Winner - Elford Douglas (right)
We have to go back to 2010 when the CGS first visited Wharton Park Golf Club a favourite amongst some of the members especially those who have won on previous occasions.  It was Nathan Burrows back in 2011 who tore up the course with 45 points playing off an 11 handicap, an impressive score on some very “speedy” greens back then.  It’s a shame for the course that although still quick in places the greens have suffered from disease making then a little bumpy and uneven but I’m sure the grounds staff are working very hard to get them back to how they were.

The CGS last rolled up to Wharton Park a couple of years ago in 2013 and on the day 39 points was good enough for Junior Harris to take the victory.  On this occasion yet again 39 points would be the winning score.  It really seems like the CGS enjoy playing this course with 39 points being the lowest stableford score made at this venue throughout our time coming.  You may think it’s an easy course but in my opinion no course is easy you still have to hit that tiny ball in a direction where you can find it to hit it again and if you are not striking the ball well on the day you will struggle to score any points.  Some of our members did struggle on the day and some found form or should I say are starting to show form with this being only the second major of the season.

The event got off to a good start with Vassel Brown leading out in the first group along with George Oliver, Roan McLeod and George Sinclair who now lives in the US.  It was a competitive group with Vassel and Roan both turning in 38 and 37 points respectively, George Oliver was going well with 18 points on the front nine but he fell away on the back with too many one point holes. George Sinclair was having a “mixed bag” of a round but managed chip in from off the green on the 6th hole after his previous attempt failed to reach the greenbut on the second try the ball clattered off the flag stick into the hole.

The early mark set down by Vassel was still standing before a 39 came in to knock him down to second on the live scoreboard which was on display for all to see, a first for the CGS and something we hope to continue with for future events.

As all the groups started to come in with various scores, a 38 from Ansel Pottinger would secure him second on countback to Vassel with the winning score going to first time major winner Elford Douglas.  It’s been a while since Elford picked up a prize for anything at a CGS major so this was a very welcomed prize; no doubt things are starting to come together after being at odds with his swing.

Taking up the other usual prizes; Trevor Lammy picked up the nearest the pin in two on the 17th knocking the ball to four feet from the pin with his second shot,  nearest the pin went to Tony Brown with a single strike to six feet  and a drive on the 18th which stood for what seemed like an age was for Clyde Pile to pick up the longest drive prize.

Congratulations to everyone who won a prize and to all those who attended a record breaking number for a CGS event, thanks to all the guests who attending; Joan Harris visiting from the US, previously mentioned George Sinclair also from the US, Mick Cunningham, Howard Browne,Asif  Din and former member and previous winner of this event Nathan Burrows.

A big thank you to Wharton Park for accommodating the CGS!