Starting in 2007 from humble beginnings the CGS is now in its 17th season. We have come a long way since those early days when a handful of local golfers got together to start what is now one of the premier societies in the Midlands.

Golfers from different parts of the country have shown interest in playing golf with the CGS and over our 17 year history the CGS must have accommodated hundreds golfers who’ve played at least once with the CGS.

Over the years the CGS have maintained a decent membership but have accommodated many visitors who just wanted a game. With an established membership several have put themselves forward to form our committee who have created a schedule of events which is played throughout the season which cumulates with a champion golfer for the season, who’s play has shown to be the most consistent throughout the season.

In the early days with a smaller membership there was the one prize awarded to the Order of Merit winner the golfer with the most points gained from all the events. Later on we introduced a prize for the most birdies scored in the season and in those days we even had a prize for the best dressed golfer. In most recent times the number of events has increased along with the membership which allowed for more prizes to be awarded such as a divisional winners depending on a players handicap.

Along with our events which we call Majors which are played using the Stableford scoring format, there is also our Founders Day event which is held every year on Good Friday, to remember the first event played back in 2007 which was held on Good Friday. This event isn’t included in the tally of wins going to the Order of Merit but is still well attended and comes with a prize to the winner and on occasion some additional on course prizes.

With the increasing numbers in membership and visitors the opportunity presented itself to hold a weekend event played over two days with the best score accumulated over the two days providing the winner. This event started as a two day Major to then evolving into what it is today which is a two Major weekend. The Saturday scores would go towards a Major event win with the winner being awarded the winning prize during the evening’s entertainment. The scores from the Saturday would then be combined with the scores from the Sunday to give the winner of the second Major.

A CGS season consists of nine Major events along with the Founders day. Also on a two year basis there is our Champion of Champions event which hosts all the major winners since 2007, although only the former major winners can win the overall prize and be crowned the Champion of Champions non major winners can also play in the event.

In the early days of CGS we organised Ryder Cup stile match with another Midlands based society and that ran for several seasons, it was great fun and the two societies got on really well. This event however eventually ran its course and is no more. This however sparked what was first deemed the 3way-Match which consisted of three societies from different parts of the country. There was the CGS from the Midlands, the ACGA from the London area and the Titans from Bristol and the South West. This event was also bi-annual and has been held at different courses around the country. The first event was held at Heythrop Park and was won by the ACGA who out of the three societies have been the most established and longest running. The event format was again based on the Ryder Cup and was very competitive. The event two years later went to the Forest of Arden where the CGS and the Titans were joint winners defeating the Londoners. After a period where the event failed to materialise its now been revitalised and is back on the schedule for the foreseeable future.

With a growing membership the CGS introduced our annual Presentation Dinner and dance where members and guests come together to enjoy each others company outside of the golfing arena. Its also a time to give back to the less fortunate and give thanks for the golf we’ve been lucky enough to play that season. Over the years the CGS has raised thousands for various charities, not only from the raffle tickets sold on presentation night but also from different golfing money making exploits we’ve introduced during the season for charity. All the funds raised is then presented to a representative for out nominated charity during the evening. Also on the night each major winner is presented with a prize along with each divisional winner and the person with the most birdies scored during the season and finally the Order of Merit title is then presented to the Champion golfer of the season.

The presentation evening closes the events for the season. (click here for presentation photos)

So on to the 2023 Season:

The 2023 season began with the first major of the year held at The Welcome Hotel Golf and Spa over in Stratford Upon Avon in the Warwickshire country side. It was a great turnout for the first event of the season, after a long winter break everyone were eager to get going again. There was some doubt on the event taking place due to poor weather but that soon abated and play took place with all members hoping to lift the Fix-Up trophy. On the day it was a close call for the top three spots with 34 points being the highest number shared between Dave Brown, Lloyd Thomas and Ansel Pottinger. The decision went to count-back and Ansel Pottinger came out the victor.

After the founders day event which took place at Cleobury Mortimer and was won by Ludlow Stewart with a net 69, proceedings moved on to the 2nd Major of the season held at an old familiar Bewdley Pines. With another great turnout the man of the moment who in the first Major you could say was the strongest player holding up the entire field was Noel Wright. With a poor finish at the Welcome, it was a welcome back to the head of the field for Noel with a 40 pointer on a dry Bewdley Pines winning the Caricom Cup in the process.

The 3rd Major for the CGS Memorial Trophy was held at Glen Gorse Golf Club in Leicestershire. This was a new venue for the CGS and again the event was well attended by CGS members and guests. The 2023 season was looking like a season for new winners and this event didn’t disappoint, George Branch was the man of the moment winning his first CGS Major and taking home the Memorial Trophy with a 36 point win on count-back from Carl Douglas. George is a man who loves his golf and he’s been practising more than anyone else in the society and his efforts have started to bring fruit.

We are now already into June and up next was the Captains Trophy held at a CGS staple, Lilleshall Golf club. With another large field Eddie Wedderburn was the man taking home the Captains Trophy with a one shot victory over Landis Brooks. His 38 points score was enough to see Eddie return to the winner circle after clinching the 2022 Order of Merit.

The 5th Major was held at Maxstoke Golf Club, home to chairman Junior Harris. What seems to now be the norm, it was another well attended event. All the members in the field were competing for the Secretaries Shield and it was the man from Bristol who took the honours. Andy Mac outscored another home course player Landis Brooks posting 37 points to pip Landis by a shot. It was Andy’s first win since he started playing with the CGS and well deserved it was.

The attendance figures have not been the only trend this season, the scoring has been very close, most of the event winners have either won by a shot or on count-back and it was the latter once again which decided the 6th Major of the season at Lingdale Golf Club. It wasn’t a high scoring event but there’s always a winner. Wining on count-back with 31 points was Anthony Davidson who pipped Keith Salmon in to second and Al Beckford in to third, all three posting 31 points. This was Anthony’s first CGS victory, his back-nine score was good enough for him to lift the Players Trophy.

Now into August and the CGS weekender. Once again the venue was Carden Park, a deal of recompense after the poor condition of the course the previous year. The course conditions were a massive improvement to the last year and was well worth a second visit. The weekender includes two Majors the Saturday’s play concludes the Chairman’s Trophy and the winner with 35 points and yet again winning on count-back was Micky Taylor who pushed Noel Wright into second. The weekender includes both the Chairman’s Trophy as the 7th Major and a two day scoring tally for the 8th Major the Charlie Sifford Memorial Trophy. With the scores from day one deciding the winner of the Chairman’s Trophy the same points went to towards the Charlie Sifford trophy and on the second day Micky posted 32 points which combined with his day one score was enough to seize victory and the Charlie Sifford Memorial Trophy.

Its been a long season and before the 9th Major at Druids Heath for the TNCMC trophy there was a little matter of the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown as its been renamed used to be called the 3-Way Match, a weekend event between societies in Birmingham, London and Bristol. The CGS against the ACGA from London and the Bristol Titans. Over the years those London boys have taken most of the honours. This fixture has been missing for several years but as now been resurrected to be held bi-annually. The venue for this seasons event was the Cotwalds Hotel Golf and Spa. Although the venue didn’t live up to expectation the golf was as always very competitive. The golf was enjoyed by all but it was the ACGA who were once again the victors, their preparation for the event set a standard the CGS and Titans will need to address for future encounters.

The final major of the season the TNCMC trophy was held at Druids Heath another new venue for the CGS and to not ruin the trend it was a well attended event. By this time the order of merit was close between Micky Taylor, Noel Wright and Carlton Tomlinson. Carlton had suddenly appeared in the running he wasn’t visible all season having not won a Major but that was about to change. With a 36 point score at Druids Heath he was not only going to claim the TNCMC trophy in winning the 9th Major but he was also going to win the Order of Merit title. It was the most out of the blue 2 for 1 victory you could imagine. Even though he’d not won a Major prior to Druids Heath he’d been racking up points throughout the season and along with his only win had done enough to be crowned the Champion Golfer of 2023.

With all the Majors out the way the final event was our Champion of Champions event. This is an event for all past Major winners and will be a bi-annual event swapping places with the Triple Crown. This years event was held at Gaudet Luce and again a strong field was in attendance. This is a medal formatted event and the spoils went to Dale Bromfield with a net score of 68 playing off a handicap of 12. Dale posted a gross score of 80 which was good enough to win on net by two shots from Ludlow Stewart.

With all the golfing events done for the year the final event was our Presentation Dinner and Dance which again was held at The Pavillion in Birmingham. It was a chance for the members to bring their family and friends to a CGS event which isn’t golf. Its also a presentation evening where all the major winners are presented with their winning prizes. The player who scored the most birdies also receives a prize on the night along with the three divisional winners and the winner of the Order of Merit title. The CGS committee have always done a stellar job in organising the event and again they didn’t disappoint. There was a comedian and a DJ

providing the entertainment on the night. At the start of the season the CGS nominates its chosen charity which will receive money raised through different competitions during the season and money raised on the night of the presentation with a raffle. This year as it was last year the committee nominated the West Midlands Caribbean Parents & Friends Association to receive our charitable donations. Throughout the season £150 was accumulated from the birdie competitions held and on the night of the presentation, the raffle sales raised another £700 giving a total of £850 raised for a very worthy cause. On the night represent ion from the charity was in attendance to receive the amount raised. It was so well received with a big thank you card signed by the elders from the charity.

The West Midlands Caribbean Parent & Friends Association provides support and promotes programmes for social welfare, cultural, educational and recreational events for improving the quality of life for Caribbean residents in the community. Our mission based on our legacy is to empower local people by promoting learning, health and general well-being through the community and cultural inclusiveness.

The Association, a charity has embarked upon a remarkable journey since its creation over 50 years ago. It is the oldest and longest standing black community group in Wolverhampton and was fortunate to celebrate its 50 years jubilee for community services on the 16th May 2009.

Season 2023 is all but done, its been one of the most attended seasons since our inception back in 2007. Great job committee!