. EdwardsA.I. P.R.MitchellTourists: Aitken

D.H.W. Eede SqnLdr A.W.MorgansJ. (G)WgCdr Backhouse

L.E. Wg Cdr ParkerEllisAir Cdre S.A.Baldwin L.HJ.

R.J.PearsonB.J. SqnLdr P.W. EllisHancockB.E.Evans Capt R. PierceyTJ.Hanlon

Sqn Ldr PorterGp Capt Hughes Gp Capt H.A.Griffiths M.J.W.E.

WgCdrN.G. HallidayGp CaptS.Butler M.Roberts (G)

Sqn Ldr G.D. Smith(G)Clarke P. HalleronM.G.G.E. TaylorK.R. Dalgleish Jackson Flt LtP.

John Ldr TaylorD.L. Sqn R.G.Gp Capt c.P.DonovanMitchellK.L.J.V.Edwards

HeathFrilford G.C.

made life very for our organiser for this and our teamhad tobesupplementedSeveral lastminutewithdrawls difficult match

by members. The in but after nine the heavens opened which curtailed twoFrilford match started glorious sunshine holes

ofthe games. Thematch was drawnand out a 19th hole was enjoyed byall. The same storm playedafterdrying convivial

havoc withtheTestMatch andthe PGA Championship.VOLVO

D.SqnLdrCorkishR.J. PearsonGentleG. (C)Team:

(G)TannerMrs B.Kay (G) RevN.Mrs Y. Corkish

Sqn Ldr R.D.MullinsnDobleL. (G)

G.C.British Aerospace at Fairhaven

in the with confidence. However, the BAe Team hadwon approached third series

Bowl for the BAe wereHaving the previous two matches we the

number BAe won Roses first time.comeprepared and after a of close games by 14-10to win the

and day byall.hosts enjoyable memorable was had

excellent andamost

A.I. Gp CaptG.Morton Air Cdre R.S. Peacock-Edwards (C)Team Aitken

Bairsto B.W. Hughes C.R.PetchGp CaptN.A. P.D Quinn

BeedieGp Capt A.LB. AirCdre C. Davison

G.RingwoodLdr DovestonSqn A.E.J.CdreScruton

Air C.J.BlencoweR.S.

Gp S.D. B.E.EvansGriffiths

Capt ButlerAir Cdre B.M. ThorntonH.A.Gp CaptGp Capt W.F. Hughes D. Walton

E.C. G.JHarkerGp CaptKendallB.E.Willis

D.Martin W.C.Hook

Royal Golfing Sussex G.C.Navy Society at WestItsigns rain.

Theweatherwaskind andthe course inexcellent conditionshowing only few of the recentlack of wasanew faces in ourteam.The match closely and we in thewas contested although lost 1h-4% moming

ondrawna Asusualthepleasing to see some

result. West Golf Clublaid excellentSussex somethe scoreswere in the forreversed afternoon

food service.and

Gp CaptJ.S.HartTeam: Chf Michael AlcockAir Mshl Sir J.V. Edwards

LindenL.A.G.PR.Bassingthwaighte Wg Cdr G.H. CunningtonGpCaptK

DownmanJJ.G.A.J. Mitchell

CdreAir D.LE.J.K.Baynes

(C)Ellison-DavisCapt ThorntonDr A. Brockman

yojFicers.GolfinoG.C:atSociety Heath iineWalton

days with welcome breeze. Asusualthe in condition withaSSunny cooling course was excellentsligl

o we down2%-3% lunch and the games wereASAAyeryclosematch were at aftermoonyd omoolsw 12om Iss1halved.

o1 sbTiw 9vaRaPtKBassingthwaighteG.A.J. DownmanW GpCaptH.A. Griffiths

RD.Cliff.rleoini Wg Cdr S. HitchenWg CarG.H.J.V. EdwardsB.E. R.G. WalkerCunnington EvansKR. Dalgleish Sqn Ldr M.G. Fenn(C)

Worplesdon G.C.

Athoróughly enjoyable match in ona coursein excellentcondition. We were4%.- up after theplayed wonderfulweather

moningand we lunchour team didjust enoughalthough revealed ourvulnerability after a good to win the match.

Team GpCaptK.Bassingthwaighte (C) Evans Cdr M.J.B.E. Wg Middlemist

Gp CaptD.F.FosterJ.J. Baynes

Air Cdre D.L.F. ThorntonDownmanG.A.J.

H.A.Gp Capt GriffithsJ.V. Edwards Gp CaptJ.S. Hart

HantsNorth G.C.

An day's golf. were down 5% which our the wine withlunch.excellent We %- in the morning resultedin team paying for

Althoughvery the afternoonfourballswerelost resoundingcompetitive -5 torecord a winforNorthHantsthedrubbingwe gave lastthem year.and reverse

P.H.JohnsonTeam: .V. EdwardsR.J.

Wg MiddlemistPearson

CdrM.J.Gp Capt H.A. Griffiths

M.J.H. P.R.HardingR. Penley-Martin

Mitchell R.Piercey (C)G.G. Hewitt ir Chf Mshl SirRoger Palin M.J.PorterSqn Ldr

Seniors Golfing-Society-at-Woking G.CA

-most enjoyable day wecame in at upand we 3% 1% intheafternoon just managed

sunny and lunch 4-1 although lost weto hang to The Seniorson our lead. alwaysproduce pleasant win particularlya good side and it was to record a as theirCaptain was Vice onefor 1999 Air MarshalBobPrice, of our Vice-Presidents.

G.A.J.Team: Chf Mshl Sir PalinJJ. Baynes Downman Air Roger

Cdr G.J. PearsonSqn Ldr M.G.FennWg CdrJ.W.Blockey WgWg CdrP.D. Cliff (C) R. Penley-MartinP.H. JohnsonP.Ward

Sonning G.C.

After our win lastyear Soning fielded a strong team which includedtheirPresident, Captain and Vice-Captain and yetagainawin for Sonning will beengravedontheClyne Cup.

D.L. John Sqn LdrTeam M.G. FennGp Capt K. BassingthwaighteAir Cdre J.J. Burke WgCdrM.J. Middlemist (C) Cdr N.A.D. NugentWgAVM K.A. Campbell GpCapt CP. Donovan Sqn Ldr P.M, PayneSqn R.PierceyLdr D.HGentle J.V. Edwards Capt

G.C.RAF Medical Golfing Society at Denham

The course was asusual in excellent condition and the weather was perfect. The Virgin Air Ambulance helicopter

perfoming circuits overthe adjacent Denham airficld was aconstantdistraction butthankfullynotneededbyeitherteam.

TheMedicsmusthavedosed themselveswellbeforethestart of playandwere apoint upafter the morningendeavours. Our

team of stalwarts withstood thesolid andliquid infusion oftheDenham lunch thebetter and ran out clear winnesin theafternoon.

Team J.V.Edwards P.H. JohnsonT.E.AlbertBarnes Sqn Ldr M.G.FennJ.H. K.G.Nichols

MG.Cdre GpCapt PeakerB.J. HancockAir J.K. Cloherty (C)WalkerWg Cdr G.H. Cunnington Harries (G) R.G.J.

Huntercombe TSEOSG.C.

The match was played in a heat wave and after the morning weled4%-1% andimproved inthe aftermoonforawinby9%2h. A happy venue for meetingoldfriends. The hospitality, as usual,was generous andconvivial. i

Wg Cdr A.I.Team: Gp Capt GriffithsBruce H.A. Sqn LdrR.S. Peters

Dr R.Sadler-HallWg Cdr R.D.MullinsAVM MJ.C.W. Dicken

M.G. PeakerJ.V.Edwards GpCapt Sqn Ldr A.J.Thompson(C)SqnLdrD.H.Gentle Wg CdrM.E.WadleyAVMR.G.Peters

G.C.RyeAfter aweek of thunderstorms andtorrential rain Ryeproducedadayofbrightsunshinebutwith thecustomary breeze after

lunch. The morningfoursomes went 24-5% in favour of Rye butafteran excellent lunch the scores were reversed inthe

afternoon with ourteam managing some notable wins. The final result of 8 -8 wasthe first drawn match in18years.

Team: JJ. Dr R. Sadler-HallB.E.EvansBaynes

Air Cdre R.S. Peacock-Edwards Sqn LdrMG.Fenn Air Cdre B.M. Thornton

Air Cdre G.J.B. Claridge J.S. HartGp (C) P. WardCapt

Wg Cdr P.D.Cliff Mitchell A.M. WattPR.

R. WheelhousePenley-MartinWg D.Cdr G.H. Cunnington

G.AJ. Downman Capt R.Piercey

Moor G.C.Park

Thematch was closely contended with all games going to at leastthe16th green with a1-3resultin favour ofMoorPark.A most enjoyable day with the course inexcellentconditionbut playingverylongoffthemedal tees.

Capt D.H.A. G.J.Gp Greenway Wg Cdr PearsonDrL.E.S.Camie (C)Team:Sqn LdrKP.Hickman Gp CaptG.S. WilsonB.E.EvansDr J. McKenzieGp Capt D.E. Foster

Hunstanton at WoodhallSpaG.C.

Thiswas our first "home" match at Woodhall Spa where we played theHotchkin in themorming and theBracken inthe

aftermoon. It was apleasure to hostour visitors from North Norfolk.Theyturnedupwithastrong team whichincludedtheir

Secretary,President,Captain andseveral past Captains. Despitethescoreline of3%-8%allthegameswere closelyfought.

Air Cdre S.A.BaldwinTeam: R.J. Pearson (C)AirCdreJ.R. Greig

GpCapt H.A. Griffiths Sqn Ldr G.D.SmithG.A.J. DownmanD. StanbridgeB.E.Evans Sqn Ldr A.W. Morgans

CdrPearsonEvansG. Wg M.E. WadleyWgCdr G.J.

Graham Butler Scratch FoursomesatFerndown G.C.

Torrentialrain onthefirstday ruined thescores.However,as the playersgotto knoweach othersgamesthescoresimproved.Thecourseand greens wereinexcellentconditionbutthe pin placements onthesecond day wereverydifficult.Despiteourteamoffourhavingacombined handicap of five we were placed 13thout of 16.

D.G.Corkish(C)Team: MathersA.KingJ.Carlsen