Maxstoke Park was once again the venue for a CGS major. The par 72 course set in the Warwickshire countryside is the home course to our chairman Earl Harris who this year resides as Maxstoke’s current player’s captain. Its through Junior as he’s known within the CGS that we can play at this wonderful venue.

Since its inclusion on the CGS roster events held at Maxstoke have been well attended and this year was no different, with 39 CGS members including one guest all the way from Jamaica via Bristol in attendance.

The golf course was in fantastic shape the greens were the best the CGS have played on all year, they were rapid and true, a great putting surface.

This event unfortunately clashed on the same day the final of Euro 2024 which was being held in Germany to which England was playing Spain. The kick-off wasn’t starting until 8pm however with CGS members travelling from Nottingham, Bristol and other far reaches of the midlands it was imperative that we left on-time to reach home to watch the game. England’s route to the final wasn’t the greatest display of football however that didn’t matter they’d reach their second final in succession and hopefully the moment the country had been praying for years to see the team winning their first major championship since 1966.

With plenty of sunshine and a quality course on play got under-way. Out in the first group with the intention to get round as quickly as possible were three players from Bristol, Andy Mac, Roan McLeod, and guest Tennis Russel who’s over from Jamaica for a few weeks and getting in plenty of golf whilst here. The three of them set the pace for the rest to follow and unfortunately rushed off after their round and headed home after what was a lovely meal provided by the staff at Maxstoke. Apart from Roan who later found out that he’d won a nearest the pin prize none of them were in contention for the top spot, although if it weren’t for a blob on the last Roan as well as five others could have won the event, with the top six separated by two points. Anyway, it was back down the motorway to Bristol for the trio to watch England lose yet another final.

With the Bristol boys cruising down the M5 the final groups were yet to complete the 18th at Maxstoke. Once all the groups were in and the final points tallied the winners were announced. Along with Roan who’d won nearest the pin on the 16th, there was Keith Salmon who won nearest the pin on the 2nd and Trevor Lammy who’d won nearest in two and nearest in three on the 15th and 8th respectively.

With the top six players within two points of each other, there can only be one winner and it was the man who’s shown the most improvement this year and that was George Branch. The big man produced the goods again this year after claiming his second CGS title of the 2024 season after claiming the trophy at Druids Heath back in April. It was mentioned in the report on that event that his game was on the ascendency, and it truly is, with 32 points winning score George claimed the secretaries shield on count-back from Al Beckford with Ronald Ross in a close third a further point behind.

With four major events now out the way the run-in for the Order of Merit is in full flow. The next event will take place at Lingdale Golf Club where the current order of merit leader Keith Salmon will be hoping to add to his points tally.

Thanks to the committee for another well organised event and a special thanks to Maxstoke Park for their hospitality especially the bar staff. To our chairman and the current Maxstoke captain Earl Harris for once again arranging this fixture it’s a big thank you, hopefully we’ll be back again next season.