Kitchen sponsorship is recipe for success
GRAHAM Cox has had a great boost to his playing ambitions with a sponsorship from Thomas and Thomas, Disley-based bespoke kitchen designers.
Davenport Golf Club’s assistant professional has recorded a string of playing successes which include more than 30 PGA North Region pro-am victories.
He was also the North Region Assistant’s champions for three years from 2005 to 2007.
Other notable successes at regional level include the Manchester Alliancship in 2012 and in the same year he was also the stroke-play and matchplay champion.
Graham was the Under16 Cheshire Boys champion in 1991, the Under-18 champion in 1995 and he played in the 2007 South African Open.
Graham said: “I am extremely grateful to Howard and Rob for their generous support.
“In the current financial climate I’m sure that every playing professional has found it increasingly difficult to secure sponsorship from businesses.
“In order to develop we need to play and this sponsorship has given me the opportunity to play the PGA Europro Tour which is one of the best feeder tours.
“If I am able to perform at this level it opens the door to my ultimate ambition – to play on the full European Tour.
“As well as Howard and Rob I would also like to thank the members of Davenport Golf Club for the continued support they have shown me over the last few years.”
The fifth summer strokeplay for Davenport’s men had Phil Duffy as the main man with 68 from Jim Thornhill (70).
Davenport ladies played a Stableford as a Beswick qualifier and top of the divisions were Jillian Carswell (34 points), Susan Rowton (36) and Sheila Elliott (30).
The Thursday Stableford at Shrigley Hall saw Oliver Plant in unstoppable form with 46 points, four more than Richard Burrow and George Wright.
Macclesfield ladies played a 36-hole competition and it went to the wire of a card play-off on 150 with Marlene Connor getting the nod from Julia Dunne.
Myra Clark had the best gross of 184.
The best round scores came from Judy Mutter (73) and Georgina Whalley (75). THE Silkmen’s home has been given a minor facelift thanks to supporter Richard Marlow’s efforts.
Early in the summer the club was visited by Richard, a director of Solarcrest, a local energy efficiency company.
Richard and many of his family are lifelong supporters of Macclesfield Town and he offered support in maintaining the various buildings in the ground, particularly the Corner Flag Bar and external toilet block, an area that’s been in need of repair for some time.
To ensure the Corner Flag Bar and toilets were ready for the Silkmen’s first home game against Braintree Richard, together with Daniel Dakin of BLD Construction, carried out preliminary work and the facilities were fully
FLOWERPOT 0-7 NAGS A
It’s no big secret that the Pot have been going through more points-related pain than almost any other team recently. The Nags ended their own drought with a 6-1 win over the Bruce B the previous week and galloped to a 7-0 with Lee Banks hitting a 180 and 101 outshot for a 15-dart leg. Defeat means the Pot haven’t had a win in six.
NAGS B 2-5 BRUCE B
Two points separated these two teams this Monday night as the Bruce B called at the Nags. Bruce’s Cliff Wilkinson, Derek Turner and Eddy Bainbridge didn’t drop a leg in establishing a 3-0 lead. Shaun Fisher and Andy Bowman dragged the Nags back into it but Rob Gibbs’ win secured it and Trevor Goodey and Roger Graves added some sparkle to a fine night for them.
QUEENS B 1-6 LORD BYRON
Queens have added strength and depth to their line-up with Rob Lockett making his debut but the Lord Byron, off the back of their second loss of the season, bounced back in emphatic style. Lockett lost to Scott Newton but Queens’ Dave Higginbotham won to make it 1-1. From that point Matt McAllister, Steve Kimpton, Tec Leach and Daz Jackson all won in singles action before success in the doubles made the final score 6-1.
BRUCE A 1-6 BROKEN CROSS
Damage limitation may have been on the minds of the Bruce as they entertained the champions. Both sides have had disappointing seasons so far but the Cross are now starting to get into their stride. Dave Nelson, Mark Cairney (in a 16-darter), Bob Wilkins and Neil Ridgeway established a 4-0 lead and, open for the big kick-off on August 9.
To date the cost has been in the region of £5,000 and this has been covered by Solarcrest and associates Maccplas and MKM Building Supplies.
But a further £10,000 is required to complete all work necessary.
Those at the Moss Rose are hoping more local businesses can offer contributions to allow the work to continue.
The club has designated a bank account at NatWest in the town centre for benevolent Macc fans’ donations for the project.
The account number is 96694629 and sort code 01-05-41.
Stadium manager Dave Towns said: “The club is grateful to Solarcrest and it’s associates and we welcome their initiative going forward.” though Mick Graves’ victory offered some respite Mick Smith put the Cross 5-1 up before a clean sweep in the doubles saw them bank the points.
BRITISH FLAG 3-4 SPINNERS
Tough cookies at home the British Flag faced a daunting form side in the Bollington side. Steve Sellars’ 17 and 18-dart legs gave him the game against Jim Simpson. Flag captain Nigel Steele, Steve Tatton and Mark Barber enjoyed wins but successes for the Spinners’ coming from Ian Wadsworth and Mick Hatton saw it go down to the doubles. Sellars and Wadsworth’s win gave the visitors the points.
SPORTING A 2-5 RAILWAY VIEW
A close match looked the order of the evening with two mid-table sides getting together. Sporting captain Dan Burgess was defeated by Railway reserve Rob Podmore and Gaz Hughes made it two to View as he shaded Rob Clayton. Two became three before Sporting’s Ade Dickenson beat Wez Emery. The game of the night came as Nick Dyson and Rob Clarke both took out legs in 17 darts. But Clarke clinched the decider to make it 4-1 to the Railway. Jack Mitchell struck back for Sporting but View’s doubles win completed a good evening for them.
SPORTING B 0-7 QUEENS A
It was a busy night at the Sporting Club but one to forget for the B team. Marks Billing and Turner got them under way with wins. It went from bad to worse for Sporting as Andy Jackson, Glen Valentine (with a 17-darter), Simon Goda all won, Neil Podmore then claiming a no-show from opponent Darren Pegg. Success in the doubles then topped off their whitewash.