Maxitours at perfect Preston

Many thanks to everyone for your tremendous support on a very wet and blustery day in North-West Lancashire. A few teams didn’t fancy braving the elements and kindly paid a reduced entry fee- thank you for your class. I am lucky to have such great players each week.

Preston were also super to work with and Head Professional Andy Greenbank is one of the best in the business. The head greenkeeper isn’t far behind and there was no danger that this class golf course was going to close today.

‘The greens are pure.’ Described Dave Griffiths.

‘That is a great track’ Declared Graham Jackson ‘The back nine is as good as you will play anywhere!’

When I drove down the avenue on the approach to the golf course this morning there were trees heavily laden with blossom. On the way home tonight the trees were bare after this afternoons storm.

I knew conditions were going to be bad when Dave Goodwin turned up for his round wearing two waterproof hats – I’ve never seen that before and yes, Dave looked as ridiculous as it sounds.

John Phibbs doesn’t hit too many great shots but as he checked-in he told me that the first hole at Preston was the scene of his closest ever hole in one when his ball was left teetering on the edge a few years ago. Today his first shot finished 6 inches from the hole and he easily took the nearest the pin prize.

‘I didn’t quite get it’ Chuckled the wealthy accountant. ‘I’m normally a bit closer.’

As the forecast was so poor the order of merit points competition was just over the first nine holes. Five teams tied for second with 42 points. It was the Knutsford team of David Kelly, President David Wilkinson, John Atkin and Stuart Blake that narrowly won the back six card play off

Dave Buckley, Dave Carter, Rick Howard and Ian Bruce from Antrobus took 1st place with 43 points – a great effort in these conditions. They very sadly lost regular Maxitours playing partner Ken Parkinson to Covid less than a month ago so their victory was tinged with sadness. I am sure Ken would be delighted lads.

In the 18 hole competition it was Myton Folds Mick Mahon, John Farnsworth, Dave Westwood and Richard Palmer who took the honours with 84 points. Palmer has just returned to the team after spending April in the fields with his Blue Leicester lambs. He was mint today.

Thanks again to everyone for your support and integrity.

Tim

Nearet the pin 1st John Phibbs Dozen Wilson UNO

Nearest the pin 8th Pete Ledger Dozen Wilson UNO

2’s Gareth Friend, Kevin Hindley, Andrew Hindley, David Owen Dave Mason John Phibbs Jeremy Lawton

	Preston 9 holes			3-May-2021
Pos	Team Players	Score	OoM	Comment
1	Dave Buckley, Dave Carter, Rick Howard, Ian Bruce	43	12	Maxitours Lined Sweater each
2	David Kelly, John Atkin, David Wilkinson, Stuart Blake	42	10	Maxitours Footjoy shirt each
3	Paul Fell, Mark Hughes, Colin Bryan, Mike Lowe	42	8	Maxitours shirt each
4	Mick Mahon, John Farnsworth, Richard Palmer, Dave Westwood	42	6
5	Joe Kirwan, Gareth Bradley, Simon Hemsley, Ian King	42	4	Maxitours scorecard holder each
6	Phil Lockett, Darren Odell, David Owen, Robin Howarth	42	2
7=	Mike Walker, Vernon Hayes, Pete Ledger, Graham Jackson	40
7=	Colin Roberts, Karen Mason, Dave Marchant, Dave Mason	40
7=	Graham Pike, Nigel Eckersley, John Phibbs, Jeremy Lawton	40
7=	Les Penson, Neil Pemberton, Chris Darlington, Phil Harris	40
7=	Mike Tarrant, James Wilson, Paul Stones, Keith Fenton	40
12=	Neale Laurent, Rob Laurent, John Harrop, Mark Phillips	39
12=	Jim Rymer, Dave McDougall, Pete Newey, Mike Dempsey	39
12=	James Wilson, Mike Tarrant, Steve Fenton, Keith Fenton	39
12=	Lewis Marland, Steve Schofield, Phil Dickens, Paul Robinson	39
16	Mick Jones, Simon Ashton, Dan Moss , Richard Booth	37
17	Andrew Cox, John Cox, Anne Cox, Pat Taylor	36
18	Steve Aspinall, Barry Wilson, Colin Berry, Barbara Aspinall	35
19	Gary Phillips, Pat Phillips, Pete Fotheringham, Peter Maher	31

	Preston 18 holes			03-May-2021
Pos	Team Players	Score	OoM	Comment
1	Mick Mahon, John Farnsworth, Richard Palmer, Dave Westwood	84		Maxitours FJ Lined sweater each
2	Phil Lockett, Darren Odell, David Owen, Robin Howarth	81		Maxitours shirt each
3	Mike Walker, Vernon Hayes, Pete Ledger, Graham Jackson	80		Maxitour scorecard holder each
4=	Lewis Marland, Steve Schofield, Phil Dickens, Paul Robinson	78
4=	David Kelly, John Atkin, David Wilkinson, Stuart Blake	78
6	Colin Roberts, Karen Mason, Dave Marchant, Dave Mason	77
7	Neale Laurent, Rob Laurent, John Harrop, Mark Phillips	76
8	Joe Kirwan, Gareth Bradley, Simon Hemsley, Ian King	74

9.30 David Kelly x4

9.39 Simon Hemsley x4

9.48 Colin Roberts x4

9.57 Jim Caldwell x4

10.06 Jack Coleman x4

10.15 Bob Pickthall x4

10.24 Martin Bramwell x4

John Newton x4

10.33 Jim Clarke x4

10.45 Lewis Marland x4

10.54 Steve Aspinall x4

11.03 Dave Buckley x4

11.12 Gary Phillips x4

11.21 Neale Laurent x4

11.30 Mick Mahon x4

11.39 Paul Fell x4

11.48 Martin Humphries x4

11.57 Dave Monk x4

12.06 Peter Dobson x4

12.15 Roger Percival x4

12.24 Sam Leach x4

12.33 Ian Hellens x4

12.42 Dave Sully x4

12.51 Les Russon x4

1.00 Mark Hagarty x4

1.09 Nigel Uttley x4

1.18 Mike Kirchin x4

1.27 Paul Rudkin x4

1.36 John Hudson x4

1.45

1.54 Rob Harris x4

2.03 Pete Moores x4

2.12 Lee Tilley x4

2.21 Gary Neiles x4

2.32 Kev Hart x4

2.40 Steve Marsh x4

2.49 David Smith x4

2.58 D Smith x4

3.00 B Melia x4

3.08 B Wood x4

3.16 Andy Buckley x4

3.25 Andrew Hill