Despite a gloomy forecast a beautifully mild and dry day greeted Maxitours golfers at Stockport Golf Club today. The course has stood up incredibly well to heavy rain yesterday and this was down to recent excellent drainage work at this elite Cheshire Club.

Premiership referee Mike Dean did a quick pitch inspection before he teed off ‘It is very, very dry out there.’ he declared.
Mike Wainwright was amazed by the condition of the course ‘I wasn’t too sure how wet it would be but it was amazingly good’ he beamed. ‘Those greens were firm and very true.’
Six handicapper Barney Ross described the course as ‘Simply Superb.’

Thanks to caterers Paul and Tina for their tremendous bacon butties. For some strange reason I have called Tina by the wrong name for the last ten years and today she informed me that her name wasn’t Sue. She is such a nice person it doesn’t seem to bother her.

Chocolate loving Pete Knowles loves Christmas but his day got off to a bad start when his wife nicked his chocolate from his Cadbury Advent calendar this morning. He also hit a Selection of bad shots on the course and ended up in the Roses.

There were some large forces in play on the course today as Big Alex Harmon was proudly wearing his new Nike Compression golf top which threatened to cut off the blood supply to his brain. The compression top did come in very handy however when he had to squeeze his way into the tight revolving door as he attempted to make his way out of the Clubhouse.

John Hilditch claimed his balls for making a two in a recent event. ‘You owe me eight balls and there is no need to check your records, you have my word as an estate agent.’ Said the famous Hale property man. I tried to gazump him by throwing in one of my old used ones.

Scoring was incredibly tight in today’s event with just four shots separating the top thirteen teams. Taking 3rd place was the likeable Mick Mahon(23) team from Blackburn. Steady Richard Palmer(10), solid John Farnsworth(23) and erratic Frank Hindle(15) all contributed well.

Bramall Captain Mike Spencer(12) led his team into 2nd place when they picked up an excellent 45 points on the back nine. Ian King(8), Gareth Bradley(+1) and Simon Hemsley(10) all did their bit.

Taking first place was Rob Kenyon’s(16) team also from Bramall. They dedicated their win to team Captain and terrific bloke Les Russon who is recovering well after a recent illness. Simon Burgess(18), Steve Merricks(5) and John Stockdale (17) all came in at least nine times. Well played chaps great win.

Thanks to everyone for your integrity you know that even if the forecast is poor the sun always shines on my Maxitours players.
Yours in Golf, Tim

Nearest the Pin 11th hole Gareth Bradley Doz Srixon AD333
Nearest the Pin 18th hole Paul Dalby Doz Srixon AD333
2’s £127 .50 19 srixon AD333 or 9 pro v1s per 2 Ed Wilkinson Iain Bartholomew Nathan Pugh Ged Keary

Warrington start sheet
Wednesday 12th Dec 11am shotgun start

1a Colin Roberts x4
1b Roy Ainsworth x4
2a Dave Blood x4
2b Phil Vokes x4
3 Sam Leach x4
4 Pete Maher x4.
5 Paul Rudkin x4.
6 Dave Sully x4
7Paul Fell x4
8a Mick Mahon x4
8bLewis Marland x4
9 John Hilditch x4
10a Rob Weston x4.
10b David Kelly x4
11a Roger Percival x4
11b Les Russon x4
12 Nigel Hallows x4
13 Brian Hopkins x4
14a Jim Clarke x4.
14b Richard Blackwell x4
15ab Neil Edwards x4
16 Ashley Elliot x4
17a Jim Caldwell x4
17b Ian Hellens x4
18aSimon Hemsley x4
18b Bev Crute x4

Maxitours at World Class Wilmslow

Another incredibly beautiful November day greeted Maxitours players as they arrived at Wilmslow this morning.
This class Cheshire course was bathed in sunshine and there was barely a breath of wind. The course was presented in tip top condition. Many thanks to the skilled Wilmslow green keepers.

‘I Canner believe how good the greens were!’ said Potteries man Colin Roberts.
‘That was terrific.’ said an impressed Simon Poucher
‘ It was like playing on a lovely Summers day!’ Said Dave Blood. ‘The course was really excellent.’

Karen and Simon behind the bar are also brilliant to deal with and the service was five-star throughout the day for my players, thank you very much.

Mick Mahon’s team comes down to Cheshire from the frozen North (Blackburn) most weeks to play Maxitours events. They are always surprised by the number of Range Rovers they see and they regularly comment on the stunning real estate surrounding the courses.
‘There is a lot of idle rich living around here.’ Observed team mate Richard Palmer. ‘I bet there aren’t many grafters like us. ’ He added, slowly supping his second pint of Boddingtons and stretching out on the comfy Clubhouse sofa.

The Chairman of greens at Hale, Andy Veitch, recorded a Maxitours record 6 point haul on a single hole after he hold his 2nd shot on a par five today. Playing alongside his more intelligent brother Peter they had an impressive 26 points on their first nine. Unfortunately, they were playing with Martin Bramwell who gave them the kiss of death when he told them ‘You’ve got this in the bag.’ They came home in 17 points to finish mid table.

Darren Whittaker is a really great lad and it was nice to see him playing today. Twenty years ago his good looks and flowing hair meant he was often confused with pop superstar Mick Hutchence and there were regular reports of women throwing themselves at his feet. It is not only his golf that has deteriorated in the last few years -he now gets mistaken for I’m a Celebrity star Nick Knowles. He played well today however to record a top ten finish.

Ex Copper Dave Sully was chatting in the bar and he was delighted to hear that Brit Matthew Hedges had been released after falsely being accused of spying in Dubai. Dave’s golf Club could do with being released on his downswing as he finished in a very average 28th place.

Heyrose’s Steve Blakeway(3) and Ian Hellens(12) were delighted to beat their friend Graham Jackson and finish in 6th place with 45 points. Ashton in Makerfields Pete Sumner(7) and Dave Thomas(16) took 5th and Bramalls Steve Merricks(5) and Neil Lingwood(15) took 4th place all with 45 points.

Lymm members Martin Cox(25) and Marc Morris(18) usually turn up just to have a nice bacon butty but today they were actually in the prizes scoring 46 points to finish in 3rd spot. Martin Cox gets plenty of shots and he normally needs them but today he played his best golf of the year and was backed up well by his good friend.

Phil Hanson(8) and John Jobes(18) took second place also on 46 points but with a better back nine. Phil loves the horses and told me to back a horse in the 2.35 at Kempton. The horse finished last but Phil would have been a great each way bet with very long odds as he hasn’t shown any form for years.

Taking first place was Bramall and Cheshire senior golfer Gareth Bradley (scr) and his friend John Owen(11). Impressive Bradley scored six birdies. ‘I couldn’t miss on those greens. They were immaculate.’ Said Bradley. Well played chaps great golf.

Thanks to everyone for your support. I hope you had a great day.
Tim

Nearest the pin 9th Bob Sinclair Doz AD333
Nearest the Pin 17th Mike Wainwright Doz AD333

2’s £125 4 pro v1s or 9 srixons per 2.
Martin Bramwell Andy Veitch Neil Edwards Pete Atherton x2 John Hilditch Mike Wainwright Sally Brown Jeff Ratcliffe

There will be temporary greens on holes 2.3,5 and 16 next week at Stockport I have just spoken with the pro and he assures me that the rest of the course is in really excellent condition
Stockport AM AM Start sheet
Thursday 6th December

1a Colin Roberts x4
1b Simon Hemsley x4
2 Dave Blood x4
3a Phil Vokes x4
3b Mick Mahon x4
4a Mike Dean x4
4b Craig Rea x4
5 Peter Maher x4
6a Rob Kenyon x4
6b Brian Greenbank x4
7 Simon Ashton x4
7b
8 Simon Taylor x4
9aRichard Williamson x4
9b Jim Clarke x4
10a John Hilditch x4
11 Neil Drummond x4
12a Paul Fell x4
12b John Hunt x4
13a Roger Percival x4
13b David Kelly x4
14 Les Russon x4
15a Nigel Hallows x4
15b Brian Hopkins x4
16
17a Jim Caldwell x4
17b Ged Keary x4
18 Ian Hellens x4

Superb golfing conditions once again greeted Maxitours competitors at Ringway this morning. The early morning frost soon cleared and a magnificent day for golf was enjoyed by all.

Thanks to general Manager Tracy Rawlinson and her excellent team for hosting the event and looking after us so well. The course has been in terrific condition all Summer and with more improvements taking place highly respected head greenkeeper Richie Stephens has a course to be proud of.
Many thanks to eveyone for playing so quickly. Most of the field were getting around in less than 4 hours which makes it a very pleasurable day.

Sorry for the shorter report as I am a gentleman’s dinner tonight and I am running late!

Richard Williamsons team took 3rd place with a best ever 90 points- even Dave Goodwin played well; Phil Robinson and Paul Woodbine also did plenty of damage.

Second place went to Sandiways Gary Neiles, Joe Yates, John Longworth and Alan Forber with an excellent 91 points.

Richard Blackwells team finally got it together this week after a run of very average results and they had a best of the year score of 94 points. ’It was our day today said team mate Tony Jennison from New Mills, we couldn’t miss.’ John Hilton and Tim Johnson completed the fourball.

Well played chaps great score.
Thanks to all for your 100% attandance once again, yours in golf, Tim.

Nearest the Pin
13th hole Gary Neiles Doz AD333s
16th hole Gareth Bradley Doz AD333s

2’s £147.50 3 Pro v1s or 8 srixons per 2
Barry Jackson Dave Beavis Dave Sully Martin France Pete Atherton x2 Liam Pilkington John Kelsall Mike Verdon Pete Booth Sarah Ormrod James Shipstone Denis O’Neill