Great Upcoming Summer Maxitours events
Stockport Abacus Law Classic this Monday 17th- Last few spaces
Sandiway 25th -Full
Hesketh 3rd Sept -last few spaces
Knutsford JP and Brimelow Classic 10th -nearly full

Maxitours at Prestbury Golf Club

Prestbury Golf Club was the idyllic setting for today’s Maxitours event. This is a magnificent course with a terrific membership who were great to me whilst I enjoyed being a young assistant at the Club in the early 1990’s.
The new Prestbury green keeper seems to be doing an excellent job and his smooth and incredibly fast greens gave more than a few players the heebeegeebies. Several struggled on the undulating 9th green where the more intelligent players left themselves an uphill putt.

‘It was like putting down a car bonnet’ said Tim Spencer as he watched in horror as his srixon ball gathered speed and went sailing past the flag.

The threatening rain just held off all until Richard Williamson in the last group putted out on the 18th green at 6.30pm and then started to fall heavily as he put his clubs away in the car park. Everyone had a great day and went home happy and ready to watch the ‘Ringo Starr’ of the four majors- the USPGA Championship.

Kevin Barker told me today that he saw his doctor recently as was becoming obsessed about golf. He rarely went home at the weekends or evenings as he was working on his faults, and when he did go home he had a short temper followed by a state of manic depression because he was hitting the ball all over the place. In fact he was so frustrated he never talked to his wife after a round and when he did he just snapped at her. When I asked him what the doctor advised, he replied. ‘I’ve got to shorten my backswing’. Unfortunately he could only manage 36 points today playing alongside affable Scotsman Dave McCallum.

The golf course is designed really well and requires players to work the ball both ways. As record A’ level results were published most players unfortunately failed the tough Prestbury examination. Despite perfect golfing weather poor scores reflected the difficulty of this links. Paul Lord(5) and Barry Hornby(14) took 5th place with just 39 points! Steve Aspinall(9) and Barry Wellings(7) were also surprised and delighted to feature so highly in the prizes after they scored a battling 40 points.

The ‘shock of the day’ was the pairing of Knutsford Secretary Stuart Blake(6) and respected member David Kelly(11).They scored 40 points to earn them a career best 3rd place finish. Stuarts birdie on the tough 13th hole earned the likeable pair a healthy four points. -Well played.

Tytherington’s Jason Waite(12) teamed up with young Remy Hiller(6) and they started with four points after Remy made a classy eagle on the long par five. Jason showed his maturity on the closing holes as he parred the tough 17th and 18th to close out second place.

Today’s honours also went to a Tytherington pair as late entries Pete Cleaver(7) and Carlo Mysko(21) scored a wonderful 43 points. Skilful Macclesfield Plasterer Pete started well but was in danger of crumbling in the middle of his round. However he managed to smooth over the cracks and he played the four closing holes in level par. Congratulations- great golf!

Thanks to Matt Turnock who ran the first half of todays event as I was missing the cut in the National PGA fourball Championship at Carden Park. It was also great to see my old man play 18 holes for the first time in two years- legend, well done Dad.

May thanks for your terrific support once again, yours in Golf, Tim

2’s £160 4 pr V1s or 9 srixons each Phil Vokes, Pete Cleaver, Jack Pryce, Andy Wilde, Iain Bartholomew, Kevin Hawkins, Anthony Grimley, Will Cockayne, Stuart Blake, Bob Sutton, Pete Maxwell, Dave McCallum, Mike Piggott, Steve Aspinall

The Abacus Law Classic at Stockport Golf Club.
Monday 17th August
9.00 Colin Roberts x4
9.09 Mark Williams x4
9.18 Ian King x4
9.27 Simon Conway x4
9.36
9.45 Brian Greenbank x4
9.54 Phil Vokes x2 John Berry x2
10.03 Mick Mahon x4
10.12 Ian Ainsworth x4
10.21 Dave Stanhope x4
10.30 Jack Coleman x4
10.39 Matt Cheffins x4
10.48 Anthony Grimley x2 Lewis marland x2
10.57
11.06 Pete Short x4
11.15 John Hilditch x2
11.24 Colin Baxendale x4
11.33 Lee Jevons x2 Dave Ellison x2
11.42 Geoff Underhill x4
11.51 Geoff Underhill x4
12.00 Bob Sutton x4
12.09 Brendon Leighton x4
12.18
12.27 Steve Wilson x4
12.36 Roy Ainsworth x4
12.45 Ray Jones x4
12.54 Geoff Allen x4
1.03 Ian Mathers x4
1.12 John Broadhurst x2 Richard Blackwell x2
1.21 Dave Chambers x4
1.30 David Hillier x4
1.39 David Hillier x4
1.48 Brian Hopkins x4
1.57 Ian Hales x4

Great upcoming Summer Maxitours events
Thursday 13th Aug Prestbury Pairs -spaces just became available!
Monday 17th August ‘The Abacus Law Classic’ pairs- nearly full
Tuesday 25th August Sandiway Am Am- full
Thursday 3rd September Hesketh Pairs- limited spaces

Maxitours results for The TBD Associates Classic at Majestic Mottram Hall

Maxitours players once again enjoyed lovely sunshine as my old work place Mottram Hall was the superb venue for today’s golf. As England were tearing apart the Aussies at Trent Bridge a few Maxitours teams were getting the better of this great course. Thanks to Mottram Hall’s Jonny Chaisty and his 5 star team for the great hospitality shown to all players.

As it was the last day of my incident packed 2 week holiday in Abersoch Karen Gallagher added a touch of glamour to the event and ran the day very professionally once again, many thanks Karen.

Once again the report is a little shorter than usual.

Taking third place was the Jim Caldwell team. Clever Jim invited a few locals onto his team and their course knowledge paid dividends. Pete Atherton’s team took second place with a solid 86 points but winning for the first time in a less than average 5 year Maxitours career was Paul Woodbine(7), Richard Williamson(11), Dave Goodwin(10) and Pete Keena(12). Great golf chaps I am really delighted for you.

Many thanks once again to TBD Associates for their kind Sponsorship of this event. This rapidly growing company specialises in pro active strategic managing accountancy and advice. They are a really great company.

Yours in Golf, Tim
2’s sweep £257.50 4 pro v1s or 10 srixon AD333s per 2.N Milroy C Brown D Wainwright J Hilditch J Eadie J Howarth M Baxter D Walsh E Ellis ATahir J Jones P Woodbine D Goodwin P Keena D Huffman H Mullen A Lawman S Dainty

1st Paul Woodbine 87 Richard Williamson Dave Goodwin Pete Keena
Cleveland Wedge each
2nd Pete Atherton 86 Roger Percival Chris Lawson Martin France
Tommy Hilfiger Shirt each
3rd Jim Caldwell 85 Nigel Milroy Steve Sutton Simon Maxwell
Dozen Z Stars each
4th Andy Wilde 85 Steve Dainty Kevin Burns Mike Norbury
Dozen AD333s each
5th John Dickenson 84 Bob Mottershead Dave Paint Jim Rymer
Dozen AD333s each
6th Archie Tahiir 84
6th Gary Whittaker 84
6th TBD Associates 84
6th Eddie Ellis 84
10th Dave Hillier 83
11th John Stubbs 82
12th Mick Mahon 81
13th Anthony Grimley 81
14th Dave Stanhope 80
14th Brian Hopkins 80
14th Chris Adams 80
14th Danny Ritchie 80
14th Ste Wilson 80
19th Lee Tilley 79
20th Ian Ainsworth 78
20th Dave Crowther 78
20th Andy Stubbens 78
20th Dave Bowers 78
24th Simon Conway 77
24th Dave Chambers 77
26th Rob Platt 76
26th Matt Cheffins 76
26th Brian Greenbank 76
29th Lewis Marland 75
30th Ian Buxton 74
31st Roy Ainsworth 73
32nd Tom Jarvis 69
33rd John Hilditch 66
Steve Foxcroft nr
Nearest the Pin 3rd James Eadie Dozen AD333s
Nearest Pin 16th Mark Baxter Dozen AD333s

Maxitours at Regal Vale Royal

A perfect day to enjoy great golf greeted the Maxitours players at Vale Royal this morning. All the golfers heaped praise on this terrific venue. ‘That was just Superb-when are we back?’ said an impressed Steve Adams on his first visit to this classy corner of Cheshire. Thanks to Manager Ian Embury and his dedicated team for hosting our event so well.

Twenty year old Ben Chambers only passed his driving test recently. He managed to set a new Maxitours record as it took him two and a half hours to get to the course from Swinton.’ I typed ‘golf’ then ‘Vale’ into my SatNav and ended up at The Vale of Llangollen in Wales. I had a drink in the Clubhouse and wondered where everyone was.’ Said the disorientated Mancunian.’I started getting a little bit concerned when I noticed everyone was speaking a different language…’

In today’s event the scoring was very good due to yellow tees, fast running fairways and immaculate greens. The scoring was slightly better in the morning when the greens were receptive and there was barely a breath of wind.

Mike Dudley ‘s team turn up each week to make everyone feel a little bit better about themselves. Once again they recorded an incredibly bad score and this time it was a paltry 51 points. The team also optimistically entered the ball sweep. ‘ I had 3 two’s today so do I get any balls?’ asked keen Mike. ‘Yes you do, but I can’t see any on your scorecard? ‘ I replied. ‘I scored 2 stableford points on the 3rd, 10th AND the 13th hole today- I should get something…’

Keith Chadwick was also in Dudley’s team . His biggest contribution was buying some Mars bars before they went out to play, he even dropped one of these on the way to the first tee.

Likeable Dentist Anthony Grimley(12) looked like he had been on the happy gas once again after he was overjoyed to record his first eagle in over twenty years after rolling in a 10 foot putt on the last. ‘There’s nothing like watching an athlete at the top of his game. And that was nothing like watching an athlete at the top of his game.’ Observed playing partner Nigel Dibble as he brought the sun tanned dentist back down to earth.

Sale’s Paul Browne(9) and his team were asking ‘Where’s Wallace?’ as Dale Wallace was nowhere to be found over the first nine holes . In fact, the first time he got on the card was when Paul dropped it on the 10th fairway and Dale accidentally trod on it. The back nine was a different story as the team scored 47 points and 11 handicapper Dale played the closing loop in an impressive 1 under par. Ted Barker(11) and John Jones(12) completed the four ball. Their 85 points unsurprisingly took 3rd place after easily winning the card play-off.

The Mytton Fold senior team of Mick Mahon(22), John Farnworth(20), Nigel Fairhurst(17) and Dave Griffiths(13) made a late move through the field after they picked up an impressive 7 points on their final hole to take 2nd place with 86 points. Mick Mahon and Dave Griffiths played some inspired golf as they got that Louis Oosthuisen runner- up feeling.

Winning today’s event were the Tytherington team of Martin Firth(4), Mike Taylor(22), Andy Stubbens(5) and Andy Bethell(13). These are great lads who despite recent handicap reductions have been on a very hot streak over the last 6 months. A further three shot Maxitours handicap reduction each will slow the talented quartet down a little to give the rest of the field half a chance… To be fair the competitive foursome who are all great ball strikers were first out this morning and really made the most of the perfect golfing conditions. Well played guys, great golf.

Many thanks to all who played today, I hope you had a great day. Tim.

Nearest the Pin 6th Alex Baguley Dozen AD333s
Nearest the Pin 16th Brian Greenbank Dozen AD333s

2’s sweep £132.50 3 pro v1s or 7 srixon AD333s Dale Wallace Dan Percivalx2 Dave Harlow Paul Gilbert Tom Fenton Phil Vokes Brian Hopkins Neil Wrigley Josh Brand Martin France Graham Bates Alex Baguley

Start times at Hopwood AM AM 30th July
10.30 Colin Roberts x4
10.39 Jim Caldwell
10.48 Chris Adams x4
10.57 Ian King x4
11.06 Dave Stanhope x4
11.15 Jack Coleman x4
11.24 Brian Greenbank x4
11.33 Mick Mahon x4
11.42 Nigel Oakes x4
11.52 Neville Dennis x4
12.00 Dave Parsons x4
12.09 Mike Gibbons x4
12.18 Bob Sutton x4
12.27 Lewis Marland x4
12.36 Jim Jones x4
12.45 Anthony Grimley x4
12.54 Ian Buxton x4
1.03 Simon Conway x4
1.12 Archie Tahiir x4
1.21 Dave Goodier x4
1.30 Mick Philbin x4
1.39 John Dickenson x4
1.48 Gary Neiles x4
1.57 Mike Dobson x4
2.06 Dave Buckley x4
2.15 Colin Baxendale x4
2.24 Richard Blackwell x4
2.32 Richard Williamson x4
2.40
2.48 Andy Wilde x4
2.57
3.06 Brian Hopkins x4
3.14 Dave Hillier x4

Colin Lynch x4 early

Great Upcoming Maxitours Events
22nd July Vale Royal Taylor Made AM AM-last 2 fourballs
Hopwood AM AM -29th July Thurs -full
Mottram Hall TBD Masters AM AM -6th August -last 3 fourballs
Prestbury Pairs Thurs 13th August – Full
Stockport Abacus Law Masters Pairs Monday 17th August-spaces
Sandiway Pairs Tuesday 25th-full

Maxitours Titleist Pairs at stunning Pleasington

Another full field enjoyed one of Lancashire’s finest golf courses as Maxitours visited Blackburn today. For the past few weeks the venues we have visited have all been presented to an exceptionally high standard and Pleasington Golf Club more than continued this impressive trend. Thanks to all staff and officials for your superb hospitality.

In an incredible coincidence good pals Dave Westwood and Munroe Donald teed off together at Pleasington this morning, within 20 minutes Lee Westwood and Luke Donald also both hit their opening drives in the 144st Open Championship at St Andrews. That is where any comparison ends between the four very different English golfers.

The weather was so nice in this part of Blackburn the large clubhouse patio doors were left open throughout the day. Gary Whittaker was delighted when he checked in and was given some golf balls he won in a recent event . He very nearly returned one of them to me as his thinned bunker shot careered into the Clubhouse as he played the 18th. ‘There was no sand in that bunker’ he claimed, clutching at straws.

Maxitours regular Steve McDermott brought along his new pal Steve Ratcliffe who is getting married tomorrow. ‘ Don’t bother getting his email address, he won’t be playing golf again for a long time.’

Happily married Seventy seven year old Neville Dennis still plays golf six days a week. His lovely wife wants a holiday so last night she asked him to find a quiet week this Summer so they could spend some romantic time together. Unfortunately after consulting his busy golf diary Neville advised her that she could write off 2015. He then had to retrieve his diary from his neighbours prize rosebush after it was hurled through the kitchen window. ‘It’s the 3rd time she’s done that’ he added.

Bald Gary Hempsted loves a bit of wildlife and he enjoyed playing average golf and keeping a look out for the resident peregrine falcons and wild deer which can be spotted on this terrific course. He was also absolutely delighted to spot a pair of house martins nesting under the eaves of the Clubhouse. He handed his card in and thanked me for a very enjoyable day before departing. Unfortunately he soon returned. ‘Where’s the gents- a bloody swallow has just s*** on my head.’

Chris Adams also had some bad luck when his best drive of the day hit the marker post on the par 5 fifth hole and came back thirty yards. He was playing with his 20 year old son Greg who found it all very amusing.

Four players from Ashton on Mersey finished their round and were shocked and impressed when they saw fellow member Mike Lynch move the ‘nearest the pin in 2’ marker post on the 18th green. They congratulated him as he entered the clubhouse. ‘No, I didn’t win nearest the pin, I was there in five- my putter was hitting the marker with my backswing so I took it out’ he chuckled.

Mirroring the Open Championship all today’s best scores were from players who teed off early. The scoring was once again very close with 5 pairs sharing 2nd scoring 43 points.

The best of these was Grange Park’s Steve Aspinall(9) and Barry Wellings(7). There were only 5 pairs in the whole field who scored better on the tougher back nine and their 22 points was good enough to win the card play-off.

Off duty Policemen Tony Stiles(12) and Gavin Connor (15)were up ‘beat’ about their round and were delighted to finish 3rd .

Tony Cooper(12) usually plays like Tommy Cooper however today he was on form. Every time a putt went in he muttered ‘just like that.’ (Incidentally Frank Howarth who went out earlier in the day played like Frankie Howard and every time he missed a putt he muttered ‘ooh er’) Tony was delighted to finish 4th in his first outing for a while playing alongside Phil Williams(17).

Dave Gavin(10) and Joe Shelley(10) from Hazel Grove are usually hopeless. They recorded their best ever finish and they were delighted to be just one off the pace also on 43 points.

Taking the honours today were High Legh’s Mark Hagarty(13) and Ed Cotton(9). After a great front nine things were looking shaky towards the end of their round. Ed eased their nerves when he hit a superb approach into the last. This sealed both a win and the nearest the pin in 2 award! Well played chaps.

Many thanks to all today’s players. In true Maxitours style there was not a single no-show – your integrity is really appreciated.

Yours in Golf, Tim

Nearest the Pin 16th Dan Percival Dozen AD333s
Nearest the Pin in 2 on 18th Ed Cotton Dozen Soft Feel

£140 2’s 24 srixon each or 10 pro v1s each Brian Kelly Tony Stiles Danny Ritchie Phil Cooney

Start Times at the Taylor Made AM AM at Vale Royal
next WEDNESDAY 22nd July
8.30 Colin Roberts x4
8.39 Ian King x4
8.48 Mike Gibbons x4
8.57 Andy Taylor x4?
9.06 Bob Sutton x4
9.15 Mick Fenton x4
9.24 Brian Greenbank x4

10.30 Brian Hopkins x4
10.38 Ken Chinn x4
10.46 Jack Coleman x4
10.54
11.02 Mick Mahon x4
11.10 Ian Ainsworth x4
11.18 Neville Dennis x4
11.26 Ian Lilley x4
11.34 Lewis Marland x4
11.43 Neil Laurent x4
11.51 John Hilditch x4
12.00 Tony Rains x4
12.09 Colin Baxendale x4
12.18 Hetash Patel x4
12.27 Nigel Oakes x4
12.36 Denis Whelan x4
12.45 Ian Buxton x4
12.54 Brendon Leighton x4
1.03 Nigel Eckersley x4
1.12 Roger Percival x4
1.21 Mike Dudley x4
1.30 Paul Browne x4
1.39 Roy Ainsworth x4
1.48 Tim Handford x4
1.57 John Stubbs x4
2.06
2.15 John Dickenson x4
2.24 Gary Bailey x4
2.33
2.42 Frank Stapleton x4
2.51 Dave Hillier x4
3.00 Simon Conway x4
Tom Butler x4