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Created: 18 September 2026

The Yorkshire Meeting was held at York Golf Club for the 3rd year running and we again enjoyed the excellent warm-up / practice facilities, the interesting and well-maintained golf course, superb food (including the best bacon rolls of the year) and a warm welcome - which Rick Lipscomb assures me is absolutely to be expected from Yorkshire folk. It was, however, disappointing that we had such a small field, with only 19 members there to enjoy the event.

Although most of us found playing off green fairways something of a novelty following the summer's prolonged drought, there was some good scoring in the Individual Stableford competition, with three players on 34 points and Garry Ridsdale leading the way with 36 points to win the Halifax trophy. Garry, with the rest of the players, was surprised that he now qualifies as a veteran and therefore had also won the Veterans Salver. John Pearce was second on countback in both the overall and veteran categories on 34 points, with Maggie Warriner in 3rd, also on 34 points. Bernie Vickers (34 points) and Tony Doveston (33 points) also picked up prizes on the basis of each player only being able to win one prize.

The afternoon Greensomes did not require the assistance of a countback, with Jenny Smale and Peter Hamilton second on 32 points and Tony Doveston and Andy Jones winning the coveted Johnny Johnson `Mosquitoes on 34 points. Finally, this year there were two nearest the pin prizes which went to Maggie Warriner (7th) and Garry Ridsdale (11th). The day was rounded off with an excellent meal of roast pork with all the trimmings, including Yorkshire puddings, followed by apple and blackberry crumble.

Full results - individual Stableford
Full results - Greensomes Stableford

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Created: 15 September 2026

Before the match started Moor Park were not short of telling us that they had already beaten both the Army Golf Society and the Royal Navy Golf Society this year, and were clearly hoping for a clean sweep.  It was not to be. 

The RAFGS team excelled themselves and won by 4 1/2 to 1 1/2.  But it was close; the three of the four matches the RAFGS won were by just one hole - our first victory in the fixture since 2019. Notable was Tim Bishop and Mark Morton’s victory, secured by Tim with a long birdie putt on the 18^th in a fluctuating match in which there were a total of 9 birdies. 

Moor Park was recovering from the dry summer but the greens were very good, the course created its usual challenge, and the golf was followed by a convivial supper in the historic Arnhem Room.

RAFGS team: Mike Peaker (non-playing Match Manager), Ian Barclay, Colin Basnett, Tim Bishop, Roger Carr, Mick Ford, Rick Lipscomb, Mark Morton, Ian Robinson, Mick Roche, Phil Sperring, Andy Setterfield, Ollie Whyatt.

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Created: 04 September 2026

Following our success in regaining the Midddlemist Trophy at Woodhall Spa in May, the RAFGS team were optimistic that we could retain the Clyne Cup in the return fixture at Sonning on 27/28 August. The course was showing some signs of recovery from the dry summer following recent rain, but the fairways were still firm, with a well-struck shot running for some distance - great if going in the right direction, not so good if heading for trouble.

The first day's play started under threatening skies, with some dark clouds and distant rolls of thunder. Fortunately the thunderstorms were not heading towards the course and gradually disappeared, allowing play to continue without interruption. As the early results came in,  things initially looked promising for Sonning, with two wins in the first three matches.  However, the RAFGS finished strongly, taking all three of the remaining matches to establish a 4-2 overnight lead. Everyone enjoyed a tasty and very sociable dinner in the clubhouse after the golf and we were delighted that Sue Middlemist, Malcolm's daughter, was there to present Match Manager Tim Evans with the Middlemist trophy.

The following morning's play got off to an inauspicious start, as no-one had arrived to open the Pro Shop - some re-shuffling of the order of play was necessary as some Sonning players had left their clubs in the shop and those who had requested buggies couldn't access them. Fortunately all the matches were able to start without holding up subsequent play and, with no threat of rain or thunderstorms, the RAFGS team were hopeful of securing a notable win. Sadly it was not to be, as Sonning Captain Claire Randell's smile got progressively wider as the results of the matches came in. Although all but one of the matches were close, it was only the half point earned in the final match that saved the RAFGS from a whitewash. 

Following a lunch of  sandwiches and chips, Tim Evans congratulated Claire Randell and her team on their 7 1/2 to 4 1/2 victory and presented Claire with the Clyne Cup. Hopefully we will regain the trophy in 2027!

RAFGS team: Tim Evans (Match Manager), David Backhouse, Peter Bedford, Robby Boyce, Ray Bull, Roger Carr, Nigel Dowdall, Rick Lipscomb, Roy Logan, John Pearce, Dennis Virgo, Ollie Whatt

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Created: 04 September 2026

Thirteen RAFGS players assembled at Huntercombe for our annual match against the club - 12 playing for the Society, with Secretary Nigel Dowdall helping out the Huntercombe team, who were one short. 

The course was in good condition and already showing some signs of recovery following the recent rainfall, which had brought an end to the prolonged drought of the summer. Fortunately the day of the match was dry, making for ideal golfing conditions. As always, the match was played in an excellent spirit and most of the matches were fairly close. However, in the end the outcome was a comfortable win for the RAF by 3 1/2 to 2 1/2.

The formalities were completed with an excellent lunch and the presentation of the Stevenson Cup to the RAFGS team manager for the day, Stu Butler. Following the match, several of the RAFGS players took the opportunity to play a second round in the afternoon.

RAFGS team: Stu Butler, Peter Bedford, Andrew Curtis, Sean Doherty, Rana Eymur, Stewy Fryatt, Pete Hamilton, Neil Hazlehurst, Ian Robinson, Geoff Thorburn, Dennis Virgo, Oli Whyatt