Former Open course provides big test
ROYAL Liverpool GC provided a top test for a record field, containing plenty of local stars, competing for the 2015 Cheshire Stroke Play Championships.
The venue for the 2014 Open Championship, won by Rory McIlroy, attracted more than 200 original entries that had to be balloted down to 132 with a handicap of 3.5 or less.
Strong winds and demanding rough saw very few players post under-par rounds.
Home player Tom Heggarty, the son of the club’s respected pro John, had just returned from successfully completing a four-year golf scholarship at Tennessee University, where he will be returning to do a Masters degree later in the year.
He showed his local knowledge was still in great evidence as he set the pace in round one with a 70, matched by former Cheshire team captain David Peel, of Stockport GC.
Junior star Rhys NevinWharton was the main man in round two with a neat 69 helping his Sandiway team of Chris Harrison and Grant Little to the team prize.
This means that they will represent Cheshire in the national team championships at Brancepeth Castle, Durham, next month.
The final day saw the field cut to 42 and as the winds strengthened, the scores rose dramatically with the best coming from Heggarty, McCormick and Jordan – all on 73.
The final round produced even more drama as McCormick went into the lead by a shot on the ninth from Heggarty who hit back to lead by two on the 13th.
McCormick eagled the 16th to draw level with Heggarty, who posted a birdie, and a double bogey on 17 by McCormick gave Heggarty a one-shot edge to take the drama to the wire on the 18th.
McCormick found himself in deep rough on 18th needing a search party to find his ball and then a miracle recovery shot to the green raised his hopes.
Heggarty was safely on the green but faced a tricky putt from 30ft and a nerve- jangling four-footer to clinch the title and avoid a three-hole play-off, which he managed to do to win the coveted prize and go on to represent Cheshire in the national finals at Woodhall Spa next month.
His final total of 290 saw him win from James McCormick, 291, Matthew Jordan, 294, and Rhys Nevin-Wharton, 295.
Tom also won the trophy as the top colt (under 22) while David Peel was the top over 35s player on 298.
Back at Stockport, a pro’s medal was won by M Haworth with his nett 67 seeing him home from Peter Roche, 68, and Neil Everest, 69.
The President’s Day for juniors at Stockport was a Stableford competition and Ewan Holt was well clear with 40 points from Jacob Smith, 36.
Cheadle’s men played a monthly medal which was also a scratch competition and Duncan Clarkson was the main man with 59 off 11 handicap taking the top two prizes with Stephen Abrahams next in with 62.
Cheadle ladies were in medal mode with Sarah Huxley on top with 72 from Maureen Khan, 72, and Judith Stanford, 74.
Reddish Vale seniors played round five for the Joey Jones Trophy with David Hollington leading in with 37 points, one more than Colin Farrow and Kenneth Whitlow.
Wednesday Stableford action at Vale saw the familiar name of John Seaton top of division one with 39 points, two more than Lee Norcross.
Top of the other two divisions were Barry Cock- sey after a cpo on 43 points with Joshua Tunnicliffe and Marc Singleton, 42.
Medal action in a Bunty Booth qualifier for Vale’s ladies had Jeanette Kinder well clear after posting 72, five less than Sheila Cowlard.
Hazel Grove’s men enjoyed a Wednesday Stableford with Steve Boardman posting 38 points to finish one ahead of club legend Andrew Hill.
The Seniors’ Captain’s Day at Grove was won in emphatic style by David McGannity with 41 points, three more than Eric Slater.
Grove’s ladies were in medal mode with Division One led in by Kathie Glazier with 74 from Debbie Wilson and Chris Schofield, both 76.
Leading in the other divisions were Andrea Haynes, 73, and Jayne Carey, 75.
Marple’s men played over two rounds for the Scratch Bowl and in round one Iain Graham set the pace with 68 from Craig Murray, 71.
Round two had Paul Turnbull on fire with 66, five clear of Iain Graham and Keith Sumner.
The final reckoning saw Iain Graham win the nett prize with 139, five clear of Paul Turnbull and Graham made it a double winning the Scratch Bowl with a 141 total, 21 better than Paul Turnbull.
A Stableford for Marple ladies had Pauline Davies first past the post with 38 points, one more than Mary Gilbody.
Gatley’s men played for the Timperley Putter and in a tight finish Scott Keelan won a cpo on 39 points from Grant Jones with Barry Uttley two points off their hot pace.
The draws have been made for two of the Manchester and District Alliance’s Inter Club Tournaments which have both had a full entry from our local clubs.
The Archie Preston Trophy for Mixed Foursomes is down to the last 16 and our local teams still in the mix are Mellor and Townscliffe who host Macclesfield and there is a top local derby as Bramall Park visit Reddish Vale.
Bramhall were beaten at Davenport and in the Seniors Match Play local hopes were also extinguished as Cheadle lost at home to Styal and Bramall Park lost out hosting Crompton and Royton.
In the Williams BMW Junior Team Challenge Styal host Bramall Park after Stamford beat Mellor and Townscliffe.
Houldsworth are heading for a league and cup double in the Oldham and District Rabbits League after a 10-0 whitewash of Ashton in the latest cup round.
Houldsworth are already looking to be favourites to in the league as they are level on points with Dukinfield at the top of the league with a game in hand after Dukinfield were beaten 6-2 at Brookdale and they are runaway leaders in their Group B Cup table.