Maxitours at Wonderful but Windy Wilmslow Golf Club

A wet and windy day greeted Maxitours golfers at Wilmslow today. Many thanks to all who battled the elements and played on this great course.

Ged Heaslip, the new Club General Manager is a top man. He is so dedicated to his job he was busy for most of the morning ‘squeegying’ the greens to keep the course open for us- legend. Many thanks to head green keeper Steve Oultram and all his staff who were also brilliant and worked like trojans for us.

Everyone got a good drenching . Even I got a little bit wet when I accidentally splashed some worcestershire sauce on my shirt as I was tucking into the second slice of my welsh rarebit in the comfort of the warm Wilmslow Clubhouse.

As the rain persisted the and the greens started to become unplayable the decision to reduce the event to nine holes was taken . Thanks to all players and Wilmslow golf club for your terrific cooperation on this tricky day. There were no complaints at all so many thanks for your positive attitude!

Peter Cross(10) is a lovely bloke and a very competitive golfer. He always likes to count how many times he is on the card to ensure that he has contributed his fair share. Today his partner Trevor Foster(scr) was on the card nine times which sounds like a great team effort. Unfortunately for Pete it was a nine hole competition. The first time he appeared on the card was when he signed it in the clubhouse after play. He was delighted to finish in 6th place.

Brendon Leighton(16) and Greg Brown(9) from Macclesfield enjoyed the testing weather and they finished 5th, Neil Higgins and Steve Murray were 4th all scoring 19 points.

Third place went to the North Manchester Pairing of John Farrell(9) and Mick Philbin(16), who also won nearest the pin on the 17th after a superb tee shot.

Second place went to Didsbury’s Andy Lawman(5) and Andy Burns(6). Lawman is a top window fitter and he had a smashing three birdies on the run from the 4th hole. They both reflected on the two one pointers early in their round which cost them a maiden victory.

First place went to Denton’s Jim Cox(3) and Dave Blood(10) with 20 points over the front nine.
Blood is a retired firearms policeman and he has a scar on his hand where he accidentally shot himself. In a strange coincidence when he plays golf he regularly shoots himself in the foot. Today he was firing on all cylinders and dropped just one shot on the opening six holes to earn his first win of the year, Well played chaps!

There was a first for wealthy retired doctor Dave Arthur when he was mistaken for a golf professional after hitting his approach to six inches on the par three 9th hole. ‘Where is that old pro from?’ asked a Wilmslow member who thought Maxitours was a tour for local golf professionals. I explained that it is an amateur golf tour and when a delighted Dave walked past the large Clubhouse window on the way to the 10th tee the Wilmslow member added ‘Oh yes, he looks a bit too scruffy to be a pro.’

Many thanks for your superb attendance today, yours in golf, Tim

Nearest the Pin 9th Dave Arthur Dozen AD333s
Nearest the Pin 17th Mick Philbin Dozen AD333s

2’s £67.50 6 pro V1s or 15 Srixon AD333s Andy Lawman Trevor Foster Richard Scanlon

Mottram Hall AM AM
Thursday 19th November 11am shotgun start
1a Ian Ainsworth x4
1b Brian Hopkins x4
2a Lewis Marland x4
2b John Hilditch x4
3 Gaz Smith x4
4a Simon Poucher x4
4bRichard Blackwell x4
5 John Dickenson x4
5b Roy Ainsworth x4
6 Barry Jackson x4
7 Ian King x4
8a Mick Mahon x4
8b Colin Baxendale x4
9a Roger Percival x4
10a Dave Blood x4
10b Anthony Grimley x4
11 Phil Vokes x4
12a Colin Roberts x4
12b John Stubbs x4
13 Ken Ogden x4
14 Nigel Compsty x4
14 Chris Adams x4
15a Mark Birtwistle x4
15b Keith Judkins x4
16 Pete Hamlett x4
17 Steve Wilson x4
18a Graham Littler x4
18b Alan Forber x4
res Trevor Foster x4

The wilmslow event is on. The course is currently firm underfoot and the greens are excellent. The forecast is mixed but we are on the edge of the rain belt so fingers crossed! Thanks Tim

Today’s event is still on the free keeper has informed me the course is great and we are in the edge of the weather so conditions might not be too bad. I will update again at 9 15am thanks Tim

Tomorrows event is STILL on, I am speaking to the greenkeeper at 8am but the professional is confident the event will go ahead unless we have any really heavy downpours, thanks Tim

Maxitours at perfect Prestbury

Prestbury Golf Club have recently employed a new caterer and new head green keeper, both fresh recruits seem to be doing a tremendous job. World class bacon baps were served up by Michelin rated chef Richard Howden before a fantastically presented golf course from new head green keeper Mark Crossley was enjoyed by all players. Even the new Secretary Dawn is incredibly attractive and efficient. Many thanks to ALL the Prestbury staff.

Apart from Central London there are more millionaires per square mile in Prestbury than anywhere else in the country. The huge Prestbury golf Club bonfire reflected the wealth in the area.

Barney Ross rents out his apartments to students in Manchester. ‘Bloody hell -I could furnish half my flats with the stuff in that bonfire! I’m sure I spotted a chippendale chaise longue near the top.’ Highly skilled cabinet maker Duncan Cheslett only uses the best raw materials and he was also seen snooping close to the fire.

The lowest handicapper in the field was the only female playing today. Young England international Gemma Clowes plays off plus 2 and she has a very bright future- remember the name. She showed her class once again as she scored 37 points alongside the far less talented Pete Hamlett- there is absolutely no need to remember his name unless you need a good mechanic…

Wayne Rooney was in his garden once again practicing his sideways passing. He was surprised to see David Kelly make a rare birdie on the 15th hole. Coleen asked him why he didn’t get closer to the action as the garden fence was blocking his view a little, but he refused. ‘I can’t- the boss doesn’t want me making too many instinctive forward movements’.

In today’s event scoring was very close. For the first twelve holes or so Maxitours players enjoyed superb Autumn weather however some sharp showers late in the day meant scoring got tougher over the closing holes as equipment and clothing started to get a little damp.

It was great to see ex European table tennis champion John Hilton(12) back in the prizes. It was his wayward big hitting partner Richard Blackwell(13) who saw his drives pinging and ponging in the trees but Hilton steadied the ship as they scored 42 points.

Mark Birtwistle(8)and Alex Ashworth(10)- both Great lads from Great Harwood -had their best Maxitours finish also on 42 points to take fourth.
Ashton on Mersey nice guys Paul Donnely(8) and John Veitch(15) also had their best finish of the year as they finished 3rd on 43 points.

Mark Jones(14) and Paul Nightingale(8) will be singing all the way back to Clitheroe after they scored 43 points and they had an excellent back nine to take second .

Winning their first ever Maxitours event after plenty of bad golf over the years was Mike Banister(5) and Rob Allen(11) from Pleasington Golf Club. Rob owns a successfull printing company and he stamped his authority on the game after his birdie on the tricky 12th hole. Mike Banister had a career first with three successive birdies in the middle of his round. Well played chaps great golf.
Many thanks to everyone who played today, your support is always appreciated. Tim
Nearest the Pin 7th Paul Donnely Dozen AD333s
Nearest the pin 17th Dozen AD333s
2’s £110 4 pro v1s or 9 ad333s each
Will McNeill Paul Dalby Phil Vokes Barney Ross Mike Haseldine Steve Hackett Jon Finch Trevor Foster

Wilmslow Golf Club Pairs
Monday 9th November
1st tee
9.45 Colin Roberts x4
9.54 Ian King x4
10.03 Mick Mahon x4
10.12 Sam Leach x4
10.21 Roger Percival x4
10.30 Dave Blood x4
10.39 John Berry x2 Ian Ainsworth x2
10.48 Colin Baxendale x4
10.57 Frank Stapleton x4
11.06 Neil Higgins x4
11.15 Brian Greenbank x4
11.24 Nigel Compsty x2 John Hilditch x2
11.33 R Blackwell x2 Steve Cuthbert x2
11.42 Rob Weston x4

10th tee
9.45 Simon Poucher x4
9.54 Mike Birtwistle x4
10.03 Steve Aspinall x4
10.12 John Stubbs x4
10.21 Gail Hegarty x4
10.30 John Farrell x2 Ian Cairns x2
10.39 Ste Wilson x4
10.48 Dave Crowther x4
10.57 Ian Broughan x2 Mark Taylor x1
11.06 Graham Littler x4
11.15 Lewis Marland x4
11.24 Mick Fenton x4 late
11.33 Steve Parle x2 Dave Beard x2
11.42 Trevor Foster x4