Dan steps into new Edge role
DAN Featherstonehas enjoyed his golf at Alderley Edge Golf Club for 16 years and he is relishing his new role as assistant professional to their much respected professional Charles le Seuer.
Dan outlined his time in golf and ambitions for the future: “I started my golfing life when I joined Alderley Edge Golf Club at an early age, this will be the 16th year I have been associated with the club.
“The reason I began playing golf was because of my dad. It’s always been a hobby that we’ve shared and a good way we could spend time together. I was lucky enough to have a family that encouraged me to work hard in everything I set my mind to and golf was no different.
“In 2012, I was privileged to become Junior Captain, where I played with some great players who have now turned professional and inspired me to follow suit.
“Since then I have been fortunate to win quite a few competitions, including the Club Championship, Doubles Knockout and the eclectic competitions and this then led to my name being added to the honour’s boards around the club.
“In addition to this, I went to play in the Wirral Golf Classic for amateurs last year where I came fifth out of over 200 players which included some former professionals.
“To this present day, I have been working under Head Professional, Charles Le Sueur, for two years where I have been developing my skills within the shop, custom fitting and repairs.
“In my opinion, this was the best time to enrol on the PGA course and start the journey to becoming a fully qualified PGA Professional.
“I would have to give a big thank you to my family, as they have always been there to help with my growth as a golfer, I wouldn’t be where I am now without them.
“I have always tried to give credit where it’s due and during my time as a member of the club, the members have always encouraged, consoled and been my driving force behind wanting to succeed. I owe them, and especially some of the more senior members who took me under their wing from an early age and have never stopped advising and motivating me further.
“I’ve had many lessons to improve my golfing techniques and processes, but the first lessons I fondly remember was with my now boss, Charles Le Sueur and his assistant back then, Edward Parker (now PGA Professional at Crewe Golf Club). They really helped to drive the juniors forward and better their golf game, these are the lessons that definitely helped me improve in my development as a golfer.
“My main ambition for the next few years is to utilise the skills I have learnt and will be learning through the PGA course to provide the best service I can for Charles and the golf club as his assistant professional.
“Subsequently, I can’t wait to start my coaching adventure with junior group lessons which will eventually help me to expand to a wider variety of clientele.
“My long-term aim is to branch out and be able to set up as a Head Professional.
“The main thing for me, and the reason I do anything is to have the same impact on others that the coaches I’ve been so lucky to have over the years have had on me.
“With regard to my golfing idols I think anyone around my age group that has an interest or love for golf would say their main idol is Tiger Woods. For me, he is an exceptional player and I admire his mental processes and his tunnel vision on the golf course to block out distractions to aid his performance.
“My second golfing idol is Ian Poulter. As well as capturing my eye with his performances in Ryder Cups, growing up I found we expressed similar traits out on the course such as passion and determination which have stayed with me.”
The Winter League at Alderley saw the Vice Captain and pro Charles le Sueur the Vice Captain took on Gary Olson and Neil McGuinness and for the second week in a row Charles lost his ball in the leaves down the first (to go one down
Charles eagled the second before Neil and Gary sent a birdie barrage in our direction with birdies on 4, 5 and 6 to go three down! Bob and Charles then gave them a taste of their own medicine with birdies on 9, 10, 11 and 12 to get it back to all square. Bob and Gary then moved back ahead with birdies on 13 and 14 to leave us 2 down with 3 to play. The stroke indices on the last three holes suited Charles and Bob as Charles managed to birdie 16 and Bob made a nett eagle on the last to halve the match!
Chris Brandon for won the 9 hole Stableford at Alderley with 21 points (including 2 blobs!). His playing partner Alex Campbell came second with 20 points.
Macclesfield ladies played an 11-hole Stableford and braving the cold and windy conditions the ever-steady Judy Mutter led in with a solid 22 points from Kay Atkin 20 and Heidi Worthington and Wendy Higgins, both 19.
Avro’s men played a Team Am Am and it needed a cpo on 99 points to see Ian Hallworth, Phil Oakes and Neil Flood into top spot from Terence Pearson, John Isherwood and Derek Jones.
A midweek Stableford at Avro was a one-horse race with Derek Ellershaw out on his own with 43 points from Peter Hale 40 and Phil Oakes 36.
A Two from Three 12-hole Stableford at Davenport was won by the hot trio of G McGovern, A Knight and P Tovee with 61 points from S Lowe, S Travis and C Burgess 58.
A Mixed Foursomes at Mottram Hall was led in by Mike Richardson and P Draper with 41 points taking them well clear of S Nicholson and N Robinson 36 and A Watson and R O’Keefe 34.
Shrigley Hall’s Winter Pairs qualifier was won by S Marsh and N Worthington with a fine haul of 46 points taking them home from C and G Wood 45 and M Chesters and A Hurd 44.
The Thursday Stableford at Shrigley was won by John Gaskell with 37 points from Ray Haddock 35 and Richard Burrow and Steve Henshall, both 31.
Ivan Bloor showed his enduring skills by winning a Wednesday 9-hole Stableford at Styal beating Kevin Doherty on a cpo on 21 points, one more than Chris Hart.
Styal’s ever-busy Seniors were in Winter League action and Graham Swann flew to victory with a 42 points well clear of Paul Jones 38 and Paul Suchoparek and David Melia, both 37.
Winter League action for Styal ladies had Mel Hill in firm control with 23 points from Gayle Blackburn 20 and Endi Laverty 19.
Warrington Golf Club lived up to its well deserved reputation of one of Cheshire’s top golf clubs both on and off the course on a day thoroughly enjoyed by another full Alliance field.
The quality of their excellent course, in terrific condition, was reflected in a string of top scores led by pro am winners Ollie Pantoja and Josh Corrigan (Ashtonon-Mersey) with a massive haul of 48 points with Josh playing a huge role in their final total.
It left them three points clear of local duo Graham Cox, (Lymm) and his Warrington partner Anton Johnson, the competition sponsor, with Haigh Hall’s Alan Crompton and Carl Robinson next in with 43.
It was tight in the individual pro section with Order of Merit leader Phil Archer (Poulton Park) level on 40 points with Graham Cox and Scott Howarth (Davenport).
There was some good scoring also in the Am Am section led by the old firm of Charles Herbert (Styal) and Ross Birch (Stockport) with 46 points.
Hot on their heels with 45 were Stamford’s Craig Peat and Will Corless with Wigan’s Ian Melling and Danny Richie completing the prize list with 43 points.