The 2026 Club Champs: A Clean Sweep

A beautiful June day at La Tournette Golf Club provided a great venue to determine the final standings for the 2025-2026 Season.

A great turnout saw 4 flights set out to fight for each of the Category Trophies with the traditional prize of a putting champion added to the closest to the pin and longest drive. Mathematically Joe could still be caught following Arvid's win at L'Empereur and the extra points that Championship day offers. Set to play on the challenging Le Americain Course, Flights 1 and 2 led the way in a very competitive Cat 3 field, with Marco and Don battling against Dace and Julian as well as the departing NGC veterans, Ramon and Jan. Flight 3 hosted the Cat 2 competition with the President hoping to keep the pressure on Joe while taking on the Captain and Guillaume. And bringing up the rear the Cat 1 playoff, with Joe hoping to take his season form into a tough field of challengers including Glen, Bogdan and Darryl.

The Category 2 Field come down the hill past the Clubhouse as they approach the glorious 15th hole on Le Americain!

The Cat 3 stableford competition was too close to call as Jan set a blistering pace scoring 18 points on the front nine, 2 points clear of Marco, with Dace and Don on 14 points. In the Cat 2 field, the Captain was looking unusually composed as he led by 5 strokes at the turn scoring 2 under net. In the Cat 1, it was too close to call with Joe trailing by 2 strokes from Darryl, Bogdan and Glen all scoring 2 over net. So all to play for at the turn.

The incoming Vice Captain found the course 'Hare-Raising'in places.

The Cat 3 Match stayed competitive to the end with Marco and Dace coming through the field to tie on 34 points. A nervous count back saw Dace win by the slimmest of margins thanks to an excellent 20 points over the final 9 holes. In the Cat 2 competition, for once the Captain held his nerve to take the Cat 2 trophy with a net 77 and hold off Arvid by 3 strokes. He was also feeling confident with an uncharacteristically solid putting performance - although he still managed to 3 putt the last. Cat 1 saw Joe smash the closing 9 holes, playing sublime golf to take the Cat 1 title with a net 77. It was a close competition with Darryl one stroke back and Glen and Bogdan only one stroke behind him. Joe claimed the overall Club Championship with a gross score of 84 on a tough and demanding course.

Time for a debrief on the Terrace as the Club say good bye to some NGC stalwarts.

Reflecting a dominant season, Joe took a clean sweep of the other prizes. He hit a monster drive to take the LD prize, hit one right over the flag on the 16th to take closest to the pin, and then had the temerity to pip the Captain to the putting trophy by one stroke. Oh that 3-putt!

Really!?!

Joe accepts the Category 1 Trophy for 2026.

The departing Captain finally takes home a prize and takes the Cat 2 Trophy after so many near misses.

Dace is victorious and is the Cat 3 winner.

Joe takes the Club Championship for 2026.

Final season points for 2025-2026 after the unfortunate cancellation of the closing cup:

Joe takes the NATO Cup with a consistently dominant performance. Arvid takes the runner spot with Ramon, Darryl and Jon in joint third.

Joe is deservedly crowned NATO Cup Winner - after a dominant season and a wonderful day at La Tournette.

A memorable day proved to be the last act of a great season for the NGC due to the late cancellation of the Closing Cup. The Captain departs along with Joe, Ramon and Jan as the NGC looks forward to the 2026/2027 season starting at the legendary and historic Palingbeek GC near Ypres on 12 September - sign up is open. Trevor, as the new Captain, supported by Julian and Bogdan as Vice-Captains will take the NGC forward - I encourage all to join, support, and, most importantly, enjoy playing for our happy Club. Its been an absolute joy.