Home Advantage see the Alliance Cup return to Mons

The NATO Golf Club team prepare for the Alliance Cup at Royal Golf Club Hainaut

The fourth match for NATO supremacy saw the NGC visit Mons to take on the SHAPE Golf Association for the Alliance Cup. A matchplay format saw 6 matches of 4BBB, with 18 points up for grabs (one point for the front 9, one point for the back nine and one point for the overall match). The previous 3 matches had seen home advantage prove crucial with the NGC winning at Brabantse in November. NGC needed 9 points to retain the trophy.

Darryl hits a great shot into the 16th but sadly SGA were to prevail despite the game going to the final putt on the 18th

The RGCH course was in lovely condition as the teams teed off. Joe and Trevor led the way with a strong first nine to lead by 3 at the turn. Jon and Darryl were locked in a close battle losing out on the 9th to go one down. Arvid and Annick were dominant and led by 3 while Glen and Guillaume trailed in the face of some outstanding SGA scoring. Rick and Josh also led while Jorge and Ramon were behind at the turn. Up in 3 matches , down in 3 - all to play for.

Up front, Joe and Trevor continued to dominate but with 2 birdies in the last 2 holes, SGA salvaged a valuable point. Darryl and Jon were involved in a titanic struggle as their match ebbed and flowed. Sadly a missed putt for a half on the last saw the match slip away 3-0. Arvid and Annick were ruthless in their match winning 3-0; however, Glen and Guillaume, who played to handicap, could not overcome some relentless golf to lose by the same score. With the last 2 flights coming into view, sadly NGC could not hold on, with Rick and Josh losing out 2-1 in another tight contest, and Ramon and Jorge seeing their opponents sink a monster putt on the last to deny them an extra point - losing 2.5 v 0.5. As such the SGA won a close match 11.5 v 6.5. Golf is a cruel game.

SGA Celebrate their win although the Captain can't quite let go!

With the sun shining, the Teams retired to the terrace for the inevitable debrief as the Cup was presented to the SGA. The match was again played in great spirit and all enjoyed the experience. The next Alliance Cup match will see the battle resume in November back in Brussels.

The next NGC match is against the International Golf Club at The National on 9 May. Sign up is open!

SGA Captain of the Day, Mick Faulkner receives the Alliance Cup from the Captain after a well deserved win.