Captains are out in force at Mere
THE Manchester and District Captains enjoyed their return to The Mere Resort for their Annual Dinner that had a great response from their members and guests with excellent food and service in a fabulous venue.
The guests, who included many officials from other Captain’s Groups throughout the country, Cheshire and Lancashire Presidents Sean Ritchie and Steven Reid as well as Gavin Caldwell, Past Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, and England Golf President John Williams, were introduced by MC Dave Sanders (Reddish Vale) and welcomed by Manchester Captain of Captains Geoff Sable (Whitefield and Dunham Forest GC’s).
Gavin Caldwell proposed the toast to the Manchester and District Golf Captains and gave an interesting account of his time in golf as well as current developments in the game.
The reply on behalf of the guests was given by David Gill, a member of Hale Golf Club and ex Chief Executive of MUFC and Great Britain’s FIFA Vice President and treasurer to UEFA.
“He gave an informative account of his time in football and his special relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson before providing more information in a Q and A session to finish off a very pleasant evening enjoyed by all.
Sale President Carol Broadbent also made history by being the first lady from a member club to attend the annual dinner.
A Saturday two division Stableford at Styal had Jack Bridgeman leading in with 38 points from Sam Hall 37 and Khalil Musa and Brian Dononhue, both 36.
In division two Chris Hart was the main man with 36 points seeing him home from Brian Appleby 35 and Dennis Chester, David Jones and Andrew Murray, all 34.
A Mixed Team Turkey Trot at Styal was won by Aileen Holohan and Mike Burchell after a cpo on 31 points from J Addinall and L Santha, two more than L Bennett and D Lamb.
Alderley Edge’s men played the first round of the Simister Cup and it was won after a cpo on 21 points by Mike O’Regan from Mike Troup – a great effort by Mike off his five handicap.
Edge’s pro Charles Le Sueur and the Vice Captain stay joint top in the Winter League after posting a 3/2 win over Matt Spiller and Don Bancroft.
Charles also did well in the PGA Players Tour event at Knutsford shooting 72 with birdies on three of the last four holes to finish in second place, a shot behind the winner.
Wilmslow’s men played a Captain’s Charity Turkey Trot and grabbing the biggest bird was John Barnes with a fine haul of 43 points.
Also on the top table were Rik Heap, Nigel Stewart and Graham Baker 42 and Anthony O’Rourke, Alan Gallagher and Charles McKeown, all 41.
A Seniors Stableford at Avro needed a cpo on 32 points to see Mark Brookes into top spot ahead of Tony Mullin and three clear of Neil Bryan.
Davenport Ladies Played a Two from Three Team Stableford over 12 holes and the top team with 47 points were A Lim, Danuta Silva and J Houlker.
Hot on their heels with 46 were M Bruce, Gail Hegarty and C Cooke 46 and P Stevens, Carol Tonge and Linda Jones 45.
It was tight in a singles Stableford at Shrigley Hall with Callum Atkinson winning a cpo on 42 points from John Stewart, one more than Jack Gaskell.
Warrington Golf Club deservedly has great pride in its course and it was enjoyed by another full Alliance field who enjoyed good underfoot conditions and excellent fairway and green surfaces.
Craig Corrigan is a recent legend in Alliance success and he showed his enduring class as he posted an impressive 40 points to win the individual pro section by a point from Ollie Pantoja, (Ashton-on-Mersey) and Hazel Grove assistant pro Ben Thompson.
The top assistant pro was Stand’s Rob Batchelor with 36 points.
Another Alliance stalwart Gary Brown (Marple) was a delighted winner of the pro am section as he partnered Richard Blackwell (Mottram Hall) to 44 points to win a cpo from Ben Thompson and his Hazel Grove partner Ian Walters.
Third spot went to Chorley assistant pro Andy Palmer and his Bolton partner Keith Ashton who won a cpo on 43 points from Andrew Baguley, Phil Archer (Birchwood) and Alastair Waddell (Styal).
In the am am section the familiar names of Marcus Corfield (Swinton Park) and Dave Smith (Ellesmere) led in with 42 points from Norman Haslam (Stand) and Charlie Rodgers (Pike Fold) 41 and Leigh’s dynamic duo of Vinny Doyle and Mark Pasquille 40.