Winner - Andy Mac (left)CGS 5th Major event of the season was held at Maxstoke Park, the home of our chairman Junior Harris and what a contrast to last year when we played Maxstoke during a very hot spell experienced throughout the country. Last year the fairways were burnt out and cracking, it was like playing links golf without the wind the ball was running for miles and unless you could flight ball in from a height it was hard for it to hold the greens. This year with some heavy rain on the days preceding the event and some on the day the course was lush and green and the greens themselves where speedy and receptive.

The event was well attended with 43 golfers hoping to take home a prize. Amongst the 43 were 38 CGS members whom all were competing for the Secretaries Shield. The six guests who attended were: Bob Gillies, Miri Madanhire, Ian Clarke, Andy Lynch and Jonathan McDonald.

In 2022 the Secretaries Shield was also held at Maxstoke and in those hot and difficult conditions Eddie Wedderburn was triumphant winning on count-back to Eldridge Cunningham, both posting a Stableford score of 35 points. Twelve months later the winning score was 37 points. The overall scoring this time round wasn’t as good as in 2022 and this was evident by the competition scratch score which was 32 points last year compared to 31 points average scored this year. Last year the top ten scores were 30 points or better and this year only the top eight positions were able to score 30 or more points. Maybe the ball not rolling as far on the fairways made for longer shots into greens, however the firm conditions last year would require a bit more control, instead of going for the green a more links style of play would be required dropping the ball short and running it up onto the green. No matter the conditions players would still have to hit the shots and make the putts in order to post a winning score.

In third place was Allen Motsi who’s 35 points included three birdies with back to back birdies on the 7th and 8th holes both par 5’s, on the 8th he was putting for an eagle. His scoring on the day was excellent.

In the runner up spot, a position which did not reflect his play was Landis Brooks. Landis is also a member of Maxstoke and this showed in his play. He knew where to hit his shots and played some steady golf without trying to do anything special and this resulted in a score of 36 points. Landis himself stated it was one of his best rounds all season and it showed, his round looked like it would be a winning one and without the double on 3 and 18 it most definitely would have been.

In first place was a man whom last year at Maxstoke had to pull out of the event with back issues, it was so bad that he couldn’t event remember that he played the course, joke! Yeah the previous year’s play wasn’t good however he certainly made up for it this year. Along with Allen Motsi he also scored three birdies and like Landis also doubled the 3rd. Taking the spoils and the Secretaries Shield with 37 points was Andy Mac. Travelling up from Bristol the big man played some exceptional golf to win his first CGS Major. He has been struggling with his golf of late and wasn’t expecting any sort of form but put his change in form down to a YouTube video by Mark Crossfield. That knowledge as helped him play one of his best rounds of the season.

The other winners on the day were as follows:

Nearest the Pin was on the 16th and this was won by Tony Blackwood, it was a very popular win for Tony, some said it wasn’t pretty how he got it close but there are no pictures its all about how close the ball is to the flag and Tony was the man who got it the closest. Nearest the Pin in two was on the 15th and was won by guest Miri Madanhire. Nearest the Pin in three was on the 8th and was won by Allen Motsi. Longest Drive was held on the 11th and this was also won by Allen Motsi, those who played the 8th after Allen said that his drive was so long it was out of reach.

Congratulations to all the winners especially Andy Mac on winning his first major. Thanks to all the guests and CGS members for turning out to make this another successful CGS event. The committee done a great job in organising the event especially Junior Harris who’s endeavours over the previous year in organising this event at his home course. Congratulations also needs to go out to Junior or Earl has he’s know to his club members in being voted to be Maxstoke captain for 2024. Being club captain is a tremendous honour and requires a lot of personal time and commitment. Hopefully CGS members will support him in 2024 with all his charitable requirements which goes with the role of Captain.

Thanks to Maxstoke for welcoming the CGS once again and for their hospitality, from the pro shop to the staff in the bar who worked long hours catering our event.