Alliance’s successful season ends
THE Manchester and District Golf Alliance, the biggest organisation of its kind in the UK finished another busy and successful season in style at Chorley Golf Club.
It was the final day for Disley professional Scott Jackson as Alliance captain and he has enjoyed a very successful, friendly and enjoyable year in the role.
The competition was a one-off singles medal for professionals and amateurs with the magnificent President’s Cup being played for.
It was a close contest going to the wire of the last group out on the course with home pro Andy Palmer, recovered from a knee operation, challenging long-time leader and professional Order of Merit champion Jamie Howarth, who had posted an excellent 66, one fewer than Craig Corrigan.
Andy matched the 66 but a better back nine from Jamie saw him take the President’s Cup.
It was also close in the amateur competition with Paul Ralph (Hazel Grove) winning with 72 from Gary Hempstead (Ashton-on-Mersey) who won a cpo on 73 from Ian Fearns (Stamford)
There were also amateur Senior’s prizes played for with Cheshire Seniors star Mobi Rawthore (Sale), winning the gross with 78 and Paul Ralph won the nett with 91-19-72.
The nearest the pin prize went to Mark Hancock (Stand)
The prize giving was very generously supported by long-time Alliance sponsor Jonathan Gallagher (Wilson Staff) and Jamie Howarth was presented with the professional Order of Merit Trophy and club colleague Paul Robinson won the amateur Order of Merit.
President Ian Brooks paid tribute to all who made this another great season for the Alliance and was backed by Captain Scott Jackson (Disley) who announced that his successor for next season was Don Milligan (Ashton-onMersey).
A Seniors Par competition at Avro was a close contest with Ken Morrison winning a cpo on level par from in-form Vic Tarr. And hot on their heels was Les Fowler on -1.
At the other end of the age scale the President’s cup for Avro juniors was won by Ewan Carroll 33 from Cameron Farrer 32 and Zach Vernon and Alex Tubb, both 27.
The ‘major’ Greenall Whitley medal at Avro was won by Paul McKinney 70 from Peter Roles 71 and Peter Walker 72.
Avro ladies were in medal mode and Sylvia Christelow led in with 76 from Nikki Hale 82 and the 9-hole winner was Carol Johnson 14.
Hazel Grove ladies Invitation to the men was won by J Koziarski and I Martin 42 from L Enderby and I Tallents 41 and P Glazier and B Allen 40.
The Anniversary Cup at Grove saw the three divisions topped by Samuel Everett after a cpo on 70 with James Dunne, cup winner Kenneth Thorman 67 and Jayden Tommy 68.
A strokeplay qualifier at Houldsworth was a nerve jangler with a cpo on 72 going in favour of Steven Garner from Jack Emanuel and Steven Harding.
Houldsworth’s men also played two rounds of their Masters medal and the winners were Chris Laffey 68 in round one and Matthew Toft 71 in round two.
The May medal at Marple had the divisions topped by Richard Brown 67, James Garrod with a superb 63 and Anthony McSteel 66.
Marple’s men played over 36 holes for the Walter Pike Trophy and it was won by Mike McPhee 136 from James Garrod 137 and Paul Thorley 138.
Marple ladies played for the Victory Trophy and after a tense cpo on 75 it was won by Elizabeth Pierce from Anne Porter and Janet Newton.