Lucas out to follow McCormick’s path
DISLEY Golf Club has always been proud of their junior development with James McCormick being one of many of their juniors going on to achieve success in golf.
Now the club has Lucas Kuiper looking to make his mark in golf with plenty of success since he took on the sport in 2014 as a junior.
Lucas is 14 years old and he attends The King’s School in Macclesfield.
Lucas’s dad Paul said: “He has been swinging a golf club since he could walk and became a junior member at Disley at the age of seven.
“During that period he has had several coaching sessions with Craig Daggit (Bramall Park) before departing for Abu Dhabi in 2015 where his development and the love of golf really kicked in as a member of the Abu Dhabi National Golf Club (Home of the HSBC Championships) where he played several tournaments under the Future Falcon programme.
“Prior to his departure Lucas won a Troon Junior League Order Of Merit 2019. In 2020 we moved back to the UK and he rejoined Disley Golf Club and he currently receives coaching from Richard Green (Bramhall Golf Club).
“Richard has many exceptional players under his guidance, Bronte Law would be at the forefront of that list.
“Since his return to the UK, Lucas has improved tremendously and his handicap as decreased drastically as a result and his current WHS Handicap is 3.4”
“Lucas has also recently qualified to play in the European Junior Open final in the qualifier at Tytherington GC
“The event was supposed to be held on the a few weeks earlier on May 9 at the Tytherington Club but due to the inclement weather on the day it was postponed until Sunday May 30.
“When play did commence, Lucas was in the second group to tee off with myself on the bag. All players would play off scratch handicap.
“After a nervy first tee shot, Lucas soon settled in to the match going one under par through 12 holes.
“Unfortunately the last seven holes proved difficult and he walked off 18 with a gross score of 77. But enough it turned out to be to qualify for the grand final in Spain.
“Lucas is also a regular playing member for the Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs playing for the U14 squad looking to rise to play for his county at all levels in the future.
“He has benefited from knowing Bronte Law and Holly Clyburn (both LPGA Tour Professionals) personally, both of whom have encouraged Lucas immensely throughout.”
Lucas added: “I would like to thank Joshua Crumplin (Disley Proshop Assistant and Professional Golfer on the Challenge Tour)
“I would also like to thank Jim Bull (Head Junior Organiser at Disley Golf Club) and Joyce Commins of Disley Golf Club and Joyce Commins an avid supporter of the club’s junior section.
“My ambition in the short term is reduce my current handicap to scratch by the end of this summer and in the long term my goals are complete my GCSE’s, and A-Levels and go to university to attain a degree, in doing so I also hopes to become a Tour Professional.
“I have many golfing idols including Tommy Fleetwood, Ian Poulter, Rory McIlroy and of course the great Tiger Woods who stands at the top of that list, proving that with determination and a strong self belief, anything can be achieved.
“I have had the privilege of meeting many of today’s top golfers and they have in their own way contributed greatly towards my golfing endeavours.
“I am also an avid rugby player and I was a member of the Abu Dhabi Harlequins and currently play rugby for my school.”
The Centenary Spring Cup for Disley’s men was led in by Paul Johnson with 44 points from Gary Richardson 42 and Alex Hughes who led in three players on 40.
The Captain’s Day for Disley ladies had a clear winner in Leigh Duffy with a fine 64 taking her home from Denise Seddon 67 and Bi Suk Knowles 69.
The Brian Hislop Memorial Trophy at Avro was won by John Wetherell with 40 points, one more than Leslie Fowler.
Peter Hale was out on his own in a midweek Stableford at Avro with 40 points, four clear of Chris Hynes and Ivan Robertson.
Cheadle ladies were in medal mode and Jo Taylor romped to victory with 64 from Susan Shaw 68 and Lynne Miller 69.
Medal action for Cheadle’s men saw the divisions won by Robert Buckley 61 and Stephen Brown after a cpo on 60 with Stephen Bevington.
A Stableford for Gatley’s men was led in by Anthony Stevens with 36 points, one more than John Hardman.
The Walter Merrin Trophy at Heaton Moor was won by Ian Hewitt with 67, one clear of Dave Larner, Steve Heap and David Alexander.
Alan Brierley picked up another trophy at Moor as he posted 41 points to win the Danny Williams Trophy finishing two clear of Martin Nolan, Neil Hodge and David Sanders.
It was close in a ladies medal at Moor with Susan Quilligotti on top with 69, from Tina Benson and Helen Leggatt, both 70.
A ladies medal at New Mills was won by Katherine Lindsay with a fine 65 from Alison Rudder 66 and Jane Howard and Ann Brown, both 67 and the 9-hole winner was Mary Blake after a cpo on 20 points with Kate Bromilow.
There was some tidy scoring in a medal for New Mills men with Ben Williams posting a hot 63 in division one closely followed by Keith Wright 64.
It needed a cpo on 65 to see Russell Pearson top division two from Dean Mohareb.
No problems in a midweek Stableford at New Mills for Stephen Hay winning with 41 points, two more than Dave Brough.
The June medal at Romiley saw the four divisions led in by Mark James 70, Martin Clarke 66, Ray Jones 68 and Steven Hibbert 68.
There was a good field for the first Romiley Seniors Open and top of the shop with 47 points were A and P Veitch from A Cainen and R Haddock.
More good scoring in a Romiley ladies BB Stableford led in by I Barrow and J Mellor with 48 points, three more than L Schofield and D Booth.