RAF Waddington Station Golf (EMGL/EMAL) End of year report 2012
31 Oct 2012
Station Golf Contacts
OIC
Capt.
Vice Capt./RAFGA REP
Sec.
Flo Nightingale
Andy Edgar
Matt Kirby
Tom Howells
51Sqn-WSOpEW3@mod.uk
5ACSQN-SENTEng-AVSNCO03@mod.uk
AWC-DEWCFWCMOpsMgr@mod.uk
WAD-ELW-GEFEWSOR12@mod.uk
Station Golf Members
*With the exception of Flt Lt Spoor (newly posted) below are the people who have regularly
represented RAF Waddington EMGL or EMAL teams this season who are still posted at RAF
Waddington.
Flt Lt Spoor
Sgt Mark Rushforth
SAC Tom Howells
Sgt Andy Edgar
F/S Phil Myers
Sqn Ldr Nick Beck
CT Steve Quirk
CT Tony Jones
Sgt Matt Kirby
Sqn Ldr Dave Holmes
Sqn Ldr Dave Hood
Flt Lt Russ Power
Sgt Mick Graham
SAC John Griffiths
0
4
5
6
8
8
8
9
9
9
11
11
12
12
F/S Steve Ullyatt
CT Nick Dyson
Flt Lt Adam Troughton
LAC Sam Shuttleworth
Cpl Mark Porter
Flt Lt Andy Purvey
Flt Lt Gary Settery
Sqn Ldr Ade Pickup
WO Robby Boyce
Sgt Steve Pope
WO John Hawes
CT Al Lowen
F/S Colin Pacey
F/S Dave Harold
14
15
15
15
15
16
18
18
18
18
18
20
21
24
Currently only Flt Lt Ben Spoor has had recent involvement with the RAF Squad/development
squad.
RAF Waddington 2012 Achievements/participation.
RAF Waddington had 4representatives at this years championships held at Formby G.C.
F/S Sheddy Rose and Cpl Oggy Compton ( Both Retd.) and Sgt Andy Edgar and Sgt Matt Kirby.
EMGL and EMAL teams were entered into the Scratch/Handicap inter station qualifiers at Belton
Park. The EMGL Team qualified for the Handicap Finals. The Waddington team ( Sgt Matt Kirby,
Sgt Mark Rushforth, CT Tony Jones and SAC Tom Howells) eventual winners of the
Handicap/Presidents Cup Competition held at Sleaford GC.
A team was entered into the Warner Whitworth/Waddington shield competition held at Belton Park .
The Waddington team winning the Warner Whitworth Trophy (Best Individual Sgt Andy Edgar and
Best Team Score).
Upcoming Prospects
At present only one ‘younger’ player is showing significant signs of performance/potential who may
be considered for further improvement (SAC Tom Howells). Some of the more senior players (CT
Quirk and Sgt Matt Kirby) have seen significant handicap reduction in the last 12/18 months
although remain outside of the CAT 1 handicap category.
Golfing Activities Undertaken
Both EMGL and EMAL teams fulfilled their fixture lists with the EMAL team finishing runners up in
their league.
The RAF Waddington Individual Championships and Inter Section competitions were both held at
Blankney Golf Club. Both competitions attracting in the region of 30 competitors for each event.
The Inter Section Competition being won by 5 SQn ( led by Sgt Andy Edgar). Waddingtons scratch
champion this year was Flt Lt Ben Spoor, Runner Up Sgt Mark Rushforth. Handicap champion
was Sgt Matt Kirby, Runner up Sqn Ldr Dave Holmes.
The annual EMGL v EMAL competition was held at Forest Pines Golf Club with the EMGL team
eventually coming through in a very tight ‘Ryder Cup’ style event.
RAFGA Coaching
The unit applied for and received £270 for coaching for RAFGA members at RAF Waddington.
The coaching was held at Blankney Golf Club by the Pro Graham Bradley. In all approx 35 people
were catered for (attracting approx 10 new RAFGA members). The coaching days were well
advertised at station level and followed the following format:
3 separate days:
Advanced (mainly aimed at EMGL players) ½ day short game coaching ½ day on course coaching.
Intermediate (mainly aimed at EMAL players) ½ day long/med game coaching ½ day on course
analysis.
Beginners (mainly aimed at high handicappers and complete novices) full day basic set up and
introduction to golf on the range.
This format worked extremely well and the feedback gained from all involved suggests this will be
the template for next years coaching. It would be anticipated that the same number of people
would be interested in coaching next year.
Golf Development
This seems to be the main catalyst for introducing new players to the game and within 12 months
we would like to see participation in station events, leading to EMAL representation (for those who
wish to enjoy the sport competitively). We endeavour to use the coaching and EMAL teams to find
our ‘golfers of the future’ and actively encourage/support promotion to the EMGL team. Indeed it
has become quite apparent with the reduction in manpower and increase in operational tempo that
the 1st team can not survive with a closed door policy and so extensive advertising ( Training/
Competitions and write ups off our successes in local media) are undertaken to ensure we
maintain a healthy number of interested golfers.
Sgt Matt Kirby
RAF Waddington RAFGA Rep/Vice Captain