Our regular column in the magazine with Shropshire’s own Shrewsbury Swingers Golf Society continues, and here we report on their latest entertaining summer trips, when the courses were at their most parched.
Both are written again for MG, photos included by SSGS organiser Rich Dowley.
Sunday July 3rd – The SSGS Carling Cup
Another fantastic event on the SSGS calendar ticked off and it did not disappoint! 20 society golfers turned out for the first, soon to be annual, Carling Cup at Cleobury Mortimer Golf Club.
Cleobury is a fantastic club located in the Shropshire hills providing three stunning nine-hole courses. Before the round there was a Carling Cup Perfect Putt challenge on the practice green, featuring an undulating 45ft putt, with everyone having one putt – closest to the Carling flag winning. There were some shockers but equally some fantastic efforts, with Craig Edwards eventually being awarded the win.
The main round was played as a pairs competition, full handicaps, with both scores to count leaving little room for error from the partners. As always, the SSGS golfers delivered some fantastic golf but a special mention goes to Ben Cocker for his outstanding +50 score, the most over par by any SSGS golfer ever!!
Nearest the Pin was played on the signature 6th of Badgers Sett, a lovely short 142-yard par 3 from a raised tee. A lovely wedge shot from Paul Mulreid sealed the win, sticking it close inside 6ft to the delight of his playing group.
The results were extremely close with the average score coming in at 60 points across all pairs. A special mention to Paul Morgan and Richard Dowley (SSGS Captain) who were pipped at the post finishing a very respectable 2nd place on count back!
Results:
3rd – Darren Boyd & Mike Jones
2nd – Paul Morgan & Richard Dowley
1st – Will Timmis & Dave Jones (SSGS Carling Cup Champions 2022, pictured)
All in all another fantastic day had by all and two new golfers have now joined the SSGS as a result of the fantastic day they had out with everyone.
The SSGS Open Championship – Kington GC, Sunday August 14th
15 players turned out to compete for the title of our Champion Golfer of the year for 2022 at The SSGS Open at Kington.
From the outset everyone knew it was going to be a tough day on the links with the sun beating down and the course playing extremely dry of course at the back end of the August heatwave. However, given how dry the summer has been, the greens were in incredible condition so hats off to the club staff for that!
A staple at the start of all SSGS events this year is the perfect putt competition, everyone took on a long undulating putt on the practice green with Richie Allen crowned as this event’s winner.
Two competition holes featured with a nearest the pin on the ninth and also nearest the pin in two on the downhill short par 18th. The tough conditions meant that no-one found the green on the ninth although some were incredibly unlucky! However, nearest the pin in two saw James Crowe take the prize by driving the 18th green and then rolling his eagle putt to just three feet away to seal victory there.
Overall in the comp there were some fantastic scores posted, with one of our newest members Geoff Bailey taking it to the final three holes before finally being pipped by SSGS Captain Rich Dowley with a whopping 39 points, shooting his best ever round. What a time to deliver! Congratulations to Rich, our Champion Golfer of the year.
1st – Rich Dowley – 39 points
2nd – Geoff Bailey – 34 points
3rd – Rich Allen – 33 points
As the organising group we want to say a huge thank you to the commitment of our members, as without them, none of this would be possible.
Next – Ryder Cup weekend at Carden Park
