** TUESDAY at Sandiway is 11am Shotgun see below**

Maxitours at Marvellous Knutsford

Knutsford Golf Course was in remarkably good condition considering the wet Christmas we all experienced. All competitors expressed their enjoyment after playing perhaps the best nine hole course in the North of the country. Many thanks to Head Green keeper Mark and also David Fellowes for their excellent course preparation.

Golf Club legends Bob Sutton and ex-Captain Dennis Bamford kindly provided complimentary refreshments for all the players at the half way house. ‘We want to make all our guests feel welcome at our course’. Many thanks for your terrific support today chaps, you are a big part of what makes Knutsford such a great club.

Andy Bethells new year diet was put on hold for yet another day as he succumbed to the smell of Dennis’ sausage rolls and Richard Palmer set a new Maxitours record by chewing on three scotch eggs and a jam doughnut as he hit his tee shot off the 10th.

For many players this was their first game after a couple of weeks of over indulgence. Irishman Jimmy O’Reilly walked in the clubhouse to collect his card and announced ‘I haven’t hit a ball since the last time I played.’

A lack of exercise this Christmas saw Ray Ward pile on the pounds, so much so that he was struggling to swing his putter past his gut. ‘I’ve always wanted to have a try with a belly putter and now I can’ he said wedging his regular putter in his new improved stomach.

I really enjoyed watching the new BBC series Africa with David Attenborough on the telly yesterday, the Giraffe fight is a great bit of filming and well worth watching. ‘Hey Maxi those Rhinos last night reminded me of you’ said one of today’s players ‘they’ve got thick skins and charge too much.’

After playing poorly in the previous ten Maxitours events you could sense the strain in their partnership as John Hilditch(14) and Iain Bartholomew(3) entered the clubhouse. They were both lying a lowly 162nd in the Order of Merit. Today was the first event of the New Year and the relationship eventually blossomed as they celebrated their 4th place finish with a romantic drink together, complimenting each other in the corner of the Knutsford bar.

Consistent Gary Garner(7) and Mark Green(12) finished 3rd which was their best performance of the winter tour so far with an excellent 46 points however this was matched by big hearted Mick Mahon and Tony Wilson who took second place after scoring 24 points on the back nine.

Celebrating their first win together was Maxitours regular John Bent(5) and Rob Caruana(15) who scored an excellent 47 points. Class act Bent birdied the 7th hole twice. Charismatic Caruana really enjoys his golf and he phoned me at home after play to ask me to thank everyone at the Club for his most enjoyable day on the links- ever.

Results

N Pin 3rd Dozen AD333s Andy Hamnett
N Pin 5th Dozen AD333s John Hilditch
2’s sweep £72.50 3 pro v1s or 6 srixons Tony Wilson John Hilditch Andy Bethell Cath Rawthore x3 Bob Vickers Keith Fitzhenry

1st Rob Caruana & John Bent 47
Footjoy Aqualites each
2nd Mick Mahon & Tony Wilson 46
Galvin Green shirt each
3rd Gary Garner & Mark Green 46
Dozen AD333s
4th John Hilditch & Iain Bartholomew 44
Titleist winter mits each
5th Mark Breirley & Pete Holmes 43
6th John Hilton & Andy Hamnett 42

7th Dave Murphy & Phil Murphy 42
8th Darren Whittaker & Ian King 41

9th John Reilly & Jimmy O’Reilly 40
10th Andy Bethell & Martin Firth 40
11th Mark Wheeler & Mike Brown 39
12th Ian Ainsworth & Alan Clough 39

13th Bob Sinclair & Dave Marchant 39
14th Cath Rawthore & Steve Rourke 39
15th Frank Massey & Pete O’Neill 38

16th Moby Rawthore & Pete Moores 38
17th Steve Hackett & Bill Ross 38
18th Bob Vickers & Mark Vickers 38
19th Chris Wilde & Joe Kirwan 37
20th Paul Sherlock & John Gregory 36
21st Alan Pengelly & Barry Horrox 36
22nd Richard Palmer & Keith Fitzhenry 36
23rd Arthur Jowell & Geoff Haynes 36
24th John Rigby & Colin Roberts 35
25th Malc Wells & Barney Ross 34
26th Ray Ward & Ken Ogden 28

Sandiway Shotsaver Pairs
Tuesday 8th January 11am Shotgun start
1a Neville Dennis x4
1b Colin Roberts x4
2a Ian King x4
3aDave Rymer x4
3b Charles Herbert x4
4 Carl Kennedy x2 Gerry John x2
5a Tabbron x4
5b Chih hu x4
6 Eddie Ellis x4
7 Jim Caldwell x2 Ian Bartholomew x2
8a Alan Noden x4
8b Alan Noden x4
9a John Bent x4
9Bob Sutton x4
10a Geoff Haynes x4
10b Malc Wells x4
11 Woodcock x4
12a John Grint x4
12b John Grint x4
13 Dave Stanhope x4
14 Rod Powell x4
15a John Stubbs x4
15b Mick Mahon x4
16 Paul Crisp x4
17a Alan Pengelly x4
17b Moby Rawthore x4
18 Gary Garner x4
18b Dave Sarsfield x4
Richard Blackwell x4
Dave Blood x4

**tomorrows event at Knutsford is ON. Despite being wet underfoot head greenkeeper Mark has kindly allowed full tees and greens to be in use**

http://www.maxitoursgolf.com

Dear Maxitours players,

Happy New Year!
I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas break and are now fully refreshed and ready to play some high quality golf in 2013.

The majority of Maxitours players now know each other and this really adds to the warm friendly atmosphere I hope you all enjoy each week.
As I can never say too often, thanks to all competitors for continuing to play in the true spirit of the game each week, we all know this is why golf is such a magical game.

All the best,
Tim.

Sandiway Shotsaver Pairs Start sheet Tuesday 8th January
1a Neville Dennis x4
1b Colin Roberts x4
2a Ian King x4
3aDave Rymer x4
3b Charles Herbert x4
4 Carl Kennedy x2 Gerry John x2
5a Tabbron x4
5b Chih hu x4
6 Eddie Ellis x4
7 Jim Caldwell x2 Ian Bartholomew x2
8a Alan Noden x4
8b Alan Noden x4
9a John Bent x4
9Bob Sutton x4
10a Geoff Haynes x4
10b Malc Wells x4
11 Paul Woodcock x4
12a John Grint x4
12b John Grint x4
13 Al Green x4
14 Rod Powell x4
15a John Stubbs x4
15b Mick Mahon x4
16 Paul Crisp x4
17a Alan Pengelly x4
17b Moby Rawthore x4
18 Gary Garner x4
18b Dave Sarsfield x4

The Shotsaver Order of Merit on 1st January 2013.

Maxitours Vale Royal AM AM

There was heavy rain falling throughout the North West but incredibly conditions remained dry and pleasant for the last Maxitours event of 2012.
Most Northern courses are currently struggling with waterlogged greens and muddy fairways however the Vale Royal course was immaculate and it is now recognised as one of the best winter venues in the country.

Paul Woodcock(12) Steve Tyrell(14), Barry Eddlestone(18) and Ray Jones(21) are all good friends who work at ‘Kelloggs’. They always enter Maxitours when their shift pattern allows. They usually play like they haven’t had any weetabix but in the colder months when its frostie‘ they’re Grrrrrreat!’ Today they were delighted to finish in 3rd place with 81 points.

Second place went to the Shrigley Hall team of Andy Stubbens(6), Barry Horrox(10), Alan Pengelly(13) and honey monster Charles Herbert(16) after they scored an impressive 82 points.

Winning todays event was Bradley Wiggins lookalike Adam Hart(8) playing with Bob Vickers(8), Malc Wells(3) and Phil Sharp(20). Shotsaver Order of Merit leader Wells eagled the 13th hole (which was their second) and this set them up for a great day on the links.

Many thanks to my good friend Matt Turnock for his administrative help today. Matt is a lovely lad but not too bright. He was recently turned away from the local computer shop after trying to buy the ‘wireless’ bra his wife requested for Christmas.

Only two more days and the nights start to get lighter!

I wish you all a VERY Happy and Healthy Christmas and New Year. many thanks for your terrific support this year!
Yours in golf, Tim.
£130 2’s sweep 6 pro V1s or 12 Srixon ad333 balls per Two
Malc Wells Andy Stubbens John Hilditch Phil Dermott John Royle Guy Hall
Tony Wilson
Nearest the Pin 6th Joe Kirwan Dozen AD333s
Nearest the Pin10th Bob Woolstancroft Dozen Srixon Soft Feel

**please note next weeks event at Vale Royal is on WEDNESDAY**
Full greens were in use on this sand based gem for 363 days last year.

Maxitours Shotsaver Classic at Prestbury Golf Club

A stunning December morning greeted the full field of competitors at Prestbury Golf Club this morning.

My first job in golf was working as Assistant Professional at Prestbury and I will always have a special affinity to this lovely traditional Club. Each year Prestbury continues to improve the golf course and facilities and it is now firmly recognised as one of the premier members clubs in the country.

Despite frozen ground conditions all the competitors enjoyed playing a beautiful course on such a stunning day. ‘I’d rather be pushing my trolley round here than pushing one around Sainsburys with Margaret any day’ said a relieved David Kelly.

Travelling to Conwy last week, a wealthy but badly dressed Joe Kirwan was devastated when he stopped off for a bacon bap in McDonalds. Much to the amusement of his team he was mistaken for the local tramp by a member of staff. Today ‘Hobo Joe’ had a close shave and only narrowly missed out on the prizes.

A terrific imagination is required to play good golf in the frozen conditions. Stoke City fan Brian Mottram(16) has a wild one – he sometimes imagines the Potters playing in Europe next year. Today he played some terrific shots alongside Derek Fulluck(14) as they finished in fourth place and also won the seniors first prize.

Martin Firth(5) and Andy Bethell (15) are excellent ‘cash rich’ scaffolders from Macclesfield. They were unable to work today due to the cold conditions, instead they constructed a great score of 37 points at Prestbury to finish in 3rd place.

There are only twelve days left until Christmas and Santa came early for Didsburys John Bent and Phil Vokes who won a lovely Cleveland carry bag after a terrific 39 points earned them second place.

After a trophyless year last year it is good to see Manchester United back on their perch as the real footballing force in Manchester . John Reilly(9) is also a class act who has struggled this summer but he also showed his true colours as he picked up first prize today playing alongside Pete O’Neill(4).

Many thanks for all who played, I hope you enjoyed your day. Thanks also to Shotsavers Steven and Jason Ballard for their continued support. (Shotsaver have just brought out a new GPS watch which is fantastic.)

2’s sweep £87.50 7pro V1s each or 14 AD333s
Mark Breiley Phil Vokes John Russell John Walton

N Pin 17th Charles Herbert Dozen AD333s
N Pin 7th Rob Tabbron Dozen AD333s