Junior “Elbows” his way to win at Little Lakes
The day started out rather cloudy but as the event got underway the sun came out and freed many from their pullovers and jackets.
The course was in excellent condition with the greens running quick and true. This is not a long golf course; however it pays to have played it before, several of our members haven’t played this venue before and lost several points from their round as a result. The fairways are narrow with several elevated greens with drop-offs ready to catch a wayward approach shot. This is very much the case on the 18th green, with a very small target on the par 5 final hole. On this occasion the 18th was being used for our longest drive challenge. From an elevated teeing position players had a good view of the fairway and any previous attempts to win this challenge. Of the first three groups to put a marker down it was Jay Berryman whose name appeared at the bottom of the list has the one with the longest drive so far. However with some of the CGS long hitters still to come it would be highly unlikely that Jay would take home the prize.
On the tee was CGS Chairman Junior Harris – known for his long drawing tee shots Junior saw the marker posted by Jay and fancied his chances. With a straight drive down the fairway Junior easily passed Jay’s mark to push the target way out there almost level with the 150 marker. Junior would knock his second onto the green and two putt for a birdie. In junior’s mind that was a long tee-shot and would be very tough to beat, however still yet to play was the CGS Mr long driver himself Ian Higgins. Ian’s not tall in statue compared to Junior 6 foot plus frame but the word around the CGS is “Di Man Can Lik Ha Ball”! ….On the tee steps Mr Higgin and 383 yards later and a nine iron into the green it was yet another long drive trophy in the cabinet.
This society which started in 2007 is going from strength to strength and not only the organisation but also the level of golf is improving all the time. The nearest the pin challenge was held on the short but very tricky par 3 17th , you can get to the tee look at the flag and think …hmmm sand wedge and end up way short of the green, it’s just one of those holes where you just have to take more club and trust it. One player who did that to within two feet of the flag was Keith Salmon. His mark was set early in the day and was never beaten.
The last couple of seasons the addition of nearest in two on a par 4 was added. This gave members another chance of a prize should the overall prizes be unattainable. On this occasion the nearest in two challenge was on the 18th, so it was a last hurrah for the field. Like several holes on the golf course the 18th was a blind tee shot so previous knowledge would help on this hole. Finishing the day as the overall runner-up with 39 stable ford points playing off a 7 handicap was Eric Queely, Eric was able to add to his runner-up prize the nearest the pin in two challenge, he was able to knock it close to two feet to take the prize on offer. Starting the day with visions of the dreaded “shanks” from previous rounds Eric was well pleased with picking up the nearest in two challenge but most of all scoring 39 points and coming second overall.
Picking up the third place prize with 36 points was last season’s Order of Merit winner Bob Dhammi. Bob was one of the earlier groups out and found some well needed form to post the early lead.
Bobs early mark would later be equalled by several other players but Bob took the place on count back to Jay Berryman and Ronald Ross.
The conditions were very conducive to good scoring and overall competition scratch for the day would prove to be around 36 points which is a good standard of golf shown by CGS members. 36 points wouldn’t be the winning total and of course Eric managed to raise the bar to 39 points yet still wasn’t the winner. Most of the players coming in new they’d left something out on the course, it’s a statement most golfers use when they finish their round “I left so many shots out there…If only I’d holed that putt on 3 and that lip-out on 7 cost me a shot”! – could’ve, would’ve and should’ve, but never did! One man who did and having lost out to a monster drive by Mr Higgins was Chairman Junior Harris. Scoring 41 points playing from an 11 handicap Junior pretty much tore up the golf course. He went out in 21 points and came in with 20; he destroyed the par 5’s and putted out of his skin. This was an even more satisfying victory especially after having surgery on his elbow 6-7 weeks before but if you know Junior you know he’s not going to let a little elbow surgery keep him away from his golf. With the final major coming up and with this standard of form he will be looking to add the CGS Open title to his two victories this season.
The next event on the CGS calendar will be the 3-Way Match between the CGS (Birmingham) Titans (Bristol) and the ACGA (London) which this year will be held at Bicester Golf Club. With the completion of the Little Lakes major the CGS team for the 3-Way Match has now been decided. Good luck on the 27th September to the CGS team.
To round up things at Little Lakes – a special mention to Denny Senior our club secretary who celebrated his birthday with CGS members by buying each one of us drink, thank you Mr Senior we hope you have many more birthdays to come, so we can get more drinks!!! – Hope you had a great evening.
A big thank you to Little Lakes for the Srixon Balls I’m sure the winners will make good use of them and also thank you to the bar and catering staff for the service and the carvery which was enjoyed by all.
The Next Major will be the CGS Open, a two day test on the challenging Wales National and Lakes courses at The Vale Resort in Wales – this venue will truly separate the men from the boys and women from the girls and may well decide the Order of Merit tittle for 2014.