Fenton’s drive and ambition paying dividend
TOM Fenton provides a great example of what ambition, dedication and hard work can achieve in professional golf.
Tom outlined his pathway from being a junior golfer in some Stockport clubs to being a member of the golf operations team at Tytherington Golf Club.
Tom said: “Having started my golfing journey at Gatley golf club at 12 years old I picked up a love for the game and haven’t looked back since.
“I then moved on to play a lot of my junior golf at Bramall Park where our team qualified for a national event which was held at Woodall Spa.
“Later on I moved to Cheadle Golf club where I had my last few years of being an amateur and managed to win the Club Championship and Cheadle Challenge.
“My first year as a Professional was spent with Dave Green at Dukinfield GC where I learned a lot of skills and tricks of the trade.
“After that I moved to Styal GC where I gained a love for coaching and began to build up my coaching clientele.
“Having moved to Tytherington at the beginning of this year my plan is to assist in the Golf Shop and continue on my journey to be a golf coach.
“The welcome I have received at Tytherington has been great and despite the terrible weather we have had,there are always members in and around
the club to speak to and I am enjoying getting to know everyone as we look to start the season as soon as possible.
“Going forward at Tytheringon I am looking to work alongside David Myers and the golf operations team to make sure the members and visitors at Tytherington have the best possible experience.”
The Sixth round of the Simister Cup at Alderley Edge was won by John Atkinson 39 just clear of Steve Smith 38 and Steve Bennett and Paul Rowley, both 37.
A singles Stableford at Alderley was led in by Ben Craven 38 from Aileen Martin 36 and Wendy Harriason 32.
The 9-hole winner was Mary O’Toole 19 from Liz McGuire 11.
It was a nerve-jangling finish to the Father and Sons Stableford at Prestbury with six pairs locked on 40.
Getting the nod in the cpo were D Smyth and D O’Herlihy from H and D Elms, S Savage and S Lomas, B and G Purves, M Forbes and A Kennedy and D Murray and N Davies,
Prestbury ladies were in Stableford action and in division one Jillian Morris
was first past the post with 35 from Fiona Liggett 33 and Susan Bury, Chris Shuttleworth and Angela Riordan, all 30.
In division two Yvonne Dodd was top of the shop with
36 from Shirley Osbaldeston 34 and Nicole Brough and Debbie Ward, both 30.
The 9-hole winner was Penny Smith 18 from Myra Penkethman 17 and Jean Crouch 15.
Styal ladies played round one of the Summer Cup and Sue Grange set the pace with 16 from Mel Hill 15 and Jackie Poyser 14.
The Styal Men’s Winter League sees Anton Barnsley as the current leader with 189 from Max Henshall 188, Neil Taylor 181 and Lee Cullen 180.
Styal seniors played a 12-hole Stableford and Keith Dawson was the main man with 27 from th4e consistent Steve James 23 and Ian Ogden and David O’Brien, both 21.
Ian Brooks (pictured) is a true legend of golf in the Greater Manchester area and he has added another top role to his big list of achievements in golf with his appointment as Captain
of the historic Old Manchester Golf Club.
Ian outlined his pathway in golf from beginning to now: “I started playing golf 36 years ago at the age of 44 when my wife Brenda and I joined Bolton Old Links GC.
“At that time I never thought that golf would take over my life- in the latter years not so much playing but getting involved in organising competitions and functions and representing various organisations that I am involved with.
“At Bolton Old Links I have been on the board of directors as social and house chairman but am no longer involved.
“I ran a golf society at BOL for 15 years where I was Captain in 1999 and President in 2013.
“I joined the Manchester Captains in 2002 and was treasurer until 2012 when I became Captain and President in 2018.
“I have been with the Manchester and District Golf Alliance, the biggest organisation of its kind in the country, for over 20 years and I was Captain in 2008 and President in 2019-which is a lifetime job!
“I have also, been a member of Bolton Captains
Society since 1999 and was Captain in 2019.
“Now being Captain of the Old Manchester GC, with no disrespect to my other roles, is possibly the biggest honour that I can achieve in amateur golf and I am so proud to be in the role.
“It is a relatively easy one with my main activities being the presentation of the prizes and trophies of the four competitions we play during the summer months.
“One of the trophies – ‘The Bannerman’ is worth £10,000 and is solid gold and I will also have to represent the club at any functions or dinners I will be invited to.
“The Old Manchester GC has its full history on its website www.oldmanchestergc.co.uk, and has a very exclusive membership capped at 40 by invitation only.
“I feel very humble for all that has been bestowed on me in golf and hope to live up to it.
“I would also like to thank various people in golf who have helped and advised me in my golfing journey- they know who they are - and I thank them all very much.”