Age no barrier to veteran Keith
SENIOR golfers are the backbone of most of our local clubs and their competitive and sociable attitudes provide great example for their younger golfing colleagues
And for many of them age is just a number as they look to continue and improve their golfing resords and this is typified by the exploits of two of our local seniors.
Getting a hole in one is a rare and well celebrated feat in golf but an even harder achievement is to beat your age with a gross score in a competition.
But it was achieved at Gatley Golf Club by 79-yearold Keith Paterson in round two of their ‘major’ Centenary Cup as he posted 78 for a nett 64 and it included an eagle two on the par four, stroke index five 370-yard 15th hole.
The score was not enough to get among the prizes it brought great joy to himself and fellow members with Keith’s aim now being to do this several more times in the future years.
Keith said: “I began my golf as a junior at Wilmslow Golf Club at the age of 13 and also helped out in the pro shop for a few years before becoming assistant professional at Reddish Vale off four handicap.
“Then in 1954 I joined the Army on National Service and stayed in for 20 years and during that time I did not play golf and only played off and on until starting again at Gatley in 2003 with a handicap of 15.
“I got this down to eight in 2007 and it has steadily risen since then to 14- now reduced to 12 after my round in the Centenary Cup .
“I have never had a golf lesson in my life but can still hit the ball a long way and I am looking forward to beating my age several times in the coming years as my age goes up!”
Now he is wondering who can top his level of consistency in golf after reading about a player who had enjoyed 50 years of playng golf with a single-figure handicap.
Keith, 77, said: “I am now in my 64th year of playing in single figures with may handicap now at seven,
Disley’s men played a singles Stableford and Mike Travis cruised home with 44 points from Chris Hurst 40 and Ken O’Donnell and David Broomfield, both 39.
Disley ladies played a medal for mr President’s Prize and Irene Fell was out on her own with 70 from Bi Suk Knowles 75 and Elizabeth Critchlow and Anne Booth, both 79.
A medal for Cheadle’s men needed a cpo on 63 to see James Hall into top spot in division one from Tom Fenton, one less than Richard Battye and Bill Venables.
In division two James Roberts was out on his own with 60, four less than Stephen Brown.
Medal action for Cheadle ladies had Sarah Huxley in firm control with a neat 65 seeing her seven shots better than Wendy Goodwin with Ann Smith a further shot back.
Gatley’s men played a Chris Ryder medal and Graham Cordingley won a cpo on 66 from David Woodworth, one less than Mark Campbell.
Gatley ladies played a singles Stableford which had Margaret Rowland top of the tree with 32 points from Rosin Andrew and Pamela McKean.
Heaton Moor ladies played over two rounds in the 36-hole Challenge and the early pace was set by Kirsty Dawson 72 and Carol Chamberlain, both 74.
In round two Julie Sherlock and Kirsty Dawson were locked on 71, three less than Elaine Alkin to see Kirsty Dawson as a clear overall winner with 143 seeing her home from Julie Sherlock 148 and Eliane Alkin 151.
Moor’s men played over two rounds for the coveted Eldridge Cup and four players were locked on 137.
The cpo went in favour of Jordan Clachar from Neil Hodge, Andrew Haslam and Jon Beckett.
The Captain’s Junior competition at Mellor and Townscliffe was won by Harry Doyle with 70, well clear of Thomas Russell 79 and Oliver Stonehouse 84.
A Two division Stableford for M and T’s men had Peter Roberts top of division one with 39 points, one more than Mike Anderson and M Priestley.
In division two Tom Lynch posted an impressive 43 points to cruise home from Philip Cooper 41 and Stewart Lornie 39.
M and T ladies were also in singles Stableford action with Jyoli Axon out on her own with 38 points from Alison Davies and Kate Smith, both 33.
A medal for Romiley’s men was won by Harry Doyle with 68, one clear of Mark Worsley and Alex Jones.
The Captain’s prize for Romiley ladies had Sally McRoberts posting an amazing 48 points to finish well clear of Heather Denton 38 and Hilary Craven 37.
Bramhall Golf Club were fine hosts for the ‘major’ Manchester and District Ladies Golf Association’s competition for the Challenge Cup and the Lloyd Jones Scratch Trophy.
The venue was chosen as it is the home club of the 2016 MDLGA President Chris Kelly and the club provided a great course and excellent hospitality.
Local knowledge proved to be vital as the home club swept to victory in both the nett and scratch competitions with Chris Kelly on fire who took the Challenge Cup as she posted a superb winning score of 87-19-69 to finish six shots clear of club colleague Claire Fitzpatrick who won a cpo from Kathyrn Barrett (Accrington) and Eileen Mollinson and Julie Hutchins (both Greenmount).
The Lloyd Jones Scratch Trophy saw Bramhall’s Rosemary Horton complete a remarkable club double with a gross 82.
The trophies were presented by MDLGA President Audrey Bird of Bury GC and she thanked Bramhall Lady Captain Frances Gell, the players, organisers and staff at the club for their superb help on the day
Marple Golf Club are celebrating their 125th year in 2017 and they were delighted to host the annual Mixed Age Boys match between Cheshire and Derbyshire.
The course, one of the highest in Cheshire, was in excellent condition and pleasant weather encouraged good scoring.
The morning foursomes ended locked at 3-3 with Cheshire having wins from Will Lucas (Styal) and Matt Delany (Prestbury) and Jack Muir (Styal) and Alex Lamb (Marple).
Halving their games were Harry Bevan (Brookfield) and Ross Clewley (Bramhall) and Sam Johnson (Astbury) and Charlie Ashbrook (Brookfield).
So it was all to play for in the 12 singles matches and in a close contest Derbyshire won 7-5 for a final score of 10-8.
Winners for Cheshire were Ross Clewley 5/4, Remy Miller (Prestbury) 4/3, Jack Muir 2/1, Alex Lamb one hole and Matthew Dodd-Berry (Royal Liverpool) 5/4.
Cheshire boys manager Mike Jones said: “Based on individual handicaps Cheshire would have expected to beat their opponents but the short par fours proved to be a big leveller.”