July 2011 ~ Christian Golf Society | Church Golf | National Church Golf Cup in partnership with CVM

Press Release: Essex visitors loose out by 1 point to Yomi Agiginni and Femi Adesanya in CGS Kent Golf Cup

The Christian Golf Society's Kent Golf Cup took place on Saturday 23rd July at High Elms Golf Club, near Orpington.
 
It was a very enjoyable day and a close competition. Playing better ball stableford the winning pair, Yomi Agiginni and Femi Adesanya, scored 43 points and were closely followed by the runners-up, Matt Double and John Lambern, on 42 points.
 
The rain stayed away which was answer to prayer! The after dinner speaker, Rev. Martyn Travers, Senior Minister from Orpington Baptist Church, was also appreciated by the competitiors.
 
Thank you to all those who took part and best wishes to Yomi and Femi for the National final taking place at Donnington Grove Golf & Country Club in September.

CGS Cornwall Golf Cup 2011

The CGS Cornwall Golf Cup and National Christian Golf Cup Qualifier

Date: Saturday 20th August 2011

Location: Merlin Golf Club, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall

Cost:
£25 per person including meal.
Meeting from 9.30am for registration and a 10.30am start.

Buggies are available but will need to be pre booked.

To register and for more information please contact CGS volunteer organiser Matt Parsons on 01726 824915 or email Matt here.

Press Release: Patterson and Greg Edwards bring home 4th CGS West Midlands Golf Cup for Banners Gate Community Church

A great day was had on Friday 22nd July at Sutton Coldfield Golf Club for the 4th Annual CGS West Midlands Golf Cup sponsored by Banners Gate Community Church and EB Brands UK. The day started with a bacon sandwich and coffee. The first shot being struck at . The weather started cloudy and warm (for me anyway) although we did get a slow moving shower of rain that lasted for about 5 holes. The format was better ball stableford played off 3/4 handicap

The winners were George Patterson and Greg Edwards representing Banners Gate Community Church who scored 43 points. This though does not tell the whole story.

15 pairs took part in the event which is our highest number of competitors in our 4 years of holding the golf day and every year has seen a growth in the numbers playing.

The first shots were struck by the eventual winners, the first straight down the middle, followed by his partner, also down the middle but 20 yards past him. One made a par 4, the other a birdie 3 to get off to a tidy start and lay down the gauntlet for the rest who were all watching. The sponsors golf brollies were well used during the 45 mins of rain and the balls were left littering the heather to no doubt be found by grateful members over the coming weeks.

After the front nine the eventual winners were only in 11th place with a score of 18 points with John Dadd and Paul Evans (also representing Banners Gate Community Church) having a storming front nine with 23 points but only one point clear of Alan Cobbald and Andy Watkinson (Sutton Coldfield Baptist Church) and Phil Yates and Keith Watts (Walsall Community Church).

However, on the back nine, which is traditionally the more difficult part of the course, George and Greg scored 25 points to take their total to 43 points which included a 30 foot putt on the 18th for a birdie (net eagle) for 4 points! Alan and Andy came back in 21 points also to finish on 43 points but came second on count back whilst the early leaders John and Paul finished with 20 points on the back nine also with a total of 43 points to finish third on count back. Phil and Keith faded on the back nine to finish fifth.

Graham Pratt from Banners Gate Community Church was the after dinner speaker and he spoke of winners and losers including Seve Ballesteros who was seen by many as a winner with treasure on earth from his golf winnings and sponsorship. However, following his unfortunate death, where was he now? Whereas Graham himself has had a difficult time for the past few years but knows that his treasure is in heaven because of Jesus Christ who has forgiven his sins.

CGS Essex Golf Cup: Close call but Scogings and Coates bring cup home for Oasis Christian Fellowship

This year’s running of the Christian Golf Society’s Essex Golf Cup proved to be the closest competition in its five year history.  Moreover the impressive quality of the golf by all the teams made for a very memorable day with good scoring being the order of the day.

Three Rivers Golf & Country Club on Saturday 9th July 2011  was the setting again for this annual event pitting teams from churches in an 18 hole Stableford match.  It was good to welcome back familiar friends who have supported this event on many occasions, along with new faces too, all of whom had their eye on the first prize of a weekend trip to the National Final at Berkshire’s Donnington Grove.

It was Roger Culliford and Stuart Chandler, representing Earls Hall Baptist Church who set the early pace, with Roger in particular scoring heavily over the front nine.  Four net birdies, supported by Stuart with a net birdie of his own gave the pair a lead at the halfway stage with 22 points.

However despite this impressive points haul, the quality of the play meant that they only had a slender lead at the halfway stage.

No fewer that three of the challenging teams were only a point behind at the halfway mark. Roger Whipp and Gary McCullam (St Chads, Chadwell Heath) amassed 21 points, thanks largely to the excellent play of their 8-handicapper Gary who was striking the ball very well around a course that was unfamiliar to him.  Their team gelled well with Roger ensuring their score kept improving whenever Gary was slightly awry.

Dan Dobson and Lewis Fraser (Kingdom Faith, London) were also well in the hunt at the halfway stage with Dan belying his modest handicap.  His contribution – including a net eagle at the 360 yard par 4 seventh, also had them on 21 points after nine holes.

Emphasising the tightness at the top of the leaderboard, Dave Scogings and David Coates (representing Oasis Christian Fellowship, Benfleet) also collected 21 points.  This pair worked very well together, dovetailing nicely through the opening holes, which included 4 points when David birdied (net eagled) the short par-3 ninth.

Mick Neill and Barry Hagland (also representing Oasis Christian Fellowship) were also to keep with touching distance with a total of 20 points which included 4 net birdies between them.  The rest of the field – whilst playing good golf – were being left behind somewhat.  This included the current National champions Cliff Britcher and Ron Crosby (Eynsford Community Church) who were languishing in eighth place.

The second nine begins with three gentle par 4s and the leading teams took advantage shooting net birdies and in the case of Lewis Fraser a net eagle at the tenth.  In fact as much as Dan contributed to their team in the front nine, so Lewis awakened on the second half shooting a personal 20 points in the teams total of 21 points.  Their final total of 42 would have been enough to win many a competition, however on a day of scoring as was being witnessed, it was only good enough for third spot.

Roger Culliford and Stuart Chandler and Dave Scogings and David Coates were now taking the match away from their fellow competitors.

Roger and Stuart were the first group to finish and Roger and Stuart’s efforts to secure this title for Earls Hall Baptist Church for the first time were awe-inspiring.  Their total of 21 points for the inward-nine included three net birdies and a four-pointer for Roger at the uphill par-5 14th.  Their overall total of 43 points would need some extra special effort of be overtaken. 

Whilst Roger and Stuart were knocking it around competently, Dave Scoging was helping Oasis Christian Fellowship to amass a very competitive total, personally contributing to his team’s score on the last 7 holes.  This included four points for a birdie two at the 104 yard 15th and a superb par – net birdie – at the imposing finishing hole.

The excitement of the day continued as both teams finished on 43 points.  It was only Dave and David’s one point advantage on the homeward nine holes that enabled them to win the competition on countback.

CGS Essex Golf Cup 2011: Photo Gallery now online

We had a great day at the Essex Golf Cup 2011, at Three Rivers Golf & Country Club, Cold Norton, Essex on 9th July. Here are the photos for you to view and purchase. All funds raised will help us to put on further events.

You can view and purchase from the slideshow as well as visiting the the Event Photography dedicated gallery here: www.photoboxgallery.com/cgs

Press Release: Burden & Chauhan bring Molesey Community Church success at CGS Surrey Cup 2011

CGS Surrey Cup 2011 Winners:
Vikesh Chauhan and Paul Burden representing Molesey Community Church
Paul Burden and Vickesh Chauhan representing Molesey Community Church (MCC) won the 4th Surrey Christian Golf Cup on Sunday 3rd July. The cup was held at Hurtmore Golf Cup near Guildford and in a Stableford pairs comp the duo romped home with 56 points.

CGS Surrey competitors watch on as Vickesh tees off on the 1st
Vickesh also won the nearest the pin comp with Mickey Simmonds (men) and Camilla Mott (Ladies) taking the Longest Drive prizes.

Mark Blythe, National Christian Golf Golf founder said, "We had a great day of golf with good weather. It was great to be able to share a little about the Christian faith as well after the golf. This year we will be sending new champions to the National Christian Golf Cup in September. We wish Paul and Vickesh all the best in bringing the National Cup home to Surrey".

Paul & Vickesh will now represent Surrey and Molesey Community Church in the National Christian Golf Cup Final in September against other County Champions. Camilla Mott & Lesley Blythe won the Ladies division and will also play in the final.

ENDS

Photo information:
1. Winners Vickesh Chauhan (left) & Paul Burden (right).
2. CGS Surrey Cup competitors laughing after Vickesh's tees off on 1st!


For further information and quotes please contact:
Mark Blythe, mark@mccfc.org.uk M: 07885 778501

Christian Golf Society to be interviewed on BBC Essex Sunday - 3rd July 2011

BBC Essex: Ian Wyat 
David Elcock, one of the volunteer organisers of the CGS Essex and National Golf Cups will be interviewed on BBC Essex Radio this Sunday morning.

The BBC Sunday Morning Breakfast Show which is hosted by Ian Wyatt will bring together a mix of Faith news and interviews and great Sunday morning music.

The short interview about CGS Essex Golf Cup on Saturday 9th July is due to air around 8.40am on Sunday 3rd July. So if you are an early riser please do listen in.

Or listen again for 7 days after the show.

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