Category Archives: Golf

Maxitours at Regal Vale Royal

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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

Vale Royal 22-Jul-2015
Pos Team Players Score OoM Comment
1 Martin Firth, Andy Bethell, Andy Stubbens, Mike Taylor 88 12 Taylor Made Tour wedge each
2 Mick Mahon, John Farnsworth, Nigel Fairhurst, Dave Griffiths 86 10 Dozen Taylor Made Tour balls
3 Paul Browne, Dale Wallace, Ted Barker, Jon Jones 85 8 Dozen Taylor Made Tour balls
4 Frank Massey, Jimmy O’Reilly, Alan Lowe, Ben Chambers 85 6 Dozen Taylor Made project balls
5 Dan Percival, Martin France, Josh Brand, Pete Atherton 85 4 Dozen Taylor Made project balls
6 Mick Fenton, Andy Hall, Tom Fenton, Paul Brookshaw 85 2 FJ Socks each
7= Brian Greenbank, Dave Wainright, John Kennedy, Paul Gilbert 83
7= Steve Rimmer, John Little, Tony Rains, Tony Stiles 83
7= Gareth Winstone, Mark Phillips, Paul Heap, Gareth Kershaw 83
10= Colin Baxendale, Ross Sellors, Kevin Chisnall, Mo Dar 82
10= Phil Vokes, Paul Dalby, Pete Norbury, Mike Norbury 82
12 Mike Dudley, Bob Kinnon, Nigel Dibble, Anthony Grimley 80
13 Nigel Oakes, Andrew Thompson, Dave Aden, Stuart Hilditch 78
14= Lewis Marland, Neal Laurent, Roy Baker, Alf Shillitoe 77
14= Brian Hopkins, Neil Wrigley, Alan Pengelly, Alan Smith 77
14= Jack Coleman, Anthony Bloor, Steve Mattinson, Mike Gauden 77
17= Colin Roberts, Jeff Andrews, John Rigby, Frank Wallace 76
17= Brendan Leighton, Simon Poucher, Les Russon, GregBrown 76
19= Simon Hemsley, Joe Kirwan, Ian King, Darren Whittaker 75
19= Roy Ainsworth, Joe Stanley, Barry Simpson, Martin Cox 75
19= Tim Handford, David Hess, Alan Calver, Dave Hassall 75
22= Ian Ainsworth, Alan Clough, Arthur Jowell, Geoff Haynes 74
22= John Dickenson, Dave McDougall, Graham Bates, Terry Paul 74
24= Dave Harlow, Bob Sutton, John Atkin, David Kelly 73
24= Ian Lilley, Cliff Greenhalgh, Chris Norburn, Dave Jeffries 73
26= Hetash Patel, James Williams, Martin Cullen, Dave Vesty 72
26= Ken Chinn, Bob Kwan, Trevor Kenny, Kish Vadgama 72
26= Dave Sarsfield, Dave Rhodes, Phil Carr, Pete Spark 72
29= Ian Buxton, Peter Noblett, John Lawson, Geoff Howarth 71
29= Gary Bailey, Geoff Allen, Steve Adams, Jim Reynolds 71
31 Denis Whelan, Keith Chadwick, Dave Dean, Lizzy Higgins 51

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

Results from stunning Pleasington

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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

Pleasington 16-Jul-2015
Pos Player pairings Score OoM Comment
1 Mark Hegarty, Ed Cotton 44 12 Titleist Stand Bag each
2 Barry Wellings, Steve Aspinall 43 11 Titleist Pencil Bag each
3 Tony Stiles, Gavin Connor 43 10 Titleist Pencil Bag each
4 Tony Cooper, Phil Williams 43 9 Dozen Pro v1s each
5 Dave Gavin, Joe Shelley 43 8 Dozen Pro v1s each
6 Chris Adams, Greg Adams 43 7 Titleist players glove and cap
7 Simon Priest, Steve McDermott 42 6 Titleist players glove and cap
8 Danny Ritchie, Andy Hale 41 5 Titleist cap and socks
9 Pete Maxwell, Carl Kennedy 41 4 Titleist cap and socks
10 Carl Robinson, Phil Cooney 41 3 Titleist cap
11 Charles Herbert, Ross Birch 40 2 Titleist cap
12 Steve Korab, John Berry 39 1 Titleist cap
13= Frank Massey, Ben Chambers 39
13= Roger Percival, Martin France 39
13= Pete Atherton, Dan Percival 39
16= Richard Palmer, John Farnworth 38
16= Munroe Donald, Dave Westwood 38
16= Gary Whittaker, Dave Winstanley 38
16= Simon Conway, Mark Williams 38
16= Brian Kelly, Dave Hillier 38
16= Ian King, Darren Whittaker 38
16= Frank Stapleton, Kevin Hawkins 38
16= Mick Fenton, Tom Fenton 38
24= Ian Trow, Guy Hall 37
24= Ken Ogden, Alan Ormisher 37
26= Anthony Grimley, Gary Christian 36
26= Colin Roberts, John Rigby 36
26= Graham Blood, John Gough 36
26= Phil Davies, Frank Howarth 36
26= Steve Wilson, Dennis Wright 36
26= Pete Short, Dave Buckley 36
26= Kew Leong, Sam Hoyle 36
26= Richard Williamson, Dave Goodwin 36
26= Pete Keena, Paul Woodbine 36
35= Andy Hall, Don Miligan 35
35= Steve Ratcliffe, Gary Hempstead 35
35= Neville Dennis, Jimmy O’Reilly 35
35= Trevor Webb, Terry Brookman 35
35= Dave Bentley, Nigel Uttley 35
40= Wayne Harris, Simon Lewis 34
40= Steve Foxcroft, Trevor Nicholson 34
40= Joe Kirwan, Simon Hemsley 34
40= Kevin Chisnall, John Gough 34
40= Steve Parle, Gary Parle 34
40= Eddie Renshaw, Clint Jolley 34
40= Colin Baxendale, Pete Booth 34
40= Steve Owen, Pete Dawes 34
48= Jeff Andrews, Darren Spencer 33
48= Chris Lovesay, Jason Henderson 33
48= Mark Cooper, Keith Edminson 33
51= Lewis Marland, Alf Shillitoe 32
51= John Sikora, Mijad Benyounes 32
51= Harry Marshall, John Sharples 32
54= Paul Allen, Steve Hall 31
54= Brian Hopkins, Mark Taylor 31
56 Dave Griffiths, Alan Gregory 29
57 Bernard Wood, John Dawson 28

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

Results from Hazel Grove

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Great Upcoming Maxitours Events
Worsley AM AM 2nd July £20
Davenport pairs 9th July £20- superb greens running at 11 on the stimp!

Maxitours at Hazel Grove
Another rain- free Summers day was enjoyed by Maxitours players. Hazel Grove and top young professional James Rowlands looked after us extremely well once again and this lovely venue is a real favourite on the calendar. The course was manicured well and the fairways were excellent despite a lack of growth due to the exceptionally cool Spring weather conditions .

Greg Adams is a lovely lad and a talented golfer but he was driving his dad Chris crazy today after he missed a couple of short putts. ‘Are you lining up the ball properly?’ enquired his dad. ‘Yes replied Greg I am using the nike swoosh to line it up.’ In the clubhouse after play there was a heated family discussion which remains unresolved about whether the putts were missed due to the swoosh which has a slight curve to the left. As my son is finding out, Dad’s are always right.

The highlight of John Stubbs round was in the clubhouse after play. ‘Oh I’ve just found a golf ball in my pocket’ said the delighted retired policeman who lost more than his fair share on the way round.

John Horsley’s wife Rachel was once again to blame for his poor performance today. Most women wish their husband good luck on their way out to golf but Rachel’s three words of advice to him each week are ‘don’t finish last’. Instead of aiming for the main prize John is just delighted to finish away from bottom spot. Luckily Dennis Whelan’s team came to his rescue this week with a spectacularly bad 55 points.

Wimbledon is just around the corner and heavy handed Kevin Chisnell got his playing partners in the mood as they watched him chipping to and fro across the 16th green.’ it was just like watching a tennis match’ observed a dizzy John Dickenson.

Big Ian Buxton is a terrific traditional baker from Darwin in Lancashire. He gets up at 2am each morning to bake nearly 100 loaves. Last week at Hesketh he very kindly gave me a tasty white loaf and a big blueberry pie. Much to my dismay that evening my wife and children got to the loaf before I did and then dog jumped on the table in our front room and ate my slice of pie. This week Ian turned up empty handed but he did play like a pudding as his team scored 65 points.

In today’s event Brian Greenbank and Brian Ankers took the nearest the pin prizes. At the top of the leader board Archie Tahir and his team kept up their good work to finish 3rd with 83 pts. Young Adam Frost from Castle Hawk was their star player as he enjoyed his first Maxitours outing.
Jim Caldwell’s(10) Wilmslow team recorded their best finish for two years with an excellent 84 points which was good enough for second place. Steve Sharcroft(24), Andrew Aherne(17) and Peter Maxwell(12) completed the talented quartet.

Winning their first event for well over a year was Mottram Hall’s Simon Conway(10) , Mark Williams(8) and brothers Neil (13) and Stuart Royle(5). There were not many shots flying around but Stuart managed to birdie three holes on the back nine, two of which collected four points for his team. Well played chaps!
Thanks to all players for you terrific support once again today.
Nearest the Pin 13th Brian Greenbank Dozen AD333s
Nearest the pin in 2 on 15th Brian Ankers Dozen AD333s
£135 7 pro v1s or a14 AD333s
2’s sweep Bob Tyrer Jason Henderson Brian Greenbank Anthony Grimley John Longworth

Hazel Grove 18-Jun-2015
Pos Team Players Score OoM Comment
1 Mark Williams, Simon Conway, Stuart Royle, Neil Royle 86 12 Galvin Shirt each
2 Jim Caldwell, Peter Maxwell, Steve Sharcroft, Andrew Aherne 84 10 Sunice Shirt each
3 Archie Tahir, Adam Frost, Fizz Ahmed, Mo Rafiq 83 8 Dozen AD333s each
4 Richard Blackwell, Andy Hamlett, Simon Hemsley, Tony Jennison 81 6 Dozen AD333s each
5 Joe Yates, Alan Forber, Gary Nields, John Longworth 80 4 Ttleist cap each
6 Frank Hindle, Richard Palmer, John Farnworth, Nigel Smith 79 2 FJ Socks each
7= Roy Ainsworth, Brian Ankers, Mike Verdon, Barry Simpson 79
7= Jason Henderson, Pete Alsop, Steve Wilson, Phil Anderson 79
9 Chris Adams, Terry Hayward, Steve Hall, Greg Adams 78
10= Gary Parle, Steve Parle, Bernard Wood, Gordon Warke 77
10= Dave Stanhope, John Anderton, Giles Terry, Jack Coleman 77
12= Ray Stringer, Alan Clough, Geoff Haynes, Terry Davison 76
12= Brian Greenbank, Dave Wainwright, Chris Brown, Matt Nelstrup 76
14 Roger Percival, Ed Wilkinson, Peter Atherton, Martin France 74
15 Brian Hopkins, Steve Savage, Andy Brennan, Tim Rigby 73
16= Anthony Grimley, Nigel Dibble, Majid Benjounis, John Buckley 72
16= Lewis Marland, Brin Dinsdale, Kevin Seaton, John Seaton 72
16= John Dickenson, Kevin Chisnell, Ross Sellors, Arthur Gray 72
16= Graham Littler, Doug Bottrell, Peter Daniels, Brian Flynn 72
16= Guy Hall, John Stubbs, Ian Trow, Dale Wallace 72
21 Dave Hillier, Gary Hempstead, Brian Kelly, Chris Barnes 71
22 Carl H-Jones, David Jones, Ian Walters, Harry Gill 69
23= John Horsley, Bob Sutton, Dave Harlow, Phil Smeathers 68
23= Phil Smeathers, Dave Harlow, Bob Suton, John Horsley 68
25 Bob Tyrer, Ian Buxton, Dennis Lawless, Mike K-Smith 65
26 Jimmy O’Driscoll, David Smith, Ted Ellis, Pat Golden 63
27 Dennis Whelan, David Dean, Keith Chadwick, Lizzie Higgins 55

Fixby Pairs Start times Thursday 25th June

10.00 Colin Roberts x4
10.09 Ian King x4
10.18 Robert Platt x4
10.27 Dave Stanhope x4
10.36 Mick Mahon x4
10.45 Ian Ainsworth x4
10.54 Bob Sutton x4
11.03 Neville Dennis x4
11.12 Pete Cotton x2 Anthony Grimley x2
11.21 Matt Cheffins x4
11.30 Lewis Marland x2 John Aikenhead x2
11.39 Bernard Fee x4
11.48 Dave Whaley x4
11.57 Simon Conway x2 Steve Johnson x2
12.06 Jason Henderson x4
12.15 Nigel Oakes x4
12.24 Rob Weston x4
12.33
12.42 Kristian Oakes x4
12.51 Martin Firth x4
1.00 Gary Neilds x4
1.09 Kevin Chisnell x4
1.18 Roy Ainsworth x4
1.27 John Stubbs x4
1.36 Pete Short x4
1.44 John Dickenson x4
1.52 David Wilkinson x4
2.00 Andy Moss x4
2.09 Richard Blackwell x2
2.18 Dave Crowther x4
2.27 Archie Tahirx2 Gary Garner x2
2.36 Dave Sarsfield x4
2.44 Andy Wilde x4
2.52 Brian Hopkins x4
3.00 Steve McDermott x4