Gatley seniors filling the void
IN these days of hard times for many golf clubs in the region they are relying more and more on volunteers to fill a variety of roles at their beloved clubs.
Gatley Golf Club have a group of senior golfers who have gone from strength to strength as they have looked to fill the void left by their departing professional Tom Bolton a few months ago.
Volunteer Keith Moston outlined what they have done to date: “Our professional Tom Bolton left to go to University and a group of seniors volunteered to take on the responsibility of keeping the shop operational.
“We then asked for members who could spare a few hours to man the shop and we soon found that several members were happy to help us and the club and joined our team.
“The shop opened in August with no phone, no computer but we were determined to succeed and with the help of our efforts we slowly got there.
“Now the shop is covered every day. Monday – Friday 8.30 – 5.30 Saturday and Sunday 8.30 – 1.30 and anyone playing later can report to the Steward in the Bar.
“The club benefits by saving on the remuneration we would have paid to the Professional and the shop being open more often with natural cash rewards.
“We began slowly regarding any purchases other than the basics drinks, confectionery, balls, tees etc. and now as Christmas approaches we have in stock Sweaters, polo shirts etc. all bearing the Gatley logo which we hope will appeal to the members and we plan to use any profit we may make on improvements around the Club House.
“We have published our range of fees for 2018 and these will cover more options than previously posted and include 9-hole membership and Society packages competitively priced against other Clubs in the area.
“We have a function room, The Centenary Suite, which the members can use for private functions free of charge. The Club holds several functions each year which are always well supported by members and guests.
”Wedding receptions are very popular and too give you more idea s about what we have to offer why not check our website www.gatleygolfclub.com.”
Bramhall ladies were in festive mood as they played a Bottle Stableford and stocking up her cellar was Wendy Woodhead who cruised to victory with 31 points from Pauline Evans and Kath Kirwan, both 24.
Bramall Park ladies played a Team Am am and leading in with 61 points were the fab four of P Hulme, Jean Nield, P Piggott and J Wheatley from Michelle Pretty, S Latham, J Greenwood and L Seddon 60 with M Bailey, J Cowan, Fiona Kelsall and Sue Flitt four points further back.
A winter League Stableford at Avro needed a cpo on 33 points to see Karl O’Sullivan into top spot from Derek Bell, one more than Kevin Barker and Peter Walker.
A Midweek Stableford at Avro had Bernard O’Connor first past the post with 36 points from Peter Walker 35 and Derek Bell and Graham Turnock, both 33.
Marple’s men enjoyed a Turkey Trot and in division one Brian Valentine picked up the biggest bird as he led in with 45 points from Mark Walton 43 and George Jones 42.
Picking up the main prizes in division two were Steve Gregory 45 and Mark Robinson 43.
Marple ladies played for a Winter prize in a singles Stableford and Janet Singleton was first past the post with 32 points from Gillian Buchanan 30 and Anne Plenderleith and Sheila Leigh, both 28.
A singles Stableford for Hazel Grove’s men was led in by Marc Stevens with 37 points ahead of Andrew Ashton 36, Bryan Jobling 35 and Michael Booth and Nick Taylor, both 34.
Grove’s ladies played a 15-hole medal and in division one Jean Brain roared home with 58 from Viv Carroll 63 and Valerie Waters 65.
In division two Marilyn Webley posted 63 to finish one ahead of Marjorie Duffield and Margaret Farrell and top of division three was Stephanie Hall who went clickety click to finish three clear of Elizabeth Russell.
Stockport’s men were in bogey action and beating par were Scott Grayson +3, Will Parker, Alan Gee and Jawad Jassim, all +2 and Alan Rogerson, Richard Murison and James Stewart, all +1.
A Three Man Texas Scramble at Reddish Vale was led in by John Northrop, Tim Crampton and Anthony Phillips with 46.6 from Ryan Jackson, Barry Hammond and Lee Costello 46.8.
A Sunday Stableford at Vale was won at a canter by Mark Singleton with 39 points, three more than Andy Humphreys, Paul Bruckshaw and John Booth.
With many courses in the local area closed and with horrible weather before the competition the Manchester Alliance officials and players were surprised and delighted as Mottram Hall provided them with an excellent and challenging course for another full Alliance field in their final competition before the mid-winter break.
Chorley assistant professional Andy Palmer, just a few days before his wedding, shot a fine oneunder-par 37 points to win the individual professional section from Graham Cox (Lymm) and Kieron Gaskell (Westhoughton), both 36.
The top assistant pro with 34 points was Jamie Howarth of Davenport.
Davenport also featured in the pro am prizes as former Captain Chris Bamford partnered Graham Cox (formerly the assistant pro at Davenport) to a fine haul of 42 points to lead in from Ben Stanier (Wilmslow) and Chris Turner (Tytherington) 41 and Grant Hamerton (Pike Fold) and Vinny Doyle (Leigh) who won a cpo on 40 points from Alistair Waddell (Styal) and in-form Gary Brown (Marple) and their amateur partners.
Top of the am am section were the formidable and dynamic duo of Lee Warren (Northenden) and Jimmy O’Reilly (Swinton Park) with 42 points from Marcus Corfield (Swinton Park) and Dave Smith (Ellesmere) who won a cpo on 40 from John Kilner and Duncan Bullough (Ellesmere).
John Dowd, after thanking Rob Warrener of Mottram Hall for their great hosting of the competition, wished all of the players a happy festive season as he and his coofficials looked forward to welcoming them back for the second half of the season which begins at Houldsworth on January17 2018.