http://www.maxitoursgolf.com great pre- Christmas events!
Vale Royal Weds 10th December 10.45 shotgun £25- see below
Ringway Christmas Am Am 10.45 shotgun £20 -spaces

Maxitours at St Annes Old Links

St Annes Old Links was the latest terrific golf course to kindly host a Maxitours event. The classic seaside links was thoroughly enjoyed by all our players- many thanks to Jane Donahue and her team. The velvet greens and superbly presented bunkers make this a top venue in the North. The only complaint I had all day was from Ian Ainsworth ‘the main reason I’m playing today is to look at Blackpool Tower, I can’t believe it has got scaffolding on it’ said the disappointed Hazel Grove man.

Jeff Andrews phoned me from his car as he headed towards Lytham from Stoke on Trent. He must have been wearing flip flops as he drove up the M6. ‘Have you got those Footjoy socks I won last week? I’ve left mine at home.’

The second hole was closed due to maintenance work so the excellent par 3 by the clubhouse was used instead. On holing out at the 1st players had to walk to the 3rd tee. Tony Andrews enjoyed the rare experience of striding confidently down the middle of a fairway as he made his way down the closed hole. Terry Davison hit his drive plumb in the middle of the 2nd hole unfortunately he was playing the fourth hole at the time.

The beautiful St Annes Old Links course lies very close to the holiday town of Blackpool. Ex-copper John Stubb’s team played like ‘donkeys’ over their closing holes. The ‘policeman’ wasn’t ‘laughing’ when his team narrowly missed out on the prizes with 88 points.
Scoring was always going to be good on the shortened course with receptive greens and perfectly still conditions. Eddy Sterling’s team played some ‘roller coaster’ golf after scoring 50 points on the front nine. They experienced a ‘big dipper’ in their form and could only manage 40 points on the back nine.

Anthony Grimley(13) has enjoyed many happy hours on holiday in Blackpool and today he played some ‘Illuminating’ golf. He ‘tram lined’ a few putts but didn’t get much ‘pleasure’ when he hit his ball on the ‘beach’ playing the long 18th hole. His team of John Buckley(12), Bernard O’Shaughnessy(21) and Gary Christian(22) backed him up well and they were delighted to finish in 3rd place.

Darren Whittaker(13) is a great golfer who has a horrific grip. This week a farmer near his home course has actually has signed him up to strangle a few turkeys this Christmas. Darren did play well today and his team’s 90 points tied for 3rd place. Joe Kirwan(5), Ian King(8) and Mike Spencer(11) completed the talented line-up.

Likeable Colin Roberts and Lewis Marland both Captained their respective teams well and led by example to finish in 4th and 5th place to also be in the prizes.

Chunky Roy Ainsworth(25) has just taken delivery of a sign for the back of his new car. It reads ‘no pies are left in this vehicle overnight.’ Today he looked to be playing well after rolling in a nice putt on the 18th hole. ‘How is he doing?’ I asked his playing partners Brian Ankers(15), Peter Heald(9) and Mike Verdon(15)- ‘not too bad today,’ replied Ankers ‘he’s only had 2 kit kats.’ The team of Lymm old boys all teamed up well and scored a wonderful 91 points to take 2nd place.

Taking today’s honours were Frank Hindle(15), Richard Palmer(12), John Farnworth(24) and Tony Wilson(9). This team normally struggles and Wilson’s main contribution is usually a couple of funny one liners in the bar after play. Today he steadied the ship on a few occasions and the Mytton Fold regulars were delighted to take top prize. Well played chaps!

Last week legendary John Hilton got a hole in one and today he kindly brought in a large bottle of whisky for our players to enjoy. Amazingly John Raynor had a hole in one today and he also donated a bottle of whisky. A draw took place for any players in teams not in the prizes and losers Steve Latchford and Kevin Hawkins win the bottles.

Many thanks to everyone for your support again today, once again there were no ‘no-shows’ so thanks for your integrity-brilliant. Yours in Golf, Tim.

Ian King lost his Kiawah ball pitch repairer last week at Dunham if anyone found it please can they hand it to me, he says it’s got sentimental value to him. (In other words it cost him a fortune).

Nearest the Pin 9th Ron Jolley Dozen AD333s
Nearest the Pin 18th Ian Trow Dozen AD333s
2’s £122.50 5 pro V1s or 10srixon AD333s per two. Guy Hall John Stubbs Mike Banister -your pals say you must share them! Frank Hindle Jim Caldwell John Raynor x2 (hole in 1)

Vale Royal 10.45 shotgun start- bacon butties included!

1a Ian Ainsworth x4
1b Jim Caldwell x2 Russell Humphries x2
2 John Grint x4
2b Bob Sutton x4
3 James Davies x2 Chris Lee x2
4 Ray Jones x4
5 Tom Jarvis x4
5b Dave Thomas x4
6 Dave Thomas x2 Phil Gow x2
7a Steve McDermott x4
7b Steve McDermott x4
8 Andy Firth x4
9a Dave Blood x4
9b Brian Hopkins x4
10 Colin Roberts x4
11a Ian King x4
11b Phil Vokes x4
12a Mick Mahon x4
12b Eddie Sterling x4
13 John Hilton x2 Lewis Marland x2
14 John Hilditch x2 Jim Cox x2
14
15 Richard Blackwell x2 Tony Jennison x2
15b Derek Hollindrake x4
16 Anthony Grimley x2 Wayne Colclough x2
17 Simon Poucher x2 Ian Waddington x2
17b Barry Jackson x4
18 Bri Greenbank x4

res Simon Conway x2

Ringway 20th November-full

Dunham Forest Pairs 27th November- last few spots

St Annes Old links 4th December -full

Maxitours at wonderful Wilmslow

Another stunning Autumn Day greeted the Maxitours competitors at wealthy Wilmslow. The course was lovely and the green keepers had kindly hand mown the greens earlier this morning. Secretary Manager Keith Melia was very helpful indeed throughout the day.

‘Those are the best greens I have played on all year’ said the very knowledgeable Trevor Golds and very many players were amazed at the very true putting surfaces and immaculate teeing areas.

The bar and catering staff were excellent throughout the day and there was a very attractive blond waitress who was busy serving coffee and bacon throughout the day. Alan Clough was one of many players to comment on the quality of the baps.

If you ever have the pleasure of partnering Darren Whittaker, try and play with him towards the end of the week. ‘Have you played well today Darren?’ I enquired after his round. ‘No, I never play well on a Monday’ he replied seriously.

Mark Williams manages the Tesco store in Macclesfield and he was ‘checking out’ the trees on more than hole playing alongside Simon Conway. Conway played the better of the two but Mark did manage to come in once or twice. ‘Every little helps’ said the chirpy company man.

Retired Nigel Compsty ran a successful civil engineering company, today he constructed a solid round alongside pharmacist Lou Andrews. They were delighted and surprised to finish in place 3rd with 43 points.

Ashton-on-Mersey duo Peter Hamlett and Steve McDermott had a career best 2nd place finish also on 42 points. Peter was chatting away in the bar after his round’ I even missed two birdie putts on the 17th and 18th holes from inside six feet’ unfortunately nobody was listening.

First place went to Romiley Golf Club’s on-form Dave Blood and Ian Gibson. A great team effort saw the likeable pair dropping no shots on the testing but hugely enjoyable Cheshire course. Great golf chaps, very well played!

Thanks for all who played today, your terrific support , superb etiquette and fast play is really appreciated.
Yours in golf,
Tim.

Nearest the Pin 9th Colin Roberts AD333s
Nearest the Pin 17th Derek Hollindrake AD333s

2’s £117.50 3pro v1s or 6 AD333s Mark Williams x2 Simon Conway Mark Simister Gary Bailey Paul Donnely Sam Leach Derek Hollindrake Mark Hoyland

1 Colin Roberts x4
2 Geoff Underhill x4
2 Roy Ainsworth x4
4 Dave Blood x4
4b Martin Edmunds x4
5 Mike Saxon x4
5b Ian Gauden x4
6 Derek Hollindrake x4
7 Roger Percival x4
7 Steve Johnson x4
8 Richard Blackwell x4
9a Jim Caldwell x4
9b Eddie Ellis x4
10a Ian King x4
10b Phil Vokes x4
11 Anthony Grimley x4
12 Wayne Colclough x4
13 Brian Hopkins x4
13 Sam Leach x4
14 Mick Mahon x4
14 Dave Stanhopex4
15 Steve McDermott x4
16 Lewis Marland x4
17 Jim Rymer x4
17 Ian Ainsworth x4
18 Colin Baxendale x4
res A Hockenhull x4
Pete O’Neill x4

Maxitours at Perfect Prestbury Golf Club

Prestbury Golf Club kindly hosted today’s Maxitours event. I happily worked at this great Club for a couple of years when I turned pro in 1990 and it is always nice to catch up with some of the lovely members whenever I return there.

Everyone at the Club were superb to deal with and we were looked after very well.

I watched some players hitting off the first tee close to where the Club have built a large bonfire in preparation for Friday night’s firework show. Ian King hit a rocket and Colin Roberts hit a sparkler. John Rigby was on fire all day. Steve Rimmer’s round slowly fizzled out and Terry Davison completely failed to ignite.

Richard Palmer had a spectacular display of his own at Prestbury’s signature downhill par three 4th hole. He topped his first shot into the semi rough short of the ladies tee. He then showed his immense mental strength by holing his full 9 iron to win some balls in the 2’s sweep.

Well known crown green bowling maestro John Bancroft knows a thing or two about reading greens. He has won the Waterloo at Blackpool on a few occasions yet the excellent Prestbury surfaces got the better of him as he finished in a lowly 24th place.

Anthony Grimley lost his virginity today when he played with the attractive all-female pairing of Mel Greaves and Anne White. ‘I’ve never played with 2 ladies before, I actually really enjoyed the experience.’ Said the wobbly- legged and light-headed dentist.

After a pair entered late yesterday I was desperately fishing for another two players to make up a four, many thanks to John Waggett and Mike Hindley for standing in. The free bacon sandwich on offer proved to be excellent bait for attracting the two Knutsford men. Mike even reeled in the nearest the pin prize to make his journey worthwhile.

Aston Martin driving Jim Caldwell asked to tee off before the shotgun as he had some very important jobs to do at work this afternoon. After playing well to finish in 8th position Jim managed to drink two pints of bitter and a packet of crisps in the bar before leaving for the office. Keep up the hard work Jim.

Phil Dermott(6) and Andrew Peet(13) finished 4th in today’s event with an excellent 42 points. They were narrowly beaten to the podium by Prestbury member Iain Bartholomew(3) and John Hilditch(11) who had a slightly better back nine.

Ex European table tennis champion John Hilton(13) has a swing which is flatter than a ducks footprint. The likeable Mancunian does know how to putt however and alongside dangerous Ron Jolley(15) they played really well to finish in second.

Martin Firth(6) and Andy Taylor(10) had their last victory over a year ago, today they were back to winning ways with 44 points in the breezy conditions. Despite dropping a shot on their first hole, Taylor played some great golf and his birdie on the 3rd was the highlight of his round. Well played chaps!

Many thanks to all who played today, yours in Golf, Tim.

2’s sweep 5pro vs 10 srixons per two.
Martin Firth John Royle Paul McKee Barry Jackson Terry Morgan John Bancroft Iain Bartholomew

Nearest the Pin 7th Pete McManus Dozen AD333s
Nearest the pin 17th Mike Hindley Dozen AD333s

Wilmslow Pairs Monday 10th November

1st Tee

9.50 Colin Roberts x4
9.59 Ian King x4
10.08 Wayne Colclough x2 Simon Conway x2
10.17 Phil Vokes x4
10.26 Mick Mahon x4
10.35 Dave Parsons x4
10.44 Dave Stanhopex4
10.53 Lewis Marland x2 John Hilditch x2
11.02 Ian Ainsworth x4
11.11 Dave Hillier x4
11.20 Dan Huffman x4 tbc
11.29 John Stubbs x4
11.38 Brian Hopkins x4
11.47

10th tee

9.50 Colin Baxendale x4
9.59 Paul Crisp x4
10.08 Steve Tyrell x4
10.17 Dave Blood x4
10.26 Derek Hollindrake x4
10.35 Roger Percival x4
10.44 Steve Johnson x4
10.53 Russell Humphries x2
11.02 Dick Perry x4
11.13 Simon Poucher x2 Nigel Compsty x2
11.22 Richard Blackwell x2 Austim McBride x2
11.31 Sam Leach x4

11.42 Darren Jones x4

Dear Golfer, I require 2 players tomorrow at Prestbury! please let me know if you would like to play, thanks Tim 07810 887636