The recording breaking weather of April continued into early May and
Berkhamsted GC was bathed in glorious sunshine for the 2011 SE
Championships. With firm fairways and receptive greens the course was playing as easily as could be expected although the perfect conditions were balanced by a number of tricky pin positions on the fast, undulating greens. The event, once again generously sponsored by Interserve, was very well represented by the SE units, and following regional boundary reorganisation, the SE Championships welcomed both RAF Wittering and RAF Odiham for the first time. A total of 63 players competed in the event. European traveller Dave Briggs, journeyed from
Ramstein to participate – and was rewarded by winning the Interserve raffle prize of a Scotty Cameron putter, presented by Interserve sponsor Mr Richard
Thornely who was able to join the RAF at Berkhamsted.
Dave Briggs (left) receives a prize putter from Interserve sponsor Richard Thornely.
Despite the excellent conditioned and uniquely (?) unbunkered course, low scoring was very difficult and, in the morning, although a number of players scored rounds in the 70s, none were really low scores, with the lunchtime clubhouse leader being Steve Beveridge with a round of 75. Highlight of the morning rounds was an eagle 2 on the long par 4 third hole by Neil Flather (I
say, let’s have some modesty, old boy! – Editor). Moving into the second round in benign afternoon conditions, many players were able to play to their handicap but low scoring remained elusive.
Following his opening 75 with a steady 79, Steve Beveridge was able to prise the hands of twice-previous winner, Steph Usher, off the trophy to claim the title of
SE Scratch Champion 2011. For the second year running, Billy Macleod secured runner-up position.

FS Steve Beveridge (left) accepts the 2011 SE Scratch Champion Trophy from RAFGA Dep Chairman, Gp Capt ‘Q’ Dixon
12-handicapper Paul Waters from Honington put together 2 good rounds (nett 75 and 68) to win the 2011 SE Nett Champion title with a 2-round nett score of 143.
Sgt Paul ‘Muddy’ Waters (left) accepts the 2011 SE Nett Champion Trophy from Gp Capt ‘Q’ Dixon

The top 6 placed (gross scores) players in the event automatically qualify into the 10-man SE Region team for the Inter-Region (North, Central, SW and SE)
Scratch Match-play competition to be held at Torksey (Lincoln) Golf Club between 6-8 June.
Common consensus among participants was that Berkhamsted is a fine golf course in an excellent location as a ‘centre of gravity’ for the SE Region and, given the impeccable hosting and very good financial package provided, is a venue the RAFGA should return to in the very near future.
The main results (based on only one individual prize per player) were:
TEAM COMPETITION:
The Team Prize was won by RAF Honington, with a team total nett score of 448, one stroke fewer than RAF Halton.
GROSS COMPETITION:
Scratch Champion:
2nd:
3rd:
Steve Beveridge, RAF Halton, 154
Billy Macleod, RAF Brampton/Wyton, 156
Jason Parr, RAF High Wycombe, 157
Top gross scores:
Gross Nett Gross Nett Gross Nett
Steve
Billy
Jason
Ian
Beveridge
Macleod
Cameron Kinvig
Phil
Danny
Mike
Q'
Matthew
Stu
Kev
Paul
Muddy
Jago
Parr
Robinson
Hopkins
Coleman
Dixon
Thomas
Carnie
Mair
Mardon
Waters
Jones-Rogers
5 HAL 75 70 79 74 154 144
2 BRA 80 78 76 74 156 152
5 HWY 78 73 79 74 157 147
2 WYT 78 76 80 78 158 154
5 HAL 81 76 78 73 159 149
8 HWY 77 69 83 75 160 144
7 ODI 80 73 83 76 163 149
6 HWY 78 72 86 80 164 152
6 NOR 81 75 83 77 164 152
5 WIT 80 75 85 80 165 155
11 HAL 79 68 87 76 166 144
6 HWY 84 78 82 76 166 154
6 HWY 83 77 84 78 167 155
12 HON 87 75 80 68 167 143
6 ODI 81 75 87 81 168 156
Rick Lipscomb 8 HWY 87 79 81 73 168 152
Chaz Chaplin 9 HAL 85 76 84 75 169 151
Gary Reid 12 HWY 82 70 87 75 169 145
Steph Usher 3 HWY 84 81 85 82 169 163
Adam Baker 11 BRA 83 72 87 76 170 148

NETT COMPETITION:
Net Champion: Muddy Waters, RAF Honington, Nett 143
2nd Net:
3rd Net:
Top nett scores:
Phil Hopkins, RAF High Wycombe, Nett 144 (on c/b)
Stu Carnie, RAF Halton, Nett 144 (on c/b)
Muddy Waters
Steve
Stu
Phil
Gary
Willie
Jason
Adam
Danny
Beveridge
Carnie
Hopkins
Reid
Brownlee
Parr
Baker
Cameron Kinvig
Terry Stephenson
5
14
HAL
HON
Paul Thorpe
Gross Nett Gross Nett Gross Nett
12 HON 87 75 80 68 167 143
5 HAL
11 HAL
75
79
70
68
79
87
74
76
154
166
144
144
8 HWY
12 HWY
77 69
82 70
83 75
87 75
160 144
169 145
15 HWY
5 HWY
87
78
72
73
90
79
75
74
177
157
147
147
11 BRA
7 ODI
83 72
80 73
87 76
83 76
170 148
163 149
20 HWY
81 76
87 73
87 67
78 73
91 77
103 83
159 149
178 150
190 150
Chaz
Mike
Chaplin
Coleman
9 HAL
6 HWY
85 76
78 72
84 75
86 80
169 151
164 152
Q'
Rick
Billy
Tony
Danny Hufton
Andy
Kev
Ian
Dixon
Lipscomb
Macleod
Williams
Bonner
Mair
Robinson
6
8
2
17
11
21
6
2
NOR
HWY
BRA
HWY
HEN
HEN
HWY
WYT
81
80
90
84
75
87 79
78
93 76
79
99 78
78
78 76
83
81
76
93
85
97
82
80
77
73
74
76
74
76
76
78
164
168
156
186
175
196
166
158
152
152
152
152
153
154
154
154
Words: Neil Flather