RNGS vs Huntercombe GC
Third time lucky!  This historic annual fixture eventually was fought out on a glorious warm and sunny mid-September afternoon after a fabulous lunch.  The course was in wonderful condition, with very fast greens to challenge the visitors.  But the visitors were up to the challenge and RNGS ran out victors by 4½ - 1½. The RNGS team are already looking forward to 4th April 2025!

Wirral Tour
Wow, yet another outstanding Wirral tour organised by David Brocklebank! Day 1 was at Caldy GC and we had strong winds, then the rain came and then the hail! So windy that Taf's umbrella took off over a hedge and across a field, never to be seen again (he bought a new one at Hillside - spot it in the photos!). Lovely course and a great day though - Won by Iain McGougan. Day 2 we were at Hillside GC, what a fabulous place. The course was a bit wet, but it was still magnificent and a real pleasure to play. One to add to your bucket list! Won by Iain Macdonald.  Finally, we headed off to Wallasay GC. Another real gem of a golf course in fantastic condition, what a way to finish the tour! Won by James Dempsey (who is also chuffed to bits that he will also get his picture in the RNGS Gallery!). Thanks again to David - brilliant! 

RNGS vs XL Club
After a change of venue to West Byfleet GC, we played our old friends the XL Club in a 4BBB, 18 hold match. The new course was well presented, with good greens and a pleasant feel about it. Not as challenging as New Zealand and more importantly, all our Members could reach the fairway! The XL Club were on good form, both on the course and during the meal afterwards. Fortunately RNGS golf was in good form also and we Won 5-1. 

RNGS vs Royal Marines GS
A closely fought match against our good friends, the Royal Marines, at the superb Tidworth Garrison GC, near Andover. The greens were slick and the course in fantastic condition. Great weather, fun and an excellent curry was completed by a narrow RNGS win – 3 ½ / 2 ½.

Celtic Manor Tour
A couple of wonderful days at Celtic Manor! First round was on the the Ryder Cup 2010 course, which we all loved. It really is quite a course and if you keep the ball on the fairway, it looks relatively easy  - we didn't and it bit us all on the backside! The winner was Taf Pugh with 31 points. Second round was on the Roman Road. Another great course and fun to play. The greens were the real test on this course - I had 5 goes at getting the same putt closer than 12 feet from the hole and failed each time! The winner was Charlie Smith with 37 points! plan is to do it again next year as a Member plus Guest invitation. Pictures are in the Gallery. 

RNGS vs Brokenhurst
On the same day as the summer meeting in Teignmouth, twelve of us were hosted at the delightful, but pretty damp, Brokenhurst GC in the New Forest. This fixture, with its justified reputation of excellent hosting by the club members, is still regarded by many as one of the jewels in the RNGS fixtures crown. Over the past few years we've had a disappointing run of results but at last the tide must be turning as we halved the match 3-3. Next years match has been penciled in for the 10th of July.

RNGS vs Sherborne GC
Contested in a moderate south westerly breeze, the worst of the forecast rain did not materialise! The course was in excellent condition and well presented, having been the previous day, the venue for the South East Boys Open (SEBO) - challenging pin positions! Played in a competitive, but extremely convivial atmosphere, there was an excellent meal and lively conversation afterwards. It was a closely fought contest with birdies in the home straight and two of the matches going down to the final putt on the final hole. RNGS came out ahead winning 3½ to 2½, compensating for the 2-4 loss in the previous year. 

RNGS vs East Devon
A great match as always, played on the very impressive East Devon course. Unfortunately, we did not manage to keep the run going - Lost 5-3.

Summer Meeting
The Summer Meeting was held at Teignmouth this year. We had some low cloud in the morning, but managed to get off in the afternoon in some beautiful weather. The course was challenging and fun to play and with out the cloud the views were spectacular, all the way up to Dartmoor and the Tors!  We all had great fun and we will probably use this course as a venue again. The winner was Taf Pugh with 41 points! 

RNGS vs Naval Air Command
Held at China Fleet Country Club, it is a challenging course in great condition. Weather conditions were fantastic with bright sunshine and great views around the Tamar River. Two early morning withdrawals due to a +ve Covid test and an unscheduled visit to Taunton A&E were a bit of a setback, but the gaps were filled and  both subs contributed convincingly. A big chuck-up to the team for a well fought, 4-1 win! The fixture is already pencilled in for next year, Friday 25 July, so make a note!

RNGS vs Royal Engineers GS - The Army GC
The annual match against the REGS (Sappers) was held at the superb Army GC, Aldershot. Great weather and a challenging and picturesque course, presented in excellent condition with some tricky greens and recent improvements.The REGS were excellent, sociable hosts. The post-match chicken curry, with all the trimmings, was an absolute feast. The result was a RNGS team Win – RNGS 6 : REGS 4. We shall return to the Army GC in 2025 (date tbc).

RNGS vs Aeros GS - Hayling GC
Hayling GC again provided the venue for the Aeros match. A fine links course and a proper test of golf and sometimes navigation! Hayling was in lovely condition with recent dry weather the course was running hard and fast, with enough wind to ensure that there was no room for complacency!  A few balls were lost, but not so many as feared and a 4-2 Win for RNGS was a pleasing outcome. A great match played in the best of humour against another fine society.  There is a reason why the Open is always played on a links course - put this match on your RNGS bucket list!

RNGS vs Guards GS - Hayling GC
Played at Hayling GC which has its Club Championship on Saturday and Sunday, the course was "Challenging"! The weather was fantastic and the course was "enjoyed" by all who played - Paul Groll may need a few more balls to continue the season!  Lunch was good too! Matches are thick and fast at this time of year, but the quality of RNGS golf keeps on going up. RNGS  Won this match resoundingly 4-1. 

RNGS vs Liphook
Yet another lovely day at Liphook. Everyone had a great time, even though some of the golf (Iain in particular) was very variable! Lunch was wonderful as it always is and the company was great too. We did, unfortunately, manage a Loss this year! 

RNGS vs Rye GC
As always this was a fantastic Match/Tour. We had perfect weather to play the 2 links courses (Old and Jubilee) and the company was really welcoming. We played 2 rounds each day, with a full Rye lunch provided each day too. We also managed to cram in an Italian meal after day 1.  A great 2 days of Foursomes. Some say they do not like foursomes, well this is the way to try it - great courses, fabulous lunches and lovely people. It is also great value for money! Unfortunately, we had too much red wine at lunch and managed to lose the match - next year!    

RNGS v RAFGS -  West Sussex GC.
The annual match against our great friends of the Royal Air Force was once again held at the superb West Sussex GC. We were lucky with the weather, made to feel very welcomed by the staff and treated to a substantial carvery lunch. There were several closely fought matches over the 36 holes - which resulted in a narrow loss for the RNGS 4½ - RAFGS 5½.

RNGS vs Royal Artillery GS (RAGS)
RNGS managed to half the match with the Gunners. (2-2).  In sunny conditions, Blackmoor was in great condition and much work upgrading the bunkers was evident.  The greens too were excellent.   RNGS struggled to field a side and the result was helped by two of the Gunners playing for us. One, however, admitted being commissioned as an RN Instructor Officer. Next year's match will be played at Arlesford at reduced cost to attract more support from the RNGS. 

RNGS vs Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers - Muirfield 
For the Sir Garth Morrison Trophy. As ever, the course was in excellent condition and the membership led by Paul Du Vivier were most welcoming and fun to play with. RNGS led by 4 ½ - 2½ after the morning play, but too good a lunch may have had something to do with a reversal in the afternoon. The final result was a win for the HCEG by 7½ - 6½, and the trophy changes hands after a series of 4 wins for the RNGS.

We are extremely lucky to have such good friends along the East Lothian shore, with top quality courses, and being made so welcome.

RNGS vs Royal Marines Marauders - The Renaissance Club   
Match against Malcolm Duck’s invitational team played on a good sunny day on this long course being prepared for the Scottish Open in early July. Match Result was  a draw at 3 - 3. We had an additional slot, so it was played off the back tees by a low handicap group in a Scotland (RNNRGC) (Daz McMurray & Pete Logan) Vs England (RNGS) (Charlie Smith & John Newlands). Won by the home nation.

RNGS vs Luffness New GC  
A much better day with no rain and another great course. Four teams of three RNGS player plus one member and hosted by Dennis Kerr & Neil Rankin. Winners were team of Dennis Kerr (Member), Charlie Smith, Peter Eberle and Danny Partridge.

RNGS vs RNNRGC - Gullane GC 
Really poor weather for this opening game of the East Lothian tour. RNGS led out by Gill Morrison. Youth of the RNNRGC team, mostly serving in Faslane, told in the end and the RNGS lost 5-2. Despite the rain the course was in excellent condition.

RNGS vs Lundin Golf Club
Generally dry conditions, but with a little rain to add a bit of pain, we managed to Lose 2-4 to a very strong Lundin Links team, with lots of low handicap Juniors playing. Really grateful to have the RNNRGC playing with us as they had done for the High Constables matches too. 

RNGS vs Perth High Constables at Blairgowrie (Rosemount)
Beauthful conditions and the course in excellent condition, we managed another Half 3-3. Great result. 

RNGS vs Edinburgh High Constables at Royal Burgess
Played in some awful rain, we managed a Half 3-3. An honorable result in the weather!

RNGS vs Bigbury GC
Won 4½-½. Great match, as always. Fantastic picture of the team in the Gallery.  

RNGS vs Thurlestone GC
Won 3½-½. Slightly disappointing, with only 8 RNGS members playing. Steve R

RNGS vs RNGA(E)
To maintain close links with serving RN golfers, we played against the RNGA (Eastern Region) in this annual fixture at the very well presented and testing Southwick Park GC. The weather was excellent and we were made very welcome in the Clubhouse with an excellent post-match curry. Following last year's drubbing, the match was closely fought across all 4 pairings, with the result being a win for RNGS 2.5 – 1.5!! A fully deserved BZ to all players. Stu B

RNGS vs FAAOAGS
Great match and a draw (2½ each) was achieved. Not going to mention that our Captain played for FAAOAGS!! 

Spring Meeting
Organised brilliantly by Taf Pugh, Liphook GC hosted the Spring Meeting. As normal the weather was good and everyone seemed to enjoy the event. The Gross and Net  Medal (80 and 72) were won by Iain Macdonald. The Stableford Singles and Benson Trophy (over 65) were won by Peter Eberle with 36 points. The PM Stableford was won by Eddie Edwards with 33 points. 

On Day 2, the Stableford was won by Bob White with 34 points. The Div 1 Matchplay was won by Iain Macdonald beating Chris Tarmey 2/1. The Div 2 Matchplay was won by Bryan Burns who beat Sandy Sullivan. 

RNGS vs RNGA(W)
The first outing of the year was to Dartmouth Golf and Country Club for the match against RNGA(W), the serving Navy of the Western region. The course was very wet, but still playable, but dry with a warm breeze, it proved an excellent day out. All 6 matches were tightly fought, with the end result an honourable draw, 3-3.

Now a regular fixture in the RNGS calendar we are already looking forward to next year when hopefully it will be little drier under foot. Anthony King, MM

Captain EOY Report
The 2023 End of Year Report by the Captain is at this LINK

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