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

*Still Room at rearranged Fairhaven Team of 4 on 24th April- the course should be terrific!!*

Maxitours at tremendous Vale Royal

As most other Cheshire golf courses were closing due to heavy overnight rain this was never going to be a problem at the best draining course in Cheshire -Vale Royal.

Maxitours players love this place and Vale Royal didn’t disappoint with hand mown greens and freshly cut holes. Thanks to head green keeper Justin Lee, his excellent reputation continues to grow- a top man!
Thanks also to Club Manager Ian Embury and his five star team who work so hard for us throughout the day.

Jim Caldwell had to get a late replacement late last night after the usually reliable Bob Picthall had his latest bout of gout. Bob has just returned from 6 weeks in Australia but the vast quantities of Australian shiraz he consumed is just starting to kick in.

Paul Gilbert emailed me yesterday afternoon asking me if today’s event was going to go ahead. I had to email back immediately to apologise and explain that my crystal ball wasn’t working at the moment. I did manage to predict that he wouldn’t come in the prizes and I got that one right.

The scoring looked pretty average throughout the day as a reflection of how tough this layout plays in a breeze. Alsagers Dave Mason(12) and Dave Marchant(16) were delighted with 42 points but just got pipped into 5th place on the back nine by Dave Cooper(15) and Paul Fell(4).

Taking the early lead was Damien Wasey(10) and Rob Fairhurst(22) from Lymm. Damien likes to keep this quiet but his favourite hobby is NEEDLEWORK!! The two friends patched together a good core. I asked them how they played after their round:
‘We knitted very nicely.’

Retired Joe Yates(14) and Gary Neiles(5) from Lymm have found some form lately as they took second place with a battling 43 points.

As the wind eased a little late in the day Wolstantons’ strange talking Dave Sayer(8) and Rob Bentley(12) took first place. Bentley only came in twice on the first 14 holes as his partner held things together before finishing strongly , the highlight being a par on the superb 17th hole.

Well played chaps. Thanks to everyone for your support today- I hope you enjoyed the very fresh air!
Tim

Nearest the Pin 10th Dave Sayer Dozen AD333
Nearest the Pin 16th Martin France Dozen AD333
2’s Sweep £157.50 6 Pro V1s or 14 srixons

David Kelly x2 Scott Ryan Roger Parsons Brian Hopkins Martin France Paul Dalby Tom Dobbins

Dunham Forest start times Thursday 21st March

8.00 Colin Roberts x4
8.09 Jim Caldwell x4
8.18 Simon Hemsley x4
8.27 Phil Vokes x4
8.36 Rob Platt x4
8.45 Ged Keary x4
8.54Stuart Reynolds x4
9.03Brian Greenbank x4
9.12 Jim McEvans x4
9.21 Ron Sloane x4
9.30 Peter Dobson x4
9.39 John Hilditch x2 Lewis Marland x2
9.48 Dave Sully x4
9.57 Paul Fell x4
10.06 John Hunt x4
10.15 Dave Blood x4
10.24 Percival x2 -2 players req
10.33 Mick Mahon x4
10.42Steve Aspinall x4
10.51 Simon Poucher x4
11.00 Jim Clarke x4
11.09 Les Russon x4
11.18 Nigel Hallows x4
11.27 Jerry Salmon x2 Chris Adams x2
11.36 Tom Butler x4
11.45 Paul Evans x4
11.54 Sam Leach x4
12.03 Pete Maher x4
12.12 Ian Marchant x4
12.21Richard Blackwell x4
12.30 Koos Alders x4
12.39 Ian Hellens x4
12.48 Richard Willianmson x4
12.57 Brian Hopkins x4