The penultimate event of the 2024 season was held at Harborne Golf Club. The Harry Colt designed par 70 course which is home to CGS member Dale Bromfield hosted the CGS for the TNCMC Trophy. The TNCMC trophy (The National Caribbean Monument Charity – www.caribbeanmonument.co.uk ) an organization established to raise funds for a monument to be erected in honour of those members of the Caribbean islands who served the British Armed forces and the Merchant Navy during the world wars. CGS past member Don Campbell who served in the Royal Air Force is one of the driving figures in progressing this much needed monument to remember that not only did home grown individuals represent Britain during those conflicts but also many came from those colonised islands in the Caribbean who stepped up and gave their lives for what was to them the mother country. It was Don who presented the idea to CGS committee to host an event in the name of this organisation and thus forth the TNCMC trophy was born.

The Harborne Course which is over six thousand yards long looked in great shape upon our arrival. The sky was gloomy, and the rain started falling, it wasn’t looking great, only days prior the forecast wasn’t looking very good as heavy rain was being predicted, so to arrive with rain falling it was looking ominous. Considering the amount of rainfall that the region had experienced during the week the course held up very well and this was noted by our vice-captain Paul Ramsey during the presentation after play. His comments were that none of us had mud on our shoes or even muddy trousers and this was down to the green staff for the exceptional work they’d done to maintain the playing surface.

With the fairways looking good the only gripe was the greens were slow. With the rain in the week, they were a little slow but that was to be expected giving the conditions. Although on the slow side they looked pretty good and with the undulations on some of the greens positional play was still key to a good score.

This venue has now been on the roster for several years and is a favourite amongst the members. Its not a long course which gives even the shortest hitters a chance of scoring well, the only challenge being the doglegged fairways and two tired greens.

With the predicted heavy rain somehow missing us by, it was a welcome site to be playing in glorious sunshine instead. The sunny conditions was a huge bonus considering the heavy rain being predicted two days prior, the predicted conditions even prompted some members to question the status of the course and if it would be open or not.

With some 31 members in attendance, it was still a well-represented event even though rain was expected. The field included two guests, travelling from London to play was Leo Faure a member of the ACGA a golf society in London and visiting from South Africa was lady golfer Seleco Mokgatle.

Once play got under-way the slight rain abated and was replaced with glorious sunshine. Even though short, the course must be respected, approach shots into some greens if left short would roll off the green and any shots above a front pin position would normally run a lot quicker downhill pulled up short still leaving a tricky downhill putt, it was a tricky day to say the least.

Out of the 33 playing only 13 broke the 30-point mark with the winner posting 36 points, winning on count-back.

The on-course prizes were again available to all in attendance, guests and members alike. They were held on the 3rd, 14th, 15th and 8th holes. The winners were Paul Ramsey winning the nearest the pin on the 3rd, Ludlow Stewart winning the nearest the pin on the 14th, Roan McLeod winning the nearest in two on the 15th and Vassel Brown winning the nearest in three on the 8th

The main prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd were Roan McLeod scoring 34 points coming in 3rd place. In 2nd place loosing out on count-back scoring 36 points was Andy Lynch, and winning his first Major of the season also with 36 points was Ludlow Stewart, the man who’s membership at Harborne Church Farm raised much banter and jokes at the presentation but Ludlow showed everyone that its not about the course but about hitting the required shot. No golf course is easy, its about hitting that little ball to a required location and repeating it again and again and that’s the difficulty that awaits us every time we play.. So, congratulations to Ludlow on winning the TNCMC trophy and well played.

With one event remaining to close out this season some of the other season long competitions are still up for grabs. The Order of Merit title is all but confirmed with Roan McLeod scoring his 4th 3rd place of the season taking an unassailable lead over second place man Anthony Davidson. The Birdie Challenge league, new for 2024 is almost in the bag for Roan as well, only second place man Trevor Lammy is within reach to upset that result, however not playing Harborne Trevor missed opportunities to add to his tally. So its down to the final major at Handsworth where a birdie fest is Trevor’s only opportunity to prevent Roan from winning.

The hunt for Divisional titles is still close in the 1st and 2nd divisions with Keith Salmon heading the 1st Division from Dale Bromfield  The 2nd Division sees Errol Murray, Micky Taylor, Al Beckford and George Branch all still in with a chance of that title. The 3rd Division has been wrapped up by Anthony Davidson who missed out on the overall Order of Merit title but as clinched the 3rd Division title, with only Handsworth to go he’s out of reach of second place man Tony Blackwood.

It’s been another successful CGS season culminating with our final event at Handsworth and with plenty still to play for its game-on!.

Thanks to all members and guests for attending, even with the possibility of rain looming, you were rewarded with glorious sunshine rather than being at home wishing you’d attended.

A big thank you to Harborne Golf Club for hosting another CGS event.