Cheshire centenary celebrated in style!
THE Cheshire Union of Golf Club’s Centenary Dinner was delayed for a year due to Covid but it proved to be a fitting occasion in all aspects at the superb venue of The Mere Resort.
As well as distinguished guests and representatives from other counties and golf organisations, county officials and members from Cheshire clubs the attendance was boosted by the first attendance of ladies to the annual dinner from the CCLGA and wives and partners of county offi- cials and top guests.
There was an attendance of around 270, which was by far the largest for many years with over 70 ladies enjoying the occasion to the full.
The main guests were Peter Forster, the Captain of the R and A and Graham Yates, the President of England Golf who both played their part on the night of celebration of 100 years of Cheshire County Golf.
There was an entertaining glimpse of the past 100 years on a running slide show provided by Jerry Dixon plus a display board outlining the county history.
CUGC secretary Peter Whitehead had a busy night as MC and President David Durling (Shrigley Hall) also had a big part to play and they both gave deserved thanks to all who had worked hard behind the scenes to set up a splendid and fitting celebration. The Mere Resort provided its usual excellent service and dinner enjoyed by all.
The first main speaker was Peter Forster who gave an illuminating and amusing speech about his time in golf, the great history of Cheshire and the R and A plans to keep golf growing at all levels in the present and future.
He then presented the Centenary Plate to David Durling. This was followed by David Durling who welcomed all of the distinguished guests and then gave due thanks to all who contributed so much to Cheshire Golf in recent and previous years.
There were then presentations of Centenary Plates to the three Cheshire clubs, who are also celebrating their centenaries, by Graham Yates to Eaton Lady Captain Ann Shepherd, Sandiway Captain Bruce Johnson and Prestbury Captain Nick Wood.
David Durling then presented awards to Cheshire Player of the Year Jon Beesley (The Mere) and Gareth Bradley (Bramhall) the Seniors Order of Merit winner.
The winner of the Men’s Order of Merit, Jack Brooks (The Mere) was unable to attend.
Then the evening was concluded by Entertainer Billy Flywheel who put on a great show of comedy, mystery and magic.
WIN FOR VAN ROSS
IT was close in a medal for Cheadle ladies with Beverley Van Ross winning a cpo on 64 from Lynne Miller, six clear of Susan Shaw.
Anthony Finch cruised to victory in a Stableford at Gatley with 40 points from Chris Whitehead 37 and Graham Stubbs and Brett Seery, both 34.
A Midweek Stableford at Avro was led in by Ken Fairfield with 37 ahead of Neil Flood 34 and Derek Ellershaw 31.
A Pro’s Aggregate Bogey at Heaton Moor was won by Joseph Healey with +5 from Neville Lawrence +3 and club legend Denis Mulrenan and Paul Kay, both +1.
A Junior 9-hole competition at Heaton Moor was led in by Lui Charmmy with 22, three more than James Marsh.
It was a tight finish in a Stableford at Heaton Moor with Andrew Gowen winning a cpo on 37 from Thomas Boyle and hot on their heels Charlie McGonagle led in six players on 36.
A medal for Moor’s ladies had Emma-Louise Fusari in a league of her own with 72 seeing her eight shots clear of Liz Jordan and Julie Stonehouse.
A medal for Disley ladies was won by Sandra Commins with 69 ahead of Gaynor Calvert 72 and Denise Seddon 73.
A Greenkeepers’ Revenge Team medal at Disley was won by the fab four of A Sweeney, C Waldron, M Hill and P Clark after a cpo on 51 with P and M Will and M and J Robinson. Disley juniors played for the Jason Resnick Trophy and it was won by Lucas Kuiper after a cpo on 41 with Alexander Henderson.
A Midweek Stableford at New Mills was won by Michael Deaville with 36 points ahead of Steve Worrall and Mark Brooks, both 34.
A Singles Stableford at New Mills had division one led in by Sean Moore with 40, two more than Simon Phillipson and Graham Nevett.
Derren Walker was the main man in division two with 41, one more than Giles Wyatt and Duncan Moore.
A BB Stableford for Romiley’s men saw S Brown, S Horne, D Lawton and D Ball first past the post with 88 points from J Mawdsley, M Gahan, A Cocks and I Fielden who won a cpo on 85 from J Edwards, C Stones, T McGlinchey and G Williams. R and A Whalley stocked up their family larder as they won a Turkey
Trot at Romiley with 43 points just one clear of D Jones and P Tempest, G and L Nuttall, J Davis and C Jones and P and P Armstrong.
A medal for Romiley ladies was won by Irene Barrow with a neat 73 seeing well clear of Janet Harman 76, Denise Booth 78 and Hilary Craven, Jackie Purcer and Rebecca Byle, all 79.
The latest Manchester Alliance fixture proved to another cracker with some great scores at the delightful Dukinfield GC which has a testing and well presented course backed by a terrific clubhouse and outstanding bar and catering services.
Capped by great views over Cheshire and Greater Manchester this was another great day of golf for Alliance professionals and amateurs.
All of this was backed by the usual super-efficient Alliance team who again had impeccable organisation to ensure a smoothflowing competition.
Ashton-on-Mersey GC’s superb young professional Haydn McCullen kept up his great run of form this season with a top individual score of 43 points, which included five birdies and an eagle to see him overtake early leader Craig Corrigan 42 with Phil Archer (Poulton Park) next in on 38.
Haydn’s ever-reliable partner Mark Gauchi added a vital couple of points to see the dynamic duo also top the pro am section on 45 points after a cpo with Craig Corrigan and Mark Riley (Leigh), one more than Davenport’s Jamie Howarth and Paul Robinson.
Sponsor Barry Hayes (Pike Fold) and his Brookdale partner Andrew Fry led in the am am section with 45 points from Phil Dearden and Dave Lomax (Flixton) 43 and Dan Crook and William Marsden (Leigh) 41 and Craig Corrigan took the Nearest the Pin Prize.