*Knutsford Mixed Open Sunday 30th July Team of 4 £60 a team*

Great upcoming Maxitours Events
Vale Royal this Friday! – 2 spaces- see below!
Mere Thurs 6th April Galvin Green Classic – still spaces
Dunham Forest Thurs 13th April – last few spaces
Vale of Llangollen Fri 21st April – 1 space
Conwy Mon 24th April – 2 spaces
Sandiway Tues 2nd May -spaces

Maxitours at superb Stockport

Another stunning Spring day greeted Maxitours competitors at the Stockport Golf Cub today.

This is a terrific traditional venue with one of the best golf courses in Cheshire and a really friendly membership. Stockport’s catering is World famous and Paul and Sue didn’t disappoint. It was lovely to see players making the most of the sunshine eating and drinking outside on the Stockport patio after play and Sue and her staff worked hard to ensure everyone was fed and watered.

All our players had a great day.

‘The course was in excellent condition considering the recent rain’ praised Hazel Groves Mark Saxon. Thanks to the green keepers who were out ironing the greens and raking the bunkers first thing this morning -brilliant.

There was not a cloud in the sky and it was difficult for me to follow the flight of golf balls as I watched players hit their drives into the bright sunshine down the 17th hole which winds away from the clubhouse window. Chih Hu is very considerate and I could follow his white ball easily as it scuttled along the fairway before coming to rest in a bush fifty yards from the tee. Thanks Chih.

Trevor Harrison is thinking of leaving his Hazel Grove team as they have had several poor finishes this year. Playing partner Ray Stringer only appeared on the card 3 times after a particularly bad day. ‘I’m better off going it alone’ complained Trevor after his round. He had a little referendum with himself and ‘Trexit’ could happen anytime soon.

Ex England Rugby Union Captain Steve Smith was the latest high profile star to play in Maxitours events. Unfortunately the only Grand Slam he saw today was when playing partner Dave Madeley threw his putter on the floor after yet another missed putt.

Jason Henderson turned up with some nasty looking scratches on his face. After a big night out in Macclesfield (if there is such a thing) he lost his balance and but luckily his head cushioned the fall as he landed on some cobbles. He was banging his head once again at Stockport – this time it was against a brick wall as his team could only manage a paltry 71 points.

At the top of the leader board Dave Jones has got some good shots in his locker and he helped his Bolton Old links team achieve 5th place with 80 points.

Sale’s Paul Browne(9) Steve Berg(14) Steve Price(3) and Howard Johnstone(15) had a best of the day 42 points on the front nine which was mainly due to 8 points on the seventh after Paul holed out for an eagle and Howard rolled in a birdie-nice!. They were delighted to finish in 4th spot with 81.

Ex England footballers Matt Jansen(10) and Mickey Gray (7)played with Irish legend Pat Keenan(9) and fellow Bramall man Warren Newton (16). They were surprised to be leading for much of the day with 82 points before they were narrowly pipped at the post.

Romileys ‘supersize’ team of Joe Smith(7) Gary Evans(5) Paul Mellor(10) and Nick Madden (2) made the short journey up the hill to Stockport and they loved the course and played some excellent golf scoring 83 points.
‘Sign us up for August we definitely want to come back here!’ begged Gary as he devoured a packet of cheese and onion crisps.

Brian Hopkins(4) is a top, top man and he enters a team from Shrigley Hall every week. Things have gone from bad to worse this Winter and they have racked up just one top five finish between them. It all came good today as he played alongside Mark Taylor(13) Alan Pengelly (12) and Mike Powell(12) and they were deliriously happy to finish first with 84 points. A very average front nine saw them collect one point on the 2nd hole and they went out in 39. They came back in a classy 45 and picked up seven points on the 18th to win by a single shot! Well played chaps.

In the two day event which has the final round on Friday the Eddie Jordan team is in pole position with 80 points but any of the 7 teams playing both days this week can still take 1st place!

Thanks to everyone for your 100% attendance each week, I really appreciate it! Tim

Nearest the pin 16th Nick Madden Dozen AD333s
Nearest the pin 18th Frank Stapleton Dozen AD333s

2’s £190 4 pro V1s or 12 srixon AD333’s Paul Browne Phil Vokes x2 Barney Ross Tim George Nick Madden x2 Gary Evans Neale Laurent Gary Winstone Sam Leach Mike Hill Rob Blane

This Friday’s Vale Royal start times

8.30 Colin Roberts x4
8.39 Jim Caldwell x4
8.48 Chris Adams x4
8.57 Ian King x4
9.06 Phil Vokes x4
9.15 Eddie Ellis x4
9.24 Brian Greenbank x4
10.30 John Newton x4
10.38 Rob Little x4
10.47 John Kilner x4
10.55 Trevor Foster x4
11.04 Dale Beaghan x4
11.13 Neville Dennis x4
11.22 Roger Percival x4
11.30 Gareth Winstone x4
11.40 Chris Armitt x4
11.49 Mick Mahon x4
11.56 Rob Weston x4
12.05 David Kelly x4
12.11 John Hilditch x4
12.18 Simon Poucher x4
12.27 Lewis Marland x4
12.36 Les Russon x4
12.45 John Stubbs x4
12.54 Dave Thomas x4
1.03 Eddie Jordan x4
1.12 Barry Wilson x4
1.21 Steve Lamont x4
1.30 martin Bramwell x4
1.39 Barry Jackson x4
1.48 Chris Meikleham x4
1.57 Gary Neiles x4
2.06 Pete Keena x4
2.15
2.24 Hugh Mullen x4
2.33 Stu Giles x4
2.42 Pete Norbury x4
2.51
2.59

2 Spaces at Sandiway next week and spaces at Mere in April

Maxitours at cracking Caldy

A terrific day on the links was enjoyed by the full field of Maxitours players at Caldy today.
This Wirral masterpiece is a favourite of mine and I first fell in love with the stunning coastal venue as a spotty teenager on a day out with three pals in the mid 80’s.

I had a quick nostalgic trip out to collect the nearest the pins this afternoon and the fairways and tees looked as good as any course in the British Isles. Thanks to all at Caldy Golf Club for hosting the event so professionally for us today. – This is a TOP venue!

In the 1930’s and 40’s Caldy lost a couple of their tees and greens due to the cliff top erosion as they were washed into the beautiful Dee Estuary. Paul Evans must have had a very old yardage chart as a couple of his shots were also sent over the cliff tops in the general direction of the missing greens. This eroded any hopes he had of winning a prize.

Roy Ainsworth’s recent hip operation hasn’t improved his golf. His team is thinking of sending him back for a second new hip and a couple of new elbows as well to see if this improves his lack lustre performances.

Dave Moore’s team mates tell me that he hits the ball like ‘DJ’. The only problem is that they are referring to 70’s disc jockey Tony Blackburn rather than the world number one Dustin Johnson. Another day of average ball striking saw a mid table finish for the likeable Sale Golf Club Captain.

The weather was great for 90% of the day but the late starters had a couple of heavy showers and dank conditions over the closing few holes. Big Phil Ashcroft loves drizzle when it is on a generous slice of lemon cake but he is not too keen when it on the course. After an excellent start his team stalled to narrowly miss out on the prizes.

Barry McGuigan(9) played with Sam Leach(11), Chris Walley(17) and Jonny Barton(18). He kept ducking under the ropes put out to protect the course by the Caldy green keeper. He was however delighted to punch above his weight and he helped his team to a season best 4th place finish.

Rob Kenyon(14) was in the bar crying into his third pint after his three putt from twelve feet on the 14th cost his team a share of 1st place. He explained that the last time he felt this bad was when he lost his job ‘supplying and measuring’ newly qualified young nurses for their uniforms. ‘I am absolutely devastated’ said the intelligent financier. Steve Merricks(6) Les Russon(10) and Simon Burgess (14) made up the team.

The best of the weather was enjoyed by the early starters as they enjoyed clear blue skies and a gentle sea breeze. The Trevor Foster(+1) team from Accrington haven’t seen the sun for six months and they made the most of their visit to the seaside. A steady front nine caught fire when under rated Dale Beaghan(11) and ‘Willie’ Wilson(10) picked up a Maxitours record NINE points on the 11th hole. Wilson thinned his wedge shot which scuttled through a bunker and smashed against the flagstick before toppling in. ‘Its all in the wrists’ he declared with a wink. Pete Ledger(18) was the 4th team member.

It’s an early St Patricks Day Celebration for Irishman Joe Kirwan(6) as he finished in top spot. His team of Simon Hemsley(9), Dave Woods(6) and Ian Handy(12) are all members at Bramall and they wished they were back home after dropping three shots in their first two holes. They showed great ‘bouncebackability’ with eight points on the 9th and seven points on the 11th which helped them achieve an unlikely 86 points with a superior last three holes securing the win. Ian Handy did plenty of damage with a career best 4 birdies in the course of his round.
Well played chaps, congratulations on your first victory for many years!

Thanks to all who played, I hope you had a great day.
Yours in Golf, Tim

Nearest the pin 2nd Barry Taylor Dozen Srixon AD333s
Nearest the pin 17th George Buchan Dozen Srixon AD333s

2’s sweep £175 9pro v1s or 21 srixon AD333s each
Trevor Foster Jonny Barton Jim Caldwell John Harrison Chris Marshall Niall Lynch

Sandiway Start sheet
Tuesday 21st March
*Please note start times 10 mins earlier than originally published
8.50 Colin Roberts x4
8.59 Jim Caldwell x4
9.07
9.16 Ian King x4
9.25 Dave Blood x4
9.34 Phil Scott x4
9.43 Bev Crute x4
9.52 Brian Greenbank x4
10.00 Mick Mahon x4
10.09 Jim Rymer x4
10.17 John Hilditch x4
10.26
10.35 John Kilner x4
10.44 Dale Beaghan x4
10.53 Trevor Foster x4
11.02 Les Russon x4
11.11 Steve Lamont x4
11.20 Frank Stapleton x4
11.29 Paul Salt x4
11.38 Simon Taylor x4
11.46 Phil Vokes x4
11.55 Mark Pasquill x4
12.05 Simon Poucher x4
12.14 Eddie Jordan x4
12.23 Steve Johnson x4
12.32 Roger Percival x4
12.41 Ian Greenough x4
12.52 Roy Bramwell x4
1.01 Pete Birtwistle x4
1.10 Phil Harris x4
1.19 Hugh Mullin x4
1.28 Dave Goodwin x4
1.36 Dave Lomax x4
1.45 John Stubbs x4
1.54 Brian Hopkins x4
2.03 Ray Jones x4

There is room for 2 or 4 players at Caldy on Thursday, please let me know if you wish to play, Many thanks Tim

Great upcoming Maxitours events
LAST FEW Spaces at Caldy AM AM 16th March next week- *timed start* -see below
Sandiway -21st March-Full
Stockport -27th March full
Vale Royal -31st March Full
Mere -‘Galvin Green Classic’ 6th April AM AM – spaces

Maxitours at delightful Dunham Forest

Spring was most definitely in the air at Dunham Forest today. Clear blue skies, freshly cut fairways , new buds bursting into life on the ancient oak trees and Steve Aspinall frantically looking for his golf ball in the daffodils are all signs that we are over the worst of the winter.

The catering at Dunham is rated by many as the best in the North and the beef and onion baguette is one of the highlights of my year- thanks to Leslie and Mike for their hard work.

Dave Lyppiatt the Dunham head green keeper is a top man with a growing reputation. After no overnight rain and a warm drying breeze he kindly allowed trolleys on his superb track. All the players commented on the quality of the course and the speed of the greens – Thank you Dave.

Paul Dennis is the ultimate golf professional and he is doing a great job in filling the boots left by legendary Dunham pro Ian Wrigley. Thanks for all your help chaps you are a first class team.

Roy Ainsworth has been out of action for six months with a new hip but this didn’t stop him from playing some great golf today. He picked up eight shots as his team narrowly missed out on the prizes with 84 points. ‘How much does it cost to put an advert on your website? I’m looking for a decent team this year- this lot are hopeless.’ Enquired the Antrobus man.

Bob Kwan(14) is down to his last million. He also forgot his size 9 shoes but couldn’t find any in lost property so instead of buying a pair he actually borrowed a pair from six foot six team mate Robin Vidler.
‘I could feel my feet sliding around in the size 14 shoes- I couldn’t rotate properly.’ He complained.
‘He looked and played like Charlie Corrolli ‘ added his pal Kevin Hart.

John Stubbs’ playing partner Ray Bradbury(16) was having the round of his life after 14 holes. He was on the card so often that John decided to take him out with a hard low shank which rattled off his shin bone. It certainly did the trick as Ray hobbled his way over the closing holes and John was delighted to be back on the scorecard.
.
Accrington’s underrated Dale Beaghan(11) is surprising a few people with his excellent golf at the moment. He helped his team to 5th place with 86 points. The only other time in his life when he got on a roll was three years ago when he trod on his cheese and pickle bap after it dropped out of his golf bag. Pete Ledger(18), Phil Mayers(11) and Grant Vickery(9) were his lucky partners.

Nice guys Tony Jennison(6), Richard Blackwell(13) John Hilton(12) and Andy Hamlett(9) love Dunham and they finished 4th with 88 points.

Mark Berrisford (6) came over the hills from Matlock to finish 3rd at Dunham. He arrived with fellow Derbyshire men Pat Cliff(5), Pete Day(12) and vacuum cleaner repair man Les Pate(19). Les brushed the dust off his clubs and was well and truly plugged in today. He hoovered up all his short putts and was delighted to clean up. He said that might buy a new bag with his winnings as he can’t stop changing them every couple of months.

The Hazel Grove senior team led by retired perfume importer Ian Ainsworth(12) came up smelling of flowers after a super 88 points. I can’t remember the last time these guys featured in the prizes. Even Ray Stringer(19) holed a long putt. Trevor Harrison(10) and smartly dressed Geoff Haynes(9) made up the successful quartet.

As a ten year old I used to buy the Roy of the Rovers comic and my favourite character was Billy’s boots. Billy forgot his football boots one day and found an old pair which once belonged to a top England striker. Every time he wore them he played like the old star. Frank Hindle(12) forgot his shoes today and Dunham Forest kindly lent him an old pair from lost property. They had the Billy’s boots effect as Frank played like a different person helping his team to take first place.
Despite his feet being covered in blisters Frank had to be persuaded to return the grubby shoes.
Farmer Richard Palmer(11), John Farnsworth(21) and former GP Dr Munro Donald(14) completed the dumbstruck quartet who had never seen Frank play as well.
‘It must have been the shoes’ they all agreed.

Thanks to everyone who played today I really hope you had a great day, Tim.

Nearest the pin 8th hole Dave Blood Dozen AD333s
Nearest the pin 18th hole Brian Hopkins Dozen AD333s

2’s £210 4 pro v1s or 12 srixon AD333s per 2. Frank Hindle James Eaves Steve Aspinall x2 Andrew Leather Chris O’Regan Robin Vidler Geoff Sherburn Phil Mayers Kev Hawkins Stuart Pearson Dave Wilson Ed Wilikinson Martin France Kevin Roberts Dave Blease

Caldy start times
Thursday 16th March

9.00 Colin Roberts x4
9.09 Jim Caldwell x4
9.18 Ian King x4
9.27 David Kelly x4
9.36
9.45 Phil Vokes x4
9.54 Mike Stewart x4
10.03
10.12 John Stubbs x4
10.21 Roy Ainsworth x4
10.30 Pete Cotton x4
10.39 Bob Motteshead x4
10.48 Dale Beaghan x4
10.57 Trevor Foster x4
11.06 Bernard Hessian x4
11.15 Roger Percival x4
11.24 Lewis Marland x4
11.33 Eddie Jordan x4
11.42 Andy Strickley x4
11.51 Les Russon x4
12.00 Sam Leach x4
12.09 Mike Dean x4
12.18 Peter Dolan x4
12.27 Dave Thomas x2 Brian Rogerson x2
12.36 Phil Ashcroft x4
12.45 David Smith x4
12.54 Bill Melia x4
1.03 Bill Melia x4
1.12 David Smith x4
1.21 R Blackwell x4
1.30 Steve Aspinall x4
1.39 Gary Neiles x4
1.48
1.57 Brian Hopkins x4

Maxitours at marvellous Mottram Hall

A great day was enjoyed by those Maxitours competitors who travelled to Mottram Hall today. The greens are always terrific throughout the year and today was no exception. The course drains very well especially on the front nine and all players were extremely happy with playing conditions. Thank to George and all the Mottram staff for their help. I don’t know how he does it but Stuart the green keeper always presents his course in tip top condition despite 100 golfers a day throughout the year- top man.

‘ That course is amazing considering the rain’ noted three handicapper Iain Bartholomew.

‘The course was terrific, much better than we expected’ reported Graham Bates

‘Well that beats sitting at home with the wife’ admitted John Royle

Punctual John Farnsworths pet hate is arriving late. He also carries a large flask of whisky with him to help him relax on the golf course. His playing partner was delayed by half an hour and picked him up late so stressed John emptied his flask even before he left his house this morning. Another large nip in the clubhouse with his coffee calmed him a little more and another gulp on the 1st tee helped to smooth out his restricted back swing. John staggered down the 1st and played his best golf for some months finishing 6th with 42 points. Well played John.

In today’s event starting at the bottom of the leaderboard Chris Icely didn’t play nicely as he scored 34 points and Ray ‘Haddock’ missed a couple of ‘Tiddlers’ on his way to 37 points.

Near the top of the leader board was legendary Cheshire player Gareth Bradley (+2).He recently finished second in the televised European father and son championship. Many people could be forgiven for thinking fresh faced partner Simon Hemsley was his son but Simon assures me he is a similar age to Gareth. It was the far less talented Simon (9) who did the damage with three birdies of his own on the front nine as the pair scored 44 points to take 4th.

Maxitours regular John Rigby(14) is a lovely man who has his very own technique. Today for some reason it was working well as he played with Alsager’s Tony Adams(20) They also recorded 44 points. John’s birdie on the second helped get the pair off to a good start. They were getting nervy on the tougher back nine however and on their last six holes scored 1,3,1,3,1,3. They narrowly won the card play-off and were delighted with a season best third place.

Andy Stone(17) worked for Astra Zeneca in statistics (whatever that means). Today he was estimating a last place finish after just 19 points on the front nine playing alongside fellow Astra Zeneca man Neil Drummond(13). On the back nine they felt the chemistry develop and between them they parred every hole for an impressive 26 point haul to take 2nd .

Winning today was ex-Hollyoaks heart-throb Rob Norbury(15) and Lee Tilley(11). Unfortunately the only throbbing Lee has ever done was when he dropped his golf bag and broke his toe last year. After a strong front nine Rob felt the pressure and decided to let his Saddleworth partner score on all the closing seven holes. Lee is a class act and despite playing under intense stress picked up vital points after excellent pars on the 12th, 14th and 17th. Well played chaps – great golf.

Thanks to all those who travelled today despite this weeks change of venue and heavy rain this morning- (including from Barrow, Matlock and Bakewell!)
I’m sure you enjoyed your day, Tim

Nearest the pin 7th Richard Palmer Dozen AD333
Nearest the pin 11th Barney Ross Doxen AD333s
2’s 6 pro v1s or 15 srixons AD333s £77.50 Darryl Parker Pete Norbury Kris Icely Chris Beakey

Dunham Forest start times
Thursday 9th March
7.50
8.00 Colin Roberts x4
8.09 James Wilson x4
8.18 Chris Webster x4
8.27 Ian King x4
8.36 John Hunt x2 orx4 (later)
8.45 Phil Vokes x4
8.54 Kenny CHinn x4
9.03 Barry Wilson x4
9.12 Bev Crute x4
9.21 Bob Mottershaed x4
9.30 Dave Blood x4
9.39 Mick Mahon x4
9.48 Brian Greenbank x4
9.57 John Berry x4
10.06 John Hilditch x4
10.15 Bob Kwan x4
10.24 Les Russon x4
10.33 Roy Ainsworth x4
10.42 Barry Simpson x4
10.45 Ian Ainsworth x4
10.51 Trevor Foster x4
11.00 Dale Beaghan x4
11.09 Frank Stapleton x4
11.18 Dave Parsons x4
11.27 Graham Jackson x4
11.36 Eddie Jordan x4
11.45 Martin France x4
11.53 Steve Johnson x4
12.01 Steve Parle x4
12.09 Mark Maguire x4
12.17 Mark Berrisford x4
12.25 Paul Rudkin x4
12.33 John Stubbs x4
12.41 Richard Blackwell x4
12.50 Paul Donnelly x4
12.59 Brian Hopkins x4