The 2025 Captain's Cup: Royal Bercuit

The superb Royal Bercuit Golf Club provided the next challenge for the 2025/26 NATO Golf Club season.13 golfers including 2 guests battled it out to be winner of the 2025 Captain's Cup, a stroke play contest.

Royal Bercuit hosted 4 flights for an early morning start. Joe O'Leary was keen to defend his title but some NGC Stalwarts and emerging talent were also in the hunt for early season honours.

On the tee....Trevor leads the way

Royal Bercuit is no push over and so it proved as the undulating fairways with its many bunkers and water hazards, surrounded by trees and ringed by beautiful houses presented a tough challenge to the best the NGC could muster. Ramon Miranda set a searing pace with a net one under par front nine. The defending Champion was hot on his heals at net even par with the quiet Canadian Trevor Maclean one shot further back. The turn for home would see a titantic struggle for victory as well as a hard fought contest for longest drive and nearest to the pin.

Jorge shows the Seve touch with a great shot out of a fairway bunker

The run home did not disappoint. The longest drive and the closest to the pin looked like going to new arrival Jorge Bianco and Mikael Naesman with the final flight to play. But Joe O'Leary bunted a 3 iron down the middle to claim the longest drive while President's guest Mika Seppa snatched the closest to the pin denying Mikael the prize. The final 9 holes saw some impressive net scores with Wolfgang Wien coming back in net level par to finish joint fourth with Ken Emerson. Trevor held his form but could not close the gap on the top 2. Joe did everything to hold on to his crown, keeping the pressure on Ramon to the end, finishing 2 over par net. However, Ramon was not to be denied and completed a stunning round finishing net level par to win by 2 strokes and claim his first win.

Ramon strikes a beauty to the Par 3 fifth hole.

Ramon Miranda - 2025 Captain's Cup Winner with level par 72 net.

Joe O'Leary accepts his prize for the longest drive.

Mika wins the closest to the pin from the President.

A great finish to a long day saw the NGC retire to the terrace for some well earned refreshment and some intense sales activity from the Property Manager.

A great start to the season sees Joe and Ramon sharing the lead with Matt, Darryl and Ken close behind. We now look forward to the Club Friendly at Rigenee GC on Sunday 9 November.