Maxitours at truly great Hazel Grove

Hazel Grove was SCORCHIO!
The sun was blazing down on our Maxitours players once again as the Summer of 2018 is becoming one to remember. The head greenkeeper is also on fire as he presented his course in tip top condition for our players today.

Club Professional James Rowlands is possibly the best young golf pro in the country, he is always great to deal with and has a very bright future -thanks James.

It was a really nice touch from Club Captain Iain Cole to meet me on arrival and the terrific Hazel Grove hospitality continued throughout the day. Thanks also to caterer and old friend of mine Martin Swindells and his attractive partner Clare for all their work.

Hazel Grove kindly opened their half way house to keep our guys refreshed. There were a couple of ladies serving who did a great job and they raised well over £200 for Christies- well done everybody.

The cakes were the highlight of the round for many players today including Steve Foxcroft and his upper class team. They enjoyed homemade scones, clotted cream and wild blueberry jam on the 8th tee provided by team mate David Wilkinsons lovely wife Sue. They then followed this up with chocolate cakes from the half way house. It is the first recorded incident of back-to-back cakes in Maxitours history.

Keith Rigby really enjoyed his first visit to Hazel Grove and he obviously likes sitting down a lot and giving directions as he commented on the quality of the course furniture. ‘The benches and signposts are excellent.’ He assured me.

The pin positions were set up for last Sundays’ Captains Day and there was plenty of three putting taking place. Graham Kaye drove the par four 15th hole and ended up requiring a ten footer to save his par-such were the difficulty of the greens.

Big Dave Greenbank says he only drinks water and eats salad at this time of the year as it is too hot. But a heat wave signals the start of meat pie eating season for chunky John Buckley’s team. They all had a big pie each to help them cool off after a tough day on the links.

In today’s event Andy Vietch is having a Yellow patch (the opposite of a purple patch). His team could only finish in 24th place.

Nigel Ashton lives in Saddleworth and he was up all night coughing on the fumes from the nearby moorland fire. He managed to battle through the flames to play at Hazel Grove but his golfing dreams went up in smoke after his team could only manage 72 points.

Hazel Grove member and top lawyer Simon Ashton(9) is intelligent and knows how to pick a team, Mick Jones(6), Duncan Cocker(9) played well but ex Cheshire amateur Andy Hill(scr) had no worse than a par as he recorded two birdies on his way to a gross 69 to help his team take 5th place.

The strange talking Staffordshire team of Tom Butler(9), Sean O’Conner(20). Matt Cheffins(11) and Lee Shenton(5) had a strong finish to take fourth place.

Neil Edwards(8) and his Wrexham men came over the border and nearly returned to Wales with all the spoils they finished in 3rd place with 81 points. Milkman Geoff Ratcliffe(7) was up at 2am this morning and he delivered four birdies as well as nearly 500 bottles of the white stuff. Steve Star(7) and Chris Bland(14) completed the team.

Second place went to Joe Yates(15)’ team. Joe ripped it on the course. Unfortunately it was Joe’s pants not his golf ball which ripped as he picked his ball out of the hole after a par on the tough 14th hole. Sandiways Gary Nieles(6) Paul Yates(9) and Alan Forber(15) completed the team.

Jim Clarke(10) is taking it easy at work and his son Chris (15) is on garden leave. They are down at Knutsford Golf Club practicing most days and this is reflected in an upturn in results. Jim has been useless for the past ten years but is now a match for anyone. Mark Hagerty(15) and Graham Jackson(5) also chipped in well. Great golf guys well played!

Nearest the Pin 2nd Stuart Blake AD333s
Nearest the pin 13th Gary Nieles AD333s

2’s £205 6 titleist pro v1 or 14 Srixon AD333s Lee Shenton Terry Jones Stuart Blake John Atkin Bob Forshaw Geoff Ratcliffe Steve Star Brian Hopkins Mark Johnson Mike Powell Gary Nieles

Davenport AM AM start sheet Thursday 5th July
10.00 Colin Roberts x4
10.08 David Kelly x4
10.16 Jim Caldwell x4
10.24 Jack Coleman x4
10.32 Dave Stanhope x4
10.40 Lewis Marland x4
10.48 Mick Mahon x4
10.56 Simon Poucher x4
11.05 Ray Massey x4
11.13 Paul Evans x4
11.22 Graham Pike x4
11.31 John Hilditch x4
11.40 Roy Ainsworth x4
11.48 Jim Clarke x4
11.57 Simon Taylor x4
12.05 Roger Percival x4
12.13 Steve Heywood x4
12.22 Sam Leach x4
12.31 Paul Fell x4
12.40 Paul Gilbert x4
12.49 John Dickenson x4
12.57 Nigel Hallows x4
1.06 Chih Hu x4
1.15 Barrie Simpson x4
1.24 Gary Bailey x4
1.33 Richard Williamson x4
1.42 Peter Maher x4
1.50 Chris Adams x4
1.58 David Smith x4
2.07 David Smith x4
2.16 Gordon Warke x4
2.25 Steve Parle x4
2.34 Bernard Wood x4
2.43 Chris Ernill x4
2.52
3.01 Joe Yates x4
3.10
3.18
3.33 Brian Hopkins x4
Don Campbell

Maxitours at very highly rated Romiley

This balmy Summer of Golf continued at Romiley Golf Club today. Thanks to everyone at this lovely venue for making us feel SO welcome.

I finally realised my lifetime ambition to have my own car parking spot at a golf club as Romiley reserved me a prime spot with my name on in big letters. I was also very warmly greeted by a couple of suited members when I arrived (Duncan Challen and Dave Blood) and the greens were hand cut and ironed for our players by the expert greens staff- brilliant.

Romiley Golf Club is now right back amongst the elite Manchester courses and I would highly recommend it as a future Captains away day venue.
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‘Wonderful’ said Colin Roberts
‘Brilliant I love that course’ Oozed Barrie Simpson
‘Book it for next year -what a great course!’ Requested Paul Woodbine
‘ It was immaculate’ Said the less than immaculately dressed Bill Heywood.
‘The Greens were so true it was a pleasure to put on them’ Said Neale Laurent

Nigel Davenport ordered a healthy ham salad sandwich on wholemeal bread for his lunch and then followed it up had a new Maxitours record three bowls of chips. This class 4 handicapper is category 1 golfer but when it comes to eating and drinking he plays off scratch.

Jim Clarke has been on top form recently after a couple of impressive wins but he struggled a little bit today and had some bad luck when his slightly wayward drives kept rolling into awkward lies in the rough. He knew it was going to be a long day when he arrived late and had to take his sausage sandwich on the course with him. As he was walking down the first fairway his juicy sausage rolled out of its bap and unfortunately ended up in a sandy divot. After consulting with his team Jim had to declare it inedible and he ordered a provisional.

Phil Robinson has been watching too much World Cup football. He played like Raheem Sterling as he didn’t lose his marker and kept missing simple little tap ins from a couple of feet.

In today’s event it was great to see a husband and wife team in the prizes as lovely Kay (32) and ever so slightly less lovely Simon Conway (8) combined well to take 3rd place with 44 points.

The English football team is a very young vibrant bunch and they could have a bright future. There is nothing young and vibrant about John Farnsworth(22) but the ex- butcher (his wife who ran the butchery actually sacked him for being too miserable to his customers) called upon all his experience to take second place today. Farnsworth has a funny swing and his mates tell me his favourite cuts of meat are ‘chops’ and ‘shanks’ but today he hit some prime cuts to take ‘joint’ 2nd place. Richard Palmer was his surprised partner.

Winning today is the oldest winner for over 5 years as seventy eight year old Bill Parkinson(15) from Shaw Hill and Lake Nona (!) took first place alongside Mark Birtwistle(12). Loaded Bill owns Moorhouses Brewery among other things and he assured me that a pint of bitter tastes a lot better after a great game of golf. Well played chaps great victory on a super course.

Thanks to all players for your support, Yours in Golf, Tim

Nearest the pin 2nd hole John Newton Doz AD333s
Nearest the pin 11th hole Jon Hudson Doz AD333s

2’s £142.50 Brian Greenbank Josh Ainscough Roger Percival John Leonard John Newton Dave Plant Gordon Warke 6 pro v1s or 14 srixon AD333s each

Hazel Grove AM AM Thursday 28th June

10.00David Kelly x4
10.09Colin Roberts x4
10.18 Jim Caldwell x4
10.27 Jim Clarke x4
10.36 Bev Crute
10.45 Jack Coleman x4
10.54Lewis Marland x4
11.03 Mick Mahon x4
11.12 Brian Greenbank x4
11.21 Paul Fell x4
11.30 Simon Taylor x4
11.39 Dave Bentley x4
11.48 Neil Edwards x4
11.57 Rob Weston x4
12.06 Roger Percival x4
12.15 Paul Evans x4
12.24 Martin Bramwell x4
12.33 Tom Butler x4
12.42 John Hunt x4
12.51 Nigel Hallows x4
1.00 Chris Adams x4
1.18 Ray Jones x4
1.27
1.36 John Hunt x4
1.45
1.54 Sean Hammill x4
2.03 Barry Jackson x4
2.12 Richard Blackwell x4
2.21 Richard Williamson x4
2.30 Simon Ashton x4
2.39 Joe Yates x4
2.48 Craig Rae x4
2.57 Brian Hopkins x4

Tues 19th June Romiley Pairs
Thurs 28th June Hazel Grove AM AM
Thurs 5th July Davenport AM AM
Mon 9th July Lancaster Pairs
Fri 20th July Hopwood AM AM

Maxitours at fabulous Fixby Hall

Huddersfield Golf Club (aka Fixby) was in unreal condition for todays event. Highly respected Head professional Alex Keighley had warned me that the course was excellent and she was true to her word.

Fixby is known as the home of Yorkshire Golf and all our players were certainly given a warm Yorkshire welcome today- thanks to all the friendly staff for your hospitality.

‘That was a joy!’ beamed Koos Alders. ’What a beautiful course!’
‘Fantastic!’ reported Dave Griffiths ‘That twelfth hole is amazing!’
‘Thanks Tim, I’ve had a great day.’ Said well mannered Martin Cox. ‘Brilliant golf course and they’ve even got Timothy Taylor on draught in the bar- life doesn’t get much better than this!’
‘Absolutely Stunning.’ Was all that James Shipstone could say.

The course is a cracker but even off the yellow tees it is a really tough test of golf. The Yorkshire rough is ‘proper rough’. James Brown somehow managed to lose four of his titleist balls and two Callaway clubs in his adventurous round.

The undulating greens are the main defence of for this masterpiece and at least three players were reported to have five putted on the ultra slick surfaces. Martin Cox had the most impressive disaster after he hit a wonderful chip to within a foot of the 7th hole before deciding to four putt, much to the amusement of his opponents.
Two handicapper Liam Rex is usually a class act but today he had the touch of a dinosaur as he finished in 2nd last place with 27 points playing alongside John Newton.

Ian Venables(12) golf game has been going down hill faster than a rabbit on a promise in recent weeks. Today he found some form to take 5th place alongside order of merit leader Paul Fell(4).

Ex Copper Paul Robinson from Davenport finished in 4th spot playing with Charles Waldren – Kelly who isn’t as posh as his name suggests.They had a spiffing 42 points.

The Bolton based duo of Saran Ormrod(20)(Turton) and Matt Smith(3)(Dunscar) recorded a first ever podium slot with 43 points.

Second place went to new father Greg(6) and new Grandfather Chris Adams(12). Greg celebrated the birth of his baby girl Edie with his Dad by having a day out at Fixby and the celebrations continued on the golf course- congratulations boys.

Carl Marginson(14) was FC Uniteds manager for 12 years before taking a break in October. He teamed up with his former goalkeeper John Worsnop(14) to take first place with 45 points. Worsnop hits it as hard as he can and recently he burst both shoe laces after an aggressively struck drive. He rose to the challenge over the closing holes and eagled the last to secure a first ever victory. Well played!

Thanks to all who played today. Yours in Golf, Tim

PS Thanks to Maxitours players for your tremendous integrity, I am blessed to have such a class group of golfers. I know things are busy but if you can continue to give me two weeks notice if for some unforeseen reason should you need to cancel that would be appreciated.

Nearest the Pin 8th Paul Fell Dozen AD333s
Nearest the Pin 11th Dave Griffiths Dozen AD333s

2’s £100 4 Pro V1s or 10 srixons each

James Shipstone Andy Hall Chris Casson Joe Kirwan Paul Fell Matt Smithx2 Tom Hulme

Welsh Classic start sheets
North Wales Monday 11th June
9.13 Colin Roberts x2 2 players required
9.22 Simon Hemsley x4
9.31 Neil Drummond x4
9.40
9.49 Mike Spencer x4
9.58 Lewis Marland x4
10.07 Dave Whelan x4
10.18 Munro Donald x4
10.27 Andy Hockenhull x4
10.36
10.45 Jim Clarke x4
10.54 David Smith x4
11.12 Rob Weston x4
11.21 Barry Jackson x4
11.30
11.48 Dave Sully x4
11.57 Roy Ainsworth x4
12.06 Les Russon x4
12.15 Bob Eastwood x4
12.24 Peter Maher x4
12.33 Peter Daniels x4
12.42 Barrie Simpson x4
12.51 Mick Mahon x4
1.00 John Bent x4
1.09 Richard Blackwell x4
1.18 Peter Dolan x4

2.32 Chris Adams x4
2.41 Tim Spencer x4
2.45 David Kelly x4
2.50
2.59
3.17 Olivier Troalen x4
3.26 Don Campbell x4
3.35 Stuart Reynolds x4
3.44 Ian Fensom x4

Conwy Tuesday 12th June

10.00 Colin Roberts x2 2 players required
10.09 David Kelly x4
10.18 Mike Spencer x4
10.25 Stuart Reynolds x4
10.27 Tim Spencer x4
10.36 Simon Hemsley x4
10.45 Barrie Simpson x4
10.54 Bob Eastwood x4
11.03 Roy Ainsworth x4
11.12 Jack Coleman x4
11.21 Mick Mahon x4
11.30 Jim Clarke x4
11.39 Dave Stanhope x4
11.48 Roger Percival x4
11.57 John Hilditch x4
12.05 Yash Turgot x4
12.12 Les Russon x4
12.20 Peter Dolan x4
12.29 Richard Blackwell x4 earlier
12.37 Chris Adams x4
12.46 Pete Daniels x4
12.55 Nigel Hallows x4
1.04 John Bent x4
1.13 Peter Maher x4
1.22 David Walkden x4
1.31 Munro Donald x4
1.40 David Smith x4
1.49 Barry Jackson x4
1.58 Ian Hellens x4
2.06 Don Campbell x4
2.15 Ian Fensom x4 earlier
2.24 Olivier Troalen x4
2.33
2.40 Paul Cooper x4 tbc
2.49 Lee Tilley x4
2.57 Sean Hamill x4
3.06