Matchplay champion lifts two more trophies
MANY of the top players in the region enjoyed two terrific days of competition in the World Ranking Cheshire Cat competition staged at the superb venues of Stockport and Wilmslow Golf Clubs.
This was the third year of the competition which saw the Stockport Salver and Wilmslow Crow Scratch competitions combine for the Cheshire Cat Trophy with 36 holes played at each venue on successive days.
Stockport Golf Club set the standard for the Cheshire Cat as it produced a nervejangling finish with three players Chris Chilton (High Legh Park), Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park) the Cheshire Cat defending champion and James Newton (Prestbury) level on -4.
The second round of 68 gave Chilton, the Cheshire match play champion, victory with Kenwright on 69 and Newton on 70 and the lead going into Day Two.
Wilmslow had course in top class condition but strong winds saw sub-par scores at a premium.
Sandiway star Rhys Nevin-Wharton was unable to play at Stockport due to another playing commitment but he showed his intent with a best opening round of 68 from Jack Nicholson (Vale of Llangollen) and David Peel (Stockport) both 69 with several other players in close contact to battle out the decisive second round.
Leading the way with 69’s were Cameron Massey (Northenden) and Chris Harrison (Sandiway) as conditions became more difficult.
Chris Chilton posted a steady 71 to secure top place in the battle for the Cheshire Cat Trophy as he finished on 144 level with Ben Hallam (Wychwood Park), Jack Brooks (Didsbury) and David Peel.
But there was no denying Rhys NevinWharton the Wilmslow Crow as his second round of 73 saw him into top spot on 141 from Jack Nicholson 143.
Presenting the trophies were Wilmslow and Stockport Captains Pep Smith and John Ainley who gave fulsome and well deserved praise to all of the players and officials for a terrific two days of top class golf. ●●IT was close in the President’s Stableford competition at Stockport with Joe Dolan winning a cpo on 42 points from Richard Leng, two more than Adam Hussain.
Stockport ladies played a two-division medal which was also a qualifier for the MDLGA Bunty Booth competition in 2017 and in division one Natasha Brown posted a fine 68 to finish ahead of Lis Wilson 73 and Linda Bolt 74.
In division two Pat Lees led in with 72 from Alison Booth 75 and Diane Jowsey 77. ●●A Thursday Stableford at Bramhall was won by Matthew Payne with 40 points from John Simpson and Archie Palmer, both 39.
Bramhall’s men played over two rounds for the President’s Prize and in round one Dan Britton was out on his own with 42 points, three more than David Nortier and Ian Lomax.
It was closer in round two with Gavin Spencer top of the shop with 39 points from Martin Burns 38 and Simon Hemsley 37.
Bramhall ladies played a singles Stableford as qualifier for the MDLGA 2018 Bunty Booth competition and in division one Vicki Snape was out on her own with 40 points from Brenda Bruce and Ali Hicks, both 36.
Division two was topped by Judy Stocker with 38 points, three more than Frances Kelvin and in division three the consistent Maggie Beadle led in with 39 and top of division four was Janet Bamford after a cpo on 35 points with Nicola Russell.
Bramall Park’s men played two bogey rounds for the Shakeshaft Trophy and round one saw Nathaniel Bedford lead in with +5 from Simon Bedford and Tom Grant, both +4.
In round two Robert Bailey was the main man with +4 from Charlie Greenwood and Andy Oakes, both +3.
Park’s ladies were in medal mode and in division one Sue Flitt reigned supreme with 71, three less than Janet Cowan and Judy Read.
Gill McKeever topped division two with 78, two less than Maria Bailey and Barbara Moore. ●●HOULDSWORTH Men’s teams had two good results as they beat Greenmount 4-3 in the Daily Mail Foursomes and their Seniors whitewashed Brookdale 5-0 in the seniors KO.
The Jubilee Putter was won by Roger Berry with 65 from Danny McCoy 69.
The fourth monthly medal had Captain Dave Raynor in charge with 67 after a cpo with David Flint, Finally the Webb Cup was played over 36 holes and won by Mark Merrifield with 67+68=135, three less than Philip Armstrong.
The Lady Captain’s Prize at Reddish Vale was won at a canter by Jeanette Kinder with her 73 seeing five clear of Sheila Cowlard and Linsy Warburton.
Vale’s men played for the Frank Brown Shield and it needed a cpo on 67 to see Derek Simpkins home from Marc Singleton with Robert Little and Gary Lardner chasing hard on 68.
A Wednesday medal at Vale had Ryan Swift top of division one with 70 from John Ebbs 71 and Paul Bruckshaw 72.
Tony Barnes cruised home in division two with 37 points, four more than Gregory Mitchell and in division three Chris Marshall led in with 35. ●●HAZEL Grove’s men played for the Founders Trophy and division one was won by David Beswick with his 67 taking him clear of Paul Abbott 69 and Dan Seabridge, Callum Hughes, Michael Wood and William Sutton, all 70.
Division two honours went to Stephen Volp with 69 from David Walters 70 and Trevor Keep 71 and in division three Andrew Bennett won a cpo on 70 from Derek Stephens.
Grove’s ladies played round one of the Julia Hill competition and Pamela McGahan was first past the post with 71 from Deborah Wilson 72 and Elaine Beswick 74. ●●A Seniors Stableford at AVRO was won by John Wetherell with 39 points, well clear of Donald Millington 29 and Tony Miller 27. ●●MARPLE’S men played for H B Warham Trophy and it needed a cpo on 40 points in division one to see Simon Jeffs home from Shaun McDonnell.
In division two Dave Hadfield was out on his own as he took the trophy with 41 points well clear of Stephen hall 36 and Chris Osborne 35.
Marple ladies played a BB Stableford for the Beechwood tTrophy and L Hodkinson and E Graham won a cpo on 38 points from P Owens and S Chapman. ●●IT’S getting down to final stages of three of the Manchester and District Golf Alliance’s Inter Club competitions which have been in action throughout the summer season with hundreds of players from across the region involved.
In the Archie Preston Trophy for Mixed Foursomes the final will be held at Sale Golf Club, the winners of the 2016 competition.
The draw for the remaining 16 teams from an original entry of nearly 100 clubs is: Alsager v Wychwood Park, Ashtonunder-Lyne v Wilpshire, Breightmet v Heaton Moor. Brookdale v Prestwich, Haydock Park v Romiley, Oldham v Stand, Pleasington v Shaw Hill, Tytherington v Bolton.
The Alliance Seniors team KO Trophy is the most recent competition to be introduced and has attracted a growing entry each year as they aim to play in finals day at Manchester Hopwood, who host the event each year.
The holders are Swinton Park and they are still in the mix as they visit Bury. The rest of the draw: Ashton-under-Lyne v Manchester, Chorley v High Legh Park, Chorlton v Shaw Hill, Davyhulme Park v Alsager, Eaton v Birchwood; Fairfield v Greenmount, Houldsworth v Davenport. The Williams BMW Junior Challenge Trophy is down the quarter-finals stage with finals day again being hosted by Lowes Park GC.
The draw is: Ringway v Davyhulme Park, Westhoughton v Leyland, Sandiway v Crewe, Manchester v Stamford.