The Alliance Cup: Out of SHAPE! :/

NATO Golf Club versus the SHAPE Golf Association

Brabantse, November 8, 2026

Julian Lindley-French

The day dawned, er, Belgian – grey and mizzly, but with a hint of sun as the Belgian Fusion Reactor (aka the sun) eventually appeared above us.  Indeed, so rarely is the BFR seen above Brussels it has been reported as a UFO! Sadly, there was little to shine about the match as NGC snatched defeat from the jaws of, well, defeat.  12-5 is a good shellacking by anyone’s reckoning and a good shellacking is wot we got!  And, however cleverly we tried to fiddle the figures a shellacking it remained...

Although the NGC didn't come out victorious on Sunday, they were unanimously selected as the event's Best Looking Team... Bravo Zulu NGC!

First, the good news. Dace and Wolfgang did us proud vanquishing their SGA opponents in the only way they know how – no messing.  The rest?  President Halvorsen had to rely on Vice-Captain Friendly-Clinch to take the front nine in their match with Runner and Frank (good buddies!).  The presidential team also came charging back from 3 down with 4 to play until the 17^th, when Julian’s tee shot ended up virtually behind the tee after playing pinball the a forest, whilst Arvid’s ended up on somebody else’s golf course! 

Despite the Joker-esque grin, rest assured that the President wasn't smiling on the inside as SGA's Mick hoisted the trophy once again...

Skipper Trev fought valiantly on this own against two mighty SHAPERS, Mick and Rich, but our valiant Canadian could not over-power two very good Brits.  Bogdan and Seb got well and truly done over by Daniel and Caleb as did new members Patricia and Philippe (a very warm welcome to you both!), whilst Marion and Don fought hard to the very end but eventually went down with colours flying to Wilson and Hans.

The match's official scoresheet.... most detail had to be redacted to minimize humiliation. Well done Dace and Wolfgang!!!

The beauty of The Alliance Cup is that it always stays in the NATO family.  Still, look out SHAPERS, next April we are coming for you! I blame the ref!

-JLF