The Royal Navy’s golf season has closed with the premier event of the year – and the women’s team came close to grabbing the glory, writes RNGA Secretary Cdr Gary Skinns.

The Inter Services Championships at Saunton Golf Club was dominated by the RAF, which took both ladies’ and men’s events, but the Navy managed second in both cases, relegating the Army to the wooden spoon.

In the process, the Navy ladies produced one of the biggest upsets in recent years by beating the RAF on the final day, only to lose out on the countback system used to break ties.

By contrast, the men, having already beaten the Army, were rather convincingly overcome by the airmen in the final showdown.

The Navy were this year’s lead Service and thus sat out the first day of competition, enjoying additional practice while the Army did battle with the RAF.

In both events the RAF ran out winners, thereby pitting the Navy against the Army the following day.

The men’s match was a very close affair all the way, and with the lunchtime score after the morning foursomes locked at 2-2, the afternoon singles promised to be tense. Foursomes points came from the top pair MEM Mike Setterfleld (RM Poole)/MEA Adam Hawkins (Sultan) and RNGA captain Lt Guy Norris (750 NAS) playing with Cp1 Freddie Lomas (Raleigh).

Things looked somewhat bleak for the Navy men for much of the afternoon. With only two wins, from Norris and Lt Cdr Mark Taylor (CINCFLEET), and a halved match from Mne Richard Baker (45 Cdo RM) to show from the first seven out of ten singles, worried looks were evident.

However, shrewd captaincy from BC/Sgt David Sharp (BRNC) with his playing order brought about all three points from the last three matches and victory by a single point. The three “back-end bankers” were Lomas, Hawkins and CWEA Steve King (SFM Portsmouth).

The ladies started their match against the Army in fine style, winning the foursomes 2-1. The morning undoubtedly belonged to the pairing of Navy stalwart Cdr Moira Hoath (Topmast) and partner WODSA Pauline Last (DDA Aldershot). Playing golf that their opponents were unable to match, they ran out winners by a massive 9 and 8, the second-largest margin possible in 18-hole golf.

The second point was gained by newcomer and Navy ‘find of the year’ OM Claire Jones (Collingwood) and partner CPO(Met) Carol McMurtry (RNAS Yeovilton).

With big differences in individual handicaps, the singles were always going to be difficult – and so they proved. WO (CAl) Sue King (DNR) led the team off and produced a sparkling victory by 8 and 7. However, with only one more win from Jones and a halved match from Last, the Army triumphed overall by 61/2 – 41/2.

The RAF ladies were, on paper, by far the superior team and had proved as much against the Army on Day One, so it was with a certain trepidation that the Navy ladies took to the course against them on the final day.

With Jones and McMurtry winning in the top match and Hoath/Last losing on the final green, the deficit going into the singles was just one point.

An inspiring lunchtime talk by team captain Lt Cdr Isabel Kent (DNR) roused the spirits, and the team emerged to produce a magnificent performance.

King led from the front again with a 4 and 2 win, and she was followed in with wins from Last, McMurtry and CPOAEA Lee Poole (RNAS Yeovilton). With Hoath in the penultimate match not quite able to match her opponent over the final few holes, it was left to Jones, playing against the RAF No 1.

The scene could not have been better set, with the match coming to the last hole and Jones one up. Despite the large crowd around the green, the young OM’s nerve held superbly as she produced a solid par to win her own game and with it, a memorable victory for the team.

With all three teams recording one win each, it was left to a countback of individual matches won – and agonisingly, it was the RAF who came out on top by two points.

The men once again shared the points with the RAF in the morning foursomes with a second win for Setterfield/Hawkins and halved matches from Norris/Lomas and King/Taylor.

Hopes were high of retaining the trophy won last year at Celtic Manor in Newport, but with the first three matches lost, things did not look good.

The ship was steadied somewhat with a win from Norris and a half by Lomas, but with only Navy veteran, Cdr Ian YuiIl (CINCFLEET) winning from the last five matches, the RAF ran out convincing winners by 91/2 – 41/2 to take the title.

The ladies can now reflect on one of their most successful seasons ever, while the men will be left to reflect on what has been a disappointing season in terms of results.

The ladies, led enthusiastically by Isabel Kent, will now need to boost their numbers as three of the Saunton team are due to leave the Service by the time Inter Services 2004 comes round.

Claire Jones (four points from four at Saunton) has been a terrific addition to the team, and with the return of LPT Wendy Briggs next year, hopes are high.

Guy Norris continues to lead the men with gusto, and his personal tally of 31/2 points from 4 at Saunton shows his value. With a good few newcomers on the men’s side waiting in the wings, the future looks rosy.

It should also be mentioned that since making his debut against the Civil Service in August 2002, Freddie Lomas remains unbeaten in singles at representative level.

The RNGA committee would like to thank all the players, officials and helpers for their support throughout the season and we all look forward to 2004.