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

Press Release: Kent's Crofton Baptist Church, Brings National Golf Cup Back to County

Despite the pessimistic weather forecast for the weekend, the 2011 National Church Golf Cup was played in exceptionally temperate conditions at Donnington grove Golf & Country Club, Berkshire on Sunday 11th September.  The climate was very welcome as it made for some exceptional golf from the seven teams playing for the title of national champions.

The 2010 National Champions Ron Crosby and Cliff Britcher, representing Eynsford Christian Fellowship (Baptist), Kent started well in defence of their title.  Ron playing off 15 secured two gross pars at the opening two holes which enabled them to take an early lead, although the other Kent team of Yomi Agiginni and Femi Adesanya representing Crofton Baptist Church took little time to make a mark, registering four points at the second when Femi – playing off 12 – birdied the 511 yard par-5 2nd hole.

Camilla Mott and Lesley Blythe, Molesey Community Church were the winners of the first women’s section held in Surrey this year, however despite being regular visitors to the course, they were struggling to turn net bogeys into anything more.  Consequently their challenge faltered very early on.  Lesley did however par the short par-3 8th and with a shot got some momentum going for the team.

Elsewhere around the course Greg Edwards and George Patterson, West Midlands Cup Champions representing Banners Gate Community Church, started steadily until at the long par-4 4th, Greg (24 handicap) unleashed two excellent shots to the green and celebrated with a gross par and 4 points.  He followed this up two holes later at the testing par-5 6th with another gross par and 4 points. This excellent run of scoring put this pair firmly in the hunt for the title.

The other competitors, David Coates and Dave Scogings, Essex Cup Winners representing Oasis Christian Fellowship, John Harris and Barry Cleveland representing Launceston Community Church and Vickesh Chauhan and Paul Burden, Surrey Cup Winners winners representing Molesey Community Church, were clocking up points albeit without the zest and vigour of the leading groups from Crofton Baptist Church and Banners Gate Community Church.

At the halfway mark, Femi and Yomi had stormed to 23 points with the players dovetailing well to score consistently throughout the nine holes.  Femi starting well during the opening holes, with Yomi coming into his own, scoring heavily towards the end of the outward half.

In second place were Greg and George who with the help of Greg’s two 4-point holes had got within three points of the leaders.  This could have been even closer had they not failed to add to their score at the relatively easy 9th hole, a 317 yard dogleg par-4.

Close behind Greg and George were Paul and Vickesh from Molesey Community Church and reigning champions Ron and Cliff from Eynsford Community Church.  All of these teams continued to feel confident that this could be their year.  Following up were Camilla and Lesley from Surrey and David and Dave from Essex.  They were both on 15 points, some eight points behind the leaders.  If either pair wanted to stand a chance of winning, they would need to put in nine holes of the highest order.

The inward nine started well for Greg and George as Greg again belied his modest handicap with 3 points at the SI 1 10th hole and one better at the par-4 11th when he parred the hole for another 4 points.  This was certainly putting pressure on Yomi and Femi at the top of the leaderboard.  Their start to the back nine was shaky in comparison and Greg and George’s charge had not only closed the gap at the top but had forced their way into first place.

In the other groups Vickesh and Paul were starting to build some momentum with, in particular, Vickesh playing some excellent golf.  Ron and Cliff were also not giving up their title without a fight and Cliff started to replicate the form which brought them the title in 2010.  Cliff managed 11 points in the four holes from the 11th including a gross birdie and 4 points at the near drivable par-4 14th.

Camilla and Lesley, were starting to score better and more consistently however in allowing the leading group to get away early they were always facing an uphill task to close the gap. Accordingly they finished with a respectful 32 points total, due in part to a fine 3 points from Camilla at the difficult 376 yard par-4 16th.

David and Dave too started to get their act together after the turn and 20 points was an excellent return for some very accomplished golf over the back nine holes.  David Coates signing off their round with a super gross par at the eighteenth for 3 points.

The men’s winners from the Surrey Cup, Vickesh and Paul were perhaps a little disappointed with their overall effort although this was their first time at Donnington Grove and they know they could do very much better.  A second half 16 points to add to their front side 18 points was scant reward for two golfers who normally play so much better off their respective handicaps.

The finish to this year’s event was so very close.  Yomi and Femi’s halfway lead was being tested by three other pairs.  Ron and Cliff were putting together the best of the second half performances with both players, but Cliff in particular, playing superb golf to build a total of 40 points.

Barry and John from Cornwall finished amazingly with Barry parring the last 4 holes, each for 3 points.  This 12 points haul over the final part of the round elevated them up to 40 points too and alongside Ron and Cliff.

Greg and George also scored 3 points at the last and whilst their round quietened down a bit after Greg’s fireworks at the start of the back-nine, they did continue to tick the scoreboard over nicely. A points total of 41 was excellent and could easily have secured the title for them, however it was Yomi and Femi who themselves continued to play great golf despite the other groups breathing down their necks.  Two solid pars from Femi at the end was enough to get them 6 points and with it a one point lead over Greg and George.

So Femi and Yomi win the CGS National Church Golf Cup for Crofton Baptist Church as the county of Kent retains the national title.  It was a wonderful day to experience with many of the finalists playing fine golf.  However in the end it was Femi Adesanya and Yomi Agiginni who leave Donnington Grove Golf & Country Club with the trophy and the title of National Church Golf Champions.

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