Josh is putting on style at Open
PRESTBURY and Cheshire star, Josh Garside, led from the front to win the prestigious Prestbury Open – a qualifier for the Galvin Green Northern Order of Merit – which included some of the top amateur players in the region.
Josh, who has come through the junior ranks at Prestbury, posted 70 in round one, a score matched by Darren Coop of Chesterfield Golf Club.
He opened his round with a double bogey on the par five first hole but recovered well with four birdies for a one-under par round.
Josh then used his knowledge of the superbly -presented Prestbury course to full effect, posting a second round of 73, which again included four birdies, for a final total of 143 that left him four shots clear of the field.
On 147 was Prestbury junior Tom Kirton, and a further shot back was another Prestbury star, Jeremiah Hayes.
Prestbury’s men played for the Coronation Foursomes and clear winners with 66 were Fred Bridge and N Wood from Bill Seddon and Scott Straughan 71, and David Murray and Austin McBride on 71.5.
The Captain’s Bell was secured by captain Ian Smith in a tight finish as he won a cpo on 69 from England Golf star Sean Hammill and Stephen Hall.
The Captain’s Prize for ladies at Prestbury had Olivia Naden in top spot with 40 points, one more than Ellen Call.
Alderley Edge’s men showed their adaptable skills in a Five Club Challenge Stableford with Roy Broadhurst winning a cpo on 39 points from John Kendrick and Nigel Howells with Geoff Brimble hot on their heels with 38.
Wilmslow’s men were in medal mode with Ian Mezies in top spot after winning a cpo on 67 from Gary Brebner with Chris Lee and Normand Griffiths a shot off the pace.
Harry Reid was the main man in a medal for Styal seniors posting 65 to finish ahead of David Leavey 67 and David Riley 69.
A Wednesday Stableford at Styal saw star junior Will Lucas going clickety click to lead in from Christian Guy 68 and Ben Tomlinson 69.
The Styal juniors Summer Plate saw all of their talented young stars in action and top of the pile with a stunning 63 was Jack McLeod from Will Lucas 65 and Ryan Nevins 66.
The Thursday Stableford at Shrigley Hall saw John Hogan out on his own with 40 points, four more than Graeme Nimmo, Nick Rainford and Gill Kershaw.
The monthly Stableford at Shrigley had division one led in by Steve Marsh after a cpo on 37 points from Will Osbaldiston and Alex Mansfield.
In division two Arun Mehta posted 39 points, one more than John Gaskell.
Macclesfield ladies played a medal over 36 holes and it was won by Myra Clark with her enduring skills seeing her post a 148 total to finish ahead of Alycia Sutton 152.
Andrea Cheetham had the lowest gross of 189 and the day prize winners were Julia Dunne, 76, and Sue Orwin, 79. In the Stableford competition Wendy Higgins led in with 36 points.
A medal for Macclesfield seniors produced a string of tidy scores led in by Martin Gravestock with 68, from Kenneth Hewat, John Sherwood and Philip Cockburn, all 69.
The annual Joanne Morley Junior Challenge will be staged at Sale Golf Club on Sunday, October 23.
Joanne, a former top LPGA Tour player and Solheim Cup vice captain, has supported the competition for the past 16 years, and it also supports the Golf Foundation, a charity which does so much to promote junior golf.
The current champion is Luke Donnelly, of Ringway Golf Club, and the competition is open to boys and girls in the region aged under 16 years on January 1, 2016.
There are many prizes on offer rounds of golf at top venues.
For entry forms and more details, contact Geoff Garnett on either 0161 881 7550 or email ggggarnett@aol.com.
The draws have been made for the last two Inter Club Team competitions in the Manchester and District Golf Alliance and in the Seniors KO (holders North Manchester GC).
‘Josh opened his round with a double bogey on the par five first hole’
The winners will go through to the final at Manchester GC on Friday, September 16.
At the other end of the age scale is the completion for the Williams BMW Junior Challenge Trophy (holders Styal GC) and this has reached the quarter-final stage.
The final will be held at the traditional venue of Lowes Park in October.