‘Newbie’ takes on MDLGA role
MAGGIE Morley is a relative newcomer to golf and is delighted to have been made President of the Manchester and District Ladies Golf Association.
The MDLGA has 86 member clubs in Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Derbyshire and provides top competitions during the golfing season with their blue riband event being the Inter Club team match-play competition for the Bell Cup.
Maggie said: “Thank you to the past Presidents for putting their trust in me, a relative newbie to golf, to take on the role of President for 2023.
“My first experience of golf was 38 years ago as a visitor to a Manchester club which will remain nameless. I’d gone simply to pick up my now husband. I could see him in the bar, but was told by the steward I wasn’t allowed in – men only, and also I was wearing jeans which were prohibited in the club house. Thankfully much has changed since then.
“It took me a further 30 years to contemplate golf as a sport which might interest me. I’d retired from work and was persuaded by a fellow badminton player to give it a go. And I am so glad I took up the challenge.
“I’ve experienced success and defeat – not in equal measure, defeat being a more common outcome, but most importantly I’ve made many new friends.
“I’m a member at my local club, Hazel Grove, which this year was awarded Club of the Year by England Golf. It has a warm, welcoming and inclusive atmosphere - a world away from my first golfing experience!
“Women’s sport is growing stronger so let’s celebrate our Association proudly and loudly.
“MDLGA brings golfers from across Manchester together. The first competition was held in 1902. It’s not just Bunty Booth and The Bell Cup; it runs three other prestigious competitions during the season which allow us all to experience the challenge of playing each other.”I hope you will support and promote these in your own clubs, and I look forward to seeing you at them.
“It would be fair to say that I was a reluctant golfer – my first impressions of the sport more than three decades ago were not favourable. I’m pleased to say that has changed.”
To find out more about .the MDLGA competitions in 2023 visit their websitewww.mdlga.co. uk.
The latest Winter League Stableford at Avro had division one topped by Steve Jackson 41 from Roy Whalley 39 and Curtis Fisher and Philip Normanton, both 37.
Avro ladies were also in Stableford mode with Catrin Barnes first past the post with 18 from June Kirwin 17 and Wendy Roberts 13.
Disley’s men played a Three Man Team Stableford and the hot trio of G Thompson, W Henderson and R Smith led in with 80 from D Codd, A Sweeney and P hodge 78 and on 77 were D Simpson, D Brown and M Green, G Johnston, I McKeever and A O’Brien and A Miharanian, S Connor and J Davies.
Disley ladies played a 14-hole Stableford and June Roome won a cpo on 25 from Linda McCoy, one more than Kathryn McKeever.
A Four Man BB Team Stableford at Romiley was close with A Barber-Bennett, G White, C Oakes and R Hale leading in with 71.
Just a point behind were P Wagstaff, P Milnes, G Dixon and D Cole and hot on their heels with 69 were C Ainsworth, N Gorman, R Marnock and A Rate.
The Ninth Top Dog BB Pairs at Romiley was won by G Evans and P Mellor 43 from B Law and D Riley, R Jones and R Hutton, A and S Nuttall all 42.
Romiley ladies played a 12-hole Reverse Waltz Stableford and tripping their way to a winning 42 were L Schofield, D Houghton and D Booth from H Denton, G Walker and J Purcer 40 and I Barrow, T Hogg and J Mellor 38.
The Archie Preston Trophy is a relative newcomer to the Manchester Alliance’s Inter Club Knock Out competitions but since it began 30 years ago it has become a big feature in Mixed Golf in the region.
The teams comprise seven mixed pairs led by their Captain and Lady Captain.
The current holders are Walmersley Golf Club and they will host the final in Autumn.
In the draw for the preliminary round they were given a bye and our local teams in early action, Stand v Bramhall, Pike Fold v Buxton High Peak, Rochdale v Mellor and Townscliffe, Disley v Knutsford, Didsbury v Bramall Park, Romiley v Blackburn, Antrobus v Stockport, Crompton and Royton v New Mills, Cheadle v Macclesfield.
Through with byes are Heaton Moor. Houldsworth, Marple.