Rochdale clinch club’s first ever Forest Trophy
THE Dunham Forest Trophy is the Manchester and District Golf Alliance’s blue riband Inter Club match play knock out competition with an original entry from 92 clubs for the biggest competition of its kind in the country.
The teams feature a club professional and the six top amateurs, with a handicap limit of six.
Dunham Forest Golf Club are the traditional hosts for the final and they again put on a terrific stage for the match featuring Rochdale and Ashtonon-mersey, with both clubs having reached the final for the first time in their history.
A magnificent course, excellent weather, good support for both teams and top class clubhouse hospitality made this a day to remember for both clubs whose players and supporters showed great qualities of playing skills and impeccable sportsmanship throughout the day to do their clubs proud.
The off-course organisation by Alliance officials was also impeccable backed by support from the host club’s staff and members led by President Andrew Sciama.
Rochdale soon established an early lead with wins for Jordan Jones 4/3 and Sam Smith 6/4.
Paul Simons put Ashton’s first points on the board with a 2-1 win but Rochdale then took control to clinch victory with wins for Danny Stapleton 3/1, Daniel Lynch 4/3 and Alex Walker 2/1 before Ashton professional Haydn Mccullen gave them a deserved consolation point with a 6/5 win over Ross King leaving Rochdale winners by 5-2.
The trophy and prizes were presented to both teams by Alliance President Ian Brooks (Bolton Old Links) and Andrew Sciama with due thanks being give to everyone who had made this such a great day for golf in the region with Rochdale being delighted to take the coveted trophy back to their club for the first time in their history.