Baker takes on captain’s role at Macc
MACCLESFIELD Golf Club’s new captain Mike Baker is well known at the club as part of the ‘Ant and Dec’ partnership together with his best mate Tony Gosling.
Mike would choose Tony to play in his chosen four-ball along with Jamie Donaldson, the club’s most famous player and his late father-in-law Ron Day, a 12-handicap member at Prestbury who he never played with.
Mike, a member at Macc for 27 years and currently playing off 25 handicap (best was 18), said: “We have a great course in superb condition and if there are golfers who have never played it before I would urge them to give it a try.
“My favourite hole at Macc is the 16th Stroke Two Index which I usually play well and my playing highlight was holing a 165-yard shot during a Texas Scramble to secure an eagle on the stroke one eighth hole.
“I usually play twice a week and my hobbies other than golf are the Macclesfield Male Voice Choir, classic cars and DIY and I also keep an eye on what Macclesfield Town are doing. My favourite course, other than Macc is Dunskey in Portpatrick and the charity I will be supporting in 2017 is the East Cheshire Hospice. Joining me in office are President Dave Brereton, Lady Captain Marlene Connor and junior Captain Ollie Tovee and we are all looking forward to a great year at the club in 2017.”
Wilmslow’s men were in medal mode and produced some good scores led in Mark Starr with 64. Hot on his heels were Mike Gardner 67, Simon Perry 67 and Dan Fosbrook and Matthew Wood, both 68.
Davenport ladies played an 11-hole Stableford and Madelaine Kingham was first past the post with 24 points from Dee Green and Danuta Silva both 23.
Shrigley Hall’s men produced some solid scores in a Thursday Stableford led in by Richard Burrow with a fine haul of 40 points seeing him home from Nick Rainford 39 and Howard Stringer and Charles Green both 38.
The 11th Winter League Stableford at Shrigley had a clear winner in Steve Brooks as he posted 33 points to finish with three more than Alex Mansfield and Charlie Wood.
A Styal Saturday Stableford had division one led in by Nick Edge with a formidable 44-pointer taking him five points clear of Dominic Taylor, Oliver Baker and Jeffrey Chadwick.
In division two Gavin Holmes was also a clear winner with 39 points seeing him first past the post from James Brown 37 and Mike Wild 35.A Stayl ‘Open to All’ Sunday Stableford was led in by Tony Nabarro with an impressive 43-point haul seeing him well clear of Howard Rice and Dominic Taylor, both 37.
Styal seniors are nearing the end of their long Winter League programme with the 16th competition being won by David Riley with 43 points ahead of Nick Gillings 42 and Dennis Brown and Alan Lines, both 40
The main Styal Mens Winter League is also reaching its conclusion and the leaders at present are Keith Dawson 231, Mike Burchell 229, Eddie Birchenough 227, Tom Bloor 226 and Jeffrey Chadwick 225.
Houghwood is one of the newer golf clubs on the huge Manchester Alliance circuit but the club certainly put on the style to provide a great venue for the latest Alliance fixture sponsored by Mark Gregory of M-Pire Golf.
The challenge of the Houghwood course was reflected in the lowering of the recent high scores in the Alliance fixtures but it did not prevent Knutsford pro Tim Maxwell showing his legendary class as he led in the individual pro section with 41 points, one more than Colin Moroney and Dave Green (Dukinfield).