Maxitours from splendid Preston !!!

A relatively dry but breezy day made for challenging conditions in today’s event.

Fresh sausage and bacon baps were the order of the day pre round provided by the caterers outside the clubhouse which were enjoyed by many players.

A big thank you to long serving PGA Professional Andrew Greenbank and his staff along with congratulations to Preston’s Greenkeepers for presenting the course superbly in particular the greens. Everyone enjoyed the overall experience of playing this gem of a course with many positive comments from players as they came in.

Also to my good friend PGA Professional Matt Turnock from Mottram Hall for running this event efficiently as always in my absence. My prize box is always returned immaculately organised due to his OCD !!!

Paul Fell’s team got off to a flying start with 3 out of the 4 players recording a 2 on the 1^st hole but unfortunately they peaked too early and it was all downhill from there !!!

ON AN ADDITIONAL NOTE A CALLAWAY MAVERIK WEDGE HAS BEEN HANDED IN FROM THE PRESTBURY CHARITY DAY LAST WEEK – PLEASE MESSAGE ME IF THIS IS YOURS

Today’s results were as follows:

NP 1^st – Mike Lowe 1 Doz Srixon

NP 12^th – Darren Whittaker 1 Doz Srixon

2’s £157.50 = 3 x ProV1’s or 7 x Srixon AD333’s per 2

Liam Rex, Phil Vaughn, Roger Percival x2, Dave Hest, Paul Butler, Paul McDermott, John Harrop, Andy Corner, Steve Best, Geoff Bickerton, Jerry Harris, Pete Fotheringham, Paul Fell, Colin Bryan & Mike Lowe

RESULTS

Preston Golf Club this Monday -still room for 3 teams don’t miss out on this stunning course.

Results from phenomenal Prestbury

Charity Day at Prestbury Sponsored by Xentum Financial planners

Despite recent heavy rain the Prestbury Golf Course was presented in superb condition for our players today. Thanks to everyone for your terrific support of this event. We raised £3010. This has been divided equally and already paid to the East Cheshire Hospice, Unicef, Water Aid and On Course Foundation.

Despite not playing Jim Clarke and Steve Heywood also quietly made contributions to the charities- class.

Ben Baldwin from Xentum kindly treated all players to bacon butties and coffee. Thanks to everyone involved, they are a lovely company to have on board and I have no hesitation recommending them.

WWW.XENTUM.CO.UK

I love Prestbury and its members. My first job was as an assistant professional here when I was just 18 years old. I used to be in charge of shoe cleaning at this great club. Sales of plastic adidas cruiser shoes went through the roof when I realised that I could clean them in 10 seconds with a soapy wet cloth. I used to reassure the members that they were fully breathable and far comfier than the more expensive leather alternatives which took me ten minutes to polish.

The par three 17th over the ravine is the beautiful signature hole. Richard Palmer has duffed it off the tee here more than once over the years. He was delighted to see his tee shot sail onto the green today. Unfortunately, as he tried to put his seven iron back there was no sign of his trolley and clubs. He found them 5 minutes later at the bottom of the canyon.

Scoring was close with the best scores of the day recorded by teams that went out in the first hour this morning. Neale Laurent(14), Alf Shillitoe (17)Paul Butler(10) and John Harrop (7)scored 83 to take 2nd on a card play off.

Simon Hemsley (10) Gareth Bradley (+2) Joe Kirwan and Dave Woods from Bramhall recorded 84 points first thing and thought they may sneak into the prizes.

‘We played well but there is definitely a high 80’s score out there today!’ Reported experienced Hemsley.

No there wasn’t! The four lovely guys will be delighted to win the Xentum Charity Day! Well played.

Just eighty four points winning a Charity Day! Unheard of. Thanks to all players for your integrity, it is a pleasure to work for you.

Thanks for your support and for giving something back today. This is what life is all about. Brilliant.

Tim

Nearest the Pin 7th Brian Kelly Dozen Wilson Duo balls

Nearest the Pin 17th James Shipstone Dozen Wilson Duo balls

2’s sweep £125 3 pro V1s or 8 srixon ad333

Mark Phillips Nigel Ashton Neale Laurent Brian Kelly Steve Blakeway Paul Fell Mike Clare James Shipstone Ed Stubbs Brian Vincent Paul Yearsley

Preston Monday 25th Oct

To help the green keeper please try and carry or use Winter wheels if you have them!

Food available before play 8.15am -1pm

9.00 Simon Hemsley x4

9.09 Colin Roberts x4

9.18 Jim Caldwell x4

9.27 Steve Fairclough x4

9.36 Dave Blood x4

9.45 Lewis Birch x4

9.54

10.03 Mick Mahon x4.

10.12

10.21 Roger Percival x4

10.30 Martin Humphries x4

10.39 Paul Fell x4

10.48 Nigel Hall x4

10.57 Gareth Winston x4

11.06 Neale Laurent x4 .

11.15 Neale Laurent x4

11.24 Lewis Marland x4.

11.33 Ian Hellens x4.

11.42 Mike Hill x4

11.51

12.00 Richard Blackwellx4

12.09 Les Russon x4

12.18 Pete Fotheringham x4

12.27

12.36 John Hunt x4

12,45 Gary Neiles x4

12.54 Steve Marsh x4

1.03 Lee Tilley x4

Last 3 team Spaces at the first Winter/Spring event of the year -Preston on Monday- going fast!
Xentum sponsored Prestbury Charity day this Thursday – room for 1 fourball- Free bacon butties on arrival for all players kindly provided by XENTUM!!!

Maxitours at stunning Stockport

Stockports’ greens were a real credit to everyone at this great golf club. We are in the middle of October and a few players told me that they were the best surfaces they had putted on all year! Incredible.
‘Those greens were amazing!’ Reported Welshman Mike Lowe.

The Stockport staff are famous for being warm and friendly and they were terrific again today. It is always great to see Jayne Scowan in the office -she is one of the loveliest people I deal with each year.

Scoring was close throughout the day with most teams experiencing nine holes of refreshing drizzle and nine holes of beautiful seasonal weather.

Fourth place went to the Hale team of Ian Goulty(10), Chris Brown(7) and the charismatic Veitch brothers Andy(17) and Peter(8). They had an excellent back nine but the Antrobus clubhouse manager Dave Buckley(18) and his team of John Horton(14), Seb Johnson(9) and Steve Tyler (13) came home in 45 points to sneak third place.

Davyhulme Parks’ Barry Jackson(2) is a fine golfer but he is such a nice bloke he doesn’t mind playing with his mates each week who are all hopeless. Today he dropped them in favour of three guys who can actually play the game and he had his best finish for five years. Chris Lane(7) Dave Wright(12) and Steve Tate(20) all played wonderful golf but they were frustrated after only picking up three points on each of the closing two holes.

Jim Clarke(13) Pete Ledger(15) and Graham Jackson (10) have had an annus horribilus on the course this year. Their prize table has been very bare. Jim had to call upon the best golfer in his family to turn things around. His Twenty year old daughter Georgina(6) provided the inspiration and steered the team to victory. It is great to see the wealthiest man in Knutsford back in the prizes even though his daughter did all the work. Well played everyone!

Once again despite the drizzle everyone turned up – thank you for your class and integrity.

Yours in golf, Tim

2’s sweep £230 4 pro v1s or 10 srixons per 2
Mick Mahon Peter Copter Lee Compton Ed Wilkinson Roger Percival Bob Kwan Simon Raine Ralph Postlethwaite Denis Greenup Andy Duncan Dave Catt Mike Holden Duncan Cocker Andrew Hill Terry Broadbent x2 Barry Jackson Chris Lane Dave Wright
Nearest the pin 16th Dave Stewardson Doz Wilson Duo
Nearest the pin in two 18th Dave Marchant Dozen Wilson Duo

Prestbury Charity Day Thursday 21st October
£200 a team- all proceeds to Charity

9.00 Simon Hemsley x4
9.09 Richard Blackwell x4
9.18 Colin Roberts x4
9.27 Jim Caldwell x4
9.36
9.45 Neale Laurentx4
9.54 Gareth Winston x4
10.03Jim Lindsay x4
10.12 Ben Baldwin x4
10.21 Dave Hillier x4
10.30 Dave Hillier x4
10.39 Paul Fell x4
10.48 Gary Owen x4
10.57 Ian Hellens x4
11.06 John Hunt x4
11.15 Mike George x4
11.24 Mick Manon x4
11.33 Sam Leach x4
11.42 Gary Phillips x4
11.51 Nick Appleton x4
12.00 Chris Gregory x4
12.09 Paul Wrigley x4
12.18 Peter Kenny x4
12.27 Peter Kenny x4
12.36 John Abbott x4
12.45 Jim Rymer x4
12.54 Steve Aspinall x4
1.03 Kev Hart x4
1.12 Adam Carolan x4
1.21 Lee Tilley x4
1.30

Space at Prestbury Charity event Thursday 21st Oct
First Winter event of the year- Spaces at rescheduled Preston -Monday 25th October

Maxitours at magical Hopwood

The lovely Autumn weather continued and Hopwood was in terrific condition for today’s event so an enjoyable day was guaranteed for all.
Even Dave Goodwin had a smile on his face at check-in.

This friendly Club is really going places with a magnificent course that gets better and better each year. They are also constructing a terrific new driving range exclusively for its members which is due to open next year. Maxitours regular Steve Heywood is next years Captain and he even allowed me to park in his spot today – what a club!

‘I’ve never played here before but that was Phenomenal! I felt like I was in Scotland !’ Announced well-travelled five handicapper Paul Browne.

Jim Clarkes team has struggled all year and the wheels were off on the very first hole this week. Pete Ledger hadn’t put his wheels on properly and one overtook him as he walked down the slope from the 1st tee, Clarke was laughing so much he lost control and his trolley turned over.
Despite their average performance the team always enjoy a pint and talking nonsense to each other for an hour in the bar. Graham Jackson was chatting about the new Bond film but admitted that his favourite Bond movie will always be ‘The Pie who loved me.’

In todays’ event the yellow tees, firm fairways and receptive greens meant scoring was excellent. Sharing 4th place was Dukinfields Paul McDermott, and Chris Burnett with 47 points.

It was Les Russon and Rob Kenyon from Bramhall who won the card play-off to take 4th. Apparently Rob Kenyon has mastered the art of putting. After rolling in more than his fair share of putts he could be heard telling his team in the bar ‘I’ve found the secret! You’ve got to get a sudden feeling in your hands and then hit your putt.’ Thanks Rob we’ll all be trying that one in the Saturday medal.

Two teams had terrific scores of 49 points! Andy Faulkner(11) and Munro Donald(16) will be devastated not to win after a stunning performance. Faulkner even birdied the last to pick up 4 points but they were beaten on the last six holes by the Lymm Golf Club golden oldies Phil Young(10) and Phil Pegun(25). Young is a retired taxi driver and looks a bit like a poor mans’ Robert De Niro. Pegun is a producer for the BBC and produces the radio 4 show ‘The moral maze’. He produced some great shots on the front nine but Youngs birdie on the 16th was the key to their second place finish.

Taking 1st place was Davyhulmes Dave Haycock(18) and quietly spoken Kev Hart(12) A great team effort saw the likeable duo record a best of the year 50 points. Hart scored on the first 3 holes and the last 4 holes and Haycock was solid in the middle of the round. Well played guys great scoring.
Thanks to everyone for your 100% attendance once again.

Tim
Nearest the pin 13th Nick Cook Doz Wilson Duo
Nearest the Pin 16th Kev Hart Doz Wilson Duo

2’s sweep £185 9 pro v1s or 21 srixon AD333
Paul McDermott Andy Lester Nick Ford Dave Sully Steve Aspinall Dave Thomas Pete Ledger Richard Palmer

*Preston Event rearranged for Monday 25th October – Plenty of spaces but will fill soon*- regular teams have been added – let me know if you can’t do it – ‘It is in incredible condition’ (Maxitours regular Simon Poucher)

Maxitours at Llangollen

There were very few better places to be in the World than at the Vale of Llangollen on a sunny, warm, Autumn day. As Bryson DeChambeau and his uncouth pals would say – Awesome!
After a torrent of rain closed the course on Monday it was incredibly playable today, thanks to the green keepers for all their efforts.

The food at Llangollen is also awesome and it is worth the trip just to speak to Gwen and enjoy one of his bacon butties. Gwen is a lovely softly spoken man and has always looked after us incredibly well I will be sad to see him leave next month. His food has a superb reputation. There is a lovely menu but Cod features heavily. You can have Cod goujons in a bap, cod goujons and chips in a basket or cod goujons, chips, peas and tartare sauce. I didn’t ask him what the special was.

Tony Hibbert is famous in his home town of Wolstanton. He is now recognised as the worst golfer in the North West after a recent Maxitours report exposed his terrible play and high handicap. When he checked in, he told me that the worlds’ worst golfer has just got worse. His handicap went up last week.

When he eventually got on the first green today after his usual scuttled shots down the fairway his team mates asked him how he wanted the flag?
‘Nearer.’ He replied.

Jack Colemans team were a player short. When they handed the card in they asked for a good ghost player to help their score. A haunted house wouldn’t have done the trick as the team scraped to 73 points.

In todays event scoring was tough. And yet again a surprisingly low score was good enough for first place.
Sharing 1st on 84 points was Dave Buckley, Rick Howard, Will Lancaster and Dave Carter from Antrobus. The likeable quartet had 47 points on their outward nine but stumbled home in 37.

Jim Caldwell’s Wilmslow team took the card play-off after completing both nines in 42 points. They didn’t drop any shots which was critical to their success. Well played chaps. Lee Charnley (5) Peter Griggs (8) and John Kelsall (8) were the hand-picked team.

Thanks to everyone for your 100% attendance. Incredible.
Tim
2’s Sweep £195 6 pro v1s or 15 srixons per two
Will Lancaster Andy Clarkson Colin Berry Josh Forster Steve Shaw John Hughes Norrie Irwan Kev Hart

Nearest the pin 14th Will Lancaster Dozen Wilson Duo
Nearest the pin 18th Nigel Ashton Dozen Wilson Duo

Maxitours at brilliant Bramhall

Another terrific day was enjoyed by all at Bramhall Golf Club.

I love this place. It has an amazing practice ground, high quality golf course and more importantly it is the sort of Club where you can take your wife for lunch in lovely surroundings.
What a Club.

There was torrential rain for 4 hours this morning and it was still raining when the first team arrived.
The course was never going to close with its USGA greens and everyone at the Club were so positive.

The assistant green keeper assured me that his greens would be perfectly playable and the forecast for later in the day was excellent. Wealthy Dave Harlow was out first and tried to give the green keeper £20 to close the course.
‘I don’t like getting wet’ Joked the gentle giant.
He played the back nine in glorious sunshine.

‘That course was incredible considering the rain.’ Remarked Tim Tighe.
‘Those greens were fantastic!’ Reported Richard Palmer.

Neale Laurent is a retired copper so he is not too bright. We had a daft conversation this morning.
‘Hi Tim, I won a towel bag – I’ve come to pick it up.’
‘What do you mean a towel bag?,
‘You know a little towel bag.’
‘I have no idea what you are talking about.’
‘Sorry I mean bag towel.’

The scores at the top of the leader board were incredibly close.
If you see Paul Yearsley this week please don’t mention the costly two foot putt that he missed at the last.

‘I feel sick.’ Muttered the Davyhulme man in the bar afterwards as his team took 4th but missed out on top spot by a shot.

Hazel Groves Joe Shelley and his steam took 3rd place also with 84 points.

Hopwood husband and wife Steve and Janet Heywood played alongside the Manchester Alliance Captain Chris Lee and Richard Wakefield and they led for most of the day with 84 points and a super back nine. Richard Wakefield has had a lesson at his home club Hopwood every week for the last thirty years, He is known as ‘pension scheme’ to the professional. Today all Wakefields hard work paid off with a second place finish in a Maxitours event.
‘I love this team’ He said in between sobs. ‘And I’m so glad I contributed today.’ Before bursting out crying. He has been watching too much golf this weekend.

I can call on reliable Don Campbell if a team needs a player and today the 2 handicapper joined Andy Buckley (2) Don Phillips (7) and Stuart Park (8) who were short yesterday. Late in the day Campbell managed the first ever treble in the sixteen year history of Maxitours. He won 2 nearest the pins and the overall event. Brilliant.
‘Can you put us with him again?’ Begged the Vale Royal team. Well played chaps great score.

Thanks to everyone for your support. Terrific.
Nearest the pin 4th Dozen Wilson Duo Don Campbell
Nearest the pin 14th Dozen Wilson Duo Don Campbell

2’s sweep £205 4 pro v1s or 10 srixon ad333 per two

Don Campbell Richard Wakefield Dave Stewardson Paul Yearsley James Cash Keith Shale Aiden Hambury Lee Tilley Jon Hudson Steve Blakeway Adam Princep Dave Harlow Graham Wilkinson