Winner - Dave Smith (left)
The sun was in full force for the CGS 3rd Major on the PGA national at the Belfry and with the largest field of the 2014 season, 32 members and guests came out in splendor . Mr Josh Johnson came out in what were purple trousers and of course he knew that he would get some ribbing if he failed to perform to the standard required by such attire. Also out in a nice pair of black and white brogue shoes was Vassel Brown, however the shoes don’t warrant has much ribbing as the purple pants by Mr Johnson, and they were a nice pair of shoes I must say.

The previous visit to the Belfry was last season for the annual founder’s day event which was played on the Derby course. The experience was one to be missed, players were hurried to complete their round be a pursuing course marshal. It was hoped that on this occasion the marshals wouldn’t be so persistent, on this occasion they wouldn’t prove to be a factor however the course would. We all found it challenging on the day and the scores proved the case.

There was a breeze which helped us all on the outward nine but the trouble started on the back. A term used by golfers when they fail to score a point on a hole is to call it a blob “I blobbed the hole” players would say! Well there were so many blobs on the back nine you thought they had started filming a new series of Noels house party and some bloke in a pink suit was playing. It was only recently that club secretary Denny Senior raised is game to new heights with his first win on founder’s day, but unfortunately on this occasion those skills left him. I think he could have kicked it around the back nine better than he did. You’ll have to review the scores from the event to see how he did. He wasn’t the only one, there were others who struggled badly, even Mr Johnson in the purple trousers didn’t live up to the attire, unfortunately he had to leave early – Josh we’ll be waiting for you at Swindon!

It was a difficult day for all; par for the day was 29 stable-ford points the lowest of the season. The bunkers played a big part in the results also. Former captain Elford Douglas couldn’t miss a bunker; he was in so much sand he must have thought he was in the Caribbean!

The winning score of 32 points was recorded by two members of the same group.   Dave Smith and Trevor Lammy both had steady rounds and it would be Dave who would take the victory on count-back with Linton Bell scoring 31 points to take the final 3rd place which was a big surprise to him, I guess he thought 31 points would have no chance.

This was a first victory for Dave since Kilworth Springs in 2012. It was yet another second place for Trevor Lammy whose now been second in all three Majors so far this season and pulling away on the order of Merit table. It’s yet another Coventry player vying to win player of the year. It also shows that just like Bob Dhammi last season you don’t have to win an event to be the champion golfer.

So with “Champions League” now gone it was down to a “Europa Cup” place! – The nearest the pin, longest drive and nearest the pin in two were still up for grabs. The nearest the pin prize went to Barry Smith, Longest drive went to Trevor Lammy and nearest in two went to Keith Salmon.

So a message to the rest of the CGS is to stop the men from Coventry. Next round will be at a CGS favorite, Swindon Golf Club near Wolverhampton.