Brian’s experienced hand on the tiller
DISLEY Golf Club recently appointed a new club manager in Brian Dique and he is looking forward to bringing his great experience in sport and golf management to the role where he has been given a warm welcome by the club officials and members
Brian outlined his career path from beginning to now with highlights along the way: “From leaving school, I had set my heart on working in a sports environment, so took my first job on a work experience at my local Leisure Centre in Sale, Cheshire.
“After several years, I had worked my way up into management with stints both for Trafford and Manchester City Council Leisure facilities, including three years in Sports Development.
“In 2002, I attained a secondment as Senior Sports Manager for M2002 Ltd, who were responsible for the delivery of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, responsible for the procurement of all equipment for competitors and officials.
“This presented to opportunity to develop my skills in negotiation and procurement and to ensure all activities were delivered on time and on budget, which are skills which has served me well to this day.
“In 2005, I was appointed GM at Heaton
Park Golf Centre in North Manchester (Then under the management of Playgolf Ltd).
“Within the first 15 months, we had won ‘The Best Municipal Course in the UK’ by GolfPunk Magazine, beating St. Andrew’s Old Course into second place, which was a real testament to the amazing work that my team put into the course and facilities during that time.
“Later on, we became for the first UK Course to be endorsed by The US First Tee Junior Golf Programme, which later led to us having close links with 2010 USLPGA Open Champion Paula Creamer and incorporated a site visit and golf master class from the legendary, Jack Nicklaus. During my time at Heaton Park, I was also tasked with managing several other clubs under the Mack Golf group, including The Bedford (Bedfordshire) and Stanley Park (Blackpool).
“In 2012, I became GM at The Oaks at Mollington near Chester. A wondrous course which had been specifically designed to host Europro events at the turn of the millennium.
“I spent a very happy two years here, before starting my own business in digital marketing/Golf Management Consultancy, which also led to a brief spell back at The Oaks.
“Since my arrival at Disley, the board, staff and members have been incredibly welcoming. I am delighted to be working with a very talented team and I sincerely believe my vast experience in the industry, will help bring the club the success it deserves.
“My predecessor, Mark Richmond has been an immense support both during the handover period and beyond, so I owe a huge debt of thanks to him, although he leaves large shoes to fill.
The Chairman and other Directors have been totally supportive, as have numerous key personnel connected to the club, to which I will be forever thankful.
“My short term goal is to get to know the members better and learn more about the club’s rich history.
In conjunction with the Greens Director and Course Manager, we have already implemented a plan to improve the conditioning of the greens, along with bunker refurbishment.
“Ongoing refurbishment works will continue in the clubhouse, which are complimented by the breath-taking views of the landscape and we are looking forward to hosting a Cheshire Life Members Day in August.
”My longer term goal is to continue to promote the game of golf and attract more ladies and juniors into our coaching programmes.
“Finally I am extremely grateful to The Chairman and former Secretary for sharing their vision for the club and giving me to opportunity to help develop the club in the years ahead.”
A Midweek Roll Up at Avro saw Peter Walker out on his own with 39 from Neil Flood and Phil Normanton both 34.
Peter Walker kept up his hot form topping a Seniors Par on +7 from Ken Morrison +5 and Ian Arthur, James McKie and Royce Lewis, all +3.
He then made it a great hat-trick by winning division one of the Winter League Stableford after a cpo on 33 with Steve Yule, one more than Michael Thornber and Ian Arthur.
In division two Chris Robinson led in with 35, one more than Tim Bochenski.
The third Spring Stableford at Hazel Grove had Shaun Elliott top of division one with 32 just clear of Michael Holtom 31 and Nicholas Elliott who led in six players on 30.
In division two Joe Dalby was out on his own with 37 from Graeme Butcher 30 and Peter Allen led in division three with 31, two more than Gordon Pollitt and Bruce Jordan.
Grove’s ladies played a BB Stableford and C Buggy and J Hare led in with 26 from D Acton and L Withers 24 and D Wilson and C Jones and V Waters and Viv Carroll, both 22.
A Midweek Stableford at Marple needed a cpo on 35 to take Gary Wilkinson into top spot from Paul Thorley, two more than Andy Nelson.
The February medal at Marple had Jay Hayes in a league of his own in division one with a stunning 56 from David Wilson and Paul Sutton, both 62 and Iain Henderson led in four players on 63.
In division two there was more hot scoring led by Sam Naidoo 58 from Peter Clarke and Alfie Hallas, both 59, and Robert Ridley 60.
The Winter Order of Merit Two from Four Team Stableford at Reddish Vale had the fab four of D Pilling, M Holt, J Doyle and D Platt edging a win with 83 , one more than C Sissling, A Moralee, J Marley and J Elphick, Andy Hart, A Finney,
Paddy Weadick and C Marshall, and D Hayes, T Howard, T and C Lyons.
A Midweek 12-hole Stableford at Stockport was tight with Mark Stringer on top with 26 from Peter Powell 25 and Len Hampson and Andy Gee, both 24.
In the Captain v Vice Captain match at Stockport the top individual scores came from Michael Rose after a cpo on 34 with Kevin Seaton, Garry Cash, Jamie Atkin, Shakeel Chaudry, Paul Temple, Oliver Brady and Alex Platt, all 33.
The Manchester and District Golf Alliance’s newest Inter Club match-play knock-out competition is the Men’s Seniors competition and has grown rapidly since it joined the busy Alliance programme a few years ago.
The great course and facilities at Manchester Hopwood GC have hosted the final since it began and over 70 clubs will take part this year aiming to reach the final at Manchester in October
The age range is over 55 years and the teams comprise five pairs of which half must be 15 or under handicap and the other five from 15-24.
The current champions Bury are in preliminary round action when they host Northenden and our local teams in action are: Warrington v Cheadle, Cavendish v Heyrose, New Mills v Birchwood.
Going through with byes are: Bramall Park, Bramhall, Disley, Houldsworth, Reddish Vale, Marple.