2012 ~ Christian Golf Society | Church Golf | National Church Golf Cup in partnership with CVM

CGS Kent bring home Premier National Church Golf Cup for 4th year


The Christian Golf Society moved the Premier National Church Golf Cup for 2012 to the beautiful county of Oxfordshire and the impressive Heythrop Park Resort.

The weather was kind to the six pairs, winners of their respective county qualifier days as Marion Gatland and Lesley Blythe (representing the ladies winners of the Surrey event) got the final underway. Although the course wasn't particularly long, the damp summer had left the course quite soft, and such long playing conditions was not conjucive to Marion or Lesley in their quest. In fact it was Lesley's husband Mark (who won surrey's mens event) paired with Dave Holmes who started the best and two net birdies and a net eagle led them to 22 points at the turn. It was good enough for a one point lead over Paul Dunton and Cliff Britcher, representing Liberty Church in Kent and Frank Vinas and Steve Tucker playing for Leigh Road Baptist Church, Essex.

Paul Evans and John Dadd (Banners Gate Community Church), Steve Fox and Barry Cleveland (Grace Community Church) and Marion and Lesley were closely bunched just a further point adrift.

The inward nine saw Marion and Lesley struggle to match their front nine and the gap started to grow between them and the rest of the field. The excellent start made by Dave Holmes and Mark Blythe was also starting to come unravelled as they could only put 16 points together to add to the outward total. Paul Evans and John Dadd were able to go one better than Dave and Mark with a fine, consistent performance by the team. Nevertheless it in the second nine Cliff Britcher started to contribute to the wonderful play of PGA professional Paul Dunton and they accumulated 24 points to add to their 21 points for a total of 45, culminating in an impressive victory by six points.

It was a thoroughly deserved victory and meant that Kent churches had won the last four Christian Golf Society National Finals. The post-match prize-giving was accompanied by a sumptious meal and an entertaining and thought-provoking talk by Rev. Jon Stannard from Viz-a-Viz. It was indeed a fabulous event and the golf and camaraderie was enjoyed by all.

The Christian Golf Society would like to thank Jon Stannard for coming to the final and speaking after dinner. Also to Richardsons Cycles in Leigh-on-Sea for their valuable and welcome sponsorship. Finally our thanks go to Premier Media for tieing up with the Christian Golf Society to bring fun, competitive and entertaining golf days across the country.

Olympic Torch carrier also carrys home Surrey CGS Premier Golf tilte


 
There was a great atmosphere with lots of laughter for the Premier National Church Golf Cup: Surrey Qualifier on the afternoon of Sunday, 1st July 2012.

Six pairs took part in the annual friendly competition at The Oaks Golf Club, Carshalton, Surrey. The day that is always on the look out for new teams to join the competition took place under the wonderful English Summer rain, however this did not dampen their spirits.

The competitors were Dave Holmes, Marion Gatland, Lesley Blythe, Peter Motis, Vickesh Chauhan and Mark Blythe.

The nearest the pin winner was Vickesh Chauhan
The longest drive ladies winner was Lesley Blythe
The longest drive mens winner was Peter Motis

However the Cup winners who will now go on to the CGS Premier National Church Golf Cup Final on 2/3 September at Heythrop Park Resort, Oxfordshire were: 

Men's Winners: Dave Holmes & Mark Blythe representing Molesey Community Church - 42 points
Ladies Winners: Lesley Blythe & Marion Gatland representing Molesey Community Church - 36 points 

Defending Surrey Christian Cup Champions Paul Burden and Vickesh Chauhan came a very close second. 

One of the winning pair Mark Blythe (who happens to have recently carried the Olympic Torch) shared after dinner about how we deal with winning and losing, and how God can help us keep things in perspective if we ask Him.

The Day in Pictures: CGS Premier National Church Golf Cup: Essex Qualifier

The Day in Pictures: CGS Premier National Church Golf Cup: Essex Qualifier.Sunday 22nd July, Three Rivers Golf and Country Club, Cold Norton, Essex.


Right on queue and an answer to many prayers, the weather for the 2012 Premier National Church Golf Cup - Essex Golf Day couldn't have been better. The sun shone which helped to dry a course that had - like many courses across the country - been affected by the wet British summer so far. However it was great to see that short-sleeved shirts were the order of the day as the pairs teed-off in this year's competition.

As it transpired the course was in good shape with just some areas still suffering from puddles and soggy ground. Such conditions meant that there was a heavy premium on good ball-striking and distance control. Coupled with the thick, juicy rough compliments of 3 months of above-average rain, the scoring on this day was tougher than it had been in previous years.

Despite the tricky conditions the early holes produced some good play and strong scoring. It was Richard Bultitude and Chris Watts who started the best, accumulating 8 points in the first three holes, courtesy in no small part to a gross par 5, net eagle by Richard at the long third. Things settled down a bit after this impressive start and whilst they continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over during the outward nine, it was not enough to maintain the lead.

That honour went to John Lambern and Matt Double who, through great dove-tailing, produced three net birdies and a net eagle in their front nine total of 21 points, a strong statement and five points ahead of Richard and Chris and also Frank Vinas and Steve Tucker who were producing steady, if unspectacular, progress.

With the distinctly more difficult front nine out of the way, all the teams were producing more fruitful results during the second half of this competition. For example Richard Oanes and Jim Hamilton scored consistently on the inward half, scoring 18 points, to add to the front half score of 13 points. Surprisingly John and Matt were one of the few pairings who couldn't keep up their excellent showing on the outward half. A disappointing return of 14 points brought them a total of 35 points and whilst it was only just short of winning, they were left to rue what might have been.

In similar vein, Richard and Chris had a disappointing spell in the middle of the back-nine which ultimately derailed their challenge. Despite a strong showing in the last four holes, their total points haul of 33 points was good enough for tied third position, an admirable performance for their first attempt at this trophy.

The best scoring on the shorter - and evidently easier nine- went to Nick LeMon and Rich Watts and to Frank and Steve both pairs accumulating a superb 20 points over the closing nine holes. Nick and Rich had three net birdies in their points haul, however their front-side scoring wasn't comparable and a slow start probably cost them a top-three spot, if indeed maybe not the title itself.

Frank and Steve (representing Leigh Road Baptist Church) matched the fantastic scoring performance of Nick and Rich, however with the steady play in the opening holes, their total of 36 points was just enough to see them home and win the attractive Essex Golf Cup. The closing six holes brought a considerable points tally of 14 points, which subsequently marked the moment they took the title away from their competitors. Frank and Steve were worthy winners and whilst the scoring was modest, the competition produced a very close and exciting finish. The winners now represent Essex in the National Finals to be held at Heythrop Park Resort in Oxfordshire in September.

The longest drive competition was won by Greg Taylor at the par-5 third hole, whilst Julie Eady produced an excellent effort to pip Frank Vinas for the nearest the pin prize at the par-3 15th.

RESULT

1st Frank Vinas & Steve Tucker (Leigh Road Baptist Church, Leigh-on-Sea) 36 points
2nd John Lambern & Matt Double (Oasis Christian Fellowship, Benfleet) 35 points
Tied 3rd Nick LeMon & Rich Watts (Shoeburyness & Thorpe Bay Baptist Church) 33 points
Richard Bultitude & Chris Watts (Shoeburyness & Thorpe Bay Baptist Church) 33 points

NEW DATE: Premier National Church Golf Cup: Essex Qualifier 2012

Premier National Church Golf Cup: Essex Qualifier NEW DATE. We had to change the date of this event at the last moment. We were sorry for any inconvenience caused. However we have a new date and now and have negotiated a lower price of £32.50 per person, a saving of £12.50 on the old price.

New Date:
Sunday 22 July 2012, 12 noon - 10pm

Location: Three Rivers Golf and Country Club, near Cold Norton.

Cost: from £32.50 per head.

We are very pleased to invite you to participate in the sixth annual CGS Premier Essex Golf Cup kindly sponsored by Richardson Cycles, Leigh-on-Sea . A fantastic day is planned including a breakfast roll and coffee/tea before play commences, 18 holes of golf set in fantastic scenery followed by an evening meal of and ham, egg & chips and coffee, presentation ceremony and after dinner speaker.

Format: The day will be played as a pairs, betterball, Stableford, full handicap competition with each team of two players representing a Church or Christian organisation and comprising one Christian and one non Christian (when you send in the form).

This is one of a number of regional competitions being held in 2012, the winners of which will go forward to compete in the Premier National Church Golf Cup on 2/3 September 2012, organised by the Christian Golf Society.

You can now book and pay on-line:


You can also download the full details and printable booking form here (PDF) 

Snail mail entries and payment can be sent to the address below by Friday 13th July 2012, thank you:
Martin Eady, CGS c/o Leigh Road Baptist Church, Marguerite Drive, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 1N
Cheque(s) made payable to “Christian Golf Society”, thank you. 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call, write or email, Martin Eady our volunteer organiser:
martin@christiangolfsociety.org.uk
Mobile Tel: 07752 469219

Event and course location:

Premier National Church Golf Cup: West Midlands Qualifier


Premier National Church Golf Cup: West Midlands Qualifier 2012
Sponsored by Banners Gate Community Church

Date: Friday, 20th July 2012

Location:
 Sutton Coldfield Golf Club, 110 Thornhill Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B74 3ER

Cost: 
from £40.00 per head



We would like to invite your Church to join Christians all over the country in entering the 14th annual National Church Golf Cup, this year in partnership with Premier. Your local event is the West Midlands Golf Cup, which takes place on Friday 20th July 2012 at Sutton Coldfield Golf Club, 110 Thornhill Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B74 3ER.

Format: The Premier West Midlands Church Golf Cup will be played as a pairs better ball stableford 3/4 handicap therefore maximum handicap is 21 for men and 27 for ladies. 

Each team of two players representing a Church or Christian organisation and comprising one Christian and one non Christian (when you send in the form).

The day includes a bacon sandwich on arrival from 12.30 pm, 18 holes of golf, 3 course meal, prizes for 1st and 2nd, and nearest the pin. There will also be a short talk/testimony at the presentation.

This is one of a number of regional competitions being held in 2012, the winners of which will go forward to compete in the Premier National Church Golf Cup on 2/3 September 2012, organised by the Christian Golf Society.



Cheques should be payable to Sutton Coldfield Golf Club.
Any queries please contact  westmidlands@christiangolfsociety.org.uk  or  0121 3534397 (eve)
Please return the completed form with payment ASAP to John Dadd, CGS West Midlands,  6 Westwood Road, Sutton Coldfield, B73 6UW. 

Event and course location:

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Premier National Church Golf Cup: Kent Qualifier 2012

Premier National Church Golf Cup: Kent Qualifier 2012

Date:
 Friday 6th July 2012, 10 am

Location: West Malling GC, Trottiscliffe Road, Addlington, ME19 5AR.

Cost: £35.00 per person

We are very pleased to invite you to participate in the fourth annual CGS Premier Kent Church Golf Cup. A fantastic day is planned to include a Full English breakfast after registration followed by 18 holes of golf set in the heart of the Kent countryside with incomparable views of the North Downs. The excellent par 70 course, will provide a challenging test of golf for you and your guest. 

The golf will be followed by the presentation ceremony and guest speaker.

Format: The CGS Premier Kent Church Golf Cup 2012 will be played as a pairs stableford competition. Each team will consist of two players representing a Church or Christian organisation and comprising one Christian and one non-Christian (when you send in the form). 

This is one of a number of regional competitions being held in 2012, the winners of which will go forward to compete in the Premier National Church Golf Cup on 2/3 September 2012, organised by the Christian Golf Society.

PDF Icon


If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email, Cliff Britcher our volunteer organiser: kent@christiangolfsociety.org.uk or 07501 405919.

Event and course location

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Surrey Christian Golf Cup & Premier National Church Golf Cup: Surrey Qualifier 2012


Surrey Christian Golf Cup & Premier National Church Golf Cup: Surrey Qualifier

Date Sunday, 1st July 2012 , 1pm

Location: The Oaks Golf Club, Woodmansterne Road, Carshalton, SurreySM5 4AN. 

Cost:  £38.00 per head

We are very pleased to invite you to participate in the fourth Surrey Church Golf Cup that will be held on Sunday, 1st July 2012 at The Oaks Golf Club, Woodmansterne Road, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 4AN. The first tee-off will be at 1.30pm.  

This is one of a number of regional competitions being held in 2012, the winners of which will go forward to compete in the Premier National Church Golf Cup in September.

The 2012 Surrey Christian Golf Cup will be played as a pairs, betterball, Stableford, full handicap competition with each team of two players representing a Church or Christian organisation and comprising one Christian and one not-yet-Christian (when you send in the form).

Entry to the competition costs £38.00 per head and includes your round of golf and a two-course meal afterwards.  Below is a downloadable letter including an entry form, the competition rules and information about the Christian Golf Society. Please do not hesitate to call, write or email if you have any questions.




The download contains the entry form, the competition rules and information about the Christian Golf Society.

Please return completed entries and payment to the address below, thank you:    
The 2012 Surrey Christian Golf Cup, Molesey Community Church, c/o Mary Stuart, 6 Grove Road, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9JS

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call, write or email, Mary Stuart our volunteer organiser:
surrey@christiangolfsociety.org.uk
Mobile Tel: 07801 680497

Event course location map:

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CGS National Golf Cup Coordinator: Mark Blythe

Mark Blythe – My Story
CGS National Golf Cup Co-ordinator 


I was born in Australia to English Parents way back in 1959, I swop between being from the 2 countries, this Ashes season I’ve defo been an Aussie! I have a very patient wife, Lesley, three sons, three step-kids and seven grandchildren, mightily blessed! At 2 my Pommie parents escaped Australia & I was raised near Middlesbrough. I was a sport fanatic, represented my school at everything and County at 3 sports. I was a Boro season ticket holder and played any sport at every opportunity. School work wasn’t priority and nor was Church. I had no Church upbringing at all and I didn’t feel I missed out on anything in life, though my parents divorced in my mid teens after many tough years.

Went to Uni in London to do PE, coached soccer in USA and did the first London Marathon in 1981. Life was good despite some personal insecurities. I married a Catholic lady at 24, but I fought against attending Church throughout a ten-year marriage that ended in divorce, mainly due to my selfishness I have to admit. We had lived in Sydney for 4 years where I worked in sports event management in the glorious sunshine and the sports positive country. There are lots of far worse places to live! I founded the Sydney Tower Run-up race up 1370 steps, nice! The winners won a trip to run up more stairs at the Empire State Building?

I was happily single and back in the UK, when my life changed dramatically. I met a gorgeous woman though, disappointingly, I soon learnt that she was a Christian. Cos I fancied her I started asking questions about her faith. She didn’t push it on me as we started a relationship, which was just as well as to me it was real bad news! Six months later on a business trip back to Australia, some friends invited me to their Church, they couldn’t believe it when I said I would go, and I was equally surprised? I didn’t know why all of a sudden I wanted to go, but I just felt drawn. During the meeting the leader invited people down to the front, for some reason I went? I started reading words on a big overhead screen and for some reason my eyes filled up with tears. Being a tough northerner I tried to stem the flow but I couldn’t, fortunately I was facing the front wall! I felt an amazing warm sensation inside that I now know to be the Holy Spirit, along with the shock of finding that God really existed and could be felt in a tangible way, I had an amazing inner peace. To make it so I had to believe God told my son that Dad had become a Christian. So when I rang England from Australia they already knew!! Wow, that made me realise that this God stuff was real.

The spirit changed my life dramatically, I no longer do anything to make more money. The saddest thing about becoming a Christian late was realising that I wasted 35 years not listening to all the people who tried to tell me that it was Good News, the people I labelled “Boring Bible Bashers” as I went off to play sport. One of the best things was realising that I could still love my sport, support Middlesbrough and be a Christian! I was amazed that it doesn’t hurt and I am just so grateful that I found all this out before it was too late! My theory that Christians were weak and Christian footballers must play in sandals wasn’t true!                                      
Since that day, God has healed my back and answered many prayers. I’m still not a great golfer but I love playing. I want to spend eternity in heaven with all my golfing friends and I want them to experience God’s Love that is just so amazing. If folks actually did an Alpha course or quizzed a Christian friend with all their deepest questions I am convinced that most would choose to follow Jesus. Historians don’t deny that Jesus existed so why should you? And if he did exist and was who he claimed to be maybe it’s worth reading what he had to say? I find Mark’s Gospel in the New Testament is a great place to start, reading it knowing it is historical truth changed my views on it greatly! That water into wine thing was quite impressive and coming back to life was pretty good too! Do you have an open mind? What if….. what if that nagging wonder at the back of your mind is actually true? I believe nothing on earth can give you as much lasting peace and enjoyment as realising that there is a God who loves you, yes you. He gave you free will to choose Him, that is love, and He is ready and waiting for you … will you go for it?

Love Golf, Love Life and Love Jesus – strange but true!

Our Website and the National Church Golf Cup 2012

Happy New Year. We are looking forward to a great year out on the Golf course with many regional qualifiers and county cups in the early stages of planning for 2012.

We are actively looking for more churches and golfers in churches to organise a cup in their county in 2012. If this interests you please do get in contact with us for more information.

You can also visit our Organisers Area to download our handy organisers guide – this will help you see what’s involved. It’s currently the 2011 guide which will be updated shortly along with the rest of the site. However it will give you an idea for now.

Please bear with us as we update the website for 2012, and do make contact with us to enter a team in your county cup or find out more about being a volunteer organiser.

Do visit our new Facebook page and ‘Like us’ we are hoping to reach over 25 friends so we can get an easier to remember Facebook web address. You can help please ‘Like us’.  

Other Events: The Followers Golf Society 2012 Dates


The Followers Golf Society is for Christian men to come together for a game of golf and a time of fellowship in the Essex Region based around Colchester. They play about five times a year having a round of golf, a meal and sometimes, when available a speaker.  All of this costs between £35 to £40 pounds per golfer.

It is also a wonderful opportunity to bring any friends along and here something about the Christian faith in relaxed golfing atmosphere.

If you require more information about The Followers or wish to book a golf day please contact Adrian Bland on 07771 626 548 or email him on adrianbland3@btinternet.com


The dates for 2012 are
May 18:  Brett Vale, 12 noon
June 15: Lexden Wood, 4 pm
July 19 The Essex Golf & Country Club, 12 noon
September 7: Newton Green, 12 noon
October 5:  Braxted Park, 12 noon

The Followers is not organised by the Christian Golf Society, but we are happy to publicise their events.

Other events: Golf Holiday in the Lake District 2012

Golf Holiday in the Lake District
staying at Bassenfell Manor Christian Centre
30 April – 4 May 2012 £315

Enjoy golf and friendly competitions? 

Come and play 5 courses in a week with the comfort of quality accommodation, good food and friendship. Led by experienced local golfers.

Price includes all food, accommodation, green fees for 4 courses and competition prizes!

Provisional Programme (all courses are 18 holes)
Monday | Arrive after lunch for an afternoon round – Fell course.
Tuesday | Mary port – Links course
Wednesday | Optional additional round of golf at Brayton Park, or driving range.
Thursday | Dalston – Parkland course.
Friday | Keswick – Valley course.
   

Every day there will be a ‘thought for the day’ after breakfast, and optional meetings in the evening with guest speaker.

To Book: Phone 017687 76366 | Email: info@bassenfell.org.uk | Online: www.bassenfell.org.uk

Download a Poster for more information to print off and display.

This holiday is not organised by CGS but it is our pleasure to publicise it.

Organiser: Martin Eady

Martin Eady
CGS Founding Team
CGS Essex Cup Organising Team
CGS National Cup Organising Team

It was in 1998 following an Alpha course that the truth dawned on me about what being a Christian was all about. Then, over a period of time, I grew to understand God and know Jesus. It wasn't an instant transition, rather a slow recognition that my life was changing and for the better too. It wasn’t long afterwards that I wanted to publicly acclaim my faith, and was baptised at Leigh Road Baptist Church (LRBC) in November 2000.

Ever since, I have sought to use my God-given talents wherever and whenever possible to share the fantastic Good News. Using these skills along with a big passion for golf, I helped the team form the Christian Golf Society.

I play the game regularly and at one stage a few years back managed to get my handicap down to single figures.  Alas, it now hovers around the 12-13 mark!

I met Julie at our church (LRBC) and been married for nine years. We now live in Leigh-on-Sea. She too, is a keen golfer and both actively serve as members at LRBC.

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