Rossi Shines In The Rain
The largest field of the season had booked to play this event – some 44 CGS members and guests, however some did not fancy the challenge the rain provided and thought better of it, leaving 40 golfers to face the wind and rain. Due to the conditions there was very little activity on the course which allowed the CGS yet another first; a two-tee start. However even though 40 started the day not all completed their rounds finding the conditions to unpleasant to continue after 9 holes.
The rain and wind was persistent and whether you started in the first or last group your whole round was a constant battle against the conditions. The most common comment from the members was the lack of grip and some experienced this more than others. As the story goes, “we had to use a ball retriever to get his driver out of the tree”. This was the outcome of one of Vassel Browns attempted tee shots and one which provided all with much amusement during the presentations.
The rain certainly posed a challenge and preparation was the key to getting the most out of your round. This was one of those days when you play well and enjoy the conditions or have an off day and the conditions can dampen your spirits.
36 stableford points was the mark several believed would be a winning score today and for most of the day this looked to be the case. CGS handicap secretary Roan McLeod an 8 handicapper out in the first group on the first hole, recorded a credible round of 36 points scoring a chip-in birdie on the first hole followed by another on the 3rd, which could have easily gone 15 feet pass if hadn’t hit the hole. In the clubhouse and thinking that his 36 points could win the event, it was a long wait to eventually find out that it would only be good enough for 3rd place.
Those who’ve played this course will testify to the speed and the severe test of the greens and in particular the 3rd. Even with the amount of rain experienced the greens were still very fast, a testament to the green staff at Swindon. I can’t imagine how tough the 3rd green could be in mid summer.
Swindon is not a long golf course measuring only 6121 from the white tees and 5951 yards off the yellow tees, so it was a challenge to find a hole long enough to hold the longest drive. The decision came down to the 3rd hole which was the flattest and only hole with a straight fairway. A narrow fairway and measuring only 339 yards, this hole wasn’t going to about length but more so requiring a little bit more accuracy. Most of the CGS big hitters had done their research on Swindon and knew that it wasn’t a course to let rip with the “Big Dog”, so a 3 wood would be the longest club in the bag. However with no knowledge of the course the “Big Dog” came out to eat, with its master in toe, CGS guest Franklyn John. Franklyn travelled down from London and didn’t go home empty handed, hitting a long bomb down the middle to capture the trophy.
Most of the field struggled to find enough grip to hit a decent shot. Josh Johnson a winner already this year struggled all day but found solace in a lovely birdie on the par 3 17th. This was Josh’s only highlight apart from some decent driving. Only trouble he couldn’t capitalise on his tee shots due to the club slipping from his hands when hitting his approach shots. His spirits were high after that birdie though!
What’s becoming a routine this year is the customary practice round before the main event. One of the main protagonists for this is our chairman Junior Harris. Junior played this course twice before this weekend and knew where all the trouble was and how he would play the course. Everyone who knows Junior will know him for his massive drives and not just long but hit with a draw. A shot shape that he’s developed very well and is the envy of me I must say. As long driving is his thing, is trouble comes from his second shot into the green. Being so long off the tee Junior always finds himself with short irons into greens but messes up the shot and can make bogey from 100 yards. Many people have told him “Junior, leave the driver at home when you go to range and work on your short irons” no not Junior “What for” he would say. Well Swindon golf course has spoken and Junior has finally listened. With driver out of hand Junior posted the days other 36 pointer with a solid 20 point back nine. A score that would secure 2nd place on count back. So Junior, leave the driver at home once in a while!. Mind you, he hits the 3 wood just as far….chuh!
The stage is now set for the man of the moment 14 handicapper Mr Ronald Ross. Mr Ross or “Rossi” as we call him loves this golf course and another who describes it as “a proper golf course”. Rossi, having played this course several times with former Swindon member Micky Taylor, as accumulated his own course notes for Swindon. It’s obvious that those notes have paid dividends. The round was going well until he reached the 17th. The 17th was designated as our nearest the pin hole, so a good knock on this whole could add more joy to an already solid round.
The 17th at Swindon is an elevated green from the tee, so any shots on that green cannot be seen from the tee. Some hit wedge and some hit 9 iron, however moving back two clubs length on the tee Mr Ross took an 8 iron. When Rossi got to the green he couldn’t see his ball, he looked back, front, and side of the green but no ball. In his mind he must have been thinking that he’d hit a good tee shot, but where is the ball. Now it was looking like a return to the tee or even worse a no-score. One last thought was “Let me check the hole”, Well you may guess it’s in the hole but “No”……..just jokes! Yes it was, a “Hole in One”, a first for the CGS. Some golfers can go a whole career and never get this lucky; well this was Rossi’s 3rd. “Nearest the Pin” prize now gone to Mr Ross with that shot. The closest at the time was 6 feet, on any other day that mark would have been good enough.
The CGS vice chairman went on to complete his round and score an event winning 38 points, to round off a prosperous day. He’s not a long or high ball hitter but this course setup nice for his style in the conditions.
Other notable scores:
Former CGS member Ellis Williams also returned a credible score in the challenging conditions scoring 29 points. Rodney Dillon was another who managed to keep his powder dry and fired in a good 32 points. Winner at Wharton Park, Nation Burrows 32 points also showing his game is still on.
Keith Salmon handled the conditions well to produce a solid 30 points.
Tennis Russell, who travelled from Southampton to play in a CGS event also produced a solid round of 31 points. It just shows how far and wide the name of the Caribbean Golf Society as travelled.
The presentation went down with the usual flare from CGS captain Jacko Powell and the fish and chips was a welcome site after a wet round.
The CGS also presented a card of congratulations to recently married Jay Berryman, wishing both bride and groom best wishes for the future.
All in all it was a challenging day, everyone who turned up and played deserved credit. On any other day waking up to those conditions no one would go and play golf. It’s a credit to the commitment of the CGS members and guests.
To all the guests who made the journey, we hope you can become members. We promise you’ll enjoy our events but we can’t promise the weather; Ellis Williams, Stephen Gabriel and Franklyn John.
Swindon Golf Club, thank you for a quality layout and fantastic greens, hopefully we can return to better conditions. And all the catering staff the “fish and chips” went down well.