South Staffs - Founders Trophy 2025

FOUNDER’S TROPHY 2025

SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE

On a beautiful spring day just outside Wolverhampton, thirty members of Pershore Golf Society gathered for our first medal event of the year, the Founder’s Trophy. As would be expected, the assembled group were in good spirits on what promised to be, and indeed turned out to be, a fine day’s golf.

The mood was lifted further by prompt servings of high-quality bacon rolls (on brioche buns no less) and it needs to be said that the staff of the club were engaging and friendly throughout, including a warm welcome from the club manager.

Once proceedings got under way, but before any golf was played, Ian Brazier quickly delegated the reporter role to yours truly, before providing a couple of quick pointers to misdemeanours. These included Steve High going into the pro-shop wearing his green hoodie, despite a clearly displayed sign on the building stating “No Hoodies.” Tony Owo had purchased a brand new pair of golf trousers (although they looked more like cricket whites) as the horizontal folds from their recent packing were clearly visible, certainly they had never seen an iron!

When the golf began, progress could be followed on the Golf Game app, but it soon became clear that the quality was taking place within my own group, as Cuth birdied the first hole, soon surging into a lead that was never credibly challenged, although Andrew Longley had also started well. Cuth’s start of 4,4,4,4 showed the rest of the group that he meant business, but was all done with a smooth, steady swing and accurate putting, showing no indication of fragility whatsoever.

At one point Sam, talking about the Masters and referring to Scottie Sheffler, made a comment alluding to the quality of golf being played which was misinterpreted by the rest of us as referring to Cuth. Indeed, it was that good.

The rest of our group were having mixed fortunes; Sam long but not always straight, Nick steady and myself having bunker trouble including five visits in the first ten holes.

Nick then decided to join the bunker fun, visiting two sand traps on the 7th, before chipping out and hitting Cuth who was in the process of putting.

This did not affect Cuth’s concentration as he continued his fine play, hitting a magnificent second shot into the 13th green. Later on in the round on the 16th came a blip when Cuth and subsequently Nick played off the blue tees, costing them both 2 shot penalties.

Sam’s best moment came on the 17th, a mighty 280-yard drive setting up a straightforward par.

Elsewhere, people were struggling. Gaz was hitting his long clubs well, but the short game was malfunctioning. At one point he hit a tree 20 yards ahead and the ball rebounded 20 yards behind him.

Terry struck Robbo’s trolley on the 12th. Greg was told to tuck his shirt in by some members.

Robin was left in charge of managing the app, which proved unwise on several levels. People were left asking “who gave Robin the tech job?”. It seemed to affect his golf, particularly early in the round. “I can’t see the screen and I can’t see the ball,” he said.

Among his misadventures, he hit a gate, was in the trees a lot and hit the wrong ball (Tony’s). It turned out that Robin’s ball was actually on the green! As Maz said “who’d have thought after the round you’ve had that it would be on the green?” Robin ended up with +25.

Mino was also suffering, after being struck on the leg by a ball hit by David Yule, despite David’s shout. This seemed to affect Mino’s play as he subsequently scored 9,8,9,4,10,9 before closing with a par to avoid last place. His group were also inconvenienced by the slow play of the group ahead (Robin’s group).

All in all, though, it was an excellent day’s golf with the course in very good condition. The greens were tricky with some difficult reads and the odd bobble but nothing to diminish the enjoyment.

Use of the app also enabled absent PGS members to follow proceedings from sunbeds far and wide, including Tim Kilby in Spain and Dave Adams in Sicily. You know you’d rather be here, wouldn’t you?

Results

Winner Cuth McDowell 65
2nd Chris Jolley 70
3rd Graham Chatterton 74

Nearest pin Nick Moody
Nearest pin in 2 Scott Johnston

Best team - Cuth, Sam, Nick, Redge

Report by Simon Redgewell