I knew what I was getting into when I chose golf. Hell, I knew I’d never get rich and famous. All the discrimination, the not being able to play where I deserved and wanted to play – in the end, I didn’t give a damn. I was made for a tough life because I’m a tough man. And in the end, I won: I got a lot of black people playing golf.

Charlie Sifford.

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The Caribbean Golf Society bandwagon rolled onto Whittlebury Park the Golf, Hotel and Spa facility near Silverstone raceway for the final Golf Major of the year played over two days for the Charlie Sifford Memorial Trophy.

Twenty eight members and guests joined in what would be a great weekend of golf, fun and laughter, with Trevor ‘Big Guns’ Lammy and Dave ‘Silent Assassin’ Brown holding the top two positions on the Order of Merit for the 2016 champion golfer. The scene was set with Trevor only 32 points behind going into the final major needing to dig deep to produce one of his top performances in order to overhaul the deficit.

The rest of the members were able to relax knowing the prize for champion golfer was beyond their reach,  however the weekend was not only about the season ending prize, there was still the final major to play for, so all the members were charged up and ready to go.

It was really a game of two halves with ex-Captain Elford Douglas leading the way at the end of the first day with 35 Stableford points but as a guest player he would be ineligible for the main prize.   Unfortunate for Elford but now promoted into joint first on the first day were five other players who all came in with 33 points all with a chance of winning this trophy.

In the meantime Trevor was feeling the heat, with his game not firing on all cylinders and not knowing how well Dave was playing in a separate four ball his first round score was not the desired result, he knew he had the game to overcome his fears so was still quietly confident. Whilst Dave also knew, all he had to do was play steady and the Golfer of the Year prize would be his.

The longest drive went to Chairman Junior Harris.

Nearest the Pin was won by Frank McCook.

Nearest the Pin in two was one by Rhucha Ford.

With the first round out of the way it was time to check into the hotel and prepare for the evening.  With good and bad golf out of the way, everyone was in good spirits as the drinks flowed! There was laughter, good conversation and games of Dominoes like you’ve never heard, ‘Six Love!!’ I hear (if only).  With morning fast approaching it was time for bed before the morning Tee-off!

The second day was upon us and with the final group confirmed and in PGA tour style Dave and Trevor would be going out in the final four ball for the final face off!

In front of them was some strong play, with Ian Higgins, Paul Ramsey, Tony Sealey, and Micky Taylor all playing very well and really putting in some very strong performances for the race for the final major of the year.

While the leaders of the first day found it tough going on the second day, others were recording lots of birdies and pars and the odd bogey to register some good scores.  Ken Brown, who won the previous major, went from Champ to Chump (his own words!), recording the lowest score of the weekend. However, over the weekend one could see possible major winners for next year, including some of our newest members. 

There were some technical difficulties during the final calculations caused by cards being incorrectly completed which caused some confusion over the final placings, however, once the corrections were completed the winner of the major and first recipient of the new Charley Sifford Memorial Trophy in honour of, one of the pioneers for Africans in golf went to Ian Higgins with a combined score of 31 & 36 = 67 points, in second place on count back with his best score of the season scoring 32 & 35 = 67 points closing out the Order of Merit title was Dave Brown and coming in 3rd place with scores of 28 & 38 = 66 points was Paul Ramsey.

Well done to all the winners over the weekends 8th Major.  Special congratulations must go to Dave Brown who has been the most consistent player of the year producing his best golf at the season ending Major and pushing him all the way his main competitor Trevor Lammy whom being a previous Champion was unable to make it a CGS first by winning the title twice.

Thanks to the Caribbean Golf Society members for supporting all the events throughout the year and a big thank you from all the members and guests to our committee who put in so much time, effort and enthusiasm as un-paid volunteers.

Round 1

Round 2

Final Result