Maxitours at Mottram Hall

Today’s Maxitours competition eventually found a home at magnificent Mottram Hall. Heavy overnight downpours had succeeded in closing even the very well draining Caldy and Ringway golf courses so Mottram Hall kindly stepped up to the plate. Thanks to Golf Manager Jonny Chaisty for his kind invitation.

The hand mown greens received plenty of praise from the delighted players. ‘They are really beautiful.’ commented three handicapper Phil Vokes.

Brian Hopkins told me before his round that he has given up drinking for the new year and as a result he played some great golf over the front nine. Unfortunately he failed to score on the last hole which narrowly cost his team a prize. ‘I’m off to the pub- anyone joining me ?’ was all the likeable Shrigley Hall man could manage to say.

The crows which frequent Mottram Hall’s 15th and 16th holes are becoming famous for stealing golf balls. They tend to go for the dull scruffy balls which look like birds eggs. Ex-Copper Dave Blood has a great pension but he rarely plays with expensive new pro v1s. His old slazenger has seen some action and it attracted the attention of a crow after he hit his best shot of the day onto the 16th green. Dave was nearly in tears when the bird flew away with his lucky ball.

Last month Roy Ainsworth suffered plenty of ridicule from his mates after it was reported in the Maxitours results that partner Brian Ankers said he could throw his piano closer to the hole than Roy could chip his ball. Today Roy turned up with a new partner. ‘Where’s Brian’ I asked . ‘He’s got a bad back- he’s been throwing too many pianos!’. replied the sharp witted Lymm man.

In today’s event despite the excellent putting surfaces the cool breeze and damp fairways meant scoring was going to be tough. John Royle(17), John Stubbs(19), Paul Brown(10) and Dale Wallace(11) from Sale were the early leaders with an impressive 77 points.
The Mottram Hall team of Richard Blackwell(12), Andy Hamlett(9) , Ron Jolley(14) and Pat Keenan(17) used home advantage to secure second place with 80 points.

First place went to Brookdale’s Gary Conroy(6) and Gary Smith(8) who teamed up with good pals Alan Jones(8) and Paul Kinder(10) to take their first ever victory. Jones and Kinder love the Mottram course and after second in the December event and they were delighted to go one better today.
‘It was just great to be out there playing golf on a lovely course’ added Smith. Well played chaps.

Last month Joe Kirwan won Maxitours nearest the pin when he scored a hole in one at Dunham Forest. Today he was at it again when he hit a 3 wood on the 11th hole and his ball disappeared into the hole, this time it just popped out again after rattling the flag and he had to settle for a tap in two.

Thanks to everyone for your terrific support and flexibility with the late venue change. You are a pleasure to deal with and make my job very enjoyable.
Yours in Golf, Tim

Nearest the Pin 3rd hole Joe Yates Dozen AD333s
Nearest the Pin 11th hole Joe Kirwan Dozen AD333s
2’s £55 Graham Jackson Ed Wilkinson Stuart Morris 5 pro v1s or 12 srixon AD333s

Start times at Vale Royal
Wednesday 13th Jan 11am £25 inc bacon bap

1a Colin Roberts x4
1b Mick Mahon x4
2a Ian King x4
2b Frank Stapleton x4
3
4a Ray Jones x4
4b Barry Jackson x4
5a Paul Browne x4
5b Steve Johnson x4
6 Mark Birtwistle x4
7 Gav Dixon x4
7b Leigh Smart x4
8 Jim Caldwell x4
9a John Stubbs x4
9b Roger Percival x4
10 Dave Blood x4
11 Phil Vokes x4
12a David Kelly x4
12b Dave Sarsfield x4
13a Dave Thomas x4
13b Gary Neiles x4
14 Lewis Marland x4
15 Simon Poucher x4
15b Paul Chapman x4
16
17 Richard Williamson x4
17b Brian Greenbank x4
18 Richard Blackwell x4