Winner Ansel Pottinger (right)
Our 3rd major event of the season saw the CGS bandwagon role up at one of the most favored courses in our calendar. By common consent, Swindon golf course in Dudley is widely considered to be one of the most picturesque courses in the midlands. As the sun shone on this beautiful parkland course the conditions were set fair for some good golf. The main obstacle to good golf was the unique challenges of the Swindon course itself. Not many golf courses can boast tree lined fairways on every hole whilst also having true running greens. Among the outstanding characteristics of this mature course is the sure knowledge that, no matter how far you can drive the ball, very few golfers are likely to succeed in overpowering this well laid out course.

The full complement of competitors was 34 and easily the largest group to attend a major for some time. Ronald Ross (vice chairman) is so enamored with the Swindon course, due to past successes, that he arrived early having had little or no sleep since returning to the UK from his time in the Caribbean.

As each four ball group teed off the recently introduced CGS group marshaling system was again in operation. However, on this occasion the average round exceeded the target 4.5 hours. Needless to say, the committee will review this to determine what further steps can be taken to ensure better adherence to this plan to reduce the time taken to complete our rounds.

The nearest the pin contest was won by Linton Bell while the nearest the pin in two was won by Eric Queely. Congratulations to you both.

Scoring for the day was good and third place was won by the consistent Mr Frank McCook who came in with a total of 37 points playing off a handicap of 14. Such has been the nature of Frank’s consistency over the last12 months that it is something of a surprise not to see him among the top three scores. I think there is much to be learned from Frank and his commitment to the game and his determination to improve. Well done Frank for raising the bar and challenging us all to up our games.

In second place was the ever cool, calm and always understated Mr Ian Higgins with a score of 38 points, playing off a handicap of 11. What else is there to say about Ian that hasn’t already been said? Once again, Ian shows us all the value of maintaining a relaxed and positive mental attitude on the golf course.  Mr Higgins remains one of the CGS’s best and most consistent ball strikers. Well done Ian.

Swindon’s winner, Ansel Pottinger produced a scintillating back 9 that saw him amass 26 points on the inward 9 alone. Not only did Ansel’s back 9 score outscore the combined total of many others, but his ball striking was a pleasure to behold. Ansel made 15 points on the front nine and by holes 8 and 9 it was noticeable that he was beginning to find his range. Ansel is not currently using any woods and his performance was therefore all the more impressive. Playing his a handicap of 21 Ansel achieved a total of 41 points to win his first major. Well done sir and it was a joy to see and hear you hit the ball so well.

As we look forward to our 4th major at Wharton Park, let’s hope the sun keeps shining and the conditions for golf continue to improve.