Moorend school is up to scratch GOLF GEOFF GARNETT
THE Kids School of Golf at Moorend Driving Range, situated on the border of Stockport and Macclesfield, has continued to grow after its formation in 2015 led by Moorend professional Danny Midgelow.
Danny said: “We have full houses of up to 60 at our sessions on Saturdays with juniors who have a full range of age and ability and we can cater for them all.
“As well providing topclass coaching in an excellent environment and facility there is also a good element of competition with prizes being awarded for a variety of skills shown by the youngsters.
“Some juniors travel quite a way to take part on a Saturday which speaks volumes for the service we provide and to find out more contact me on email danny@schoolofgolf.co. uk for more information or to book a slot and also the website www.dannymidgelowgolf.co.uk.
A singles Stableford for Disley’s men was won by Tony Collinson with 40 points from Tom Christie 39 and John Johnson, Mark Berry and Ian Thomason, all 37.
It needed a cpo on 25 points to take G Dawson into top spot in a 14-hole singles Stableford for Disley ladies from S Crouch with J Nesbitt next in with 21.
Cheadle ladies played a 9-hole Stableford and first past the post with 22 points was Chani Ganatra, eight more than Jacquie Popplewell.
It was neck and neck in a Two Man Texas Scramble at Romiley with a cpo on 33 points going in favour of M Allman and John Ratledge from Bob Law and I Smith and M Jones and Simon Tipping.
The latest Junior League Stableford at Romiley was won by George Wilde with 19 points from Aaron Bardsley 18 and Clark Thompson 15.
Mellor and Townscliffe’s men played a BB Stableford and top of the shop with 33 points were R Taylor and J Howarth from D Kilduff and T Heginbotham who won a cpo on 32 points from S Strong and M Hughes.
A 13-hole singles Stableford at M and T had division one led in byFR Morris after a cpo on 28 points from Nicholas Marsland with T Davenport, Dexter Moult and Danny Kilduff just a points off the pace.
It was more clear-cut in division two with Jonathan Crebbin out on his own with 32 points from Peter Varley and S Ebbage, both 29.
M and T ladies were in three Stablefords and in a 15-hole competition Brenda Gee was first past the post with 33 points from Sophie Neil 31 and Eileen Lewis 30.
It was closer in a 12-hole Stableford with Lesley Howarth winning a cpo on 28 points from Paula Ryan, three more than Karen Jones.
Back to a 15-hole format and this time Eileen Lewis was first past the post with 34 points from Karen Jones 33 and Patricia Phillips 31.
Crewe Golf Club’s green staff showed their outstanding quality as they overcame some heavy overnight rain to present an excellent course for the visit of the Manchester Alliance.
The competition was sponsored by Glenmuir Sportswear, one of the Alliance’s longest running sponsors who whom the Alliance was the first organisation which they had provided sponsorship back in the 1990’s
On the course Alliance Captain Dave ‘Sunny’ Smith (Swinton Park) again enjoyed the warm weather and bright sun to post his second successive pro am victory.
Dave had posted an impressive 40 points in the individual pro competition to tie with Craig Corrigan and finish two points adrift of Order of Merit leader Phil Archer (Birchwood).
Once more his excellent and ultra reliable amateur partner Jimmy O’Reilly provided magnificent support to take their pro am total to a huge 49 points, three more than Phil Archer and Roy Campion (Hazel Grove) who won a cpo from Martin Longshaw (Haigh Hall) and Daniel Moore (Haydock Park).
It was a walk in the park in the am am section for Marcus Corfield (William Wroe) and Dave Smith (Ellesmere) who amassed 48 points to finish six points clear of Crewe Captain Paul Wilkinson and his son Daniel and Phil Dermott (Wigan) and his partner Reece Cranfield.
The assistant pro prize was shared by Andy Palmer (Chorley) and Ben Thompson (Hazel Grove) with 39 points.
The presentation of prizes was preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of Alliance stalwart and respected PGA professional Terry Gilbert who had passed away a few days earlier.
The Manchester and District Golf Captains current captain Brian Ashfield is looking forward to the new influx of Captains in our local clubs joining the very active and popular Association which has been in existence since 1955.
The prestigious organisation has some 650 members drawn from over 100 clubs within a 25-mile radius of Manchester Town Hall.
Current and Past Captains of clubs within the catchment area are invited and actively encouraged to become members of the Association.
Brian said: “We are running our ‘introductory’ meeting of New Captains in April at Knutsford Golf Club and this has been successful since we started it 11 years ago.
“It has proved to be a great way of attracting new members and for meeting fellow Captains in their year of office – there is a 9-hole competition in an Am Am Stableford format followed by refreshments and a short presentation.
“The day provides a great chance to meet fellow Captains for 2017 together with members of our executive and it is the first event in the Association’s calendar of competitions.
“In May we hold our Founders Trophy competition and AGM at Reddish Vale when the new Association Captain Geoff Sable (Whitefield) and President David BesantRoberts (Chorlton) take over in office.
“Our website www. manchestercaptains. co.uk gives full details of our competitions and matches in 2017 and we will finish the season in November at our annual dinner at The Mere Resort.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as captain along with my colleagues and wish our successors the best during their term in office and welcome all new members.”
The draws have been made for the Inter Club Knock Out competitions organised by the Manchester and District Golf Alliance which are the biggest competitions of their kind in the country.
The premier competition is the Dunham Forest Trophy which features the club professional and the six top amateurs in a singles match-play format with over 90 clubs in the mix looking to make finals day at Dunham Forest Golf Club in September.
In 2016 Leigh Golf Club set a new record of five wins in the long-running competition and two in a row. They will be looking to make it a hat-trick in 2017 and have been drawn in the preliminary round at home against Wilpshire looking to make the last 64.