The Alliance Cup Regained!
- Club Captain
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
The Third match of the reinvigorated rivalry between SHAPE Golf Association and the NATO Golf Club was renewed on a very damp Belgian Saturday at Brabantse Golf Club. For the first time there were 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 2 matches had been one-sided affairs with NGC winning at home 11.5 points v 3.5 points in 2024, while SGA were equally dominant earlier this year in Mons with a 11 points v 4 points victory. In true Ryder Cup spirit, NGC needed 9.5 points to regain the trophy.
Conditions were moist but playable as battle commenced. At the turn, the matches were evenly balanced with SGA and NGC each ahead in 3 games. Who would hold their nerve? Up front, Darryl and Jon held a decent lead and were 2 up with 3 to play. But back to back birdies meant if SGA won the last they would half the match. However Darryl produced a stunning second shot and holed a short putt for birdie ensuring the match finished 2.5 v 0.5 for an NGC win. Joe and Trevor dominated their match and came home 3-0 although they had to keep going to the very end, while Ken and Rich held their lead to take a hard fought 2-1 win. All eyes were on the President and Steve who were trailing at the turn. The team need not have worried as Steve and Arvid played some sublime golf and came home strongly to win 2-1 and thus ensure the Cup was coming home! Rick and Ramon, and Jorge and Juan were drawn against strong pairings which included very low handicap players from SGA but still put up a dogged fight in diminishing light but SGA took the last 2 games. However NGC were victorious!
As darkness fell, the Teams retired to the clubhouse for some in-depth NATO discussions as the Cup was presented to the NGC. The match was played out in great spirit and all enjoyed the experience. A lively atmosphere and obvious comradery saw the drinks flow and the celebrations go on into the evening with Steve bidding a fond farewell having represented both teams. The next fixture will see the teams rejoin the fray at RGCH at the end of March.
Next Event is the Christmas Cracker, coincidently in Mons on 7 December, so an early opportunity to test the course and stake a claim. Christmas Jumpers at the ready. Sign up!
