Opening winter win for Elwers
THE first Winter medal at Hazel Grove was won by Scott Elwers with sweet 69 taking him home from Michael Jones and Paul Yarwood by a shot.
The Grove Wednesday section played a Stableford for the Ian Walters prize and Michael Wilkinson won a cpo on 38 points from Andrew Ashton.
The President’s Prize to Grove’s ladies was won by Andrea Haynes with her sweet 71 taking her clear of Jean Brain 75 and Kay Allen 78.
Bramhall’s men played for the Rowbotham Cup and Nick O’Brien was top of the shop with 67 from Robin Withington 68 and Simon Walch who led in a logjam on 70.
Bramhall ladies were in four divisions of medal action and in division one Caroline McGeorge led in with 35 points, four more than Claire Fitzpatrick.
Division two honours went to Janine King with 29 points taking her two clear of Dianne Symmons and Frances Kelvin.
Caroline Eadsforth was in charge of division three with 30 points from Sandra Smith 28 and in division four Vicky Clewley was in charge with 34 points, three more than Rosa Sheard.
Bramall Park’s men played the October medal and in division one Kevin Bradley led in with 66 from Ben Harris and Phil Houghton, both 68.
John Gilham ran away with division two posting 64 to finish five shots clear of cricket legend Rob Blain and in division three Bernard Palmer was the main man with 69, two less than Martin Belshaw.
Park’s ladies played a Team of Three Stableford and Michelle Pretty led C Slack and P Ellison to a winning score of 72 points, one more than Doreen Robinson, P Piggott and P Hulme.
Houldsworth President Mike Draycott was in total charge of a singles Stableford for the Alban Muldoon Shield posting a huge 42 points to finish way ahead of Paul Gamban 35 and Grham Brine 34.
Marple Captain Pat Dunion also led from the front in a Stableford for the Brian Pearson Trophy as he topped division one with 40 points from Martin Burke 38.
In division two Stuart Needham was out on his own with 37 points from Peter Smith 33.
Marple ladies were also in Stableford action with Sarah Beard first past the post with 35 points from Kay Weeks 33 and Glenda Conway 31.
Laura Murison was in blistering form in a singles Stableford at Stockport carding 39 points to lead in division one by eight points from Jill Sanders.
It was much closer in division two with Amy Shonfield top of the shop with 31 points, one more than Yvonne Watson, Liz Carson and Carol Yates.
Stockport’s men played over 36 holes in the Atumn medal and the early pace was set by James Stewart with 71 from Andrew Mooney 72.
Round two was led in by Alan Gee with 75, one less than David Schofield 76.
The overall winner on 150 was Loui Bovis with 151 from Nathan Foster 151 and Scott Grayson 152.
In the subsidiary medal Keith Burrows went clickety click to finish three shots clear of Oliver Brady and John Ainley.
Leigh Golf Club provided a course in stunning condition enjoyed by a full Manchester Alliance field despite steady rain in the final hour of play.
Most of the Alliance’s top professionals returned to action in a full field and leading the individual professional section was Ringway’s David Brunton with 38 points ahead of Anthony Millar (Ellesmere) 37 and Adam Hodkinson (Chorlton), Dave Green (Dukinfield) and Andy Palmer (Chorley) all 36 with Palmer picking up the top assistant pro prize.
He also led his Bolton partner Keith Ashton to top spot in the pro-am section with 42 points taking them one clear of Martin Longshaw (Haigh Hall) and Daniel Moore (Haydock Park) who won a cpo from Knutsford’s Tim and Simon Maxwell.
It also needed a cpo on 43 points in the am am section to see Ashton-onMersey’s Steve McDermott and Paul King take top spot from home pair Mark Riley and Dan Crook with another Leigh duo Vinny Doyle and Dave Tonge in third spot with 41.
The Archie Preston Mixed Foursomes club knock out has been one of the Manchester Alliance’s most popular competitions since it began in 1991.
Once more there was a big entry of 90 clubs, including all of our local ones, battling to reach finals day at Sale Golf Club, who were the winners in 2016.
Sale provided a terrific course, superb weather and great hospitality for Tytherington and Shaw Hill Golf Clubs who responded by providing what was probably the most dramatic and exiting final in the past 25 years of the competition.
Shaw Hill, who have reached the semi-finals on three previous occasions, saw their final path begin in March at Davenport and further wins against Davyhulme Park, Turton, Pleasington, Haydock Park and Breightmet got them through to their first-ever final against previous winners Tytherington who were runners-up in 2016. It was nip and tuck throughout an absorbing match with the lead changing hands and both teams played some great golf in excellent spirit.
Shaw Hill’s Captain Phil Jervis and Lady Captain Hillary Powell set the example for their team as they opened their account with a 2/1 win over Tytherington counterparts Carole Ryder and Greg Adams.
Tytherington then struck back with wins from Alex Weare and Caron Corden and Sam Burton and Sara Gilmore.
Shaw Hill drew level through Mark Pallett and Ruth Harrison and then took the lead with a 5/4 win for Simon and Lesley Penketh.
So it was down to the final two matches which both ended level on the 18th hole to set up a sudden death finish and Tytherington drew level with a win on the 19th for Ian Mathers and Janet Ions.
So all eyes were on the final match which saw Hillary Powell pull of an amazing miracle chip shot on the 19th to keep the scores level and then the dynamic Shaw Hill duo, with a stroke advantage on the 20th hole, played text book golf to secure the trophy for their ecstatic team and supporters including their President Bill who had supported them throughout the competition.