Dean Martin hits the right note for victory
THE annual match-play knock out competitions at Reddish Vale are always fully subscribed with all of the players keen to make their name in the club’s record books and on the honours boards.
Some great matches took place before the finals and this was carried on by a great contest for the Singles Knock Out which was won by Dean Martin in a terrific match with Chris Connolly.
Next up was the Doubles Knock Out with Ryan Naber and Tom Beswick prevailing in another close contest over Stewart Flint and Ian Pearson.
The final one saw Paul Bruckshaw and John Devenney taking on club legends Lee Addison and Dave Hamilton with the trophy going to John and Paul.
Avro’s men played a Winter League Sunday Stableford and a hot finish saw club legend Alan Brandwood win a cpo on 38 from Roy Whalley and Peter Walker, two more than Michael Thornber and Vic Tarr.
Avro ladies played a Mince Pie Stableford over 9-holes and a cpo on 20 saw Sylvia Christelow winning from Hazel James, one more than Carol Lund and Ruth Miles.
A singles Stableford at Disley had Stuart Owen top of division one with 28, one more than Maxwell Brown and star man Keith Roberts.
Vincent Petrkowski led in division two with 29, one more than David Goodwin and Andrew Quinn-Willams and in division three Glen Bates was the hotshot of the day with 33, two more than Ken O’Donnell.
Gatley’s men played a two day Stableford and setting the pace on the first day was Roger Burns 30 one more than Matthew Milnes.
Next day Matthew came back to post a final aggregate of 82 ahead of Roger 81 and Colin Miller 72.
It was close in a Texas Scramble at Romiley with T Ormerod, J Wallworth, S Slate and P Ankers winning a cpo on 54.0 from E Howson, B Shore, N Collins and S Lawton, one more than S Ridgway, C Hinds, D Taylor and M Ellis.
The Balfour and Houldsworth Committee have organised top competitions through three centuries beginning in 1897 with the presentation of the Balfour Cup and Houldsworth Trophy by the Hon AJ Balfour and Sir William Henry Houldsworth.
Mr Balfour was MP for East Manchester and Prime Minister from 1902-5 and Houldsworth Mill and much of the surrounding area was set up by Sir William who was also an MP for North West Manchester.
The duo met up regularly in the Manchester Reform Club where they drew up the idea for the golf competitions.
The trophies are both magnificent examples of Victorian craftsmanship and have few equals in any sport.
The original limit for competition entries was for clubs within a 20-mile radius of Manchester Town Hall but was extended in recent times to 25 miles.
The competitions were hugely popular and had to have a ballot for entries.
The GS Lancashire Cup for mixed pairs was introduced in 1921 for a trophy presented by Mr GS Lancashire. The Balfour Junior Challenge began in 1954 but has not been played for in recent years and at the other end of the age spectrum the very popular Balfour Seniors was introduced.
The B and H Committee do not have a permanent home and relies on the hospitality of various clubs to stage its competitions and the committee is made up entirely of volunteers led by secretary David Haley (Worsley GC) Pictured).
Clubs looking to stage a B and H competition put in nominations which are finalised in the AGM.
The 2024 competitions are Balfour Cup at Disley June 9, Houldsworth Trophy at Leigh on May 12, the GS Lancashire Cup at Crompton and Royton July 21 and the Seniors Balfour at Houldsworth on August 15.
To find out more details on the competitions and how to enter them check out the B and H website- www.balfourandhouldsworth.co.uk.