As the first picture shows, the Caribbean Golf Society were the first society to post content on the pages of Midlands Golfer in September 2012 when we began. We’ve enjoyed a productive mutually beneficial relationship ever since.
As we’ve reached 100 issues of the magazine this summer, it was time to get them back in again for an updated account of their activities in Midlands golf. Roan McLeod and Junior Harris, lifelong CGS members wrote the following for us.
The Caribbean Golf Society (CGS) started in 2007 and since that date we’ve seen hundreds of members come and go. We maintain an average membership of 50 plus golfers with attendance at events averaging forty players. The CGS welcomes golfers from any background male or female, the only stipulation is you enjoy playing the game of golf. If you’re new to the game, then we would suggest you have lessons to get the basics of the game, then come join us as a guest at one of our events held throughout the year.
The CGS have members from all over the Midlands, Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham plus Bristol and one from Cambridgeshire, as well as enquires from Europe. We have connections with societies in Bristol and London whose members on occasion attend CGS events and vice versa.
We hold nine major events throughout the season and on a bi-annual basis there is the “Triple Crown”, which is a match-up between CGS, Bristol Titans and ACGA from London. The match-up started back in 2013 at Heythrop Park and was won by ACGA, the event drifted from everyone’s itinerary but 2023 saw the event back on the roster and was held at the Cotswold House Hotel, where the ACGA were the victors.
We mainly host our events in the Midlands area with one exception which is our two day event held over a weekend which can take place anywhere in the UK within reasonable travelling distance. We’ve hosted the event in South Wales where we played at the Vale of Glamorgan and St Pierre, both were very welcoming and provided excellent accommodation and golfing facilities.
Although not on the schedule large numbers of our members have travelled to Barbados and Turkey to play golf. It’s through the CGS, where friendships have been made which has opened up many opportunities for players to play golf in locations they may never have thought to do before joining the society.
ONE BIG CGS FAMILY
The CGS is one big family with a varied membership. Our website is the main avenue to receive request for memberships and every year we receive request to join the CGS. Although the majority of our members are male, we’ve had several lady members over the years and they’ve held their own against the men winning many events. Women’s membership hasn’t grown beyond the odd one or two women joining as members. Current member Julia Regis who has played several times with the CGS and has been an event winner is actively involved in growing female participation in golf as part of an EGU initiative. With CGS assistance in providing a communications avenue via our website, interest in the Midlands area is growing.
Having established several taster sessions for ladies at local area clubs, the interest in the game and the turnout far exceeded expectation with each taster event being fully booked. Hopefully the fruits from that labour will be seen within CGS events in times to come. There is currently no entry cost for any female golfer wanting to join the CGS.
THE CGS OPINION
Golf in general provides opportunities for everyone to play, you just need some equipment. Where golf can sometimes fall short is in overcharging at driving ranges. The price for driving range balls can be a stumbling block for anyone interested in developing an interest in the game, maybe some kind of discount schemes would help for new starters but something needs to be done, paying £12 for 100 golf balls is not an affordable amount of money in this day and age. If new golfers can’t develop at their local driving range then this will be felt at the local club and in our society. Clubs could offer more discount incentives for societies based on numbers attending. On average CGS event attendance is around the 40 mark and with this number of golfers that’s a lot of revenue for clubs especially for a Sunday our chosen day for our events. In these difficult financial times hopefully clubs will start offering better discounts for societies.
CGS – FOR CHARITY CAUSES
It’s not all about golf with the CGS, every year once all our golf events are over and we’ve established the order of merit winner, the event winners are presented with their winning trophy at our annual presentation dinner and dance. It’s an opportunity for our members to bring family and friends and a chance for the CGS to raise funds for our designated charity which our committee would have chosen at the start of the season.
Considering our humble beginnings back in 2007 the society as come a long way and the funds we’ve raised over the years for our charities is something very special. The golf is a great past-time but being able to help our local charities is our greatest contribution and something that truly makes a difference.
