Philip’s ready for busy year at Avro
PHILIP Normanton has been a member of Avro Golf Club, on the border of Stockport and Macclesfield, for 36 years and he is looking forward to plenty of action as golf resumes at his beloved club.
His current handicap is 11 and his best was 9.4 just over two years ago, when his golfing highlight was winning the club championship with the best gross score over 36 holes.
Philip said: “Aside from Avro, my favourite course is Seaton Carew in my birth town, Hartlepool.
“Avro Golf Club is a short course which requires accurate golf shots to small greens.
“It is tucked away down a back lane off the main Chester Road through Woodford village where you can enjoy peaceful surroundings and stunning views of the hills in between shots.
“My favourite hole at Avro is 13th , SI 1, because it requires a good drive, to make it possible to hit a short iron to a small slightly domed green with a ditch front left and rear left and out of bounds on the left.
“A par on this is a truly rewarding feeling, though it has produced the odd birdie.
“Currently I am playing golf several times a week, which is a challenge for this rickety body and I am offering myself up to the whole club to challenge me in return for a contribution to my charity.
“I have no time for other hobbies, though I do recall I used to enjoy a glass of ale from the local micro pub.
“I have been a Liverpool supporter all my adult life. Don’t know how it started. Possibly because they used to win everything when I was a teenager.
“My chosen charity for my Captain’s year is Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of my father who died from pancreatic cancer 10 years ago and was supported by the Macmillan nurses.
“The three pro golfers I would most like to play or have played with would be Ernie Els, Luke Donald and Lee Trevino.
“There is a calm assurance about the Big Easy and Luke Donald with the eccentricities of Trevino for a bit of excitement.”
ACTION UNDERWAY
A singles Stableford at Avro had Michael Thornber in charge with 38 points from John Isherwood 37 and the consistent Peter Hale 35. Davenport’s men played a Stableford for the Reginald Smith Trophy and Jim Thornhill led in with 39 points from Keith Taylor 38 and Andy Milne 37 with Will Bell leading in four players on 36.
Davenport ladies were in Stableford action in three divisions in the Sheila Hill Memorial Stableford and a cpo on 34 points saw Gwyneth Fielding top division one ahead of Jane Hall.
In division two Gillian Garbett was out on her own with 37, four more than Tina Brown.
Jane Sopola topped division three with 35 points from Elizabeth Pell 34 and the 9-hole winner was Elva Parker with 16.
The June Stableford at Shrigley Hall saw Michael Burgess cruise into top spot with 42 points ahead of Adam Bennett and Matthew Olive, both 39 and Darren Whittaker 38.
Macclesfield ladies endured some tough weather conditions in a singles Stableford but Alycia Sutton showed her weatherproof qualities with a good score of 32 points taking her ahead of Kath Lovell 30.
Kath was playing in her first competition at Macc and lost five balls but kept battling to finish ahead of Jill Hunter-Blench. The June medal for Macc’s men was won by Bill Hopper after a cpo on 67 with Neil Johnson, two more than Dave Clewley, Pete Ormesher and John Poole.
“Avro Golf Club is a short course, accurate shots to small greens are required”