Grove’s Fraser is triumphant
BROMBOROUGH Golf Club more than lived up to its title as ‘Wirral’s Parkland Jewel’ as it presented a stunning course in pristine condition and providing an excellent challenge with suitable punishment for wayward shots for the Cheshire Strokeplay Championships.
The quality of the course drew praise from all of the competitors and it was backed by excellent service from the bar and catering team and supported by friendly and helpful members for the three days of absorbing competition.
The opening round gave a quick hint of what was to follow as four players, Fraser McLeod (Hazel Grove), Ben Hallam (Wychwood Park), Jake Hibbert (Delamere Forest) and Dom Barnes (Caldy) all posed 68s with Barnes taking the first round prize on a cpo.
More difficult conditions on round two saw Lewis George (Delamere Forest) show his class and move into contention with a best-of-the day 68 taking him home from Cameron Massey (Northenden) 69 and Fraser McLeod and Ben Hallam both 70 as the cut for the final two rounds was made.
The top team, who will represent Cheshire in the County team finals at East Devon in September, for the first two rounds was Delamere Forest as Lewis George led the youngsters Jake Hibbert and Oscar Doran to an 11 under-par 277 well clear of the level par return from Bromborough Team Two of Kevin Brown, Phil Dabbs and Mark Kimpton.
Round three had the best score of 70 coming from Prestbury youngster Josh Turnock after a cpo with Lewis George but Fraser McLeod kept up his momentum with 71 taking him to -7 from Ben Hallam -5, Jake Hibbert and Dom Barnes both -4 and Lewis George -2.
George pressed his claims for the title with a best-of-the-day 69 to take the Leading Colt Trophy as he finished with a -5 total of 283 which also won him the Israel Sidebootom Trophy as the runner-up.
But it was not enough to prevent Fraser McLeod continuing his smooth path to the title as he finished with a cool birdie on the 18th to finish on 72 and a winning -7 total of 281 to win the championship for the second time having been champion in 2011 at Caldy.
Fraser was presented with the championship trophy and his county colours by Cheshire President Sean Ritchie who thanked all of the players, the hard-working county officials and Bromborough Golf Club for making this a very memorable event.
He also mentioned that the last time that Bromborough staged the championship in 1998 it was won by Ryder Cup legend Jamie Donaldson.
Fraser will now represent Cheshire in the National County finals at Woodhall Spa in September.
The other trophy for the best 0-35 years was won by David Peel (Stockport) to complete a great competition fully reflecting the quality of golf in Cheshire.
David Peel was also in great form back at Stockport as he won the club’s Scratch Gold Medal.
David cruised to victory as he posted 70+66=136 to win by eight shots. Next in with 144 was Ben Kay and Chris Unsworth 148. It was close in a Junior Stableford at Stockport with Joe Pailin winning a cpo on 33 points from Charles Whittaker with Ewan Holt three points off the pace.
A medal for Stockport ladies saw Barbara Kay top division one after a cpo on 74 with Val Garrett.
In division two it needed a cpo on 77 to see Alison Booth first past the post from Jay Bassil and Carol Yates.
Avro’s men played for the Captain’s Prize and it needed a cpo on 68 to see David Ferguson into top spot from Peter Walker.
The ever-unlucky Bob Collins was next in with 70, one less than Terry Mottershead and Peter Roles.
Day one of the Avro club championship saw the pace set by Steve Callaghan with 68 from Ian White 70 and Ivan Robertson 71.
A midweek Stableford at Bramall Park was won by Scott Cowan with 45 points, three more than Geoff Alsop and Andy Curwen.
The July medal and Captain’s qualifier at Bramall Park had division one topped by Mark Batley with 66, closely followed by Robert Bailey and Chris Daniels, both 67.
In division two Mike Davidson won a cpo on 68 from Tom Grant and the top man in division three was Nathan Hopley after a cpo on 65 with Tim Riordan.
Park’s ladies played for Mr Captain’s Prize and Judy Read led in with 70, one less than Mavis Maloney and Fiona Tweedle. The first round of the Captain’s competition at Bramhall saw John Simpson set a hot pace in division one with 63 from Colin Carter 68.
It was closer in division two as Andrew Wilson won a cpo on 69 from Roy Crouch one less than Ian Denby.
David Turnbull led in division three with 66 and in division four Wayne Brooks won a cpo on 69 from John Roberts.
Round two featured the top players and Jack Mullen posted 67 to win by two shots from Wayne Brooks and Dan Britton.
Bramhall ladies also played for Mr Captain’s Prize and Judy Stocker won a cpo on 71 from Gill Ridley-Fink.
Philip Baines was out on his own in a Wednesday Stableford at Hazel Grove with 43 points, well clear of Philip Jackson 39 and Stephen Boardman 38.
Grove’s third Summer Stableford was won by Lee Elwers with 40 points from Marc Stevens 39 and Bruce Jordan 38.
Carolyn Connor cruised to victory in a Stableford for Grove’s ladies with her 36 pointer taking her well clear of Tracey Slater 30 and Lindsey Withers 29.
The Devil Quarter Final at Houldsworth saw the familiar name of Paul Stelfox in charge with 68, one less than Ian Burns and Mike Meecham.
The Lady Captain’s Charity Stableford was won by Jackie Beverley with 29 points from Elizabeth Fallows 28 and Audrey Somers 26.
The Lady Captain’s Day medal for Marple ladies had Sue Garnett first across the line with 71 from Jean Oates 72, Emma Graham 73 and Pat McAlhone 74.
Marple’s men played over 36 holes and in round one local soccer legend Craig Frisby won a cpo on 66 from Jay Hayes, one less than Simon Jeffs.
Round two was topped by Cornelius Musanda with 65 from Jay Hayes 66 and Callum Dunion and Simon Jeffs, both 67.
The best aggregate came from Jay Hayes with 132 from Simon Jeffs 134 and Callum Dunion 136.
Reddish Vale’s men played over four rounds for the Jubilee Cup and the proud winner with 280 was Paul Sloane closely followed by Lewis Cooper 281 and Steven Smith 283.
A Wednesday Stableford at Vale had division one won by David Hamilton with 39 points from Dean Martin 38 and Paul Sloane 37.
In division two Chris Connolly was in the comfort zone as his 38 points left him three clear of Stewart Flint and in division three Patrick Weadick was top of the shop with 39 points.
Vale’s ladies played their MDLGA Bunty booth qualifier and representing the club in 2018 will be Sheila Cowlard after winninga cpo on 76 from Denzell Hunt with Jeanette Kinder next in with 78.