Royal Navy golf teams regained their team title at the Inter-Services Championships held at Trevose in Cornwall – but it was a close shave in the end, writes Cdr Gary Skinns.

The men regained the title on the countback system by virtue of a superior individual match win/loss record after all three teams tied with one win each, and the result was in doubt until the eleventh hour.

The ladies again produced a shock result in tying with the Army but the RAF, pre-event favourites, proved too strong, winning both their matches to retain the title.

However, a strong wind – and some interesting pin positions set by the greenkeeper – provided for some interesting play, with the men’s event outcome in doubt virtually until the final hole on the final day.

The Navy men opened the championship against the Army, to who they had not lost since 1997.

Confidence was high as the Navy went into lunch Navy 3–1 up following the morning foursomes. RNGA captain Lt Guy Norris (750 NAS) led the way with partner CWEA Steve King (SFM Portsmouth) with a resounding 7 and 6 win in the top game.

Other morning points came from the partnerships of LMEA Adam Hawkins (Sultan)/MEM Mike Setterfield (RM Poole) and Cdr Ian Yuill (CINCFLEET)/ BSgt Joe Sharp (CTCRM).

Navy men have suffered in singles play almost all this season, and once again this proved to the Achilles heel in the afternoon.

With just two halved matches to show from the first six of ten singles matches, things looked bleak. Although there was a mini revival at the back of the field, the team fell agonisingly short by one point, losing overall by 6.5 to 7.5. Afternoon wins came from Hawkins and Setterfield with halved matches recorded by current RN champion LMA Scott Gilbert (DMCS Blockhouse), Lt Terry Taylor (RNAS Yeovilton) and Norris.

With morale about as low as possible, non-playing captain Cdr Neil Hinch had the difficult job of raising spirits at the team meeting that evening.

He had to convince the team that a significant win against the RAF, with other results helping, meant victory could still be theirs. Morning dawned and the team were determined to go out and make amends for the previous day.

The team talk obviously did the trick, and the afternoon singles matches provided one of the finest displays from a Navy team for many a day.

Foursomes wins from Taylor/Joe Sharp and Hawkins/Setterfield, plus a halved match from Gilbert playing alongside CMEA Lee McCathie in his Inter-Services debut, gave the RN a slender one point lead at lunch.

Gilbert then led the charge by beating the RAF champion over his home course, and when Yuill holed a monster putt two holes from home to win his game, things looked very promising. Taylor followed with a halved match and King recorded a narrow victory over his experienced opponent.

Neil Hinch’s tactics were working superbly, and when both Norris and Hawkins won their respective matches a win was secured.

The afternoon finished with a fine display from tail-end man McCathie, capping a memorable debut with a resounding 4 and 2 win.

The final 9–5 win was more than could have been expected against a strong team, and team spirit rocketed during the afternoon with each RN player being engulfed by team mates and management as they left the course – win or lose.

This result set up a fascinating final day’s play, with all three teams having a chance to take the title.

The Army needed a halved match at worst against the RAF, while the RAF themselves needed to secure 11 points from 14 to win – a tall order.

With the RN team understandably “supporting” the RAF, the afternoon became a nail-biting affair.

Things were generally going the way of the RAF, but an Army revival towards the end put the outcome in serious doubt until the final match. The Army needed to win the game to deny the Navy.

The RAF were one up playing 17, where a rock solid par from the light blue man did the trick and the Navy were once again Champions.

While this was entirely a whole team effort, led admirably by Neil Hinch and Guy Norris, two players deserve special mention.

Ian Yuill has been playing Navy golf for almost 26 years. Various reasons prevented him from playing in the victorious sides of 2000 and 2002, and this event marked his 22nd Inter-Services Championship and his first on the winning side.

No-one felt more pleasure in the result than he did, and all the team agreed that this one was for him.

Lee McCathie came into the squad this year and through his performances fully warranted selection to the Inter-Services team. His play throughout the season, culminating in his efforts at Trevose, have earned him a Combined Services cap later this year.

The Ladies also started their campaign against the Army, who, on paper were far superior players.

However, paper is a very different matter to the turf out on the course, and the RN had one or two tricks up their sleeves.

Winning two of the three foursomes matches through the pairings of OM Claire Jones (Invincible)/CMETOC Carole McMurtry (RNAS Culdrose) and Lt Lauren Hulsten (824 NAS)/CPO Sue King (DNR) they had a cushion going into the afternoon.

Jones, together with POPT Wendy Briggs (Drake), represent the best two lady golfers in the Services and both showed this form in the afternoon singles with good wins.

McMurtry produced one of the most noteworthy comebacks of the week being four down with six holes to play and finishing with a half.

The afternoon was capped with a fine win from King against an opponent some 11 shots better on handicap. A halved match overall was a fine performance and gave the team a real boost for the game against the RAF.

The RAF ladies have strength in depth that the Navy find hard to match, and so it proved. Losing all three foursomes matches, it was left to the singles to regain some respect. Briggs and Jones once again produced the goods, the latter in a fine match ending on the final green.

However, pride of place must again go to McMurtry, who won her match against a single figure handicap player. The final result of 3–8 meant the RN finished in an undeserved third place.

The RNGA committee would like to thank commanding officers for the release of players, all the players, officials and helpers for their support throughout the season – and everyone is looking forward to 2005 with renewed optimism.