*Preston Event rearranged for Monday 25th October – Plenty of spaces but will fill soon*- regular teams have been added – let me know if you can’t do it – ‘It is in incredible condition’ (Maxitours regular Simon Poucher)

Maxitours at Llangollen

There were very few better places to be in the World than at the Vale of Llangollen on a sunny, warm, Autumn day. As Bryson DeChambeau and his uncouth pals would say – Awesome!
After a torrent of rain closed the course on Monday it was incredibly playable today, thanks to the green keepers for all their efforts.

The food at Llangollen is also awesome and it is worth the trip just to speak to Gwen and enjoy one of his bacon butties. Gwen is a lovely softly spoken man and has always looked after us incredibly well I will be sad to see him leave next month. His food has a superb reputation. There is a lovely menu but Cod features heavily. You can have Cod goujons in a bap, cod goujons and chips in a basket or cod goujons, chips, peas and tartare sauce. I didn’t ask him what the special was.

Tony Hibbert is famous in his home town of Wolstanton. He is now recognised as the worst golfer in the North West after a recent Maxitours report exposed his terrible play and high handicap. When he checked in, he told me that the worlds’ worst golfer has just got worse. His handicap went up last week.

When he eventually got on the first green today after his usual scuttled shots down the fairway his team mates asked him how he wanted the flag?
‘Nearer.’ He replied.

Jack Colemans team were a player short. When they handed the card in they asked for a good ghost player to help their score. A haunted house wouldn’t have done the trick as the team scraped to 73 points.

In todays event scoring was tough. And yet again a surprisingly low score was good enough for first place.
Sharing 1st on 84 points was Dave Buckley, Rick Howard, Will Lancaster and Dave Carter from Antrobus. The likeable quartet had 47 points on their outward nine but stumbled home in 37.

Jim Caldwell’s Wilmslow team took the card play-off after completing both nines in 42 points. They didn’t drop any shots which was critical to their success. Well played chaps. Lee Charnley (5) Peter Griggs (8) and John Kelsall (8) were the hand-picked team.

Thanks to everyone for your 100% attendance. Incredible.
Tim
2’s Sweep £195 6 pro v1s or 15 srixons per two
Will Lancaster Andy Clarkson Colin Berry Josh Forster Steve Shaw John Hughes Norrie Irwan Kev Hart

Nearest the pin 14th Will Lancaster Dozen Wilson Duo
Nearest the pin 18th Nigel Ashton Dozen Wilson Duo

Maxitours at brilliant Bramhall

Another terrific day was enjoyed by all at Bramhall Golf Club.

I love this place. It has an amazing practice ground, high quality golf course and more importantly it is the sort of Club where you can take your wife for lunch in lovely surroundings.
What a Club.

There was torrential rain for 4 hours this morning and it was still raining when the first team arrived.
The course was never going to close with its USGA greens and everyone at the Club were so positive.

The assistant green keeper assured me that his greens would be perfectly playable and the forecast for later in the day was excellent. Wealthy Dave Harlow was out first and tried to give the green keeper £20 to close the course.
‘I don’t like getting wet’ Joked the gentle giant.
He played the back nine in glorious sunshine.

‘That course was incredible considering the rain.’ Remarked Tim Tighe.
‘Those greens were fantastic!’ Reported Richard Palmer.

Neale Laurent is a retired copper so he is not too bright. We had a daft conversation this morning.
‘Hi Tim, I won a towel bag – I’ve come to pick it up.’
‘What do you mean a towel bag?,
‘You know a little towel bag.’
‘I have no idea what you are talking about.’
‘Sorry I mean bag towel.’

The scores at the top of the leader board were incredibly close.
If you see Paul Yearsley this week please don’t mention the costly two foot putt that he missed at the last.

‘I feel sick.’ Muttered the Davyhulme man in the bar afterwards as his team took 4th but missed out on top spot by a shot.

Hazel Groves Joe Shelley and his steam took 3rd place also with 84 points.

Hopwood husband and wife Steve and Janet Heywood played alongside the Manchester Alliance Captain Chris Lee and Richard Wakefield and they led for most of the day with 84 points and a super back nine. Richard Wakefield has had a lesson at his home club Hopwood every week for the last thirty years, He is known as ‘pension scheme’ to the professional. Today all Wakefields hard work paid off with a second place finish in a Maxitours event.
‘I love this team’ He said in between sobs. ‘And I’m so glad I contributed today.’ Before bursting out crying. He has been watching too much golf this weekend.

I can call on reliable Don Campbell if a team needs a player and today the 2 handicapper joined Andy Buckley (2) Don Phillips (7) and Stuart Park (8) who were short yesterday. Late in the day Campbell managed the first ever treble in the sixteen year history of Maxitours. He won 2 nearest the pins and the overall event. Brilliant.
‘Can you put us with him again?’ Begged the Vale Royal team. Well played chaps great score.

Thanks to everyone for your support. Terrific.
Nearest the pin 4th Dozen Wilson Duo Don Campbell
Nearest the pin 14th Dozen Wilson Duo Don Campbell

2’s sweep £205 4 pro v1s or 10 srixon ad333 per two

Don Campbell Richard Wakefield Dave Stewardson Paul Yearsley James Cash Keith Shale Aiden Hambury Lee Tilley Jon Hudson Steve Blakeway Adam Princep Dave Harlow Graham Wilkinson

Still spaces for teams at rearranged Preston on Weds – AMAZING COURSE!

Maxitours at leafy Helsby

There was lots of excellent feedback from everyone who played at a blustery but superb Helsby golf course. Thanks to Kieran and everyone at this friendly Cheshire Club for hosting us so well. I believe the course was excellent.

Karen Gallagher and my long-suffering wife Suzy both did great jobs running the event today.

Suzy came back home buzzing remarking: ‘How ‘friendly and charming’ everyone was’.

She also added- ‘Who is the very loud one from Davyhulme -he is really funny.’

‘That’s Kev Hart. Stay well away from him,’ I replied quickly.

It was wonderful to see bad fisherman/bad golfer Sam Leach in the prizes. Sam is a great bloke and his Lymm team finished in 4th place. I thought Suzy had made a clerical error when I saw this team near the top of the leader board but after double checking the card I was surprised to see that the result stood.

Great scoring from Nigel Uttleys Heyrose team who finished in 3rd place also with 84 points.

Sandiways Gary Neiles, Keith Jackman and father and son Joe and Paul Yates took 2nd slot with 87 points.

Saddleworths dream team of Lee Tilley, Dave Rhodes, Dave Sarsfield and ex Wigan Rugby league Chairman Pete Norbury took first place. Well played chaps – they had a wonderful 49 points on the front nine!

I am slowly wading through my Winter entries. Please bear with me for a few days.

Tim

The last hole is perhaps the toughest closing hole in Cheshire and Martin Keates whipped his 4 iron to 18 inches to win nearest the pin and finish his day on a high.

2’s sweep £205 4 pro v1s or 10 srixon AD333

Dave Sarsfield

Brett Moore

Sam Leach

Ian McWilliams

Paul Wrigley

Steve Blakeway

James Shipstone

Mike Hill

Don Milligan

Bob King

Dave Rhodes

Martin Keates

Simon Raine

Bramhall Golf Club

Monday 27th September

9.00 David Kelly x4

9.09 Colin Roberts x4

9.18 Jim Caldwell x4

9.27 Ed Pysden x4

9.36 Dave Goodwin x4

9.45

9.54 Lewis Marland x4

10.03 Steve Aspinall x4

10.12 Jim Rymer x4

10.21 Mike George x4

10.30 Pete Fotheringham x4

10.39 Andrew Cox x4

10.48 Sam Leach x4

10.57 Christie Beakey x4

11.06 Neale Laurent x4

11.13 Barry Simpson x4

11.22 Gary Phillips x4

11.30 Mick Mahon x4

11.39 Paul Fell x4

11.48 Martin Humphries x4

11.57 Eugenio x4

12.06 Anton Johnson x4

12.15 Roy Ainsworth x4

12.23 Ian Hellens x4

12.32 Dave Sully x4 tbc

12.41 Les Russon x4

12.50 Jon Hudson x4

12.59 Lee Tilley x4

1.08 Dave Monk x4

1.17 Reuben Fielding x4

1.26 Rob Weston x4

1.35 Richard Blackwell x4

1.44 Andy Buckley x4

1.52 Gary Neiles x4

2.01 Kev Hart x4

2.10 Steve Marsh x4

2.19

Room at FANTASTIC Preston Weds 29th September and the Charity golf day at Prestbury on Thursday 21st October

Maxitours at lovely Leigh

Leigh Golf Club was incredibly good today. About ten years ago the greens here went from average to perhaps the best in the county and they have remained at that high standard ever since. I’m not sure how the greenkeeper did it but hats off to the man.

‘That’s the best course I’ve played in a long time.’ Praised intelligent low handicapper Mark Clewley.

General manager Derek runs a tight ship and new club professional Sean Blinkhorn was also very helpful throughout the day. Thanks guys. Bar manager Catherine and her partner in crime Shannon –( Leigh golf clubs famously attractive two blondes) also looked after us so well .

Chunky Graham Jackson was getting Hangry this morning. He thought there were no bacon butties available and was distraught. When I explained that the half way house was open and selling them he left a trial of dust in his wake. ‘I’m absolutely starving.’ He called back to me over his shoulder.

Paul Fell told me he was struggling for form at the moment. I asked him if the problem was his short game or a swing fault or even psychological.

‘No. I have got toothache.’ He explained.

It was great to see Maxitours regulars Sam Leach and Jonny Barton back from their fishing trip last week. You may remember team mate Chris Walley told me they were even worse at fishing than at playing golf. Sam caught one fish in five days and Jonny caught two tiddlers. They finished 3rd from bottom today.

Scoring was tough on the well-designed Leigh track.

Third place went to the Heyrose team of Chris Chidley, Duncan Cameron Paul Salt and George Kerr who were surprised to finish so highly with just 83 points.

Paul Fell shrugged off his toothache and helped his team into 2nd. Mike Lowe, Colin Bryan and Retired headmaster Nigel Ashton all chipped in well.

Taking the honours were Sandiways Gary Neiles, Joe Yates, Paul Yates and Joe Longworth. Neiles is a tough competitor but without a win all season. The team were getting understandably nervous over the closing holes and thought they had blown it with just 1 point on the 17th hole. However, 87 was good enough for top spot. Well played chaps.

Nearest the Pin 7th hole John Jones Doz Wilson Duo

Nearest the pin 12th hole Dave Rhodes Doz Wilson Duo

2’s sweep £190 10 Ad333 per 2 or 4 pro V1s

George Kerr x2 Paul Salt Chris Chidley Bob Pickthall Paul Wrigley Brett Sutcliffe x2 Dave Westwood John Jones Dave Sully Adam Thomas Dave Rhodes Nick Cook

Helsby start sheet Thursday 23rd Sept – room for 1 team

9.00 Simon Hemsley x4

9.09 Jim Caldwell x4

9.18 Colin Roberts x4

9.27 Chris Adams x4

9.36 Jack Coleman x4

9.45Kev Hart x4

9.54 Jim Clarke x4

10.03 Lewis Marland x4

10.12 Paul Evans x4

10.20 Roy Ainsworth x4

10.29 Neale Laurent x4

10.38 Nigel Hall x4

10.47 Mick Mahon x4

10.56 Paul Fell x4

11.05 Martin Quinn x4

11.14 Dave Monk x4

11.23 Dean Jagger x4

11.32 Roger Percival x4

11.41 Sam Leach x4

11.49 Simon Ashton x4

11.58 Ian Hellens x4

12.07 Paul Wrigley x4

12.16 Les Russon x4

12.25 Nigel Uttley x4

12.34 John Newton x4

12.43 Simon Ashton x4

12.52 Jon Hudson x4

1.00 John Hunt x4

1.09 Barry Jackson x4

1.18 Barry Jackson x4 tbc

1.27 Pete Cotton x4

1.36 Dave Griffiths x4

1.45 Rob Harris x4

1.54 Gary Neiles x4

2.02

2.11 Steve Marsh x4

2.20 Lee Tilley x4

2.28 Tom Williams x4

*PLEASE CHECK YOUR TIME FOR NEXT WEEK AT LEIGH – TIMES EARLIER THAN ADVERTISED

Great upcoming Maxitours events this September

Leigh 14th -3 spaces

Helsby 23rd -2 spaces

Bramhall 27th -1 space

Preston 29th -spaces – filling fast

Maxitours at really great Hazel Gove

Hazel Grove is a truly beautiful Cheshire course with great views of the Peak district. It is always incredibly well maintained and loaded with friendly staff and members -this is a must play venue.

Three older members kindly spent 5 hours welcoming my players to their Club and parking our cars so there was room for everyone. They got a free bacon bap for their efforts. The buttys are a bit special and worth the hard work I am sure, thanks very much guys – I really appreciate your time and efforts.

‘That is a great test of golf.’ Announced well-travelled Mike George ‘We all failed the test but we enjoyed taking the exam.’ He chuckled.

Sam Leach and Jonny Barton are two big characters and they are loved by all who know them but there was no sign of these two regulars today. I asked their team mate Chris Walley where they were.

‘They are fishing in Scotland this week. They are hopeless at that as well.’

There was something in the air today. Johnny Eccles drove to the course and with his telephone on his car roof. Luckily he drives like Miss Daisy so the phone was still there despite an eight mile journey and speed bumps on the golf club drive. Simon Ashton remembered his phone but was wearing a pair of slippers.

‘I thought my new golf shoes were very comfy.’ He remarked.

Eighty-one year old wealthy farmer Anthony Bloor recorded his first hole in one for 20 years after his Drive disappeared into the cup on the 9th hole. It couldn’t happen to a nicer man. Well done Anthony.

Conditions were perfect with Mediterranean temperatures and fast running fairways but the sloping Hazel Grove greens got the better of a few teams.

Jim Caldwell(8) won last week at Davyhulme and he was nearly at it again. Team mate James Cash(scr) is a class act and he finished his round with an impressive four gross birdies to move his team into 5th place. Peter Griggs(8) and Prestburys Lee Charnley(5) completed the team.

Retired Ex-Copper Neale Laurent(12) has not played great golf recently as he is back doing some part time policing. Nobody knows why he is back at work as he will never spend his generous police pension. He had a day off duty today and celebrated with a win. Ninety percent of teams scored much better on the 1st nine but Laurents team had two points of guinesss at the half way house and they can home in a super 46 points. Paul Butler(8) Adam Thomas (6) and Paul McDermott all played their part.

Lee Tilley(9) Pete Norbury(17) Dave Rhodes(16) and Ian Sutton(8) also had a tremendous 46 points on their closing nine but a strong finish saw the Saddleworth gentlemen take 2nd place.

Late in the day the Hazel Grove members team blew the field away with a superb 91 points. Retired Last years’ Club Captain Solicitor Simon Ashton(10) led the way Joe Shelley(10) Mike Booth (14) and Bob Dawson(9) all made the most of their local knowledge to secure the win.

Thanks to all for your support.

For your information there are lots of spaces at the rearranged Preston fixture on Weds 29th September. This is a great course if you have never played it!

Tim

Nearest the pin 13th Lee Tilley Dozen Wilson Duo

Nearest the pin 15th Tony Jennison (2) Dozen Wilson Duo

2’s sweep £210  4 pro v1 or 10 srixon ad333

Anthony Bloor hole in one x2 Pete Fotheringham Brad Grime Lee Townley Simon Poucher Brian Greenbank John Fitzsimmons Paul Fell Tony Jennison Andy Oakes Ian Sutton

Leigh Start times Tuesday 14th Sept

9.00 Simon Hemsley x4

9.09

9.18 Jim Clarke x4

9.27 Martin Bramwell

9.36 Jack Coleman

9.54

10.03 Ian Hellens x4

10.12 Bob Pickthall x4

10.21 Lewis Marland x4

10.30 Steve Aspinall x4

10.39

10.48 Gary Phillips x4

10.57 Neale Laurent x4

11.06 Mick Mahon x4

11.15 Paul Fell x4

11.24 Martin Humphries x4

11.33 Bob Eastwood x4

11.42 Paul Browne x4

11.51 Roger Percival x4

12.00 Sam Leach x4

12.09 Dave Goodwin x4

12.18

12.27 Dave Sully x4

12.36 Les Russon x4

12.45

12.54 Jim Rymer x4

1.03 Lee Tilley x4

1.12 Simon Ashton

1.21 Richard Blackwell x4

1.30 Dave Monk x4

1.39 Gary Neiles x4

1.48 Kev Hart x4

1.57 Steve Marsh x4

2.06 Andy Buckley x4

2.15 Bernard Wood x

2.24 David Smith x4

2.33 Bill Melia x4

2.42 Bernard Wood x4