Top field for Cheshire Cat
AFEW seasons ago Wilmslow and Stockport Golf Clubs combined forces with their top Wilmslow Crow and Stockport Salver competitions linking together to set up the national ranking Cheshire Cat.
It is played over four rounds, two at each club, and has gone from strength to strength attracting a stellar field of top players from the North West and across the country.
This year Wilmslow hosted the first two rounds with the winner taking the Wilmslow Crow Trophy.
It was played in superb weather over a perfect course which saw some top class golf from the talented field.
Leading the way and taking the Wilmslow Crow was Dominic BarronHolden from Kendal GC who had a fantastic second round of 64 to give him a total of 134.
But it was only a shot clear of Julian Wood (Hallamshire) and hot on their heels were previous winner Ian Kenwright (Haydock Park) and young Cheshire stars Jake Hibbert (Delamere Forest) 138 and club colleague James Ashfield 139.
James was on a hot streak after winning the Cheshire stroke-play championship at Delamere Forest a few days before with an incredible record-breaking 25 under par.
Next day the perfect conditions continued at Stockport Golf Club with the battle for the Stockport Salver and the final two rounds of the Cheshire Cat.
James Ashfield turned up the heat in round one with another great score of 65, including an eagle on the 17th hole, to take a big lead over Ryan Dixon (Castle Eden) 69, and Dominic Barron –Holden, Ian Kenwright, Ollie Brimfield (Burnham and Barrow) and home player Luke Yardley, all 70.
The top scores of 67 in round two came from Ollie Brimfield and Luke Yardley and Ciaran Doherty (Bury) 69 there was no stopping James Ashfield as he too posted 69 for a total score of 134 to take the Salver from Ollie Brimfield and Luke Yardley, both 137.
James Ashfield added more trophies to his growing collection as he won the Cheshire Cat with 273 from Ian Kenwright 277 and Dominic BarronHolden 279.
A midweek Stableford at Avro was won with a fabulous 50 points by Gordon Featherstone, five more than Bob Worsley.
More modest scores in a Seniors Stableford with Brian Renshaw leading in with 38 points from Bob Collins 37 and Alan Grice 36.
The monthly medal for Alderley Edge ladies was won by Lesley Fowler with a fine score of 64 taking her one clear of Debbie Law with Julie Ricketts next in on 70.
A singles Stableford for Davenport’s men had division one led in by Graham Boon after a cpo on 40 with David Bamford and Ian White led in five players on 38.
In division two it also needed a cpo on 42 to take Gary Spencer into top spot from Neil Finch and division three Steve Rowton was out on his own with 43 points from Andrew Bailey 42 and Ian Ashcroft and Harry Gilchrest, both 41.
A Bogey at Mottram Hall was a tight contest in division one with a cpo on +3 being won by David Simcock from Alex Johnson and Paul Dunford.
In division two Ben Forrest was out on his own with +5 from Andrew Fellowes and Ian Cook, both +4.
Prestbury’s men played a medal for the Captain’s Bell and it rang out loud for Kevin Harling who posted 69 to finish one clear of Simon Baker, Fred Bridge and David Rowley.
Prestbury played their delayed Centenary Triangular Match against Sandiway and Eaton Golf Clubs and top of the shop with 45 points were Prestbury dynamic duo of Gill and Philip Singh.
Next in were S Brown and J Barton (Sandiway 44) who won a cpo from Prestbury’s Debbie and Stephen Ward.
Christine Shuttleworth was in a league of her own on Lady Captain’s Day ‘major’ medal posting a fantastic 60 to finish ten shots clear of Rosemary Mason, Elizabeth Thomas and Deborah Baker.
The 9-hole winner was Elsa Andrew after a cpo on 19 points with Helga Henry.
It was Shrigley Hall’s legendary Captain Alan Pengelly’s Day and it provided a thrilling finish with Eric Easson in the pole position with 67 but hot on his heels with 68 were Michael Chesters, Patrick Booth, George Bresnahan and Jack Bennett.