Green keeper has driving ambition
REDDISH Vale members and visitors are quickly reaping the rewards of the hard work put in by their green staff led by head green keeper Nick Wild.
The Society of Manchester Captains were one of the first groups to praise the quality of the course as they played their Founders Day competition at Reddish Vale.
Vale manager Dave Sanders said: “Nick and his team have put in tremendous amount of hard work during some testing weather during the winter particularly with drainage and bunker renovation.
“Nick started in green keeping in 1994 at The Mere Resort and then after two years came to work at Reddish.
“After nine years at the Vale he was headhunted by a course in Warwickshire which turned out to be a bad move and he managed to secure the number two spot back at Reddish and became the head green keeper in 2012.
“The club quickly recognised that Nick was keen to push the presentation of the course forward and we have tried to meet his expectations financially in a tough market.
“We have increased the manpower and the greens budget by changing the whole structure of the bar and catering and the extra profit has been used both on the course and the clubhouse.
“During the past winter there has been a tremendous amount of drainage work been domne along with re-contouring the 10th green along with major bunker renovation work.
“We have purchased a pedestrian flail which has been used to good effect in a number of areas and have also invested in new machinery for the course.
“The team also tidied up several areas around the course and we are looking forward to discussing future projects in the near future.”
Andrew Myers, the Vale professional added: “Nick and the green staff have done a great job and we are constantly receiving compliments and an increase in victors to enjoy the course.
“They are part of a great team at the club including management, professional staff and bar and catering who continue to take the club to new levels both on and off the course.”
A Seniors Handicap qualifier at Cheadle was led in by cricket legend Chris Maudsley with a neat 67 from Ian Wightman 69 and Howard Griffiths 70.
The second Summer medal for Cheadle’s men saw Tom Fenton out on his own in division one with 60, three less than Mike Fenton and Alistair Culpan.
In division two it needed a cpo on 60 to take Mark Clancy into top spot from Geoff Dicken with David VanRoss two off the pace.
It was also close in a singles Stableford for Cheadle ladies with Sarah Huxley winning a cpo on 34 points from Barbara Anne Collier, closely followed by Pat Smith 33.
A singles Stableford for Disley’s men had David Harrabin cruising to victory with 42 points, from John McAdam 40 and Simon Howarth 39.
Disley ladies played an EWGA medal and Shanghai qualifier and top of division one with 73 was Anne Booth by a shot from Debbie Eyre.
In division two Annastasia Codd was first past the post with 73 from Ann McCormick 74 and Irene Fell 75.
A medal for New Mills men had division one topped by John Tennant with 65, one ahead of Jake Unsworth.
New Mills ladies played round one of the Warren Cup and Jane Gee posted 33 points, one more than Judith Johnson and Elizabeth Milne.
The Victory Cup at Romiley was won by Conrad Tipping with 41 points from Colin Davies 40 and Andrew Wisedale 36.
Linda Moore was in good form in a medal for Romiley ladies with her 71 taking her home from Karen Hooley 73, Gill Walker 76 and Val Bonser 77.
Medal play for Gatley’s men had Keith Paterson going clickety click to win division one by a shot from Richard Rood.
In division two Ken Heath was the main man with 70 from Graham Stubbs 71.
A singles Stableford for Gatley ladies was won by Roisin Andrew with 36 points, nine more than Margaret Rowland.
It was double ‘major’ trophy time for Heaton Moor’s men with the Fred McKenzie Trophy going to Noel Holohan with 64, two less than Gerald Close.
It was tight in the battle for the Ken McEwan Trophy with Jon Milner winning a cpo on 42 points from William McNeil with Frank Palmer and Mark Roberts a point off the pace.
A Bill Gee qualifying medal at Mellor and Townscliffe had division one won by Graham Bailey with his 68 taking him clear of T Davenport 70 and Harry Cartwright 71.
Mark Hughes topped division two with 68 from Neil Clark and Robert Davies, both 69.
M and T ladies played a Betty Pollock Stableford and Carys Baggs won a cpo on 37 points from Pat Phillips, three more than E Howard and Susan Hird.
Marriott Worsley Park were great late hosts for the Alliance President’s Day which is the traditional finale to the long winter season.
The Alliance, which was formed in 1924, is now the biggest and most active organisation of its kind in the country with over 100 clubs in its membership and they get an average of 45 professionals playing in their weekly winter competitions which always have a full field with a waiting list.
Bramhall Golf Club was booked to be the hosts for President’s Day but building work prevented this and Marriott Worsley Park kindly stepped in to host the event and provided a great course and excellent hospitality on a day blessed by sunny weather.
There was plenty at stake with day prizes and the Order of Merit prizes for professionals, assistant professionals and amateurs as the main features of a busy day.
But it was also a special day for long-serving Alliance President John Dowd who completed 25 years in the role and he was delighted to be presented with a high quality watch by Alliance life member Peter Barber (Didsbury GC) in recognition of his outstanding services to golf and the Manchester Alliance.
The President’s Trophy for the best score of the day (amateur or professional) was won in style by Grant Hamerton (Pike Fold) with a stunning 66 keeping up his great run of success at his favourite local course.
He finished four shots clear of Colin Maroney and Ian Ridgway (Disley) and the top amateur return came from Jimmy O’Reilly (Swinton Park) with nett 71 from Paul Crisp (Ashton-on-Mersey 72.
The professional Order of Merit was won at a canter by Birchwood’s former European star Phil Archer with a total of 705 points seeing him well clear of Andy Palmer (Chorley) 482 and Graham Cox (Lymm) 304.
Andy Palmer was the winner of the Assistant Pro’s OoM from Jamie Howarth (Davenport) 291 and Adam Hodkinson (Chorlton) 261.
Alliance treasurer Vinny Doyle (Leigh GC) was also a runaway winner in the amateur OoM with 83 points from Jimmy O’Reilly 68 and Marcus Corfield (Swinton Park) 66.
The final prize for the best guest score of the day was taken by Steve ‘Majestic’ Moores (Stamford GC) with 71 ahead of Steve Hindle (Marriott Worsley Park) 72 and Keith Ashton (Bolton) 75.
John Dowd paid tribute to all of the regular players in Alliance events, the tireless organisers, sponsors and clubs who have his time as Alliance President so rewarding over the past 25 years and made it such a top golf organisation.
Knutsford Golf Club were again superb hosts for the Society of Manchester and District Captains’ Annual Introductory Meeting for new Captains
There were 25 new Captains along with 12 members of the Executive of The Association were treated to nine holes of golf in the delightful setting of Knutsford Golf Club in Tatton Park.
The Competition was a Team Stableford – best 2 scores from 4 to count off 90 per cent handicap.
The Captain of Knutsford, Bob Sutton welcomed the gathering to this annual event which Knutsford were delighted to host on behalf of The Society.
He was very proud that Knutsford had again been chosen to host this annual event and looked forward to seeing the Society again at Knutsford in the future.
The Captain of The Society Brian Ashfield again welcomed the guests and thanked The Captain and Council of Knutsford Golf Club for again hosting this annual event.
He explained the aims and ethos of The Association.
He invited the new Captains to play in as many of the Society events as they could manage in their heavy schedule.
He then thanked Ian Michael for organising the day and also thanked the starter Terry Jowett and the catering staff for the excellent food served.
The competition saw the new Captains from three Mersey Valley clubs join forces with MDGC secretary John Campbell for a great winning haul of 46 points.
Next in with 43 points were Dave Sanders MDGC, Barry Cooksey – Reddish Vale, Adrian Yeardley- Stamford and Bernard Stone – MDGC.
The third spot went to the fab four of Gerard Gaffey – MDGC, Derek Scoular – Bolton, Barry Wilson – Birchwood and Adrian McCreavey – Stand
There was only one two recorded Adrian Hodges – Boysnope -receiving six SMDGC Logo Golf Balls
Ian Michael finished off the event by wishing all the new Captains a happy and successful year of Office and hoped the see them joining the Association and playing in the many events organised.
‘The club quickly recognised that Nick was keen to push the presentation of the course’