Maxitours players enjoyed a real treat today as we visited the stunning Lancashire links course of Fairhaven. This event was previously cancelled twice due to poor weather this Winter but all players agreed that it was well worth the wait. Thanks to top Manager Lindzi Stones for being so accommodating.

The course and greens were superb considering the very dry conditions and Fairhaven looks like it will be in terrific condition to host the qualifying for the Senior British Open this summer,
The report is slightly shorter than usual as I am trying to get home to watch United lose the Manchester derby.

Koos Alders and his team looked confident and full of energy when they arrived until I asked their new signing if he was going in the twos sweep.
‘No thanks, I am playing like a dog.’ Mood hoover Rick Shaw replied depressingly. The team finished last.

Thunder storms were forecast but fortunately they stayed away for us however the weather was extremely warm and very muggy. Paul Stones looked absolutely exhausted as he entered the bar after his game. He had played wearing two pairs of socks and full thermal underwear.
‘By eck I’m hot!’ Groaned the Lancastrian. ‘I thought it is supposed to be cool and windy by the coast?’
Whilst his team were putting sun cream on their arms keep the hot sun at bay Paul was pouring it down his thermal pants to prevent his rump becoming too chapped.

Steve Aspinall finished 2nd and 3rd today . It was the Birchwood Steve(9) and his team who finished runners up. The eight points they picked up on the 15th hole with birdies by Aspinall and Colin Berry(12) made all the difference. Graham Wilkinson(9) and Alan Hoy(11) completed the team.

Lovely man Mike Tarrant (11) and his team with the less talented Steve Aspinall rued picking up just two points on the 17th hole as they finished in 3rd spot.

City fan Nigel Ashton(12) is currently enjoying a beer in the Fairhaven bar with his unused match ticket for tonight tucked in his back pocket as he is too nervous to go to the game. His team thought he had stayed at home on the golf course today after a pointless start but he played great golf later in his round. Mike Lowe(9) Paul Fell(4) and Colin Bryan(10) were delighted and surprised to win with just 85 points – Congratulations!

Tomorrow sees the final event of the Stuburt Winter Order of Merit with Joe Yates and Gary Neiles leading the way. The top 10 in the Order of Merit will receive Stuburt product.

Huge Thanks to Lancashire golfing legend John Gallagher who has kindly sponsored the last two events (Galvin Green Classic at Helsby and today). The new Wilson ball, bag and club range is well worth a look. Wilson have just signed US tour star Gary Woodland as the brand continues to flourish.

Thanks for your terrific support today, everyone was around in less than four hours also which is wonderful.
Yours in Golf,
Tim

Nearest the Pin 10th Barney Ross Doz Wilson soft feel balls
Nearest the pin 17th Ken Hardy Doz Wilson soft feel balls
2,s sweep £167.50 4 pro v1s or 10 Wilson soft feel balls

Colin Berry Mark Hudson Barney Ross Hugh Anthony Martin Bramwell Duncan Challen Ken Hardy Koos Alders Paul Fell x2 Rick Sym Graham Pike Ian Mosss

**Prizes will be allocated after the event at Caldy tomorrow as teams can only win 1 prize and a few teams are in the two day event (top 5 will definitely pick up!)

Maxitours at lovely Helsby

Helsby in deepest Cheshire was the lovely venue for today’s Maxitours event. Playing off lovely parkland turf amid mature oak trees was a pleasure for all. Many thanks to all the green staff.

Cheshire golfing legend Gareth Bradley has had more than a few bacon butties in his time but he rated the Helsby baps as the best on the Maxitours circuit. The catering and service really was first class. Barman Rob was incredibly friendly and their stewardess Julie never sat still or stopped smiling all day – brilliant.

Everyone was around in less than four hours – thanks guys that’s excellent.
Big Man City fan Joe Kirwan made the ten minute journey from his golf club to his house in Bramhall last night to watch his favourite team and missed four goals. He didn’t miss many putts today though as he helped his team into a solid 82 points.

Barry Wilson chipped in for a two in front of the Clubhouse which overlooks the green. None of his team witnessed it as they were busily raking bunkers or searching in the scrub. Barry came in the clubhouse which happened to be nearly empty.
‘Did anyone see my two?!’
No.

Graham Jackson looks like he enjoys a pie and he arrived an hour earlier than normal for his tee time today. I asked him why he was so early.
‘I called in at the famous local bakery on the way I wanted to make sure they didn’t sell out.’ After his round he told me that he had actually bought me a pie but got peckish on the back nine and ate it himself. Thanks Graham.

Congratulations to Stephen White who had a hole in one on the 11th to win nearest the pin. I don’t like talking about myself as most of you know but I also had an ace on Monday in a tournament. Maxitours players Roger Percival and Roy Ainsworth kept congratulating me which I thought was very nice of them until I realised, they were only after a free drink in the bar. No chance.

Hazel Groves Ian Walters is a good man. He kindly supported his home Club who were buying some course furniture last year. There is a lovely large bin on the 15th tee at Hazel Grove which announces ‘sponsored by Ian Walters -because I am rubbish.’ He was less trash than usual today and finished 6th with 83 points.

Preston based nice guy John Dickenson(20) and his team took 5th place with 83 points, Roger Percival’s(6) Lymm team took 4th place with 84 points and Gary Neiles(6) Sandiway men took 3rd with 85 points.

Wilmslow’s Jim Caldwell(11) teamed up with John Hume(14), Andrewe Aherne(18) and Manchester City in house football commentator Liam Pilkington(12). Pilkington looked in despair this morning after last nights events but his mood improved with a spirited performance on the course.

Shrigley Hall’s Darren Whittaker(15) has played Maxitours for twelve years but has been without a win for the last five. His dreams came true with a terrific team performance today, team Captain Brian Hopkins(4) shot level par and Neil Worthington(18) and Charles Herbert(14) also chipped in well. Great golf chaps well played!
Thanks to everyone for your support today, Tim

Nearest the pin 11th Stevephen Whire (hole in one) Dozen Ad333
Nearest the pin 18th Dave Stewardson Dozen AD333

2’s sweep £195 6 pro v1s or 14 srixon Ad333s per two
Andy Wright Geoff Dykens Barry Wilson Pete Bpoth Stephen White hole in 1 (2 x2s) James Shipstone Peter Maher Janet Heywood Paul Higgs Dave Lowe

Maxitours at lovely Llangollen

Llangollen was the beautiful venue for todays event. It really is the most stunning setting for a golf course is a firm favourite with Maxitours players. Thanks to Bob Hardy and his team for their hospitality today. Once more the course and Clubhouse were first class.

There was a welsh joiner fitting some new lockers in the Llangollen ladies changing room. He was smoking away while using a huge noisy circular saw. I had a chat with him as he downed three pints of stella during his lunch break before heading back out to his circular saw. I noticed that he only had four fingers on his left hand and was wearing a plaster on his right hand.

Andy Veitch had to be ushered away from the deadly saw after his desperate finish. His team also phoned his house and his wife has removed all sharp instruments from the family home. Andy three putted the last four greens to miss out on the prizes and is in a very unstable mental state.

Stuart Hibbert has an interesting approach to his golf game.
‘Do you want a spare scorecard?’ I asked him before his round.
‘No I don’t like to know where I am going.’ He answered.

Mike Masser was talking to his team about the Masters after watching it on telly last night. ‘Can you imagine how badly our team would putt on those greens!’ he chuckled.
I don’t have to imagine then struggling at Augusta. I watched them all taking plenty of putts on the 18th hole at Llangollen.

I asked Simon Poucher if he played well today. He had a long think and replied ‘I had a putt for a two.‘ The answer should have been a simple ‘No’.

John Hilditch was wearing some more designer clothing in today’s event. ‘Another smart outfit John’ I admired.
‘Thanks very much, I like to look good in between shots.’ He replied.

Martin Higgins(11) and Peter Maher(16) are lovely guys who play most weeks without a great deal of success. They would give their right arm just to win a maxitours scorecard. Today they teamed up with Maxitours star player Gareth Bradley (plus two) and Ian King (7) and were emotional after taking fifth place.

Nathan Pugh(2) from Heyrose is another Maxitours player whose career earnings are zero. That changed today after he brought out his Dad(11), Stuart Birrell(16) and Brian Yardley(11) and they teamed up superbly to take 4th spot.

Phil Gow(7) and Chris Evans(21) from Heswall were teamed up with Sarah Ormrod(16) and Dave Greenwood(11) late yesterday afternoon when both teams were short of two players. They had a great day and were surprised and delighted to finish third with a score of just 85 points.
’ Can you put us with them next week!’ said Gow who knows a good golfer when he sees one. Well played chaps great score.

Sandiways Gary Neiles (4). Joe Yates (13) John Longworth (12) and Keith Chapman (21) took second place with 86 points. Neiles was around in a personal best 1 under par 71 to guide his team to an excellent finish.

Late in the day the senior Liegh team of Jim Doran(14), his son Chris(16), Pete Dolan(17) and Neil McCloud(20) recorded 88 points to earn their first win of the year. McCloud rolled in a terrific birdie on the last as they picked up 6 points on a hole that most teams were struggling to record a par. Well played fellas- great golf.

Thanks to everyone for you 100% attendance – Brilliant.
Tim

Nearest the Pin 14th Pete Dobson Doz AD333
Nearest the Pin 18th Sean Dobson Doz AD333

2’s £185 Phil Gow Stuart Birrell Pete Tomlinson Peter Dobson Sean Dobson Neil McCloud nine Pro v1s each or 20 srixons each