Teeing Off: Inter-Services Golf Championships Go To The Wire

The forces' top golfers have been in action in Saunton, Devon, taking on both the challenge of a 'links' course and some autumnal West Country weather.

They've been competing in the Inter-Services Championships. A test of stamina, they see players take on 36 holes over three successive days.

It's the seventh time Saunton has staged the event since it first came here 25 years ago.

In the Individual Champions, the Army's David Blick and RAF's Captain Beth Shippin set the standard for the week with outstanding scores, despite the challenging conditions.

Private Blick, who ultimately won the Individual Champion award, said:

"You have to tailor your game completely differently for it. I love links golf, it's brilliant. You have to play different shots, not just standard shots."

The women's championship went right to the wire.

Having beaten the Royal Navy's inexperienced team, the Army and RAF were neck and neck on the final day. The RAF scored a notable 3-1 win in the morning foursomes, before the Army came storming back to win the singles 5½-2½.

The men's tournament was similarly close, with the RAF players unlucky to miss out on the final day having tied with the Navy on points.

'Holes won' propelled the Navy to a meeting with the Army, who adapted to the conditions best and were too strong for the RAF on the middle day.

The Army had an excellent final morning against the Navy, winning 4-1 - and that proved too big a gap for the Senior Service to make up.

They won a further 6½ points in the afternoon singles to claim a 10½-4½ win.

Next year, the tournament will move back to Frilford Heath near Oxford, which will offer different challenges.

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