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The Construction & Allied Trades Golf Society was first formed in May 1995 when twelve close friends (all of whom worked within the trade) decided to meet at The Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club for a special challenge match. The day was such a success that the group decided there and then to form a society - The CATS were born.

They elected a Captain, Bob Edwards - Director of J.T. Edwards Builders Merchants, and quickly arranged a further three fixtures for the year. The society grew rapidly in numbers, and by the end of 1998 the membership totalled in excess of 100.

The Cats now meet every month at superb venues right across the Greater Midlands area, although once per year we return to our roots at The Rolls of Monmouth. The turnout at each venue now regularly exceeds fifty, although our average is usually in the forties.

To date, the CATS have raised and donated over £3000 to local childrens charities, something we are rightly proud of.

The membership have never failed to be amazed at our secretarys ability to negotiate a days golf including the catering for around the thirty pound mark. It was a promise he made on day one, and manages to maintain this standard even in todays world of high inflation.

The Cats members will openly tell you that you will never meet such a good organiser as our secretary. Each fixture is planned to the last detail, and to the highest standards. The venues are such that any member can be totally relaxed about inviting that all important customer along for a days golf, knowing that they will be impressed and the right environment created to enable them “to do the business”. Every member bringing a guest to one of our fixtures is assured that arrangements are made to enable them to spend the day with their customer.

It is a fact that over 40% of our current membership originally attended a Cats fixture as a guest of a member, they experienced the atmosphere, liked what they saw, wanted more of the same, so joined.

The Cats Golf Society caters for everyone irrespective of age, sex, colour or golfing ability. Everyone receives the same consideration and treatment. Each member has equal rights, after all, it is the membership who ARE the society.

It may be that you are new to the game, a high handicapper or not affiliated to any club. None of this presents a problem. Firstly, the Cats are fully affiliated to The English Golf Union (No.3098) and as such are able to issue bona-fide handicap certificates to any non affiliated club members. They are calculated on our own fully computerised handicap system that conforms to the CONGU system. Handicaps are updated on a monthly basis and the certificate we issue is accepted by any club affiliated to the E.G.U. as proof of your playing standard.

Should you be a high handicapper and feel unsure about competing against the more established players have no worries. At each venue the players are grouped into three divisions based on your handicap. Division One - 0 - 12, Division Two 12-20, Division Three 20 - 28. Each member then competes against fellow Cats of the same divisional standing, with a full prize table for each division at the end of the day.

Low handicappers who would normally not be involved in society golf can be assured of a tough battle to win the day. From our current membership the Cats are able to field a team of eight with handicaps of less than seven, and no less than 40% of our members carry handicaps of fourteen or less. Competition for a place in the societies representative side is tough, real tough.

Throughout the year (starting in March) the society runs three Merit Leagues. Again based on handicap, players are awarded total points scores at each venue which they accumulate over the year to give them a “mean average”. Prizes are awarded to each of the three divisional winners.

The format at each venue alters little. The individual competitions are as explained above and we add such things as nearest the pins (usually on every par three), longest drive and lowest gross. We always have a team game as well. Your team would consist of the players within your playing group. The team event is always a fun thing, and the competition alters at each venue. The secretary decides what form this will take and announces details on the day in question. It has been known for members to question the secretarys parenthood at this point.

Every member receives a quality Cats logo polo shirt as part of their membership fee. We only ask that this be worn at each venue you attend. Without doubt impressions count, and the issue of our “colours” is one method we use to make the statement “ we are not just another golf society”, we believe we are the best and truly stand to be proven wrong.

Also, your annual membership fee covers the cost of producing The Kitty Times, the MONTHLY official newsletter of The Cats Golf Society and this web site. It gives all the results handicap adjustments, merit league details and all the general news and chit chat from around the scoiety. All the same details can be found on this official web site. Yes indeed we are even on the internet - how much farther can we be thinking than being on the edge of modern day technology? Our members are able, if they wish, to book their places for each venue "online" by using the booking form which makes up part of our web site.

Above everything else, The Cats Membership have never lost the ability to laugh. We are the happiest bunch you are likely to come across. We have a number of real characters who enjoy their Cats golf to the full, and they can play a bit aswell. Our Motto "If you want fun, don't come" says it all really.

We hope we have managed to wet appetite, we appreciate the some of the claims we have made in these few short paragraphs may appear to be O.T.T, but the truth of the matter is, what you read is what you get. Quite simply - An unforgettable golfing experience.