Rossi triumph’s at Bromsgrove

“Clank…Clank…..Clank”… this was the sound only a few weeks ago Ronald Ross was making on the fairways, the dreaded sound of a shank, it sounded like builders erecting some scaffolding to build an extension on some mansion near by. Well that extension has now been built and so has Rossi’s swing…..

Once again the CGS welcomed its members and guests to the fourth major of the year. Fantastic, glorious, lovely warm sunshine greeted 36 golfers at Bromsgrove Golf Club. We have truly been blessed so far this year with some Caribbean sunshine for our events.

This was yet another well organised event by the CGS committee, it just keeps getting better and better which shows in the numbers regularly attending the events.

There was a great welcome by Bromsgrove Golf Club, who greeted us with the usual helping of tea, coffee, egg and bacon sandwiches to fuel our bodies before we started our round. The atmosphere in the club house was electric and full of jovial chit chat and light banter and individual challenges for the day ahead.

One exciting development this year is the introduction of a birdie challenge to help spice up competition. Each player draws a hole which is designated as their birdie challenge hole. If they are able to birdie that hole then they are awarded a prize. So if you’re not able to score well on the day, you do have the chance to get something from your round. A great idea and well done to the committee for introducing this new bit of initiative.

On the first tee the announcer comments; Michael Taylor, Balbir Banga, Roan Mcleod and Lloyd Thomas. Bang, Bang, Bang Bang, first four tee shots down the first fairway….game on!

Up next and defending champion was the “crafty cockney” himself “TI” aka Mr Tony Irish (pictured putting). Tony is a man who really enjoys his golf and loves the banter. Last year Tony conquered the Bromsgrove course beating Jacko on count-back with 35 points. For anyone who knows this guy will know he is always up for a good sporting challenge on the golf course, always willing to backup his game with a wager or two, but win, loose or draw he always portrays very good manners and sportsmanship during and after his round. Again Tony played some really good golf, on a course which obviously suits his game. This year Tony posted an even better score than before shooting an excellent round of 77 gross to post 38 stableford points and be the leader in the club house after three groups. However it wasn’t to be on this occasion, coming in 3rd overall.

There were some great drives off the first tee with some of the lower handicap players showing their early intentions! BOOM, BOOM ‘fades’, ‘draws’ they were all coming out the bag and driving down the middle of the fairway. It does not put much confidence in your game when you see this, but one must always try to remember, it is not how you start but how your finish that really counts. I must say that the CGS have some very good and average players, but you will not see better dressed bunch as well as this lot, “bwoy dem look good is ah shame”!

This event discovered some new talent and personalities in the winner’s circle which goes to show the CGS handicap system must be working, so come on guys the winners circle is there for everyone regardless of how high or low your handicap.

On the course there was a number of highlights, in Ken Brown’s group Nat ‘the geezer’ Burrows was chipping in to save par a couple of times, which inspired Ken (picture left) to hole his third shot from about fifty yards for a birdie on one hole, having had to chip out sideways after his tee shot went slightly adrift. A welcomed birdie indeed, having blobbed the previous hole.

Ansell Pottinger who can sometimes pull off some very long drives was making the most of the course by sending his shots onto adjacent fairways, but give him his due his recovery shots were very tidy indeed.

Apparently, there were other players who wanted to take advantage of the whole course, it is reported that Keith Salmon wasn’t’t having the best of days. Taking advantage of adjacent fairways, by his own admittance he had one of those days when nothing works….no doubt we’ve all been there.

There was a sighting of an un-identified flying object, was it a bird, was it a plane, no it was Ian Higgins hitting a tremendous drive down the eighteenth fairway the longest drive hole which measured some 300 yards, that guy needs to be drug tested! It only goes to show that you don’t need to be big to hit a long ball.

Elsewhere, the crew from Sandwell were firing on all cylinders, we have to find someway to keep them down! But seriously what a great bunch of golfers we have in them. Let’s hope Billy feels much better now, having had to leave early due to some food poisoning acquired the day before, it was good on him that he showed up anyway. It was yet another of the Sandwell collection who stole the show on the nearest the

pin hole, Micky Taylor who said “I was surprised to win, my eight iron onto the par 3 7th was not my best but I am very happy to pick up another trophy with the CGS” The special thing about this shot was, it was the very first attempt at this nearest the pin hole on the day and it stood up to all the other 35 players with know one being able to beat it.

As much as we all tried it was Ronald “Rossi” Ross who was the victor today. Some said he “shanked” it all over the course, well that’s some shanking and I’ll hate to see his score when he hits it properly. Mr steady cool & easy Ross shot a very credible 41 stableford points!

Ron said “As the Sandwell boys would know I am a steady player who does not take many unnecessary risks! I was very happy with my ball striking and I must say I was pushed all the way by Carl Douglas! I look forward to many more wins before the end of the year”. It was definitely Ronald’s day today. He was even giving his playing partners lessons in how to hit out of bunkers.

Well done to Ron (pictured right, receiving his award from fellow CGS member Emmanuel Sylva – far right and Bromsgrove member Richard Patterson – middle) who spends half the year abroad in the West Indies maybe we should follow his lead, that is why he’s so cool and laid back during his round. I’m led to believe he also left a few putts out there too. Ron by virtue of his win seals his place in the team for the Carib-Morris Cup, which will be held at the West Midlands Golf Club on the 6th of September.

In the runner up spot also with 38 points was Vassel Brown (pictured below receiving his award from CGS member Claude Verley).

Vassel said “I missed at least 3 birdie putts which would have made the difference today. I was happy with my ball striking today playing off 8 handicap. I proved to myself I can compete with the Sandwell boys!” well done to Vassel who has featured in the winning circle for the first time, so look out guys Mr Brown is on the prowl.

After eighteen holes of golf it was good to get off the course, shower, relax and have some good food and drink in the nineteenth hole! The bar and lounge staff were very welcoming and served us very well. The CGS would like to thank the golf professional and all the staff at Bromsgrove Golf Club for making our stay an enjoyable one!!

I must say another round of applause to captain Jacko for his skills as an after dinner speaker! He knows how to get everyone involve, bar staff, other golfers even the local wildlife, well done Jacko keep up the good work.

The Committee would also like to thank all its members for their continual good etiquette on and off the golf course and praise to all for improving the pace of play in this event, lets keep it up.

Other Notables:

Denny Senior played his best round to date, due entirely to his recent dates with a chiropractor to help loosen his back. He’s now able to finish strong on the back nine, so watch out.

Carl Douglas was having one of his better days on the course showing true etiquette, raking the bunker for his playing partners to help speed up play. That’s what we want to see from all the members, no one wants to play 5 hour rounds and things like this just aid the pace of play.

CGS would like to welcome two new members this month, Karl Hunter introduced to the CGS by Nathan Burrows and Mary Riley wife of Keith Riley. Good to see new members joining especially lady golfers. That’s two lady golfers now in the CGS; Mary joins Delores Simon a long standing lady member in the CGS and who is starting to play some good golf after having lessons with Alison Nicholas over there at the Quesslett driving range. Hopefully we can get even more lady golfers joining our society. Again welcome to both Karl and Mary.

Event Result: