Ladies on course for golf fun with away day
STYAL Golf Club were excellent hosts for the first Academy Away Day launched in Cheshire which was designed for ladies who have taken part in Get Into Golf and Beginner programmes at clubs across the county.
Cheshire Club Support Officers Sean Hammill (Prestbury Golf Club) and Alison Lysons launched the day and they were delighted with the positive response from the ladies who attended.
Sean said: “For most of the 29 ladies who took part this was their first time to play on a golf course – as we played on the excellent par three course at Styal
“Most were very nervous at the start but with everybody at the same level the nerves disappeared quickly and everybody had loads of fun.
“The ladies were set challenges to achieve over nine holes – this included a double bogey, taking two putts, repairing pitch marks, raking bunkers and completing a scorecard.
“Volunteers and the professionals from Styal accompanied the ladies to provide tips and guidance and the shot gun start meant that everybody finished at the same time and came together for a glass of bubbly at the end of play.
“The Academy Away days are perfect for any lady starting to play golf and they only need 5-8 lessons beforehand.
“We have other events in the county in the coming months at Portal GC, Woodside GC and Warren GC and to book and get more details visit Getinto- golf.org and search Academy Away Days.” for
A Wednesday Stableford at Styal had a convincing winner in Jonathan Cosgrove who posted 40 points to finish ahead of Ivan Bloor 38 and Joe Bradshaw, Tom Bloor and Khalil Musa, all 35.
A Styal Seniors Stableford over the Par Three couse had Neil Appleby showing his short game skills with 41 points, one more than Les Rimmer and Daniel Tuohy.
The Aquilla Trophy Foursomes at Styal had C Hart and M Mynes in the pole position with 70.0 from B and N Appleby 71 and H Billington and J Molloy 74.0.
Styal juniors played their May Stableford and Daniel Hayes led in with 41 points from Will Lucas 40 and Bronwyn Parker 36.
The latest round of the Summer Cup for Styal ladies was won at a canter by Olivia Brewster with 19 points from Sue Forster 14 and Pat Millatt 12.
Wilmslow’s men played their second Spring Meeting and in division one Ian Clarke won a cpo on 70 from Gregor Dobbie, one less than Hywel Shaw.
The junior Masters Trophy at Wilmslow was won by Dan Fosbrook with 68, well clear of Will Lucas 72 and Hywel Shaw 80.
The ladies Spring Meeting at Wilmslow had division one topped by Hazel Baker with 71, just a shot less than Lucinda Harris and Julie Postlethwaite.
In division two Fiona Woolley posted 74 to win by a shot fromJill Dodson and Moira Campbell. Alderley Edge’s men played the second round of the Hospital Trophy and David Snell raced to victory with 62, four clear of Ron Ricketts, Bill Fisher and Philip Mason.
Added to round one the trophy was won by Nigel Featherstone with his 129 total taking him clear of Gary Johnstone and Andrew Boyle both 133 and Dan Featherstone 134.
Edge’s ladies were also in ‘major’ action for the Millenium Trophy and in a tight finish Gwyneth Holt took top spot with 34 points, one more than Karen Pennington, Alison Roberts and Julie Ricketts.
The May medal for Macclesfield’s men was won by Mark Jackson with his 63 seeing him clear of the clickety clicks from Paul Tomlinson, Gareth Robinson, Paul Burgess, Kevin Hodgson and Roger Kirby.
Prestbury’s men played a medal for the PGA National Pro Am qualifier and top of the shop was Gordon Tebay with 67 from Adam Bunt 68 and Curtis Hughes 70.
A ladies Stableford at Prestbury was won by Margaret Simons with 33 points, one more than Moira McGrath and Emme-Jayne Bolshaw.
Marriott Worsley Park were great late hosts for the Alliance President’s Day which is the traditional finale to the long winter season.
The Alliance, which was formed in 1924, is now the biggest and most active organisation of its kind in the country with over 100 clubs in its membership and they get an average of 45 professionals playing in their weekly winter competitions which always have a full field with a waiting list. Bramhall Golf Club was booked to be the hosts for President’s Day but building work prevented this and Marriott Worsley Park kindly stepped in to host the event and provided a great course and excellent hospitality on a day blessed by sunny weather.
There was plenty at stake with day prizes and the Order of Merit prizes for professionals, assistant professionals and amateurs as the main features of a busy day.
But it was also a special day for long-serving Alliance President John Dowd who completed 25 years in the role and he was delighted to be presented with a high quality watch by Alliance life member Peter Barber (Didsbury GC) in recognition of his outstanding services to golf and the Manchester Alliance.
The President’s Trophy for the best score of the day (amateur or professional) was won in style by Grant Hamerton (Pike Fold) with a stunning 66 keeping up his great run of success at his favourite local course.
He finished four shots clear of Colin Maroney and Ian Ridgway (Disley) and the top amateur return came from Jimmy O’Reilly (Swinton Park) with nett 71 from Paul Crisp (Ashton-on-Mersey 72.
The professional Order of Merit was won at a canter by Birchwood’s former European star Phil Archer with a total of 705 points seeing him well clear of Andy Palmer (Chorley) 482 and Graham Cox (Lymm) 304.
Andy Palmer was the winner of the Assistant Pro’s OoM from Jamie Howarth (Davenport) 291 and Adam Hodkinson (Chorlton) 261.
Alliance treasurer Vinny Doyle (Leigh GC) was also a runaway winner in the amateur OoM with 83 points from Jimmy O’Reilly 68 and Marcus Corfield (Swinton Park) 66.
The final prize for the best guest score of the day was taken by Steve ‘Majestic’ Moores (Stamford GC) with 71 ahead of Steve Hindle (Marriott Worsley Park) 72 and Keith Ashton (Bolton) 75.
John Dowd paid tribute to all of the regular players in Alliance events, the tireless organisers, sponsors and clubs who have his time as Alliance President so rewarding over the past 25 years and made it such a top golf organisation.
Knutsford Golf Club were again superb hosts for the Society of Manchester and District Captains’ Annual Introductory Meeting for new Captains
There were 25 new Captains along with 12 members of the Executive of The Association were treated to nine holes of golf in the delightful setting of Knutsford Golf Club in Tatton Park.
The competition was a Team Stableford – best 2 scores from 4 to count off 90 per cent handicap.
The Captain of Knutsford, Bob Sutton welcomed the gathering to this annual event which Knutsford were delighted to host on behalf of The Society.
He was very proud that Knutsford had again been chosen to host this annual event and looked forward to seeing the Society again at Knutsford in the future.
The Captain of The Society Brian Ashfield again welcomed the guests and thanked The Captain and Council of Knutsford Golf Club for again hosting this annual event.
He explained the aims and ethos of The Association.
He invited the new Captains to play in as many of the Society events as they could manage in their heavy schedule.
He then thanked Ian Michael for organising the day and also thanked the starter Terry Jowett and the catering staff for the excellent food served.
The competition saw the new Captains from three Mersey Valley clubs join forces with MDGC secretary John Campbell for a great winning haul of 46 points.
Next in with 43 points were Dave Sanders - MDGC, Barry Cooksey – Reddish Vale, Adrian Yeardley- Stamford and Bernard Stone – MDGC.
The third spot went to the fab four of Gerard Gaffey – MDGC, Derek Scoular – Bolton, Barry Wilson – Birchwood and Adrian McCreavey – Stand
There was only one two recorded Adrian Hodges – Boysnope -receiving six SMDGC Logo Golf Balls
Ian Michael finished off the event by wishing all the new Captains a happy and successful year of office and hoped the see them joining the association and playing in the many events organised.