Avro duo reach national finals
TWO of AVRO Golf Club’s lady members enjoyed a memorable experience after reaching the Ping National Ladies finals hosted by Gainsborough Golf Club.
Aileen Stephenson, the current Lady Captain, and Jane Tarr, a previous Lady Captain and now junior organiser, took part in the qualifying competitions which involved over 16,000 ladies in their local clubs.
Aileen and Jane posted a superb haul of 52 points in their club qualifier to make it through to Gainsborough as one of the top 50 pairs in the country.
They were delighted to finish in 32nd place in the final posting 39 points with the winning pair having 46.
Jane said: “It was a great experience to reach the finals and we were delighted to receive a Ping golf bag, gilet, golf umbrella and a golf towel.
“We were quite nervous at the start but once we had playing partners and each had a good first drive we knew that we were going to enjoy the day.
AVRO’s men played for the Terry Mottershead Memorial Trophy and it was won by Jack Leech with 40 points from Peter Walker 37 and Ivan Robertson 36.
Cheadle ladies played a medal qualifying round for the Keeling Cup and Jane Munro was unstoppable with her nett 70 taking her well clear of Bernadette Davidson 77, Wendy Goodwin 78 and Maire Eaton and Irene Wright, both 79.
Cheadle’s men played a bogey for the Home Guard Trophy and Geoff Dicken led in with +3 from cricket legend Richard Battye and Chris Bracchi, both +2, and Chris Booth +1.
There were some good scores at Disley in a singles Stableford led by William Machin with 41 points from David Codd and Tony Collinson 40 and Neil Curry 38.
Disley ladies were also in Stableford mode with Linda McCay first past the post with 35 points from Leigh Duffy 34 and Joan Sandrey and Jenny Penson, both 33.
Graham Fletcher was out on his own in a singles Stableford at Gatley with 41 points from Simon Wardle 35 and Colin Miller and David Woodworth, both 34.
A medal for Gatley ladies was won by Younghee Cheung with 86 from Angela Griffiths 87 and Pamela McKeon 88.
The monthly Stableford for Heaton Moor’s men was led in by Anthony Bates with 41 points from Peter Milner 40 and John Collins, Paul Kay, David Deauville Marshal Ashworth and John Booth, all 39.
Medal action for Moor’s ladies had Elaine Alkin on top with 74 from Judy Collins 77 and Margaret Worrall 79.
A singles Stableford for Mellor and Townscliffe ladies had Eileen Lewis out on her own with 37 points, three more than Lesley Parkinson, Clare Crosthwaite and Pauline Tomlinson.
Thomas Heginbotham was also in the comfort zone after posting 39 points in division one of a Stableford at M and T.
It took him three points clear of John Heginbotham, Danny Kilduff and Mike Anderson.
In division two Adam Bradshaw was the main man with 41 points ahead of Jim Fagan 39, Martin Scott 38 and Andy Cusick and Anthony Woodford, both 37.
The Vets Cup at New Mills saw Ian Bowers post a fine 62 to finish ahead of Robert Palmer 64, Keith Wright 65 and Graham Elliott and John Tennant, both 66.
A singles Stableford at New Mills had division one topped by John Tennant with 43 points from Aidey Smith 41 and Keith Wright and Phil Ardern, both 40.
Division two star was Jeff Stewart with 42 points from Tony Hall 41 and Ian Berrisford 40.
Romiley’s men played over two rounds in the Centenary Cup and in round one Ryan Yates set the pace with 66 from Mark Jones and John Allman, both 67, Ray Jones 68 and Martin Clark 69.
Round two honours went to Philip Roberts with 68 from Ian Bainbridge 70 and Mark Jones and Andy Smith, both 71.
It needed a cpo on 34 points to take Diane Houghton into top spot in a singles Stableford for Romiley ladies from Hilary Craven with Irene Barrow, Janet Godfrey and Isabel Wright all on 32.
Houldsworth Golf Club were excellent hosts as they staged the final of one of the top Inter Club competitions in the country with a course in fine condition backed by good off-course facilities and service.
The club, as the winners of the MDGA City Glass Men’s Foursomes in 2017 were the hosts for the day as Dukinfield, twice previous winners of the coveted trophy, and Bramall Park battled it out in a final that had over 90 clubs in the original entry for the competition.
Dukinfield, who were backed with great support from their club on and off the course, quickly established their intent with wins from John Harrop and Colin McWiggan, Anthony and Ian Child and Graham Barrett and Mark Turner.
George Seed and Pete Anstis replied for Bramall Park but victory was sealed by Barrie Lees and Mark Phillips to set up long-running celebrations for the Dukinfield team and their supporters.
The other matches involving Darren Burgess and Gareth Kershaw and Gareth Winston and Gary Beresford were conceded to see Dukinfield across the line by 4-3.
The trophies to both teams were presented by Alliance Vice President Ian Brooks who congratulated both teams on reaching the final and representatives from both clubs paid tribute to the Alliance organisation and excellent hosting by Houldsworth.
As trophy holder Dukinfield will host the 2019 final.