Prestbury Golf Club was presented in its usual tremendous condition. Mark Crossley is recognised as the best greenkeeper in the North West and his team didn’t disappoint our players today- brilliant.

Last weeks’ greens at Helsby were heaven sent but Prestbury’s were also rolling fast and beautifully true at eleven on the stimp meter. Intelligent Martin Bramwell thought they were the best he had played on all year. Thanks to everyone at this great Club for a wonderful day.

Paul Evans is a great lad and has played Maxitours for the past five years. He has always had exactly the same 22 handicap as his seventy year old Dad over this period. When he checked in today he told me his Dad was still playing off 22 but he had crept up to 23. ‘I am so ashamed.’ Was all he could mutter.

Twenty years ago I played my one and only European Tour event and I was lucky enough to play a practice round with the legend that is Bernard Langer. In his pocket the perfectionist had a detailed aerial map of the course and a compass so he could work out the exact wind direction on the tree lined Slaley course. Before he went out Norman Rolt asked if there was a map on the scorecard. I was very impressed and asked if he was using it to work out the general wind direction. ‘No I want to know where the toilets are.’ He replied.

Team Manager Roy Ainsworth can sympathise with Jose Mourinho as he has lost total respect for his players. ‘They are all overpaid prima donna’s.’ He said of his team as they could only manage 73 points. ‘It took Brian Ankers nineteen holes to get the speed of the greens’.

In today’s event despite extremely pleasant temperatures and immaculate greens the scoring was the worst in Maxitours history. There were lots of reports of four and five putting from close range.
There was a card playoff for 4th place won by housewife favourite Colin Roberts(19) Geoff Andrews (20)and father and son Geoff (5)and Dave Marchant(16) who scored 77 points. Roberts had a new hip eight and a half weeks ago and is playing some miraculous golf in addition to his miraculous recovery.

Dave Greenwoods team took 6th and Martin Bramwells men took 5th place with both teams also on 77 points. Andy Veitch was in Martins’ Hale team and he told me that he left ten shots on the golf course- bad luck Andy…

Third place went to big hitting Charles Herbert(19) Ross Birch(9) Barney Ross(6) and Paul Dalby(5) The quality quartet only scored 2 points on the tough 18th when 4 would have been enough for victory.

The Romiley pair of Phil Roberts(5)and Steve Harrison(13) won the Clubs foursomes knockout at the weekend and they continued their purple patch by recorded a gross birdie and an eagle on the 1st hole for seven points. They then battled their way to 80 points to earn a Maxitours podium finish. Stockports Rick Davies(7) and Les Ross(13) completed the happy quartet.

Neil Edwards’ Ashton in Makerfield team took 1st place also with 80 points. They also had a great front nine recording 43 points but were hanging on by the skin of their teeth on the tougher closing holes to record a first ever Maxitours win. Adrian Price(15) Jimmy Shirley(12) and Jimmy McEwan(7) completed the delighted four ball. Well played chaps.

Thanks to all who played, I am sure you had a great day.
Yours in Golf, Tim

Nearest the pin 7th Simon Hemsley Dozen AD333s
Nearest the pin 17th Rick Davies Dozen AD333

2’s £175 4 prov1s or 10 Srixon AD333
Martin Bramwell Mike Baker John Lodge Richard Wakefield Ron Sloane Tim Spencer Tom Butler Brian Yardley Craig Rea x2 Tim Potter Jason Atherton Geoff Ratcliffe

Vale of Llangollen start times
Friday 12th October

9.30Colin Roberts x4
9.38 Simon Hemsley x4
9.46 Jim Caldwell x4
9.55 Paul Robinson x4
10.04 Brian Hopkins x4
10.12 Barry Simpson x4
10.21 Neil Edwards x4
10.30 Paul Evans x4
10.39 Lewis Marland x4
10.47 Nigel Hallows x4
10.56 Simon Poucher x4
11.04 Ashley Elliott x4
11.13 Ed Pysden x4
11.21 Stuart Taylor x4
11.30 Steve Heywood x4
11.39 Les Russon x4
11.48 Steve Johnson x4
11.57 John Hunt x4
12.06 John Dickenson x4
12.15 Bob Mottershead x4
12.24 Paul Fell x4
12.33 Mike Sallabank x4
12.42 John Hudson x4
12.51David Smith x2Denis Whelan x2tbc
1.00David Smith x4
1.09Steve Parle x4
1.18Bernard Wood x4
1.27Chris Ernill x4
1.36 Gordon Warke x4
1.45 Simon Ashton x4
1.54 Dave griffiths x4
2.03 Tom Baker x4