M&T’s fundraiser for worthy cause
THERE are around seven young people, aged between 13-24, who are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK.
The Teenage Cancer Trust, which supports these young people, held a very special Tea Party at Mellor and Townscliffe Golf Club and it raised an amazing £2,280 for this very worthy cause.
There were many generous donations for the raffle and the clubhouse was packed with people keen to support the charity.
Lindsay Stead, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer at The Christie Hospital, was pleased to be able to hand over the cheque to Sabina Ruta, the North West Area Fundraising co-ordinator.
Lindsay will also be taking part in a special fundraising ‘Runway on the Runway’ under the wingspan of Concorde at Manchester Airport on March 31 – which is Manchester’s most sparkling, glitzy fashion event of 2017.
Pic- Lindsay hands over the cheque to Sabina,
England Golf have been making great efforts to get ladies into golf with a range of schemes and opportunities provided by local clubs to recruit new members.
The experience of Hazel Grove Golf Club’s Lady Academy member Alison Etherden will provide plenty of encouragement to any ladies thinking of taking up golf.
Alison said: “Golf – an old man’s sport, wandering around hitting a few balls – how hard can it be!
“I like trying a few things so when my boyfriend told me about a beginners group for ladies at Hazel Grove Golf Club, where he is a member, I said that I would give it a go not expecting to take it any further.
“A year on and I now have my own set of clubs, new bag, ball marker, balls – and so the list goes on all the gear and no idea you may be thinking.
“Well yes there is probably some of that as it takes a year to master this sport and some you would say never do! “While I am content that I’ve hit the ball in the air in the right general direction my boyfriend is unhappy because the ball has not landed on the green where he wanted it to and it is something that we can do together most of the time but we don’t actually play together.
“I have made a new set of friends from the beginner sessions and now play regularly on a Sunday afternoon with them and I am looking forward to my first weekend away with the ladies section this summer and hope to get a handicap this Spring.
“I will even be taking the golf clubs away on honeymoon this year!
“I have been surprised at how much I have taken to the sport- I like being outdoors in the fresh air, the challenge of the game and knowing that slowly but surely I am getting better s time goes by.
“I like the social aspect – it’s not all old men!- I enjoy playing with the ladies each week but the other members of the club, the pros in the shop are always friendly and welcoming for new people giving golf a go- SO Why Don’t You?”
There was a close finish in a Two from Three Stableford at Reddish Vale with John Northrop, Tim Crampton and Anthony Phillips winning a cpo on 87 points from Brian Fitzsimmons, Paul Mumford and Geoff Loughlin.
In a Sunday Stableford at Vale Adie Ord led in with 40 points, two more than Marc Singleton and Andy Humphrey.
Tom Walker played the ‘best game of his life’ in a Wednesday Stableford at Vale postint 43 points to finish two clear of Mike Radcliffe and Tony Lyons.
Bramhall’s men played a singles Stableford with Dan Britton a clear winner with 45 points, three more than David Gates, John Sullivan and Simon Walch.
The latest round of the Marple Winter League saw B Newcombe and W Derry win a cpo on 47 points from D Hurd and J Deakin.
Stockport ladies enjoyed a Five Club Stableford and none more than Laura Murison wgo led in with 25 points, one more than Glynis Hodgson.
Stockport’s men were also in Five Club Stableford action with David Hancock first past the post with 41 points from Oliver Brady 40 and club legend ●●Lindsay Stead hands over the cheque to Sabina Ruta Rodney Gorton and John Webber, both 39.
Hazel Grove’s men played a three division singles Stableford and in division one Mike Jones won a cpo on 38 points from Andrew Hill.
In division two Gerald Dignan posted 36 points, one more than Jonathan Irwin and top of division three was Michael Stewardson with a best-of-theday 40.
Grove’s ladies played a 9-Hole Stableford with Lindsey Withers first past the post with 19 points, two more than Jayne Carey.
The Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs’ new President Sean Ritchie has enjoyed a long financial management career within Local and Public Authorities.
Sean has also been a e member of Chester Golf Club since 1982 where he has played with a best handicap of 10 (now 15) and was the club Captain in 2005.
As a current Trustee of the Club Sean has served in various management roles including being club treasurer for five years. He was appointed as County Treasurer to the CUGC in 2011.
Sean said: “Although continuing to be a keen golfer and managing to play at least twice a week my golfing skills have remained somewhat limited and my sole achievement was to win the club’s Winter League in 2007!
“My wife Wanda is also a keen golfer at Chester GC and she has been far more successful than me!!
“As far as my role as President is concerned I do feel that both the County and Boys teams have failed to deliver their true potential in recent years given the ability and quality of the players we have available.
“We are continuing to develop our coaching programme and I would be very pleased to see one of our County teams, whether it is the Mens, Boys or Seniors reach the National Championship finals this year – not a bad aim for 2017!
“There will be a number of new developments in Cheshire Golf in 2017 including the replacement of the annual handbook by an enhanced website, team shirt colours changing from yellow to blue and a new process for the collection of annual subscriptions from our member clubs on behalf of their playing members.
“A full diary of events and news can be found on our website www.cheshiregolf.org.uk which I would urge all members of our clubs to check regularly for updates.”
It’s getting down to the wire with the Manchester and District Alliance’s Order of Merit competitions getting into the last lap of decisive competitions before President’s Day on May 3 when the excellent prizes on offer will be decided.
Birchwood’s Phil Archer has led for the bulk of the season but has been overtaken by Chorley’s Andy Palmer and with plenty of Merit points to play for there are other contenders waiting for a blip in form of the top two.
The current placings are 1 A Palmer 322, 2 P Archer 316, 3 A Hodkinson (Chorlton) 231, 4 J Howarth (Davenport) 230, 5 R Batchelor (Stand) 183, 6 S Parry (Hart Common) 176, 7 S Jackson (Disley) 166, 8 D Smith (Swinton Park) 163.
In the Amateur Order of Merit, sponsored by Denton professional Mike Hollingworth the Alliance treasurer Vinny Doyle (Leigh) leads the race with 62 points followed by Jimmy O’Reilly (Swinton Park) 50.
Also in contention are N Haslam (Stand) 30.5, M Corfield (Swinton Park) 30, S Moores (Stamford) 27.5, A Fletcher (Bolton Old Links) and K Ashton (Bolton) both 25.5.