My home course of Knutsford proudly hosted todays Maxitours singles event. The weather just about held off and nearly sixty players enjoyed what Ex European tour star Denis Durnian describes in his opinion as the best nine hole course in the world.
Thanks to hard working Head Green keeper Mark Dingle for presenting his course in its usual excellent condition.

The catering has always been superb at Knutsford and new stewards Ceri and Rhiannon are doing an absolutely fantastic job producing great food as well as being lovely people- Thanks for looking after my guys today.

Peter Farmer was proudly telling his four ball that he was heading off to Celtic Manor this weekend. His team mates told him to play the Roman Road course as the Ryder Cup course would be much too long for him. Then they warmed to the subject:
‘In fact there is an excellent crazy golf course there which might suit you better the way you played today.’
‘There’s a good Go Ape there, leave your clubs at home and climb a couple of trees instead.’

It is always nice listening to conversations in the clubhouse and Ian Handy was telling his team how his life had been transformed recently. I listened in as I thought he may have had some form of interesting operation or perhaps a hair transplant -but he was just talking about the new Bramhall bypass.

I use the event at Knutsford to sell some stock that I have. For some unknown reason I bought a pair of tangerine Galvin Green pants a couple of years ago and I haven’t had a sniff of selling them to my very reserved Knutsford Members. I knew that snazzy dressing Mark Hagarty was playing today and he will buy anything as long as it is visible from over a mile away. The trousers were his size and right up his brightly lit street. He was my final hope.
‘Hi Mark I have got these great pants for you and they are half price!’ Was my opening line when he walked in the Clubhouse.
‘I’ve already got a pair of those.’ Came his immediate reply.
Gutted.

In todays event Didsburys Simon Wells took 4th place with 35 points.
John Hume(12) was out early and he had a terrific 38 points which looked good enough to win.

The rain fell in the afternoon but Lymms battling Marc Morris(18) posted an impressive 39 points to take 2nd place. Late in the day Sandiway’s John Hunt (18) had a steady 17 points on the front nine and then bogeyed the 10th and 11th . Suddenly he then hit what can only be described as the purple patch of his life playing the next five holes in one under par to cruise through the field.

Well played to all competitors. The rain came down later in the afternoon so the Stuburt shootout will be rearranged for a later date.

Thanks to all who played I hope you had a great day despite a damp afternoon, Tim

Nearest the Pin 3rd Dozen Srizon AD333
Nearest the pin 5th Dozen AD333

2’s sweep £75 3 pro v1s or 6 srixons
Rob Whittle Paul Fell Ed Wilkinson Roger Percival Graham Jackson Jim Clarke Chris Church John Hunt

Stockport was the latest premier Cheshire Club to host Maxitours today.
This is one of the friendliest Clubs we visit with tremendous catering and professional staff who always look after my guys really well throughout the day- many thanks to everyone!

The course looks set to be excellent this Summer and Knutsford Steve Foxcroft loved the lush turf.
‘The fairways were superb, I had new shoes on today and I was floating down the beautiful Stockport fairways.’

Nigel Hallows could play well in the next few weeks – he lost his lob wedge. He has had it for about three years and hasn’t hit a good shot with it yet. If you found it on the Stockport course I would throw it in the nearest bin and do him a favour.

Joe Farmer had a caddy for the first time ever as his pal kindly carried his bags. He actually looked like a good golfer from a distance as he strode down the first fairway with his best mate trying to keep up. Unfortunately, the assistance didn’t improve his golf at all and he finished in his usual position near the bottom of the field.

When I played a season on the challenge tour another English player who was nearly as bad as me had a caddy who went by the nickname of cornflake (that was all he could afford to eat due to his man’s bad play). One night Cornflake had a fight with another caddy who broke his nose. Somebody then christened this Caddy ‘crunchy’ (because ‘Crunchy nutted Cornflake’). I think Crunchy and Cornflake are still caddying on tour.

In todays event top tax accountant Ian Smethurst handed me one of the worst marked scorecards I have ever seen -it was almost totally illegible – if anyone fancies him as their accountant, I will give you his number.

Wilmslow’s Paul Dalby(5) and Barney Ross(6) returned to form teaming up with John Hilton(13) and Richard Blackwell(12). They had a tremendous closing nine of 46 points to sneak into third spot.

Carden Parks’ Ben Kinsey(4), Ex headmaster Nigel Ashton(13), Dave Cooper(16) and Paul Fell(4) took 2nd place with 86 points. I watched Fell and Kinsey both made great birdies on the last to boost their score.

Vale Royals’ well-dressed Mark Hagarty(13) teamed up with his three team mates to take first place today with an excellent score of 88 points. Heyrose legend Graham Jackson(5) always looks like he’s been dragged through a hedge backwards but he got the team off to a great start with a birdie on possibly the toughest opening hole in Cheshire. Pete Ledger(17) and Jim Clarke(10) both contributed well and a cheer from his team reverberated around the Clubhouse when Clarke roiled in a birdie on the short 16th hole. Well played chaps, great golf!

Thanks to all who played today, I hope you enjoyed your golf, Tim

Nearest the Pin 11th Ian Walters Dozen AD333
Nearest the pin in 2 on 18th Ian Bartholomew Dozen Ad333
2’s £195 4 pro v1s or 10 srixon AD333s
Chris Brown Iain Bartholomew Kev Hart Ste Cooke Don Campbell Chris Kelly Alan Reid Tony McGuiness Jim Hodges Nigel Jenkins Mike Fearns Graham Jackson Barney Ross Steve Blakeway Nathan Pugh Neil Wiliamson Mark Worsley

Knutsford start times
Thursday 4th April

8.40 Colin Roberts x4
8.49 Bob Picthall x4
11.00 Simon Hemsley x4
11.09 Phil Vokes x3 Pete Fotheringham x1
11.18. Brian Greenbank x4
11.27 Dave Blease x4
11.36 Koos Alders x4
11.45 Paul Fell x4
11.54 John Hunt x4
12.03 Roger Percival x4
12.12
12.21 Jim Clarke x4
12.30 Les Russon x4
12.39 Peter Maher x4
12.48 Roy Ainsworth x4
12.57 Dave Sully x4

Maxitours Cheshire Classic at marvellous Mottram Hall

Another stunning Spring Day greeted Maxitours players at five star Mottram Hall today.

The attractive golf course is set in mature Cheshire countryside with a relaxing front nine and a real challenging back nine.
‘ We had a terrific game – the course was beautiful ‘ reported Colin Roberts.
‘It was really glorious out there this morning, I loved it!’ Declared Mike Webb.
‘I played well on the front nine but the back nine destroyed me.’ Groaned a defeated Graham Noakes. The bad news for Graham is that there are plans for a huge lake in front of the 18th green later this year to toughen up the closing holes further.

Thanks to highly rated Golf Manager Jason Davies and his team for all their work today.

For some reason Jimmy Shirley’s team stayed overnight for the two-day event. (They live 20 minutes down the M56 in Haydock) Despite being the oldest people in the bar they ended up having a great night in the trendy ‘Bubble room’ in Alderley Edge.
They somehow got into their bubble today on the golf course and could be proud of their 87 point haul.

The last time we came to leafy Mottram there was some ’Cheshire housewife’ filming taking place for the dire television programme of the same name. All the women were happily stabbing each other in the back. Kev Hart’s team looked like a scene from a ‘Cheshire husbands’ show yesterday after they were blaming and criticising each other for their poor performance on the Prestbury course. They came good today however with an excellent 87 points.

Dave Sully and Steve Heywood also made the most of the two-day event and they had a romantic four ball playing with their lovely wives. The ladies were not only treated to two games of golf on Cheshire’s finest courses, they had some spa treatments and an expensive meal with a top of the range fine Bordeaux to wash it down. As they were about to leave it was suggested that they could all do a little shopping in Handforth Dean to let the traffic die down.
‘We’re going home’ Came the reply.

In the two day event Mark Berrisfords(6) Chesterfield team took second place adding a solid 85 to their 84 points at Prestbury. Pat Cliffe(6), Les Pate(17) and Dom Claxton(2) all contributed well and went back home over the hills feeling happy.

Dave10) and Mike Wainwright(18) are both lovely and well spoken blokes from Hale golf Club. It is rumoured that their family once owned Jenson motorcars. They had the pressure of an overnight lead which is never easy but they moved through the gears today to secure their first win for a few years. Guy Levers(19) and Brian Greenbank(6) completed the delighted and popular quartet.
Well played chaps great score.

Thanks to all who supported this event- I hope you had a wonderful two days on the links.

Yours on Golf, Tim

Nearest the Pin 7thDozen AD333s Dave Mason
Nearest the Pin 11th Dozen AD333s Steve Woods

2’s £152.50 5 pro V1s or 12 Srixon Ad333 per two
Peter Griggs Peter Maxwell Frank Hindle Steve Blakeway Mark Hagarty Dave Sully Mick Wain Dave Smith Paul Fell Pat Cliffe

Day 1 Winners not in top 3
1st Jim Caldwell Peter Griggs Andrew Aherne Doug Baden Dozen Pro v1s each
2nd Simon Hemsley Ian Kind Al Demmy Joe Jirwan Taylor Made TP5 pack
Day 2 Winners not in top 3
1st Roger Percival Ed Wilkinson Peter Atherton Phil Byrne Dozen Pro v1 each
2nd Ian Hellens, Steve Blakeway, Nathan Pugh, Paul Robinson Taylor Made TP5 pack

Stockport start sheet
Monday 1st April
9.00 Ed Pysden x4
9.09 Simon Hemsley x2 Dave Keen x2
9.18 Mike George x4
9.27 Fisher x1 Marchant x2 Jenkins x1
9.36
9.45 Pat O’Dowd x2 Kev Hart x2
9.54 Paul Fell x4
10.03 Chris Adams x4
10.12
10.21 Malc Thorniley x4
10.30 Mick Mahon x4
10.39 Lewis Marland x4
10.48 John Hilditch x4
10.57 Steve Hewood x4
11.06 Peter Maher x4
11.15 Paul Evans x4
11.24 Les Russon x4
11.33 Nigel Hallows x4
11.42 Sam Leach x4
11.51 Simon Poucher x4
12.00 Andrew Cox x4
12.09 Martin Bramweell x4
12.18 Rob Weston x4
12.27 Simon Willway x4
12.36 Jim Clarke x4
12.45 Dean Jagger x4
12.54 Richard Blackwell x4
1.03 Ian Hellens x4
1.12 Ian Walters x4
1.21 Al Leigh x4
1.30
1.39 Martin Byatt x4
1.48 Bob Motterhead x4
1.57 Peter Dobson x4
2.06
2.15 Andrew Hill x4
2.24 Richard Booth x4
2.33 Joe Yates x4

Last few spaces at these great venues:
Knutsford Singles Thursday
Llangollen Friday 12th April
Galvin Green Classic at Helsby Thursday 18th April
Fairhaven Weds 24th April
Caldy Thurs 25th April
Vale Royal 10th May
Pleasington 16th May
Bramall Park 21st May
Worsley 23rd May
Romiley 4th June

Maxitours at perfect Prestbury

Wow what a day for golf!!!
Day one of the Cheshire Classic saw Maxitours visit Prestbury Golf Club.
There were many positive comments throughout the day regarding the quality of the greens and general presentation:
‘I can’t see how that course can be any better!’ Said experienced(old) Peter Griggs.
‘Just Phenomenal’ Announced Andrew Aherne.

Not only do Prestbury possess the best greenkeeper in the North but the Clubhouse is also now right up there. Recent work has really improved the ambience and the welcoming soft comfy chairs were enjoyed by all players. Brilliant.

Thanks to Prestbury Captain Steve Hall and his lovely wife who also came down to the Club to wish us well.

The main report will come out tomorrow but as we head into the second day there are three teams tied in the lead. Dave Wainwright’s Hale team, Simon Hemsley’s Bramall team and Jim Caldwell’s Wilmslow team all had 86 points. Wainwrights team had the better back nine and three players in his team managed a two, even Guy Lever managed one- much to everyone’s surprise.

Things will get exciting tomorrow, try and get sa good nights sleep.

Yours in Golf,
Tim

Nearest the Pin 7th John Kilner Dozen AD333
Nearest the pin 17th Steve Blakeway Dozen AD333

3 pro v1s or 7 srixon Ad333 per 2
2’s sweep £145 Dave Wainwright Guy Levers Ian Ponter Mark Hughes David Kelly Stuart Blake Mike Walker Dave Sully Steve Blakeway Nigel Hallows Neil Fennah x2 Neil Edwards Geoff Ratcliffe Andy Bethell Martin Firth John Kilner Dave Smith

Dunham Forest was the latest high quality venue for Maxitours players to enjoy today. Despite recent heavy rainfall the glorious ancient oak trees had soaked up any excess water and the course looked superb.
‘I think these are the best green keepers on your tour!’ Announced Colin Roberts who always plays in the first match out in the morning.
‘Those lads were really grafting first thing this morning, mowing the greens, swishing the fringes and raking the bunkers!’ Thanks to David Lippiatt and his excellent greens team.

One Maxitours player told me that he had to pull out of the Caldy event next month as his divorce case was going through court case that day. He added ‘The day will be very upsetting for me, in fact I am devastated – I really like Caldy.’

The Ryder Cup pairing Donald (Munro) and Westwood (Dave) teamed up today. Luke and Lee were once number 1 players in the World but their golf games have both slumped recently. Munro and Dave have also mirrored their namesakes decline and they finished flat last in today’s event.

Staffordshire Father and son pairing Paul Evans and Tony Evans teamed up today. They played with Martin Sands and they also kindly introduced a new Maxitours player -Bob Evans.
‘He isn’t related, he’s just a friend.’ They explained. I wouldn’t be so sure there is only one road in and out of their home village of Alsager last time I went there.

In todays event perfect greens and not a breath of wind meant scoring conditions were ideal.
It was great to see Shrigleys Darren Whittaker(15) back in the prizes playing with Steve Marsh.(7) Richard Blackwell (12) and Dan Moore took 4th place also with 45 points.

Mellor and Townscliffe Captain Graham Davenport(9) started his year well with a third place finish alongside Ian Appleton(16) as they scored 46 points. Appleton made a superb birdie on the last and he didn’t care who he told about it. There were some random ladies heading in to the lounge for a bridge match and they had a blow for blow description of his 183 yard five iron approach shot. I nearly joined them for a game of bridge when Ian started talking me through his front nine.

Birchwoods John Linsky(18) and Simon Wilkinson(13) were second out this morning and they had the best round of their lives at Dunham Forest today with 47 points. John nearly holed his approach on the 15th hole and he told me that he had a tap in from a foot. I think it was even nearer as in my experience carpet fitters tend to exaggerate with their measurements.

Winning today was Koos Alders (14) and Terry Griffiths(21). Dutchman Koos was short of a partner yesterday before he teamed up with his old pal who was on holiday away from his native Cornwall. Koos was on the card the most but Terry had four point birdies on the 2nd and 12th holes to help the card along nicely.
Well played chaps- a great victory today!
Thanks for playing everybody. I hope you had a great day.
Tim

Nearest the pin 8th Gary Whittaker Doz AD333
Nearest the pin 18th Dave Greenwood Doz AD333

2’s £187.50 £5 pro v1s or 11 srixons per two
John Linsky Ian Appleton Darren Burgess Roger Percival Graham Jackson Ian Appleton Richard Johnson Chris Adams Peter Maher Steve Blakeway Paul Woodbine Niall Lynch