Champ James makes home comforts count
DELAMERE Forest Golf Club staged the first Cheshire Championship in 1921 and 100 years later were magnificent hosts for a terrific competition.
The club provided a stunning course in fantastic condition and the usual excellent hospitality and organisation off the course to make this a truly memorable occasion for players and spectators.
The county officials provided great organisation to see the competition run smoothly and were blessed with excellent weather, managing to avoid some very heavy showers in the local area on the final day.
The hot standard was set in the first round led by county Junior Captain Matt Dodd-Berry (Royal Liverpool) and Ryan Owen (Styal), both 66, one ahead of James Ashfield (Delamere Forest) and Remy Miller (Prestbury).
The top team on the day was the Sandiway A team of Tom Duncalf, Rhys Nevin and Liam Gobin with a 279 aggregate, seven clear of Stockport and they will go on to represent Cheshire in the National County Team Championships in Kent in September.
In round two the pace hotted up led by 65’s from Luke Yardley (Stockport) and James Ashfield (Delamere Forest) two more than Cheshire Team Captain Jon Beesley (Mere).
The field was cut to 40 players for the last two rounds on Day Three and it proved to be ‘moving day’ for the competition as James Ashfield posted an incredible 63 to move nine shots clear of the field and 21 under par.
He was out on his own and maintained the momentum with a tidy 68 in the final round to finish 12 shots clear of Rhys Nevin, who won a cpo on 275 from Sam Prince.
James’s score of 25 under par is believed to be a record for the competition and set a great standard for the CUGC’s second 100 years!
James won two other trophies as the Best Colt (under 22 years) and the best 36-hole score (132) for the first two rounds.
Rhys Nevin took the Israel Sidebottom Trophy as the runner-up and Jon Beesley the over 35 prize.
The winners were presented with their prizes and trophies by CUGC President David Durling who thanked Delamere Forest GC Captain Bob Lightowler for the splendid efforts the club had made for the competition and also the Cheshire officials and the players for their contribution to three great days of golf for the county.
A Medal for Avro ladies had Carol Lund well clear with 69 from Nikki Hale and Allison Wright, both 73 and Amanda Belshaw and Anne Cawood, both 74.
The Seniors Trophy for Avro’s men saw Peter Hale in firm control with 43 from Ian Arthur 39 and Chris Hynes and Peter Walker, both 38.
It was much closer in the Vice Captain’s Trophy at Avro with Karl Needham winning a cpo on 61 from Stuart Yule, four less than Bob Collins and Phil Normanton.
Glorious weather and firm conditions at Tytherington encouraged some great scoring.
The White/Yellow Stableford was won by Dave Kingsley with 42 points. one more than Chris Jackson and Celia Stanley was the top lady with 38.
A midweek Stableford had Tom Lever in a league of his own with an amazing 47 points and Eileen Jones was the top lady with 39.
Tytherington ladies played the Ping BB qualifier and going through were Maureen Walker and Kate Howarth-Burrows with 41.
The annual 9-hole putting competition had a good entry with Paul Unwin edging out Adam Roughley and they both had five aces.
There was a new competition – The Pinehurst/ Chapman with a baffling but fun format and it was won with a smile by Stuart Hall and Derek Shenton with 62 from Jan Cichoki and Garry Olson 63.
A ladies Stableford at Alderley was won by Liz Gardener with 36 points, two more than Lady Captain Karen Pennington.
Davenport ladies played in three divisions for the Summer Cup and Grandma’s Trophy and the divisions were led in by Jay Leary 35, Madelaine Kingham 40 and Elaine
Glover 41 with the 9-hole winner being Susan Fitzpatrick with 22.
A Stableford for Davenport’s men needed a cpo on 39 points to see Stuart Johnston win from Kerry Booth, one more than Anthony Chadwick and Andrew Pape.
A Midweek medal at Mottram Hall was won by Andrew Brechin with 76, two less than Nigel Woods.
Prestbury ladies played for the Lady President’s Day medal and Jean Duncan led in with 71 from Kate Coakley 72.
The 9-hole Stableford winner was Elsa Andrew with 23.
Shrigley Hall Captain Alan Pengelly was in firm control in a Thursday Stableford with 40 points taking him two clear of Patrick Booth and Chloe Powell.
The Midweek Trophy for Shrigley ladies was won by Lynn Heathcote with 33 points from Sally Trussell 32 and Janet Gates 31.
Styal ladies played the latest round of the Summer Cup and Hilary Boyce was out on her own with 25 points, nine clear of Pat
Chadwick and Sue Forster.
Nick Pentith was also unstoppable in a Wednesday Stableford at Styal with a huge haul of 46 points from Kieran Grady, Jack Mcleod and Rob Sanderson, all 38.
A Seniors Progressive Stableford at Styal had the hot trio of S Walker, P Moore and J Turtle out on their own with 82 points.
Macclesfield ladies enjoyed a great day on and off the course playing for Lady Captain Wendy Higgins’ prizes
On curse it ended needing a four-hole playoff between Julia Dunne and Jill Hunter-Blench after they had both posted 70.
Julia won with a tense putt on the 18th and the other prizes on the day went to Kay Atkin 71, best gross Heidi Worthington, Sue Orwin Past Captain’s Prize and Pat Burrows the 9-hole prize.
A Midweek Stableford for Macc’s men was won by Vic Barlow after a cpo on 40 points with Ed Beckett, Bill Williams and Derek Evans.