Cheshire’s changes

THE Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs have announced radical changes to their Matchplay Championship.

One of the County’s major championships, last year the winner of the competition, staged at Warrington GC, was Jon Beesley of Mere GC who beat Curtis Brokenbrow (Reddish Vale and Stockport) in a closely contested final.

Recently, entry for this event has fallen from a frequently oversubscribed entry to a field of 53 out of 64 in 2015. In an effort to increase numbers the County have introduced a 36-hole Strokeplay qualifying round to decide who moves to the knockout stages.

The 16 players with the lowest aggregate scratch scores will qualify to play for the Cheshire Matchplay Championship by scratch match play.

In addition, the eight players with the lowest aggregate nett scores failing to qualify for the Cheshire Matchplay Championship will play for the Cheshire Matchplay Plate by handicap match play off full handicap allowance.

A further addition will be a Seniors Matchplay. Eight senior golfers (over 55) who have previously pre-qualified, will play for the Cheshire Seniors Matchplay Championship by scratch match play.

The 2016 event is to be played at Caldy Golf Club over Friday to Sunday, 20th, 21st & 22nd May. On-line entries open February 3 2016.