Vale opener for new president
THE Annual Reddish Vale Golf Club’s Gentleman’s Dinner has long been the first official engagement in the busy calendar of the newly appointed Cheshire President and it comes just a few days after he has taken up office.
It was the first time that the new President Sean Ritchie (Chester Golf Club) had visited Reddish Vale and he was delighted with the normal warm welcome to their historic and famous club with a true Mackenzie course.
The club has many connections with Cheshire having had members holding high office at county level plus plenty of top players going through to represent Cheshire over the years.
The other principal guest joining Sean on the top table was Alan Preston, the Manchester Captains’ Association President and he too enjoyed a great night as he responded on behalf of his fellow guests to thank the club for their excellent hospitality.
The Cheshire President proposed the toast to the Reddish Vale Club and the response was given by Vale captain Tony Barnes.
A great evening was topped by an excellent meal with the proceedings managed superbly by the MC Dave Sanders.
Reddish Vale assistant professional Abbie Cowlard is now well into the second year of her PGA qualification and she is finding it very enjoyable with lots of new responsibilities.
Abbie, who finished her amateur career as the Cheshire Ladies champion, said: “This year I have spent time teaching the juniors at Reddish Vale and it has been very exciting to see so many talented youngsters.
“My highlight was passing the first part of my Level Two coaching which makes me qualified to teach all players from beginners to full-time golfers.
“I am looking forward to my future in golf and I will be working hard on my game trying to make it to the top level and also progressing with my coaching as I love being able to help new people into golf and coaching those who want to improve their game.
”I would like to thanks my boss Andrew Myers for his guidance and the opportunity he has given me and also my parents Jean and Ian and my grandma Sheila who have been very supportive.”
A Russian Stableford at Vale was won by the hot trio of Josh Tunnicliffe, Richard Howard and Marc Singleton with 113 points from Dave Hamilton, Criag Davies and Steve Cole 111 and Steve Booth, Dave Walton and Jack Cooper 109.
The Sunday Pro Stableford at Vale was led in by Rick Dobbins with 41 points closely followed by Bernard Murray 40 and Pete Lamb after a cpo on 39.
It was a close call in division one in a singles Stableford at Marple with just a point separating the top six players.
Out on his own with 41 points was Bob Newcombe and winning a cpo on 40 was Paul Turnbull from Jeff Crowder, Ken Nash, Jeff Mellish and George Jones.
Kieran Mathieson topped division two with a fine haul of 43 points from Jason Sullivan 42 and Brian Billington, Malcom Chapman, Wally Rogers and Walter Derry, all 40.
Marple seniors were in hot form in a BB Stableford led in by D Wilson and C Osborne after a cpo on 49 points from M Bradshaw and D Hadfield with W Derry and K Nash next in with 46.
A singles Stableford for Bramall Park’s men had a clear victor in Mark Hardisty with 43 points from Steve Jones 40 and Malcolm Moore, Matthew Wheatley and John Keenan, all 39.
A singles Stableford for Bramhall’s men had Oliver Williams in charge with 42 points, two more thanDavid Woods, John Sullivan, Stephen Ellis, Simon Walsh and Chris Giles.
Bramhall ladies were also in Stableford mode and in division one Ali Hicks was first past the post with 30 points from Colette Bryant 29 and lady captain Frances Gell 26.
Topping the other three divisions were Dianne Symmons 29, Sarah Brown and Helen Ronnie 28 and in a nine-hole Stableford oyce Mason was top of the shop with 15 points two more than Jam Knowles.
Andrew Hill showed his enduring class in a singles Stableford at Hazel Grove posting 39 points to finish ahead of Peter east 37 and Greg Aspinall and Lee Thorneycroft, both 36.
It was close in division one in a medal for Grove’s ladies with Jean Brain winning a cpo on 65 from Andrea Haynes and Kathryn Wardle-Davies with Christine Schofield and Christine Jones hot on their heels with 66.
Carolyn Connor topped division two with 64 from Lesley Hall 65 and in division three Catherine Buggy led in with 67, one less than Hemlata Gupta.
Houldsworth’s men opened their season with the Spring medal and Scott Wrigley was out on his own with 63 from Tom Cook 66 and David Flint 67.
There was a full and very competitive field for the playing of White Cup competition at the longtime hosts Chorlton Golf Club in a Mixed Pairs BB Stableford format.
Chorlton provided a course in great condition, following more recent poor weather, and it was enjoyed by all players who included several previous winners.
Ashton-on-Mersey Golf Club were the White Cup winners for the first time in their history in 2014 with Cheshire and England star Gemma Clews and the then assistant professional Rory Walsh being the proud winners.
The prestigious trophy will now return to Ashton as Gemma, this time partnered by Ashton professional Kris Andrews, completed a great few days of golf after winning the World Ranking Delamere Comboy Scratch Trophy at Delamere Forest GC four days previously with a fabulous return of 12 under par that included a course record of driving the 349-yard par four eighth hole for the first time in the club’s long and distinguished history.
Gemma was given excellent support by Kris as they posted 42 points to win the pro am section and White Cup after a cpo from home duo pro Dave Mackinnon, for whom class is permanent, and Carol Dunki-Jacobs.