Winner of the Players Trophy - Keith Salmon (left)
The season has been long and testing but is nearing the end with only two events remaining. Our most recent trip was to the Menzies Welcome in Stratford, it was the second straight year we’ve visited this venue, last years event was where Dale Bromfield stole the show with his first major win to take the Players Trophy. With 32 players in attendance for our return and the added pressure it wouldn’t be easy for Dale to repeat his achievement from last year especially since his handicap isn’t what it was back then but he was in good spirit before play started and was here to defend his title.

Amongst the 32 players were three guests, once again Ken Charles made a return to a CGS event and this occasion he brought his clubs after just walking the course last time out. Also in attendance were two new guests Karl Frail and Dave Ward.

The rest of the field was made up of some regular faces apart from Eric Queely and Micky Taylor who are regular CGS attendees but on this occasion couldn’t make the event due to both challenging for their home club championship, good luck to them both!

The weather was fine considering the recent showers, the course was in good condition and the greens were speedy. Last year Dale won the event with 35 points, so any score around that mark would be in with a shout of lifting the Players Trophy.

The scores from the early groups nestled around the 30 mark and below, until a few 31’s and above started rolling in and then a 36 dropped on my table. This followed by a 34, however the ceiling for the day would be 36 and it was a mark that was made by Keith Salmon. Keith has been playing well this season and it’s down to hard work. In his own words Keith has been practicing at his home club of Halesowen and it’s starting to pay dividends, as they say practice makes permanent. This now moves Keith into 3rd place in the Order of Merit standings behind CGS Chairman Earl Harris and the man out front Ian Higgins. Improving his chances of a first Order of Merit title was Earl (Junior) Harris who posted the second highest score of 34 points. That score as allowed him to close right up on Ian Higgins who could only manage 7th on the day. In third place on the day and on count-back was Linton Bell, who played some steady golf to claim third, but the man of the moment was Keith who no doubt will have his eye on the big prize going into our next event.

The chance for all in attendance to pick up a prize came again with the nearest the pin, longest drive and on this occasion nearest the pin in three. The nearest the pin was held on the 6th hole and with a mark of 12 feet was Keith Salmon added to his 1st place prize, a good day in all for Keith. The longest drive was held on the 16th hole and no one could beat the big hitting Mr Higgins once again. The nearest in three was held on the par five 18th and the 6 meter mark posted from Adrian Swaby in the first group out would only stand for a very short time until Roan McLeod reached the green in two and putting for eagle missed the hole but left a marker of six and a half inches. Hoping to pick up the prize Roan was pretty certain to have it in the bag until Mr Higgins stood on the tee. According to his playing partners he popped something in his mouth and then ripped a drive down the fairway. The length of the drive could only be measured by the club used for his second which was an eight iron lady’s and gentlemen, an eight iron! What was it he popped in his mouth only Ian knows! Anyway his second hit the green and he missed the eagle leaving the putt two inches from the hole. In Ian’s mind he thought the hole was nearest in two hence the long drive, anyway it was loooong!

Thanks again all those who attended yet another successful CGS event. The day ran well however there were some concerns raised over the dreaded slow play. We have all improved on that issue in the previous events so we just need to be mindful and to not let it slip, “keep up with the group in front and not ahead of the group behind”.

Thanks to the staff at the Welcome who provided a very nice fish and chips which was well received, we thank you for welcoming us back and we hope to play the course again in the near future.

With only two events remaining it’s now crunch time for those looking to challenge for the Order of Merit title, Ian Higgins and Junior Harris are separated by one of the smallest margins we’ve seen, so it’s all to play for – No Pressure gents!

Speaking of pressure when the third group consisting of Roan Mcleod, Linton Bell, Elford Douglas and Tony Sealey reached the 17th tee, what awaited was a challenging tee shot over a very large pond to a narrow fairway from an elevated tee. It was one of those holes that could wreck a good score. Anyway Roan decided to go for it, he ripped his 3 wood down the middle, Linton stepped up and ripped his shot down the middle, up stepped Elford who also ripped his tee shot down the middle and now it was Tony’s turn, I’m sure reading this you’re probably expecting something bad but on the contrary Tony stepped up with all the pressure and ripped his driver down the middle. It was a memorable moment for that group.

Next event will be at Little Lakes, those in contention need to bring there “A Game”, it’s going to be a very interesting next couple events.