Bradleys shine in Spanish test
GARETH Bradley is a true legend at Bramhall Golf Club and with Cheshire with a great playing record for many years.
His son Charles is also a fine golfer and the dynamic duo formed a great partnership as they played in the European ‘Fathers and Sons’ Tournament at the Sherry GC, Jerez in Spain over three days, which is a scratch event for both amateurs and professionals.
At the end of Day One they were tied on fiveunder-par in top spot level with four other teams.
They kept up their great form on Day Two to lead by four shots going into a dramatic final day.
Needing a par on the 18th hole, a demanding 450-yard par four into a very strong wind with water all along the left side, they needed a par to clinch victory.
But Gareth narrowly missed a 12-footer to go into a sudden death playoff with two other teams who included European Tour player Matthew Southgate (who came 12th in The Open Championship).
This time it was Charles who had a putt to win but he matched his father and narrowly missed.
Matthew Southgate then holed a 35-footer from off the green to win on the second extra hole. So it was second place but a great achievement and a tremendous performance by the Bramhall pair.
A medal for Bramall Park’s men produced a close finish in division one with a cpo on 70 being won by Ray Mills from Paul Prior and Jeremy Thompson with Steve Hughes, Andy Clarke and Chris Wright just a shot off the pace.
Edward Daber was out on his own in division two with 65 seeing him clear of Chris Greenfield 67 and Jim Russell, Maxim Cowan and Simon Smeaton, all 69.
In division three it was also tight with Ian Fensom winning a cpo on 68 from Alan Ellison and Tony Bowden with John Fletcher, Michael Kelly and Martin Belshaw just a shot off the pace.
The Park Professionals Winter League saw Bob and Fiona Kelsall win a cpo on 45 points from Simon and Cath Bedford.
A Two from Three Stableford at Reddish Vale had the old firm of P Wheelton, Phil Houghton and Colin Barr first past the post with 80 points from Alan Bell, Bob Kelsall and N Goddard with J Tunnicliffe, A White and M Singleton next win with 77.
The November medal for Marple’s men had Paul Warhurst on top of division one with 68 from Simon Jeffs 69 and Gary Thomas who won a cpo on 70 from three other players. In division two the main man was Peter Ashton with 69, one less than David Hunt.
Marple seniors played a Three Clubs and a Putter Stableford and in division one Chris Ernill led in with 41 points, one more than Peter Irwin and Bob Newcombe.
In division two John Donnellan was on another planet as he posted an unbelievable 53 points to finish ahead of a disappointed Walter Derry who had 46 points.
Marple ladies looked to fill up their festive larders in a Team Turkey Trot and pulling the biggest birds with 51 points were K Gould-Martin, S Smeaton and L Field five clear of J Vaughan, L Rogers and E Wright.
A Singles Stableford for Stockport’s men saw some club legends to the fore led in by Rodney Gorton 33 points from Tony Gregory, Bill Roche and Peter Hampson all 32.
Stockport ladies played a 15-hole Stableford and in division one Laura Murison won a cpo on 25 points from Jill Sanders.
Ann Coley was the shining star in division two as her 26 points took her clear of Pat Gemmell 25.
Hazel Grove’s men played a Three Clubs and a Putter Stableford and John Tetlow was first past the post with 34 points, one more than Andrew Vause and Neil Harding.
Grove’s ladies were in medal mode with the divisions led in by June Dawson 59, Elaine Beswick 60 and Stephanie Hall 60.
The annual visit of the Manchester Alliance to Styal gave a full field a first chance to sample the changes to the course and Styal got the thumbs up from all of the players who felt that course was in the best condition ever.
There was some good scoring to reflect the quality on offer led by Ashtonon-Mersey assistant pro Olly Smith who enjoyed a great double success.
He posted the top individual score of 42 points in a round that contained eight birdies to finish ahead of Steve Parry (Hart Common) 41 and Andy Palmer (Chorley) 40.
The top assistant pro, not in the main prizes, was Bramall Park’s Liam Burgess with 39 points.
Then in a close finish for the pro am section Olly partnered John Davies (Sale) to 47 points and win a cpo from Steve Parry and Alliance treasurer Vinny Doyle (Leigh) with Chorlton’s dynamic duo of Adam Hodkinson and James Doodson next in with 43.
The am am section had Bolton Old Links stalwarts Brian Carroll and Mike Wallace showing their enduring class with a winning haul of 45 points taking them home from Terry Gilbert ( Davyhulme Park) and Marcus Corfield (William Wroe) 43 and the consistent Stamford pair of Danny Fox and Steve Finan 41.