Alliance KO crown goes to Styal pro

ASHTON-ON-MERSEY Golf Club were magnificent hosts for the finals day of the Manchester Alliance’s Scratch Knock Out competition.

Their superbly presented and manicured course drew rave reviews from all eight players taking part in the two finals.

Off the course the hosting and hospitality in the clubhouse was second to none and enjoyed by Alliance officials and players throughout a great day for Alliance golf.

The finals day also enjoyed great sponsorship from Ian Singleton of IDS Golf who as well as providing the cash prizes also gave the top players some superb equipment as a great extra.

In the main competition Birchwood professional Phil Archer was defending the title he won in 2016 and he cruised through the semi-final tie with a 4/2 win over Chorley’s Andy Palmer.

The other semi saw the emerging talent of Styal’s Alistair Waddell beat former champion Graham Cox (Lymm) by 4/3 to make his first Alliance KO final.

Waddell, who began his golf as a junior at Chorlton, kept up his momentum to defy the vast experience of former European Tour player Archer for an exciting 2/1 victory.

The Assistant Professionals competition produced an early upset as reigning champion Adam Hodkinson (Chorlton) was well beaten by the emerging talent of Rob Batchelor (Stand) by 5/4.

In the other semi Jamie Howarth (Davenport) showed his EuroPro and Challenge Tour experience as he overcame the local knowledge of home assistant Ollie Smith by 3/2.

Howarth’s class reaped dividends in the final as he was taken all the way before winning by 2/1 over Batchelor who looks set for future success in the professional ranks in the coming years.

A BB Stableford for the Doctor Walsh Trophy for Wilmslow’s men was won by M Wood and D Foreman with 47 points from G Bloom and T Snape 45 and M Henderson and M Hague and J Donald and Reg Maddock, both 44.

Wilmslow ladies played a two-division Stableford and Nooshin Birch topped division one with 37 points ahead of Linda Smith 35 and Susan Martlew 33. In division two Bridget Madden was top of the shop with 38 points, one more than Ewa Papis.

Peter Whitehurst led in a Thursday Stableford at Shrigley Hall with 41 points from Martin Hill 40 and Janet Gates.

Mark Knight was out on his own in a Good Friday Stableford at Shrigley with a fine haul of 41 points taking him five clear of Ray Haddock, Joe Cassidy and Peter Cartledge.

Brian Chambers was first past the post in a singles Stableford at Mottram Hall with 40 points, two more than Mark Saunders and Andy Quigley with Graham Webb next in with 36.

Plenty of action at Styal with Martin Ogden taking top spot in a Seniors Stabelford with 41 points from Wally Tibbitts and Alan Beckett, both 40.

A Friday 9-Hole Frolic needed a cpo on 18 points to see David Graham into top spot from Andy Sharrocks with Owen Trainor a point off the pace.

Anton Barnsley was a clear winner in division one of a Saturday Stableford with 42 points from Howard Rice, Dominic Taylor and Ryan Owen, all 38. Division two was much more clear-cut as Tony Hunter posted 38 to finish ahead of Hayden Cook 35 and Chris Hudson and Andrew Murray, both 34.

Styal ladies were also in Stableford action with Anna Tunna leading in with 36 points from Joan Doyle 33 and Hilary Boyce 32.