Two days. Two trophies. One champion’s legacy.

The Spirit of the Weekend

Each season, the CGS Weekend Away is the crown jewel of the golfing calendar, a perfect mix of serious competition, social camaraderie, and a touch of indulgence. This year, the committee delivered gain, choosing Hawkstone Park Hotel & Golf Club in Shrewsbury. Players enjoyed first-class facilities, an overnight stay, and two distinctive courses: The Hawkstone and The Championship.

28 players arrived bags in hand and eyes on the prize, in beautiful sunshine, ready for a gripping two-day battle for two of CGS’s biggest prizes. With Dale Bromfield having swept both the Chairman’s Plate and the Charlie Sifford Memorial Trophy last year, the big question was: could anyone stop him?

Day One – The Hawkstone Course & The Chairman’s Plate

The Hawkstone, a course that blends beauty and guile, was in pristine condition with fast, true greens and clever layouts that rewarded smart play. Those unfamiliar with its blind tee shots and tricky approaches quickly realised that club selection and course management were key.

Standout Holes
– Hole 9: A postcard-perfect par 3 needing pinpoint accuracy.
– Hole 10: A sweeping par 5 facing the follies — bold players tempted to go for it in two.

Highlight of the Day
Mick Taylor’s eagle on the 10th was pure theatre. A perfect drive, a crisp iron shot that found the green in two.  The gallery, well his playing partners watched as he calmy drained a 6-footer for Eagle.

Leaderboard – Chairman’s Plate  

Place Player Points
🥇 1st Errol Murray 35
🥈 2nd Dale Bromfield 33
🥉 3rd Keith Salmon 32

Nearest the Pin Winners:

Hole 9 (in 1): Paul Ramsey                                                                                                   
Hole 12 (in 1): Elford Douglas                                                                                             
Hole 16 (in 2): Landis Brooks                                                                                                
Hole 10 (in 3): Mick Taylor (also Birdie Hole winner)

Congrats to Errol Murray for a great round of golf and winning the Chairman’s Plate. Stage one complete, all eyes were now on him to see if he could he go all the way?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day Two – The Championship Course & The Charlie Sifford Memorial

The Championship Course brought a different challenge — more traditional layout, slightly slower greens, but equally well-kept fairways. This was a course that rewarded steady play and punished lapses in focus.

The standard of play went to another level. Dale Bromfield delivered a flawless performance, matching the day’s top score of 38 points and piling on the pressure in the leading group.  Eleven players combined for 18 Birdies, with Andy Mack, Roan McLeod, and Dale Bromfield carding three Birdies apiece. Andy and Roan posted rounds of +3 gross, a testament to their consistency and control.

Day Two Standings:

Place Player Points
🥇T- 1st Dale Bromfield  38
🥇 T-1st Linton Bell  38
🥇T- 1st Raphael Richards  38

Nearest the Pin Winners:

Hole 9 (in 1): Mick Taylor                                                                                                    
Hole 16 (in 1): Carlton Tomlinson                                                                                        
Hole 17 (in 2): Mick Taylor                                                                                                  
Hole 8 (in 3): Roan McLeod

Charlie Sifford Memorial – Final Two Day Totals
This trophy rewards consistency across both rounds, and this year, it was tight. Just three points separated the top three who were all out together in the last group. From what we are led to understand, Errol ran away with an early lead with some outstanding golf, parring holes left, right and centre on the front 9.  Only the shear will, and determination of his playing partners kept them in the game.  When the group reached the 18th hole it was so close, they had no idea who was leading, however a stunning drive, followed by a precise 100 yard wedge shot from Dale, set him up for his 3rd Birdie of the day, which ultimately clinched the title.

Final Results

  Place     Player Total Points
🥇 1st Dale Bromfield – Retains Title 71
🥈 2nd Errol Murray 70
🥉 3rd Raphael Richards 69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Order of Merit Standings

1st – Andy McDonald (616 pts)
2nd – Linton Bell (548 pts)
3rd – Roan McLeod (512 pts)

Acknowledgements

Thanks to all the players for bringing great golf, camaraderie, and plenty of laughs. Special recognition goes to Hawkstone Park’s bar and catering staff for their warm hospitality and to the greens teams for presenting two superb courses.

Looking Ahead

Next year, the CGS Weekend Away heads to The Vale Hotel & Spa in Cardiff. The Chairman’s Plate and Charlie Sifford Memorial Trophy will be up for grabs once again.

Can anyone break Dale Bromfield’s grip on the silverware? Or will his reign continue?