Douglas wins 3rd major at Wharton Park
With this being the last event before the 3rd Annual Carib-Morris Match scheduled for next Sunday the 19th September at the West Midlands Golf Course we were all ready and raring to go. This is of course the business end of the season. Four players could still become overall champion, as well as the divisional positions up for grabs, it is also the first qualifier for next years Carib-Morris Cup, this was an important day. Word was out that much hard work had been employed, with hours of dedicated practice put in. Now is the time to bring it to the party.
After registration many players headed for the driving range to loosen up, while others tuned up their putting and chipping strokes. Some players had taken the opportunity to play the course ahead of the event with good feedback being returned. One consistent theme was the amount of ground to be covered, lots of buggies were hired!
Ten groups assembled on the first tee and were introduced by the starter, before setting off up the first hole, a steep par 5, just the start to get the heart pumping.
Ian Higgins hit by far the best of several good first shots of the day, a monster straight up the middle an excellent start, what more did the day have in store?
With the first three holes being relatively isolated you quickly get the feeling you are the only ones on the course. We once again left a positive impression on the other visitors and members with our cobalt blue shirts looking very corporate. Comments were made that we were the best dressed society seen, praise indeed. Not only was the course a joy to behold, there was a bonanza of sparkling golf to boot.
We enjoyed the company of another first time guest Patrick Ukwade, a warm CGS welcome was extended to him, playing alongside Kilworth Springs winner (and Sapey Runner-up) Emmanuel Sylva, George Oliver and Elford Douglas.
The grouping of Mary and Keith Riley with Delores and David Simon was nice to see. We hope to see many more wives and couples joining us in the future, helping to reduce the level of testosterone that often flows around the course.
Rucha Ford, playing with Ken Brown and Carl Douglas, was “in the zone” a string of top quality tee shots struck with total ease. The day was looking like it could have been his especially when he began dismantling the back nine. Amen corner halted his run when following a birdie two, another superb tee shot was dispatched sadly landing in the drink and the subsequent dropped shot ended stuck in the reeds, no return recorded, golf can really test the best of us at times!
Ian Higgins found himself with a difficult decision to make after his tee shot on the longest drive hole 13 ended suspended mid air in a gorse bush. We should have taken a photograph.
CGS Chairman Earl Harris produced the CGS first Eagle of the season by driving the par 4, 2nd. Does this mean we need to acquire some crystal and open another category of achievement?
Ronald Ross shot a score of 38 points and was just edged out of third place by Mary Riley who continues a good run of form with her second Podium in three events taking third place with a 39 point return.
Order of Merit title contender Linton Bell in his first full CGS season produced an excellent round carding an impressive 41 points which included 24 points on the front nine. Thoughts of that maiden win were dashed as the eventual winner was still out on the course.
Congratulations to Carl Douglas playing off 13 who returned 43 points including three birdies enough to give him the win and further establish his lead in the 2010 Order of Merit. It was an excellent round from Carl whose impressive form continues. It looks like the 2010 Order of Merit is all but wrapped up, I can all but hear the “fat lady”! Looks like we’ll all be playing for bragging rights in the last event and a place in the team for the Carib-Morris Cup 2011.
Jacko Powell was the days sharpest shot winning the nearest the pin on the 10th.
The Longest drive with a hat trick of wins (new CGS record) goes Roan McLeod.
The show moves on with the 3rd Carib-Morris Cup taking place at The West Midlands Golf Club Sunday 19th September, Play Well Guys!
Our Final Major for 2010 takes place at the acclaimed Stapleford Park Melton Mowbray Leicestershire on Saturday 9th October. Places are limited so book early!