By
LEUT Terry Bird
The
fine naval tradition of golfing looks set for another big year
in the RAN Officers’ Golf Society (RANOGS).
Established in 1936, RANOGS is a Sydney based organisation open
to all “Permanent Officers past and present, and to all Reserve
Officers whose name appears in the current Navy List for the RAN”.
Led by the RANOGS Captain CDRE Geoff Ledger, the club is an ideal
way for officers, past and present to play golf and socialise
away from the work environment.
RANOGS works hard to foster links with the community, playing
the majority of monthly events alongside the members of those
clubs to which RANOGS is invited.
And what a collection of clubs it is - The Australian, The Lakes
and NSW Golf Clubs are just three of the many prestigious venues
where RANOGS compete for some of the oldest sporting trophies
in Australia.
The 2004 season has already teed off for RANOGS with the Whitham
Trophy (Lakes GC) and SUSSEX Trophy (Australian GC) contested
in magnificent conditions.
RANOGS moves to the NSWGC later in March before challenging the
Army at Bonnie Doon GC in April.
The Royal Sydney GC at Rose Bay is home to the premier event on
the RANOG’s calendar, and it was here that the Club Champion for
2003 was declared with CMDR Mike Ward Rtd., winning the coveted
“Guest Cooper” Trophy.
It seems his proficiency with ‘make and mend’ sticks has only
improved since leaving full time service. The Championship was
supported by the Australian Defence Credit Union (ADCU), whose
ongoing assistance to RANOGS and ADF sport in general helps ensure
defence personnel can continue to compete within the civil community.
RANOGS also endeavours to assist with Defencerelated charity and
last year (in association with other Defence Golf Clubs) helped
raise more than $10,000 for Legacy at the Annual Monash Country
Club Charity Golf Day.
Any officers (serving or retired) interested in joining RANOGS
and continuing the tradition of playing Navy Golf, are invited
to contact LCDR Brian Schlegel via email at 03a@L50.navy.gov.au.
