Step up easier at Mottram Hall
THE sometimes challenging step up from junior to full golf membership has been made easier at Mottram Hall, with the introduction of two intermediate categories.
Mottram Hall began offering free membership to junior golfers earlier this year, in a move which proved hugely popular.
And it highlighted to the resort’s head of golf, Robert Warrener, the need for a procedure to be in place to allow young golfers to prepare for full membership in stages, with the fees set accordingly.
So the venue has created two intermediate, seven-day membership categories: for 18 to 21-year-olds and for those aged 22 to 25.
Warrener explained: “When a junior golfer turns 18, it seems ridiculous that they should be deemed to be in a position to suddenly be able to afford a full membership - and this is, undoubtedly, one of the big reasons why young golfers stop playing in such big numbers.
“One can’t expect an 18-year-old to automatically gain access to a regular, healthy income. In this day and age many will go on to further education and even those who do have a job will probably be earning only a little more than the minimum wage.
“It’s beholden on those of us in the industry to smooth that process, so by introducing these two new categories our young golfers at Mottram Hall can see a defined and, importantly, a more affordable path into golfing adulthood.”
The intermediate memberships offer full sevenday privileges, with the golfer’s age the only determining parameters.
To discover more about Mottram Hall’s new intermediate membership cat- egories or to apply, contact Zak Penney on 01625 822 153 or email MottramGolfMemberships@ QHotels.co.uk.
Mottram Hall’s men were in medal mode and in a tight finish Mike Davis won a cpo on 68 from Mike Robinson followed by Dom Swindells 69 and Graham Roche 71.
Alderley Edge ladies enjoyed a nine-hole Stableford and none more than Sue Freeman who posted a level par 18 points to finish ahead of Tracy Smith 16 and Ann Thornber and Yvonne Grundy, both 15.
Prestbury’s men played an Am Am which was a League of Merit qualifier and the fab four of T Ward, K Jee, A Pawlowski and W Kennedy led in with 84 points.
Hot on their heels with 83 were V Dave, E Pysden, N Bromley and G Titchen who won a cpo on 83 from A Kennedy, P Stephenson, S Leavitt and R Atkinson and also in the frame with 81 were P Carr, I Kennerley, N Bridge and J Howarth.
Prestbury ladies played a 14-hole par competition in two divisions and in division one Nicky Markland was top of the shop with +3 from Barbara Boyd +2.
In division two no player beat par but a cpo on level par was won by Valerie McGuigan from Alison Hallworth, Linda Miller and Jenny Purves.
A Winter Pairs qualifier for Shrigley Hall’s men was a close contest and in a congested leader board club legend Brian Hopkins partnered G Brenahan to 43 points to win a cpo from A Ellis and H Stringer.
Just a point off the hot pace were J Henshaw and M Knight, S Carless and Ian Wadsworth and Ian Roebuck and R White.
A Sunday Open to All Stableford at Styal saw junior star Bronwyn Parker cruise to victory with a great score of 42 points taking her well clear of Sam Hall 37 and Ken Bristowe 35.
The latest Styal Seniors Winter League was won by Alan Lines after a cpo on 40 points with Peter Robins closely followed by Chris Baillie on 39.
A Wednesday 9-hole Stableford at Styal saw Neil Cowan post an amazing seven-under-par haul of 25 points well clear of Alan Brooks 19 and Kevin Lee 17.
Styal ladies were in Winter League action and Claire Whitney showed her class posting 22 points over nine holes to finish clear of Nancy Chorlton 17 and Enid Laverty 16.
Men’s Winter League action at Wilmslow saw A Ferns and M Rodgers unstoppable with a fabulous haul of 50 points taking them clear of A Hughes and N Milroy 48, S Roberts and A Gallagher, G Allen and T George and J Wee and A O’Rourke, all 45.