COGS History

The first away day took place on 27th January 1989 when Peter O'Brien, Peter Gardiner, Steve Bree and Chris Hart played at Mullion Golf Course, the most southerly course England.
Manor Mortonhampstead

They played 27 holes in various weathers and afterwards retired to the Ganges Indian restaurant in Truro. Nothing else was organised after that game, but after talking with other Sunday morning players they decided to play away as a proper group and a date was set in January 1990 to play at Moretonhamstead golf club in Devon. Off they went in Peter Gardiners minibus and when they arrived at the little chef at Sourton Cross the weather worsened, so they telephoned Moretonhamstead golf course to be told it was under a foot of snow with fallen trees around the course!

18th Hole at Okehampton After great debate they rang Okehampton golf course who were more than happy to have them play there. During the game they played in sun, rain, snow and even thunder and lightning but they had a great day. The weather was obviously better than the golf!

After that they decided to form the a society aptly named The Optimists as what other group would have attempted to play in such conditions. The Cornwall Optimists Golfing Society {COGS) was born. Steve Bree asked if there should be set up the Devon variation and call it the Dogs but this was voted down.

They played at many different places in the early days but rarely at St.Austell golf club with the exception of a match against the Railway Club who were full of the great and good of St.Austell and superstars to boot; our little society of ne'er do wells and upstarts, or so we were told played so well, that to halve the match, Simon Harper had to chip in on the 18th for a three, who also suffered in that match on hole 8, a loss despite his birdie as John Gregory birdied the same hole with a shot over Simon.

A BIG thanks to Peter O'Brien for his contribution to the above. We would however like to continue to update and amend the story so far.......... so please email any additions to our cog history to admin@cogsgolf.co.uk

March 13, 2010