Life members of club’s rich golfing history
GOLF has always been recommended as a sport for longevity with the exercise and social benefits and this is demonstrated very well at the scenic Mellor and Townscliffe Golf Club.
The club is very proud to have seven life members who personify this perfectly.
Mellor manager Carol Butler said: “We got five of them to turn up at the club to have photographs taken. Sadly we couldn’t get them all together as
Ian Brooks and Jerry Baggs could not attend on the day of the photographs, but Ian Smith, Graham Bailey, David Edge, Brian Lewis and our latest recruit – John Easter – were there.
“Between them they are 567-years-old and have been members for 381 years – and have a handicap total of just 142!
“All bar one of the guys still plays every week and they’ve had at least 24 holes in one, there are two past presidents, and two past captains – one of whom has spent 37 years on the club’s council and been chair of greens for most of those.
“Another piece of club memorabilia was the Centenary medal, which Ian Smith brought with him.
“These silver medals were awarded to players who won a monthly medal in our centenary year of 1994 and he was one of them.
“Ian remembers that membership cost just eight guineas when he joined the club in the early 60s and John Easter brought his letter of acceptance into the club from 1970, where he paid a £10 entrance fee and 18 guinea subscription!
“No doubt plenty of other clubs in the county have similar stories and memories and our life members are justifiably proud of theirs.”
● THE Anniversary Cup at Hazel Grove saw the three divisions led in by Scott Elwers 66, Ian Martin after a cpo on 68 with Ian Bailey, Simon Clifford and Ash Dunn and Mark Saxon 67.
Mark Saxon also topped division one in a Seniors Stableford after a cpo on 38 with Eric Slater and in division two Robert Morley was out on his own with 40.
A Wednesday qualifier at Grove needed a cpo on 39 points in division one to see Ralph Thorman in top spot from Malcolm Shannon, Tom Gradwell and Gordon Brady.
In division two Glyn Hague won a cpo on 39 from Peter Allen.
Grove’s ladies played for the Ada Sargent Shield and it was won by Julie Koziarski with 39 points, one more than club legend Viv Carroll.
The latest Devil qualifier at Houldsworth had the divisions led in by John Dickinson 68, Paul Stafford after a cpo on 69 with Stephen Foster and Jason McCorkell 65.
Houldsworth ladies were in medal mode with Christina Fleetwood out on her own with 66, eight less than Deborah Hewitt.
● A MIDWEEK Stableford at Marple had Peter Clarke and Lewis Heath out on their own with 43 points and Peter got the nod in the cpo.
It also needed a cpo on 65 in the Marple Seniors Charity Cup with Stuart Henderson taking the trophy from Anthony Clark.
Marple ladies played a BB Stableford and top of the pile were K Buchanan and A Keelan with 44 points, two more than J Chadwick and L Andrew.
● A 9-HOLE Stableford for Stockport ladies was won by Diane Jowsey with 20 points, one more than Aileen Gregory.
Stockport’s men played their monthly medal and in division one Henry Beischer won a cpo on 69 from Stewart McKinnon.
Martin Yardley led in division two with 69, one more than Jim Denmark and Alton Wickes.
● The Past Captain’s Trophy at Reddish Vale had a clear winner in Francis Brown who posted a fine 63, four shots less than Jon Milner and Derek Simpkins.
The Wednesday medal at Vale had the three divisions led in by Vaughan Stott 64, Alan Booth 68 and Stephen Burden with a stunning 61.
● Heaton Moor captain Terry McHale will be taking part in ‘The Big Golf Race Marathon’ at his club on Monday, June 21.
He is looking, with the help of friends and family to play four rounds of golf starting at about 6.30am with the aim of getting support for his chosen charity of Prostate Cancer UK.
Terry said: “The gents at Heaton Moor can see this as a kindness to the charity or an investment to their future help and wellbeing. Dig deep and let’s help Prostate Cancer UK in their essential work.”
One of the top features of the CUGC Centenary year is the release of its superb ‘Centenary Book – The Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs – One Hundred Years’ which will be presented to clubs and available to obtain during 2021.
The book covers great detail of the action, clubs and outstanding county personalities over the past 100 year and one of the features is the CUGC Hall of Fame section covering CUGC legends.
Cheshire President David Durling (Shrigley Hall GC) said: “We are now in the process of delivery the Centenary Books to our affiliated golf clubs.
“The first Life Members’ meeting of the season was held at Heswall GC and CUGC secretary Peter Whitehead and I, who played together, took the opportunity to present two copies of the Centenary Book to Jay Tank, Captain of Heswall GC.
“The CUGC directors will be delivering the books to our clubs in the coming weeks.”