Holes in one galore at Mellor and Townscliffe
MELLOR and Townscliffe Golf Club is renowned for the number of holes in one its superb scenic course has enjoyed over the years.
The recent spurt in aces began with a remarkable experience by Peter Roberts.
Peter said: “I was playing in the Jowett Cup against Dave Edge and on the 137-yard par three Windy Bottom fifth hole I was delighted to put my tee shot within six inches of the hole.
“Dave unfortunately hit his tee shot into the ditch just off the tee and decided to play another ball and be three off the tee.
“His tee shot went straight past my ball into the hole for a par and as he did not have a shot I won the hole by tapping in a birdie.
“Then a few days later I was playing some practice holes on the course and holed my tee shot on the fifth hole and I dropped my club on the tee the moment I saw it drop and just stared around in disbelief.”
A few days later Simon Conway added to the ace tally as he bagged the sixth ace of his career on the 11th hole.
He was using a gap wedge and his ball bounced off the bank on the left of the hole and rolled across the green and into the hole!
As M and T legend Colin Hughes would say‘It could only happen at Mellor!’
Bramhall ladies played for the England Golf Foundation Brooch and Sarah Jane Moore was in a league of her own posting an incredible 45 points, nine clear of Fiona Ellis.
Avro’s men played for the coveted Lancaster Club Trophy and Mark Durkin was a clear winner with 67, four less than Tom Bochenski.
It was closer in a midweek Stableford at Avro with Michael McDonagh on top with 38 points, one more than Peter Walker and Neil Flood.
The Seniors Centenary Cup at Hazel Grove saw the three divisions topped by Bryan Jobling 41 points, Steven Jones 37 and Peter Lindsay after a cpo on 37 with Alex Borthwick.
The Gold Medal final for Grove’s ladies was won by Rita Patel with 70, one less than Ruth Upton and Hilary Hill and Angela Maynard won the 9-hole Stableford with 16.
Gary Birch was in easy street in the Coronation Cup bogey competition at Houldsworth posting +8 from Andrew McConnell, David Flint, David Barton and Michael Meecham, all +4.
A ladies Stableford at Houldsworth had Deborah Hewitt on top with 33 points, one more than Elaine Shaw and Louise Lanigan.
Marple’s ladies played a Stableford qualifier and Joan Vaughan was in a league of her own with 44 points from Linda Field 38 and Carolyn Souter 37 and Wendy Hibbert was a clear winner in the 9-hole Stableford with 21 points.
Stableford action for Marple’s men had soccer legend Craig Frisby top of division one with 38 points, one more than Michael Shipperlee.
Jack Miller topped division two with 42 points and Bill Tennant also posted 42 points to lead in division three.
It was close in division one of the Reddish Vale Wednesday Stableford with club legend David Hamilton winning a cpo from another star Vaughan Stott.
It also needed a cpo on 41 points to see Steve Bardsley lead in division two from Darren Breen and in division three Martin Boocock won with 42 points, one more than Mary Stott.
A Midweek Stableford at Stockport was won by Ross Gregory with 40 points, two more than Colin Byrne, James Leighton, Darren Whiteley and John Delany.
The monthly medal at Stockport had division one won by Cheshire legend Barry Barker with 69 from Ian Johnson 70.
In division two Jeff Sutton also won with 69 from John Ormiston 72 and Peter Humphries, Tony Gregory and Gary Cash, all 73.
Hazel Grove Golf Club provided a testing course for a good field in a close competition in the latest Cheshire Life Members competition.
There was just a point separating the top six pairs at the top of the leader board and winning a cpo on 43 points were Alan Duffy and Colin Barr who made the short trip from Reddish Vale.
Next in were Peter Brown (Wallasey) and John Lawson (Bidston) and in third place Peter Frommett and Stephen Lawrence (Sandiway).
Taking fourth spot just a point adrift were Alan Hunt and Bob Stanley (Alsager) who won a cpo from two other pairs.
It was a memorable day for Shrigley Hall Captain Alan Pengelly who was delighted to notch a hole in one on the par three second hole.
Alan has waited 22 years to get his first ace and he hit a sweet six iron straight into the hole.
Alan said: “I was aiming for the middle of the green and hit a straight shot which landed at the front of the green and then took a big curve to the left and I was picking up my tee when our playing partner Ray said ’It’s gone in’ and I didn’t fully believe it until I got there.
“I had an eight on the next hole (par five) before being able to settle down! We were able to enjoy the usual celebrations at the 19th after finishing play
“The competition was off the yellow tees and I think I zapped it with my laser at 167 yards and I am only sorry I could not do it at my home club.
“My nearest recent effort there came on the 174-yard 18th hole about three weeks previously which was just two feet past the hole and I got a big ‘OOOH’ from the balcony watchers.
It’s also getting hot in the MDLGA Bell Cup as it has now reached round three for the last 32 teams.
Already through to the last 16 are Saddleworth ladies who won their local derby against Oldham and now await the winners of the Davyhulme Park v Wigan tie
Our local teams in action are: Reddish Vale v Bolton Lostock, Bury v Marple, Disley v Prestbury,Hazel Grove v Mellor and Townscliffe
It’s getting to crunch time in the Manchester Alliance Inter Club Knock Outs, the biggest of their kind in the country, as the draws have been made for round three.
In the blue riband Dunham Forest Trophy, which features the club professional and the six top amateurs our local teams in action are: Rochdale v Romiley or Hindley Hall, New Mills v Hazel Grove, Stockport v Disley, Cavendish v Fairfield.
The City Glass Men’s Foursomes draw features: Cavendish v Rossendale, Hindley Hall v Disley, Stand v Hazel Grove, Heaton Moor v Rochdale, Marple v Whitefield.