The competition for the CGS Memorial Trophy in honour of our beloved Ken Brown was held at The Welcome Golf Course in Stratford-upon-Avon. It was the 2nd Major of the 2024 season and was attended by 34 members and guests. The Welcome course, back on the schedule having been a regular venue for the CGS over years past with last year seeing its return since 2017.

The weather was fine, the sun was out, and the course was looking decent considering the weather this year. Once out on the course the greens were the only thing that let down what was a good venue. Considering the amount of rain we’ve had the greens were hollow tined which you can expect at this time of the year however they must drain well because the greens were hard and firm and not receptive at all, it was very difficult to stop the ball even with a wedge in hand, approach shots required a links style shot in order to keep the ball on the putting surface. Coming off the course at the end of the round the main comments were about the greens and how difficult it was to keep on ball on them. It must be said that the greens were the main contributing factor in the overall scoring, with only the winner breaking 30 points. The winner’s score of 32 points was two points less than Ansel Pottinger’s winning score the year before. Also last year 13 players managed to score 30 or more points a big contrast to this event. Last year’s par for the round was 32 points unlike the 28 for this event. Last year’s visit to the Welcome was in March unlike May this year. If the greens firm up even more as the weather improves it will be a real challenge to post a good score. Our sole guest was Simon Gardner playing off a 3 handicap and he also struggled carding 24 points, showing how difficult it was.

In 2017 the winning score was 36 points, and that mark was made by a certain Mr Keith Salmon, from the scores over the years it seems the Welcome is no push over even with firm greens. It seems it’s a venue Mr Salmon really enjoys because the 32 points winning score on this occasion was again from Keith. His 32 points was three shots better than Martin Braham and Roan McLeod who both came in with 29 points with Martin pipping Roan on count back after Roans solid front nine fell away coming in.

With the committee deciding to drop the longest drive from the list of on courses prizes, it has made way for an additional nearest the pin prize. Over the years the longest drive as been the staple for a select few within the society so its understandable to make all the prizes available to all no matter the ability. It’s a shame to see it go having witnessed some monumental efforts from some of the society’s big hitters and some shock winners but that’s progress, we move on!

So, with an additional nearest the pin prize the winners were as follows:

Nearest the pin in one on the 16th was won by Ansel Pottinger, nearest the pin in one on the 14th was won by Landis Brooks, nearest the pin in two on the 8th was won by Errol Murray.

The nearest in three was held on the 18th, it was a last chance to pick up a prize giving the difficulties experienced by most. The 18th is a par 5 dogleg left with a marker post out in the fairway, you can get cute with the tee shot and try and hit a draw around the dogleg or you can just play at the marker post with a steady shot without complicating things and that’s what Tony Blackwood did. Tony isn’t a long hitter and did struggle early on in his round. As the round progressed, he started to score a little better but wasn’t going to trouble the winning score, I’m sure he’ll agree. However, on the 18th, he won the nearest in three prize. It was an unassuming win, he didn’t do anything spectacular he simply hit his tee shot then his second, his third he hit a shot which landed short of the green ran up towards the flag and stopped near the flag. From the fairway it looked closer to the flag than the marker which was already on the green looking close. The pin marker was so close I’m sure it was a putt that got it there! Once on the green we checked the name on the marker, and it was big hitting Carlton Donalds, and it was a putt that he’d knocked close to the flag having reached the green in two. Unlucky for Carlton we measured Tony’s shot, and it was closer to the hole. With the final putt from the group Tony duly dropped the birdie putt to end his round.

Back in the club house when all the names of the nearest the pin winners was announced it Carlton’s name was mentioned mistakenly as the winner of the nearest in three, this was corrected by players in Tony’s group and with much banter and applause Tony received his prize.

The banter is something that helps with the social side of a CGS event and it wasn’t missing at the Welcome. The committee have for the last few years introduced fines to members for lateness, wearing hats in the clubhouse, wearing the wrong shirt, and failing to sign in during registration, it’s all in good fun and helps to raise funds for our charitable causes. At the Welcome there were several players who got fined for all the above reasons, there were moans and groans, but everyone paid up, it’s not a lot of money but it all helps at the end of the season when we hand a cheque to the charity at the presentation evening.

So, thanks to the committee for the organisation and well done to all winners especially Keith Salmon in winning the CGS Memorial Trophy.

Next event will be held at Lilleshall Golf Club on the 9th of June. It’s a popular venue and can’t be missed, hopefully we’ll have a great sunny day competing for the Caricom Cup.