Nick is a big hit at demonstration day
FORMER European Tour star Nick Dougherty, now an accomplished golf presenter and commentator on Sky TV, put on a great show for members of Stockport Golf Club on a Lynx Demonstration Day.
Nick entertained and educated a large group of Stockport members on their fine practice area as he demonstrated his skills and linked them to how the club golfers of varying abilities could improve all aspects of their own golf game.
Nick gave simple tips, linked with his Tour experiences with greats such as Seve Ballesteros, Dustin Johnson and Lee Westwood among several others, answered many questions in a busy session giving everyone present a chance to reflect on how they could improve their own game.
Nick has strong connections at Stockport where his wife Di, another top TV sports presenter, is a member along with other family members.
Stockport professional Gary Norcott said: “Nick was terrific and showed great talent throughout a golf experience enjoyed by all of those lucky enough to participate in the event.”
Bramall Park’s men played a medal in three divisions and in division one Jack Pretty led in with 68 ahead of Nathaniel Bamford 69 and Ken Thomson and Chris Darwent both 70.
In division two it was close as Steve Jones won a cpo on 68 from Stephen Partridge with Tony Hitchins and Chris Bagnall a shot off the pace.
Mark Davies topped division three with 65 from cricket legend Ross Bunting 66 and Charles Henderson 67.
Park’s ladies were in singles medal mode with Doreen Robinson top of division one with 71 from Janet Cowan 74 and Donna Macintosh 75.
In the other divisions Brenda Foster topped division two with 75 and in division three Barbara Moore led in with 79.
A Thursday Stableford at Bramhall was won by John Simpson with 38 points, one more than Paul Adams, David Woods and David Fidler.
Bramhall ladies played a singles Stableford and in a tight contest in division one Ali Hicks posted 36 points to finish one clear of Maria Spencer, Jennifer Higginbotham and the legendary Chris Kelly.
Topping the other divisions were Doreen Roberts 34, Kate Sumner with a very impressive 41 and Carol Mizen 37.
The Wednesday medal at Reddish Vale saw Peter Connolly top division one with 68 from Adam Stott.
Ian Mottershead went clickety click in division two to finish three shots clear of Alan Bell and in division three Ray O’Sullivan won a cpo on 72 from Raymond Jusiw and Geoffrey Brookes.
The May medal at Vale had Dean Martin crooning his way into top spot in division one after a cpo on 68 with David Pilling and Lewis Cooper.
Peter McDonald was out on his own in division two with 64 from Stewart Flint 66 and in division three John Wright strolled home with 70, five less than Neil Blakeley.
Hazel Grove’s Wednesday Stableford was for the Haydn Beech Prize and it was taken by Robert Sutherland with 39 points, two more than Neil Harding and John Kendall.
Grove’s medal for the Anniversary Cup had Scott Elwers top of division one with 66 from Gareth Hunt 68 and Iain McGregor 69.
Grove Captain Andrew Vause was in charge of division two with 67 and in division three Harry Davies led in with 71.
Grove’s ladies were in medal action and in division one Kathryn Glazier was first past the post with 75 from club legend Viv Carroll 76.
In division two Sylvia Cockell posted 74 to finish two shots clear of Lesley Hall and in division three Maureen Worlsey won a cpo on 72 from Janice Hare.
It was tight at Houldsworth in a medal for the Vice Captain’s Prize with Mark Adams first past the post with 69 to win by a shot from Thomas McAloon, Mike Meecham, Danny McCoy, Derek Wright and David Finley.
A medal for Houldsworth ladies was taken by Susan Wheatley with 76 from Anne-Marie Banks and Elizabeth Wilde, both 78.
Marple’s men played a singles Stableford for the Jim Hibbert Trophy and Jonathan Bowden was out on his own with 41 points, four more than John Mills and Martin Burke.
A medal for Marple ladies was led in by Julie Gavin with 76 ahead of Lynda Nash 77 and Elaine Jones 78.
A medal for Stockport ladies had Yvonne Watson in charge with 68 from Serena Botterman 72 and Hazel Hanks 74.
Stockport’s juniors played a Stableford for the Sidebottom Trophy and Ewan Holt won a cpo on 33 points from Zac Smith.
A Stableford for Stockport’s men was won by Andrew Mooney with 42 points from Andy Gee 41 and Ian Hunter 37.
Northenden Golf Club were great hosts for the Cheshire Matchplay Championships providing a well prepared and challenging course backed by their superb new clubhouse and great off course hospitality and organisation. The competition got off to a great start as Lewis George, the former county junior champion back from his US college course, set the first day alight by setting a new course record of 63.
He showed his intent with birdies on the first three holes and added another on the fifth with a first nine of 32.
Lewis kept up the momentum with birdies on four of the first five holes after the turn and another on the 16th made it nine birdies and nine pars to break the previous record of 65.
This had been set by Northenden’s senior star David Nelson in 2002 and as he was playing in the parallel Seniors Matchplay competition he was on hand to congratulate Lewis on his great round.
Lewis led the qualifiers after posting a second round of 73 to finish three clear of Sandiway’s Rhys Nevin-Wharton and Max Rogers (Astbury), who were the only players to beat par.
In the Seniors matchplay it was down to the last eight after the qualifying rounds saw a strong Mersey Valley presence with Northenden’s Tim Christie, defending champion David Nelson, Mike Campbell (Didsbury), Richard Mallard (Chorlton) and Mobi Rawthore (Sale) all in the mix.
The knock-out rounds in the main competition saw Lewis George ease through into the last four where he faced Prestbury teenager Tom Kirton and in the other semi-final Chris Chilton (High Park) took on Cheshire team colleague Rob Cull (Bromborough).
Chilton always had the edge and kept his nerve to win 2/1 to make his first final.
The other semi provided the usual drama that matchplay can bring to golf as George held a slender lead against a very composed opponent who drew level on the 17th and then halved the 18th to take to tie into extra-time.
Both played superb recovery shots on the 19th to halve the hole and on the par five 20th Tom Kirton provided a big upset with his birdie taking him through to the final.
In the final Chris Chilton used his extra experience to good effect to take the title with a 2/1 win over a young player who had enjoyed a great tournament.
The Seniors competition saw Mobi Rawthore reach his first final as he won 2/1 over Tim Christie while David Nelson showed his class with a 5/4 win over Richard Mallard.
Nelson proved to be unstoppable in the final as he retained his title with a comfortable 5/3 win.
The Handicap Matchplay Championship featured the top eight players who had not qualified in the Championship and it was won by Crewe’s Lewis McNicholas who won a close contest by one up against Paul Galt (Prenton)..
A great five days of golf enjoyed by players, supporters and organisers at a fine golfing venue.
Geoff Sable has been involved with golf for 27 years and he is looking forward with great anticipation to the coming year as Captain of the Manchester and District Golf Captains with plenty of exciting events to look forward to in a busy year.
Geoff said: “My golfing career began in 1990 when I joined Whitefield GC having completed the London Marathon two weeks previously.
“After initial difficulties I managed to achieve a handicap of 12 which I maintained for some ten years – but as I have got older the more I realise how good I used to be with my current handicap now being 20.
“In 2000 I became the Millennium Captain of Whitefield, accompanied by my wife Lynda as Lady Captain and in 2008 I was given the honour of becoming the President of the North West Manchester Golf Captains (NWMGA).
“In 2003 we moved to south Manchester and joined Dunham Forest GC, a sister club to Whitefield where I hold fond memories and still maintain many friendships.
“I am looking forward to my year as Captain of Manchester Captains especially my Captain’s Day at Dunham Forest, the Invitation Day at Whitefield and our twoday event in the North East against the Northumberland Captains.
“My role will also give me the opportunity of playing with and meeting new members and becoming a member of the Manchester Captains has certainly added to my enjoyment of golf where the camaraderie is second to none.”