The perennial CGS favorite, Swindon Golf Club played host to the 4th major of the 2014 season. The sun shone down on a day that seemed ripe for a big score but there was nobody pulling up any trees.

34 points was enough to carry the day and the CGS first Captains Trophy, but the score could have been so much better for Junior Harris who had 4 blobs in his excellent round. Well done to him for a good knock playing off an 11 handicap.

Carl Cunningham came close but was a point short playing off 27 handicap, just a putt here and a chip there Carl! – keep it going.

3rd place and the longest drive went to the little man that hits it a long way Mr Ian Higgins. He would have been piped to the 3rd place prize by the popular returning veteran CGS member Nat Burrows who played as a visiting guest.

Nearest the pin was won by the witty, some would say droll but ever popular Micky Taylor, whilst the biggest cheer of the day for the 2nd time this year went to nearest pin in 2 winner our very own Denny the Sec Senior.

The fact it was counterbalanced with a third visit to Bugsy’s notorious chair went almost unnoticed.

At the midway point in the season the race for the divisional titles is hotting up with Trevor Lammy and Charlie McCook looking strong in the first and third divisions respectively, flying the Coventry flag.

Whilst Mr nice guy himself Linton Bell quietly dominates division two and knocks on the door of the overall Order of Merit alongside several other veterans of the challenge, such as Messer’s Queely, Higgins and Smith who are jogging along well.

It looks like it could be wide open this year unless Mr Lammy returns quickly to the form he showed in the first three Majors.

A poignant moment was shared in the clubhouse when sadly there was a need for a minutes silence to be held for the 2nd time running due to members having tragically lost loved ones. Nobody could verbalise the sympathy they felt towards the persons involved.

For the writer it felt as though in the moment all present could not have helped to feel the indescribable bond that is formed from spending time hitting a ball around a field together. Where it comes from is a mystery but it should be acknowledged. Whether it is because on the course we see one another at our best and worst, at our most hopeful or most pessimistic or just because we really are boys with our toys and it takes us back to a time when that was all we needed, it is moments like that and days like Swindon… With the laughs, the joy, the disappointment, the camaraderie and the sense of brotherhood that should always cause us to maintain perspective and appreciate this special thing that we are privileged to be part of.