*Room for 2 teams at Davyhulme on Thurdsay and 1 team at Hazel Grove next Monday.
Maxitours at Classy Clitheroe

The journey ‘up North’ was well worth it for Maxitours players today. The Clitheroe Golf Course was excellent and everyone enjoyed trying not to three-putt their famously hard to read greens.

The Clubhouse and course are improving each year and this venue is a real treat.

Mark Hagarty echoed the thoughts of all my players: ‘What a brilliant course that was -so enjoyable to play. The greens are incredible!’
The small greens got the better of many players. As we all know it is so important to change your wedges with your professional every year in order to get maximum spin. If your budget can’t stretch to a new wedge then grooves should be meticulously cleaned after each shot. Dave Boardman is a farmer and his sheep could graze off the grass and mud accumulated on his clubface over the past thirty years. He hasn’t seen a groove for years. He just couldn’t understand why his approach shots kept hurtling through the back of the firm Clitheroe greens.

Ricky Howard took the wrong Club on the 17th and he was relieved to see his ball hit the little wooden bridge over the stream which guards this classic hole. His ball bounced 50 feet in the air before landing on the green and rolling into the hole for an Ace! Well done, Ricky.

Andy Oakes hit a great shot into the par three 8th and declared to his team that he wasn’t sharing his balls. He missed the putt and by the end of the round he was the only member of his team not to record a 2, much to their amusement.

By 2.30pm nearly all the cards had been administered so I thought I would treat myself and ordered steak pie, rich onion gravy and crispy chips from Rachel the superb catering manager. I then popped into the pro shop for a chat with the new friendly Clitheroe professional Sam Punchard. On my return to the Clubhouse Kev Hart was caught red handed dipping one of my chips into the gravy. I don’t think Kevin knows the gravity of this particular infringement. It is going to be a very long winter for him and his team when the shotguns start.

The greens got the better of many players today. Clitheroe is set in the beautiful Ribble valley but after watching Stuart Roach and his team leaving their putts short on the 18th it should be called Dribble valley.

Three teams tied 3rd with 85 points but it was Mick Mahon(19) Richard Palmer (8)John Farnsworth (18)and Dave Westwood(17) who won the card play off after their superior fitness paid dividends on the back nine. Yeah right.
Second place went to Darren Booth(7) Martin Lang (5) Mike Wilson (11) and Mark Timperley (10). These guys were rocking after dropping three shots on the 16th and 17th but seven points on the last hauled them into 2nd place with 86 points.

Winning today were Denton’s Gary Owen(10), Alistair Holloway(17), Alan Gayle(22) and Tony Grinnell(12). They were out first thing and made the most of the receptive greens and calm conditions to set the clubhouse lead. Scores gradually deteriorated throughout the day as a breeze picked up and the quartet were delighted with their win.

Thanks to everyone for your support. Yours in golf, Tim

Nearest the pin 5th Barry Shaw Allen Dozen Wilson Duo
Nearest the pin 17th Ric Howard Dozen Wilson Duo

2’s sweep £185 3 pro V1 bor 8 srixon AD333 Andy Buckley Dave Carter Ricky Howard hole in one x2 Josh Street Jim Caldwell Steve Hornby Dave Parry Martin Humphries Steve Hornby Chris Adams Gary Butler Martin Prescott Kenny Stevens Neil Macloed Gary Owen Alistair Holloway Steve Martin Paul Yearsley Neale Laurent

9.00 David Kelly x4
9.09 Simon Hemsley x4
9.18 Colin Roberts x4
9.27 Jim Caldwell x4
9.36 Jim Rymer x4
9.45 Dave Monk x4
9.54 Ian Snape x4
10.03 Bob Pickthall x4
10.12 Garry Kirkwood x4
10.21 Paul Evans x4
10.30
10.36 Jim Clarke x4
10.45 Lewis Marland x4
10.54 Steve Aspinall x4
11.03 John Hunt x4
11.12 Dave Buckley x4
11.21 Gary Phillips x4
11.30 Neale Laurent x4
11.39 Mick Mahon x4
11.48 Paul Fell x4
11.57 Martin Humphries x4
12.06 Doug Craig x4
12.15 Steve Hall x4
12.24 Roy Ainsworth x4
12.31 Dean Jagger x4
12.39 Sam Leach x4
12.47 Ian Hellens x4
12.56
1.04 Dave Blease x4
1.12
1.21 John Hudson x4
1.30 Garry Kirkwood x4
1.38 Simon Raine x4
1.47 Tom Williams x4
1.56 Mike George x4
2.05
2.13 John Wallis x4
2.22 Barry Jackson x4
2.33 Pete Fotheringham x4
2.41 Kev Hart x4
2.50 Steve Marsh x4
2.58Lee Tilley x4

Clitheroe Bank Holiday Monday 30th Aug start times below – room for 1 team

Davyhulme on Thursday 2nd Sept – room for 1 team

Hazel Grove 6th Sept – room for 2 teams

Maxitours at brilliant Knutsford

A lovely late Summer’s day greeted Maxitours competitors at Knutsford. The perfect weather ensured a great day was had by all.

Head Greenkeeper Dave Jones does an amazing job and has really raised the bar with his knowledge and hard work – once again the golf course was immaculate.

Steve Aspinall plays in every Open under the sun and he thought Knutsford Greens were the best he had seen on his travels. ‘They are right up there with the best greens I have played all year.’

Chris Brown went one better and told me that they were: ‘Definitely the best greens I have played all season.’

‘ Wow! If this was an 18 hole course it might well be the best in Cheshire.’ Was Frank Jewels verdict after his first ever round at Knutsford.

‘That is the best golf course I have played for quite some time, compliments to the greenstaff !’ Said Jim Doran President of Leigh golf Club.

Thanks also to Clubhouse manager ‘Mr Hospitality’ Steve Barker who looked after my players so well throughout a very long day.

I think I am going to keep my distance from Nigel Ashton in future.

‘Do you realise this is where I first ever saw you?’ He informed me at check in this morning. No, I can honestly say that I wasn’t aware of that Nigel. Thank you very much.

Rob Cross is famous for his wild hitting. His team told him to bring plenty of balls to Knutsford and even the Tatton Park wardens diverted the public footpath and kept the deer out of range as they knew Rob was playing. Incredibly Rob stayed out of the Park all day until the 18th hole when his gentle hook reappeared and normal service was resumed.

Vic Strata from Hale is a lovey bloke but he is very easily confused. He wanted a trolley for today so I gave him a handle. I saw him ten minutes later outside struggling by the trolley shed looking very stressed. He was trying desperately to work out how to attach the handle onto a trolley that already had a handle on it.

In today’s event everyone’s favourite golfer Lewis Marland(17) and his team scored 85 points to take 6th place. Lewis picked up seven shots for his team of Phil Dickens(11), Steve Scofield(13), and Paul Robinson(8) went home happy.

Roger Percival’s team took 3rd with 85 and second went to Gary Neiles Sandiway men on 86 points but they were just pipped on the back nine.

Tony Finau is famous as being a class golfer who is unable to get over the finishing line but he did so in last nights PGA Tournament. Des Kelly is famous as a terrible golfer who is also unable to get over the finishing line. Today his Poulton Park team of Phil Roberts(13) Des Kelly(21) Phil Johnson (11) and Aaron Dennis (12) scored 40 points on the front nine (which they hadn’t played before) but once they knew where they were going they came home in 46 for a great victory– Excellent Golf.

Thanks to everyone for your support.

Tim

Nearest the pin 12th Chris Lane Dozen Wilson Duo

Nearest the pin 14th Bob King Dozen Wilson Duo

2’s sweep £125 2 pro v1s or 6 srixon AD333 per 2

Steve Aspinall Dave Monk Martin Quinn Bob King Chris Brown Garry Phillips Paul Fell Mike George Tim Tighe Roy Adkins Barry Jackson Chris Lane Richard Palmer Joe Cross Pete Atherton Dave Greenwood

Clitheroe start times

Monday 30th Aug

10.00 David Kelly x4

10.09 Simon Hemsley x4

10.18 Colin Roberts x4

10.27 Jim Caldwell x4

10.36 Gary Owen x4

10.45 Lewis Marland x4

10.54 Rob Hands x4

11.03 Dave Buckley x4

11.12 Mick Mahon x4

11.21 Gary Phillips x4

11.30 Paul Fell x4

11.39 Martin Humphries x4

11.48 Darren Booth x4

11.57 Neil Edwards x4

12.06 Andy Buckley x4

12.15 Mike George x4

12.24 Dave Goodwin x4

12.33 Ian Hellens x4

12.42 Dave Sully x4

12.51 Les Russon x4

1.00 Mark Hagarty x4

1.09 Paul Entwistle early

1.18 Chris Adams x4

1.27 Roy Ainsworth x4

1.36 Tim Spencer x4

1.45 Dave Griffiths x4

1.54 Pete Waters x4

2.03 Simon Ashton x4

2.12 Jim Rymer x4

2.21

2.33 Gary Neiles x4

2.41 Kev Hart x4

2.50

2.58 Neale Laurent x4

Maxitours at stunning Stockport

Stockport is right up there in my top three courses in Cheshire. A wonderful golf course and welcoming Clubhouse make this venue a real treat to play. General Manager Ryan and Jane in the office are also class acts.

Stockport had done some work to their greens last week so I sent out a note to teams to pre warn them that they weren’t perfect – I had at least 20 guys tell me after their round that there was no need for the note as the greens were putting superbly – many thanks to the Stockport greens staff – terrific work this week.

Colin Roberts team mates hadn’t played here before and they could not believe how ‘pristine’ the course was. ‘The tee boxes are the best I have ever seen.’ Reported Mike Webb. Brilliant.

Early morning drizzle gave way to lovely golfing conditions and everyone really enjoyed themselves.

Stan Devlin wasn’t sure if he had visited this venue but when he arrived he was absolutely certain that he had played here. ‘ Yes I’ve definitely been here before, In fact I played really well. This is the course where you cross the main road after the 2nd hole‘

No it isn’t Stan.

Vale Royal’s Don Phillips, Ian Pezell, Stuart Park and Cheshire senior player Don Campbell (2) finished 3rd with 85 points . Don stood in as a late replacement and his adopted team were class. Everyone played well.

‘Put us with Don again please!’ Begged Stuart ‘He is a fine ball striker.’

‘I loved that!’ Announced Don. ‘These guys are so much better than the lads you fixed me up with last week. Those guys were hopeless’

Taking 3rd place were the lads I fixed him up with last week.

Grd Keary, Steven Sheard Andy Penney and Bob Morris scored a measly 69 points at Ringway but today they were inspired and their 86 was good enough for 3rd place,.

In his early seventies Colin Roberts has turned himself into a top golfer. He was hopeless when he was in his 60’s but is now a force to be reckoned with his team finished in second place with an excellent 88 points and Colin moved up the XENTUM order of merit .Carl Deaville (20) Andy Williamson (16) and Mike Webb(15) all played well.

Joe Corrigan was the 3rd best goalkeeper in England for many years as he was unfortunate to be born in the same era as Shilton and Clemence. His son Andy played today and he was number one as his Shrigley hall team collected 89 points to take first place. Father and son Gary(14)and Paul Leek(22) and Brian Bryan(19) had a terrific back nine and I watched them roll in birdies on the 16th to pick up an impressive 7 points.

Great golf guys.

Thanks to everyone for your 100% attendance yet again.

Tim

Nearest the pin 16th David Linton Dozen Wilson Duo

Nearest the pin in 2 on 18th Jack Suttie Dozen Wilson Duo

2’s sweep £290.50 5 pro v1s each or 12 srixon AD333

Andy Corrigan Paul Leek John Harrop John Kelly Laurie Heal Colin Berry Ian Gardner Matt Sayers Chris Adams Dave Smith Ian Gilchrist Jonny Barton Dave Fidler Ken Booth Brian Cattrell David Linton

Knutsford Golf Club AM AM Tuesday 24th August

8.30 Simon Hemsley x4

8.39 Colin Roberts x4

8.48

8.57 Bob King x4

9.06 Paul Roberts x4

9.15 Neale Laurent x4

9.24 Gary Kirkwood x4

9.33 Lewis Marland x4

9.42 Michael Hewitt x4

9.51 Steve Aspinall x4

10.00 John Johnston x4

10.09 Roy Ainsworth x4

10.18 Mick Mahon x4

10.27 Steve Marsh x4

Afternoon times

12.40 Ian Hellens x4

12.49 Jim Doran x4

12.58 John Hunt x4

1.07 Gary Phillips x4

1.16 Paul Fell x4

1.25 Gary Neiles x4

1.34 Danny Holbrook x4

1.43 Mike George x4

1.54 Pete Fotheringham x4

2.03 Barry Jackson x4

2.12 Martin France x4

2.19 Andy Buckley x4

2.28

*Room for teams of 4 at Stockport on Monday -see below

The Xentum Classic at excellent Ringway.

Maxitours players had a super day at Ringway. The Club is really going places and huge improvements are made to the course and clubhouse year on year. Karen is an award winning General Manager and a real pleasure to deal with. Catering Manager Lyndsay was also on top form. This is a terrific venue.
Are these the best greens in Cheshire? – possibly. They are also incredibly hard to read according to more than one player when cards were handed in. The course was presented to a very high standard. Thank you Ringway.

I asked Rick Shaw if he was playing well. ‘Yes! I’ve been to the range this morning and I know exactly what I am doing now!’ Yeah right. His team finished 23rd.

I was slightly concerned when Alison Shipstone told me that her playing partner James Brown was easily pleased. James won his first prize a couple of weeks ago – a Maxitours shirt. I gave it to him from out of the back of my car today. I have never seen anyone so happy to win a shirt. Well done James. You have won a scorecard holder today. Try to control your emotions.

At check in this morning Gary Mercer told me his handicap had recenty gone up from 12.0 to 12,2 ‘Does that make a difference?’ He asked.
Yes, it means you are .2 worse than you were last week Gary.

Third place went to everyone’s favourite Paul Fell(5) from Carden Park, Nigel Ashton(12), Dave Hest(14) and Colin Bryan(8). Dave Hest was average for much of his round but had a career best three birdies at just the right time to really boost the team score.

Werneth Golf Club Captain Tim Jones(21) was understandably nervous on the first hole making his debut appearance on such a prestigious tour. He settled his nerves after three holes and played some great golf to help his team of Pete Norbury(19) Dave Rhodes(13) and Ian Sutton(10) finish in 2nd place with 86.
Taking the honours today were Olympic British Taekwondo team member Gary Owen(8) Alistair Holloway (14) Anthony Kenny(8) and Alan Lane (6). Owen played the tough 4 closing holes under par to help his team take Gold.

Many thanks for your superb pace of play today. There is a bit of deep rough on the Ringway course but the last group was around in less than four hours. Excellent.

Winning the two day Xentum Classic with steady scores of 79 and 81 was Simon Hemsley, Joe Kirwan, Dave Woods and Mike Spencer. They receive a Maxitours shirt each. Paul Fells team was second 156 and Lewis Marland took 3rd on 155.

Many thanks to excellent financial advisors Xentum for their event and Order of Merit sponsorship. They have sent a link for a free book for Maxitours players which could help you think about your approach to life. https://www.xentum.co.uk/enough/
Thanks for playing, Tim
Nearest the pin 13th Pete Waters Doz Wilson Duo
Nearest the pin 16th Colin Bryan Doz Wilson Duo

2’s sweep £285 5 pro V1s or 12 srixon AD333
Dave Hest x2 Steve Blakeway John Leonard Pete Waters Bpb Pickthall Simon Hemsley Barry Wellings Rob Platt Munro Donald John Harrop Rick Shaw Doug Green Frank Hendrick Gary Owen Colin Bryan

Stockport Monday 16th Aug
9.00 David Kelly x4
9.09 Simon Hemsley x4
9.18 Colin Roberts x4
9.27 James Hampton x4
9.36 Paul Gilbert x4
9.45 Jim Clarke x4
9.54 Martin Bramwell x4
10.03 Dave Stewardson x4
10.12 Gary Kirkwood x4
10.20 Jonny Lord x4
10.28 Neale Laurent x4
10.37 Lewis Marland x4
10.46 Steve Aspinall x4
10.55 Dave Buckley x4
11.03 Gary Phillips x4
11.12
11.21 Mick Mahon x4
11.30
11.39 Andy Buckley x4
11.48 John Hilditch x4
11.57 Dean Jagger x4
12.06 Roger Percival x4
12.15 Sam Leach x4
12.24 Chris Adams x4
12.33 Ian Hellens x4
12.42 Dave Sully x4
12.51 Les Russon x4
1.00 Andrew Cox x4
1.09 Jon Hudson x4
1.18 Jim Rymer x4
1.27 Mike George x4
1.36 James wilson x4
1.45 Dave Monk x4
1.54 Graham Pike x4
2.03 Rob Harris x4
2.12 John Newton x4
2.21
2.33 Nathan Mills x4
2.41 Kev Hart x4
2.50 Steve Marsh x4
2.58

Maxitours at beautiful Vale Royal
Vale Royal was absolutely stunning today.
Norrie Irwin knows his golf and he quietly told me that the course was tremendous. I don’t think I have ever heard so many lovely post-round remarks about a venue. Thanks to brilliant Manager Ian Embury and all his excellent staff.
The members tell me that the greens are the best they have ever been and all my players fully agreed with those thoughts.
Phil Long is an unlucky bloke. His best shot of the day was into the 15th green which was sailing straight at the flag before hitting a seagull in mid-flight. At least he is luckier than the seagull. RIP.
Friendly Welsh senior Mike Lowe started the round with one of the biggest bandages I have ever seen on his left leg. It was giving him grief. He spent half an hour talking me through his arthritis and football injuries- fascinating.
When he finished his round I noticed that the bandage was now on the other leg. ‘The right one started to hurt on the back nine.’ He told me. I quickly pretended to be doing the results so I didn’t get another medical report.

Mellors’ Chris Lee looks a bit like a cuddly panda and he put his good golf today down to his newly purchased bamboo golf under pants which prevent chafing. The Manchester Alliance Captain shot 1 under on the back nine to help his team take 4th place.

Third place went to Nigel Uttley , Morton Lindholt, Keith Edmunson and David Bond with 91 points. Morton is a great bloke and can regularly be seen swimming on his own in the lakes at Pickmere and Tatton Park. He was an Olympic rower but unluckily Norway boycotted the Munch Olympics so his dream was shattered. Todays 3rd place has helped soften the blow ‘This is better than an Olympic bronze medal’. Said a delighted Morton.

Taking 2nd place was the absolutely loaded Prestbury Golf Club Team of Steve Hall, Chris Adams, Gary Butler and Phil Singh. I don’t think Steve Hall wins very much. Five minutes after handing his card in he walked past me on the way to the toilets and inquired if he was still winning. On his way back three minutes later he asked me again. A great team effort even saw Gary Butler back to his best.

The Bramall team of Les Russon, Rob Kenyon, Steve Merricks and Ken Clarke took 1st place today with a best of the season 94 points. The team has struggled all year but Kenyon put the improvement down to Steve Merricks new focus as he is now ‘putting his golf before his women.’ Whatever that means. They had a remarkable 49 points on the front nine and despite intense pressure over the closing holes they managed the win. Great golf guys – lovely to have you back in the winners circle.

The pins on the short holes were tucked away but talented Dave Goodwin(9) had an impressive 3 twos on his card. Dave is a lovely bloke but is famous in Maxitours for not smiling too often. His team saw him smile once but they told me that it may have been wind. Dave nearly cracked a smile today after his 3rd two rolled impressively into the hole. He then remembered that unfortunately he wasn’t in the 2’s sweep.

Stuart Blake was out first this morning and he took nearest the pin on the 10th after his ball finish an inch from the hole.
Thanks to everyone for your support, I really enjoyed running the event today. Tim
10th Hole Stuart Blake Dozen Wilson Duo
16th Hole David D-Jones Dozen Wilson Duo
2’s sweep £257.50 6 pro v1 or 14 srixon ad333
Stuart Blake Gary Butler Chris Lee Graham Jackson Barry Lees Jim Hodges Dave McDougall Phil Long Josh Brand Simon Willway Simon Wilkinson Mark Goulding