Moor’s youngsters bucking the trend
CHILDHOOD is the age to learn and at Heaton Moor Golf Club there are over 70 Junior/Cub golfers on the books with ages ranging from six to 17.
This bucks the trend at many clubs who have very few junior members and have struggled in recent years to attract and keep boys and girls into golf.
Lyndsey Alexander, from Heaton Moor GC, said: “PGA coach Dave Cullen has been involved in junior coaching at many clubs and schools in the region and he has been delighted with the commitment and improvement shown by all taking part.
“He holds regular group coaching on the club’s practice ground and junior tees are available to allow play on the course.
“The junior co-ordinator Mark Roberts spends a lot of time and effort arranging Junior Golf Competitions and also manages the Junior WhatsApp group keeping juniors and parents up to date on events, activities and those all-important competition results.
“In 2019 one of the club’s promising juniors Jai Higgins came second in the Styal Junior ‘British Open’ and this year’s club competitions have seen some great performances with Jacob Arnison standing out having reduced his handicap from 36 to 23 in just three competitions, as well as Jacob Thorp, whose score of 47 on the first nine holes puts many a seasoned golfer to shame!
“Margaret Arnison, a former Lady Captain, kindly offers free coaching for junior girls at the club.
“As well as junior competitions we also have monthly 9-hole competitions where the juniors can participate with men and women golfers at the club so that these future Tigers can fine-tune their skills.
“Over the winter, during bad weather, the clubhouse was transformed into an indoor putting area so that our juniors could continue their practice (and win some prizes
“Anyone interested in finding out more about our junior section etc can make contact via the email juniors@heatonmoorgolfclub.co.uk.”
Heaton Moor’s men played over two rounds for the Atkinson Tankard and in round on the pace was set by Dave Rodden who won a cpo on 66 from Alan Worswick, one less than Andrew Haslam.
Next day in round two Jonathan Hadfield won a cpo on 68 from club legend Ken Lappin, one less than Michael Connor.
The trophy was won by a delighted Ken Lappin with 137 taking him home by a shot from Jonathan Hadfield and Michael Connor.
Moor’s ladies were in medal action and Beverley Smith was in a league of her own with 69 from Jeanette Butterfield 74 and Jenny Thorburn 76.
Cheadle ladies played a singles Stableford and Emma Pike was a clear winner with 40 points from Susan Shaw 37 and Josy Taylor 33.
Cheadle’s men played for the Captain’s Challenge medal and in division one Martin Loynd posted a scorching 58 to finish ahead of Paul Owens 60 and Neil Shawcross 64.
Jonathan Dodd topped division two with a neat 62 from Pete Duncan and Will Nicholson, both 65.
Disley’s men played a midweek Stableford and Paul Quinn was an emphatic winner with 44 points, three more than Keith Roberts, Lucas Kulper and Peter Crosby.
The Seniors Shield at Disley was won by Richard Clayton with 38 points, one more than Sandy Dunlop and Dave Ward.
Denise Seddon was unstoppable in a ladies Stableford at Disley posting an impressive 39 points to finish seven points clear of Lesley Mott, Ann McCormick and Jean Blackie.
A midweek Stableford at Avro was a tight contest with a cpo on 37 points being won by Ivan Robertson from Michael McDonagh and Peter Walker.
It also needed a cpo on 39 points to see Mark Hampshire win the Seniors Trophy from Leslie
Fowler, three more than Peter Hale.
Gatley’s men played over two rounds for the Captain’s Prize and in round one David Godfrey went clickety click to finish ahead of Peter Stiles 68 and Graham Fletcher and Joseph Faulkner, both 69.
In round two Paul Townley won a cpo on 72 from Kenneth Finch but the aggregate winner was David Godfrey on 145 from David Woodworth 146.
Gatley ladies played a singles Stableford and it was won by Marie Gordon with 24 points, two more than Elizabeth Flynn, Tracy Gibbon and Pamela McKean.
Mellor and Townscliffe ladies were also in singles Stableford action and Kate Smith won with 36 points, two more than Kim Jackson and Alison Fletcher.
In a Stableford for M and T’s men division one was ruled by Peter Roberts with 42 points from Paul Hanson 41 and Thomas Heginbotham 40.
In division two Henry Roberts won a cpo on 42 from Russell Gould, one more than Oliver Stonehouse.
A Saturday medal at New Mills had a close finish with Michael Currie winning a cpo on 64 from Nick Lewis, three less than Michael Walsh and Dan Thomas. Next day there was another cpo on 68 needed to take Dan Thomas into top spot from Oliver France, three less than Callum Clarke and Barry Lawson.
The Romiley Trophy and Kinsey Salver were up for grabs at Romiley for members and visitors and home player Paul Wagstaff led in from away players A Phillips and Jack Stones and home star Nick Gorman, all 69.
A medal for Romiley’s men had the divisions topped by Bradley Snape, after a cpo on 70 with Paul Wagstaff, Richard Hale after a cpo on 71 with Joseph Doyle, Richard Manock after a cpo on 70 with Carl Pannett and Clive Cooper 73.
Romiley ladies enjoyed a Par competition for the Nellie Oldham Trophy and Deb Kershaw was the delighted winner on +3 from Linda Moore +2 and Hilary Craven, Anne Harrison and Lady Captain Jackie Purcer all -1.
Steve ‘Majestic’ Moores is a legend at Stamford Golf Club and a regular player in the Manchester Alliance events- the biggest of their kind in the country and he Is looking to stage the eighth Annual Lancashire Overseas Pro Am in the fabulous Algarve early in 2021.
Steve said: “In 2020 a staggering 47 teams came together for the seventh Lancs Overseas Pro Am and what a totally awesome competition it was with Lymm GC assistant professional Graham Cox taking the top individual prize for the third time.
“2020 has been incredibly difficult for golf travel but despite everything the world could throw at us we are pleased to invite golfers to join us for one of the major events of the winter.
“Once more Quinta do Lago Golf have cleared the fairways for us and we again have capacity for 50 teams- already many of last year’s teams have renewed their entry and Portugal is ready once again for the biggest and friendliest Pro Am of them all.
“There are plenty of terrific prizes on offer, stay at a true 5star hotel and plenty of other benefits including the Golden Shot with great help from sponsors and partners
“We are working closely with Holidays4Golfers and full details of what is involved can be obtained from Julie Franklin on either jf@holidays4golfers.com or tel 0161 428 0963.