Winner - Earl Harris (left)
The Worcestershire Golf Club was the welcoming venue for the Secretary Shield.  Once again a new venue for the CGS, on this occasion one of those well-established golf courses, not massively long but well designed with accuracy being the main focus rather than length. With many trees, bunkers and water hazards well placed to catch those wayward shots it would be a real challenge to all in attendance.  If you were successful enough with navigating those hazards off the tee the next task trying to place your ball in a good enough spot on the greens to prevent the dreaded three putts.  The greens on the Worcestershire were excellent, we were pre-warned by some of the members coming off the course before we started our round and after our play we were also told by the director of golf who came out to show his appreciation for our visit that earlier in the week the greens were much quicker than what’d experienced.

The 2017 season is looking like the season of the putter, the last two events we’ve played the putter has been the key scoring club.  The greens at Olton our last major were also excellent and on this occasion it was the putter that would prove key once again.

From the putting green we could all see the first tee and the green; it wasn’t long so most of the players were looking to drive the opening hole.  The first groups teed off with Roan McLeod using three wood and coming up short of the green with only a chip to the pin which was at the back of a very quick green, par followed after a regulation two putt.  Playing partner Keith Salmon also wedged onto the green and two putted for par; also in the group was Don Campbell who could only muster a bogey after a three putt.

Being a driveable hole it was advised to play it like a courtesy in order to speed up play, so whilst the second group were on the green the third group were called to tee off.  In the group was the big hitting Ian Higgins who unleashed his drive which took one bounce and rolled up onto the green to around 15 feet.  The question was raised to him later in the clubhouse if he’d eagled the hole, but with the slick greens it was the dreaded three putt as mentioned before which ensued for Ian, just a par was the result.

In the second group was CGS chairman Earl Harris who was familiar with the layout of the course having played it before on another occasion.  The experience would inevitably prove pivotal by the end of the day.

Scoring on the day wasn’t very high and that was as a result of the tricky greens which were difficult to read as well as being quick, thoughts from the players was 35 or maybe 36 points would win the event as anything on the high side would be difficult indeed.  Well 35 points would prove to be the number that Earl Harris shot in winning the Secretary’s Shield.  Chairman Harris is very consistent, winning at least once every season.  The only thing missing is the CGS order of merit title but this season could be his chance.  With this win he’s now lying second to Ian Higgins with three events remaining. 

The standard scratch score for the day was 31 points that just shows how the CGS members coped with the course; it would be the greens that protected the course from scores nearing the forty point mark.  Coming in second after count back was the ever consistent Dave Brown; followed in third by Martin Chidgey, both posting 32 points, Carlton Donald the proverbial guest also posting 32 points would have been third if he was a member.

Also making a guest appearance was Martin Braham and Ken Charles who came to get a feel for our society and the level of play but didn’t participate in the event.  I’m sure Ken got some good feedback and can see that we are well organised, fun and competitive.  Also in attendance was Gina Smith who became interested in Golf from her Mother and Father and came to experience a day of golf and all it entails, we understand it maybe a possible topic for study whilst at university in Wolverhampton, especially from a black perspective, we wish her well in her endeavour. 

As usual the nearest the pin, longest drive and nearest in two prizes were also being played for on the day and the winners were as follows:

Trevor Lammy who struggled trying to read the greens won the consolation of the longest drive prize which was held on the 16th.  Clyde Pile won the nearest the pin prize on the 3rd hole with a tee shot that landed to around 10 feet.  The nearest in two prize was held on the final hole and was won by guest Martin Braham, who’s second shot landed 12 feet from the flag.

This concludes another successful CGS event; once again all in attendance have done themselves proud with the speed of play. We were all back in the clubhouse in good time and fed with a nice meal presented by the Worcestershire kitchen staff and the presentation of prizes went smoothly also.

So a big thanks to the Worcestershire Golf Club for the warm welcome not only from the kitchen staff to the Pro in the shop and the members the CGS appreciated your hospitality and we are very much looking for to playing the course again in 2018.