Great upcoming Maxitours events for April

Conway Monday 27th April – last few spaces
Knutsford Shotsaver Singles 30th April- spaces
Prestbury Belding Classic 7th May-full but may get you in!!
Pleasington Etiqus Masters 14th May-last couple of spots
Hopwood ‘The 2under Open’ 21st May-nearly full
Ringway Taylor Made AM AM 28th May- Nearly full

Spaces for 2 or 4 at Conway on Monday 23rd -greens in superb condition

Still Spaces for individual players in the Shotsaver Singles at Knutsford on Thursday 30th, the course is really superb at present and there will be great prizes! Open to all Maxitours players.

Knutsford SINGLES start times Thursday 30th April

8.30 Colin Roberts x4
8.39 Jim Caldwell x2
8.48 Ian King x4
8.57
9.06 Des Kelly x4
9.18 Mick Mahon x4
9.27 Lewis Marland x2 Anthony Grimley x2
9.36
9.45 John Hilditch x2 Mark williams x2
9.54 Archie Tahir x4
10.03 Brian Greenbank x4
10.12 Steve Johnson x4

12.20 Phil Vokes x4
12.30
12.38 Neville Dennis x4
12.47
12.56 Brian Hopkins x4
1.05 Paul Lord x2
1.14 Steve McDermott x4
1.23 Steve McDermottx4

The Latest Shotsaver Order of Merit

The top 10 available players in the Order of Merit will compete for great prizes in the Famous Maxitours Shotsaver Shootout at 6pm after the singles at Knutsford. Points in Thursdays singles event will range from 25 points to the winner to 1 point in 25th place.

Seven players can still overtake Martin Firth to win the Order of Merit and anyone in the top 40 can still qualify for the shootout.

Three players in the top 10 are unavailable so 13th spot will qualify for the sudden death 9 hole knockout. All players tee off together and 1 gets knocked out each hole!!.

Let me know if you wish to play at Knutsford the greens are immaculate.
Thanks Tim

Great upcoming Maxitours events this Spring!
Conway Pairs Monday 27th- spaces for 2 or 4 players
Knutsford Singles Thursday 30th April -spaces
Prestbury 7th May -Full
Pleasington 14th May -nearly full
Hopwood 21st nearly full
Ringway 28th filling fast

Maxitours at the Vale of Llangollen

The Vale of Llangollen golf course is set amongst glorious Welsh hills and sits next to the babbling River Dee. The Club website claims that even a bad round is enjoyable on this stunning course and that was the case for a few players today!

The fast running fairways and ideal weather conditions meant scoring would be good and every team commented on what a wonderful day thay had. Many thanks to all at The Vale of Llangollen for their hospitality today.. John Green was in his element surrounded as he was by his favourite things, good friends, sunshine, excellent food, a great golf course and several thousand sheep.

The only complaint of the day was from Roy Ainsworth who was disapointed that there was no phone reception due to the course being situated in a valley and surrounded by mountains. ‘He was playing that bad he was trying to get through to the samaritans but he couldn’t get a signal’ added his quick witted playing partner Brian Ankers.

Russ Brockley and his team had a lovely day in the sunshine and they all played nice golf. He apologised for not staying for a post round drink. ‘We can’t stay, I’ve got to get back and pick my wife up from work!’ He chuckled to himself on his way out.

In today’s event the scoring was very tight once again with four points separating the first eight teams.

Roy Bramwell (19)scored 20 points in his first Club event of the season to finish near the bottom of the field in Saturdays competition at his home club, Woodside. Today he scored that himself on the front nine and the charismatic double glazing man helped his team of Graham March(16), Andy Male(21) and Phil Okill(10) into a career best 3rd place.

Mark Williams(8) has let his team down in recent weeks but today he found some great form to lead Simon(9) and Bill Conway(14) and Hazel Grove’s Vince Coombs(16) into his best finish of the season as they took 2nd spot with 87points.

Andy ‘over the top’ Bethell(14) has made a couple of small changes to his swing and he reaped the rewards at Llangollen today. ‘Thats the best I’ve ever played’ said the successful Macclesfield builder. Despite the fact he has three jobs on the go, in typical builder style he was delighted to be playing in the Spring sunshine. ‘I’ll get into work early and catch up tomorrow’ he promised! Despite severe handicap reductions Andy Stubbens(4), Martin Firth(3) and Andy Hockenhull(13) all played great golf to see the Tytherington team over the finishing line with 88 points. Well played chaps.

Thanks for your continued support, I am sure you enjoyed this wonderful venue,
yours in golf, Tim

Nearest the Pin 18th Wayne McNulty Dozen AD333s
Nearest the Pin 14th Brian Ankers Dozen ad333s
2’s £87.50 5 prov1S or 10 srixons per 2 A Bethell G Hempstead S McDermott A Tahir B Crute x2

Conwy Golf Club start times
Pairs event £25 per person
10.07 Colin Roberts x4
10.16 Jim Caldwell x2 Brian Dewhurst x2
10.25 Ian King x4
10.34 Ian Bartholomew x2 Luscombe x2
10.43 Phil Vokes x2
10.52 Ed Wilkinson x4
11.01 Steve Johnson x2 Roy Macgregor x2
11.10 Ian Ainsworth x4
11.19 Nigel Oakes x2 Sandy Calder x2
11.28 Pete Birtwistle x4
11.36 Dave Griffiths x4
11.45 Les French x4
11.54 Ian Waddington x4
12.03 pete short x4
12.12 Simon Poucher x2 Anthony Grimley x2
12.21 Tim Spencer x4
12.30 Dan Huffman x4
12.39 Ray Jones x4
12.48 Ray Massey x4
12.57 Jim Rymer x4
1.06 Bob Sutton x4
1.15 Matt Cheffins x4
1.24
1.33 Martin Firth x4
1.42 Phil Dermott x4
1.50 Colin Baxendale x4
1.58
2.06 Peter Daniels x4
2.14 Steve Parle x4
2.22 Ian Greenough x4
2.30 Roy Bramwell x4
2.39 Michael Longshaw x4
2.46 Paul Rudkin x2
2.55 Brian Hopkins x4
3.04 Frank Stapleton x4
3.15 Paul Griffiths x4

Great Upcoming Maxitours events!

Last few spaces at Llangollen this Monday 20th April ! This course in Spring sunshine is amazing!

Conway 27th April FULL!
Knutsford singles 30th April- Spaces
Prestbury Belding Classic Pairs 7th May – Full
Pleasington Etiqus Masters Pairs 14th May-filling fast
Hopwood AM AM 21st May-filling fast
Ringway Taylor Made AM AM 28th May-filling fast

Maxitours at Dunham Forest

Superb Spring weather greeted over 100 players in today’s Maxitours event at Dunham Forest.

There were very complimentary comments about the quality and condition of this superb tree lined course from players as they handed their cards in, many thanks to the green keepers for their hard work. Thanks to Mike and Leslie Saxon for their outstanding hospitality and also new Club Professional Paul Dennis who is very highly respected by his peers.

Dave Jones loves Dunham and he turned up early and treated himself to coffee and a selection of biscuits. He was delighted with the assortment and went straight to the jam filled one with a happy face on the front. Unfortunately that was the closest to a smile he got all day after he finished in a very average 28th position.

Dave Wilson also loves Dunham but he prefers playing the course in Autumn rather than Spring. Last year after some wild drives he knocked down a few branches and gathered a terrific collection of conkers on the way round.

Anthony Grimley tried to smarten up his appearance today but failed badly when looked like he had stolen his mums old deckchair with his new checked pants. Unfortunately in true deckchair fashion after a very promising 23 points going out he totally collapsed on the back nine.

In today’s event Miguel Jimenez lookalike Joe Yates(14) and Gary Nield(5) from Lymm Golf Club had a season best top five finish with a very good 44 points. They celebrated in true Spanish style with a San Miguel or two in the Mediterranean sunshine. Low handicappers Phil Vokes and Paul Sherlock set the early pace with 45 points and their gross betterball was a highly impressive five under par!

Fresh faced Jordan Spieth says he is still in shock after filling his lifetimes ambition when he won the Masters last week. He is the new US golf superstar. Fresh faced John Cottrell(9) could be the new Maxitours superstar after two strong performances to start the season. It is his partner Dave Goodier(17) who is in shock as he has never seen him play as well. Their 45 points saw them take 3rd place on a card play-off.

Manchester United legends Frank Stapleton(13) and Stuart Pearson(5) have seen their form mirror that of the super reds and their improvement in recent weeks culminated in a wonderful 46 points today. Pearson scored three impressive birdies on the tough back nine as he showed his sporting class.

Moaning Lancastrian Frank Hindle(14) was at it again before he went out to play. ‘I don’t know why I’m bothering playing today, I’ve got terrible gout in my big toe and my partner Mick Mahon(22) has got a bad back.’ Things improved greatly on the course as the likeable duo had a career best 47 points to take first place with some brilliant golf. Frank from Blackburn blames his gout on his liking for Eccles cakes rather than a bottle of red wine each night. ‘It’s the raisins rather than the grapes.’ He claimed munching on a celebratory fruit scone in the clubhouse after his round.

Well played chaps, great golf!
Thanks to everyone for your support despite the Easter holidays!
Roll on Summer.
Yours in golf, Tim

Nearest the Pin 8th John Farrell Dozen AD333s
Nearest the Pin in 2 on 18th Pete O’Neill Dozen AD333s

2’s £120 3 pro v1s or 6 Srixons each Phil Vokes Frank Stapleton Stuart Pearson Kevin Hamilton Archie Tahir John Farnworth Terry Haywood John Safill Alan Forber Gary Nield Alan Smith Alan Pengelly

Vale of Llangollen start times
Monday 20th April

10.00 Colin Roberts x4
10.09 Ian King x4
10.18 Phil Vokes x4
10.27 Colin Lynch x4
10.36 Mark Williams x4
10.45 Ian Ainsworth x4
10.54 Steve Latchford x4
12.00 Pete Short x4
12.09 Andy Whittle x4
12.18 Ian Acton x4
12.27 Roy Ainsworth x4
12.36 Steve Rimmer x4
12.45 Chi Hu x4
12.54 Steve Parle x4
1.03 Bob Sutton x4
1.12 Ray Massey x4
1.21 Steve Foxcroft x4
1.30 Ian Greenough x4
1.39 Mick Mahon x4
1.48 Martin Firth x4
1.57 Damien Clayton x4
2.06 Neil Ritchie x4
2.15 Steve McDermott x4
2.24 Vernon Jones x4
2.33 Ged Daly x4
2.42 Dave Buckley x4?
2.51
3.00
3.09
3.18 Richard Blackwell x4
3.27
3.36 Richard Williamson x4
3.45

Forget about the Election and just play golf this Spring!

Spaces at Dunham Forest pairs next Thursday 16th and Vale of Llangollen Titleist team of 4 event on Monday 20th April.

Maxitours Galvin Green Masters at The Mere

Masters fever was in the air as over 160 golfers enjoyed ‘Augusta like’ conditions at The Mere which is probably now the number one golf resort in the North.
Many thanks to Joe Gates and his superb staff for all their help today. Steve the golf starter is also a legend and ensures everyone starts their round in good time and in good spirits.
Gail Hegarty hit her best shot of the day as she unleashed a four wood onto the 9th green but was horrified to see a wayward Maxitours competitor who was playing the 6th hole apparently pick up her ball and play it back onto the adjoining fairway. Playing partner and husband Chris was about to step in when on closer inspection talented Gail was delighted to find her missing ball was actually in the hole for a remarkable eagle.
Talking about remarkable birds ‘Chicken George’ Maclean supplies Europe’s supermarkets with just less than a million chickens a day. After a poor 36th place finish it was his teams turn to slaughter him after he ran out of batteries and played like a rotten egg.
After not playing much golf this Winter a rusty Richard Williamson was close to winning ‘nearest the bin’ on the 8th hole however with a little bit of Jack Nicklaus-like magic he rolled back the years and won nearest the pin with a majestic 7 iron into the 14th hole.
Chris Reade has been practicing throwing his clubs in his back garden in preparation for the coming golf season. Sure enough today the practice paid off, according to Paul Griffiths his playing partner, it was noticeable that Chris was definitely throwing his 8 iron a little bit further and more accurately than last season after he hit a particularly bad shot on the 14th hole..
In today’s event Hazel Grove’s Simon Conway(9) and Vince Coombs(16) continued their solid form finishing in fourth place playing alongside Simon’s young looking Dad Bill(11), and Mark Williams(8).
Despite protests about a recent handicap reduction before they teed off the aging Swinton Park Team of Frank Massey(11), Jimmy O’Reilly(8), Neville Dennis(16) and Jimmy Farrell(17) were delighted to record another podium finish as they enjoyed the best of the greens with an early start time.
Ashton on Mersey dream team Dave Hillier(9), Wayne Harris(9), Simon Lewis(12) and Pete Mellor(10) played late in the day so they could go to work this morning. Council worker Wayne Harris took his jobs even easier than normal and he looked particularly fresh as he skipped down the first hole. The relaxing morning paid off as they finished with an excellent 86 points earn 2nd place.
North Manchester Golf Clubs’ John Cottrell(10)and David Goodier(18) are a couple of pipe fitters and it was their clubs which were smoking today. They played great golf alongside Maxitour journeymen Mike ‘no fashion sense whatsoever’ McCurdy(9) and John Farrell(10). After a steady start the team picked up 8 points on the 10th hole after Cottrell and McCurdy made superb birdies and a strong finish on Mere’s famous closing holes saw them take first place. Great golf chaps.
Many thanks indeed to all who played in the biggest field of the season so far.
Thanks to Galvin Greens John Gallagher for his great support and don’t forget to download the new free Galvin app for the latest golf weather and golf fashion advice!
Yours in Golf,
Tim
Nearest the Pin 8th Nigel Milroy Dozen AD333s
Nearest the Pin 14th Richard Williamson Dozen AD333s
2’s Sweep £152.50 3 Pro V1s or 6 srixon AD333s each
Danny Ritchie Bob Sutton Dave Bowers Jim Caldwell x2 Nigel Millroy Neil Higgins Andy Burns Simon Lewis Robert Leggett Dave McDougall Jim Hodges Sam Leach Dave Sarsfield Richard Williamson Paul Woodbine

Start times at Dunham Forest Golf Club

Pairs event Thursday 16th April

8.00 Colin Roberts x4
8.10 Caldwell x2 Roy Clowes x2
8.20 Rob Platt x4
8.28
8.37
8.46 Colin Baxendale x4
8.55
9.04 Phil Vokes x4
9.13 Brian Greenbank x4
9.22 Gordon Hamlettx4
9.31
9.40 Simon Conway x2
9.49 Martin Firth x4
9.58 Neville Dennis x4
10.07 Ian King x4
10.16 John Hilditch x2 Anthony Grimley x2
10.25 Mick Mahon x4
10.34 Gary Garner x4
10.43
10.52 Chris Adams x4
11.00 Steve Johnson x4
11.09Tony Ramatowski x2 Simon Kaye x2
11.18
11.27 Steve Parle x4
11.36
11.45 Frank Stapleton x4
11.54
12.03
12.12 Jason Henderson x4
12.21 Ian Fairbrother x2 Dave Keen x2
12.30 Joe Yates x4
12.39 Blackwell x4
12.48 Brian Hopkins x4

12.57 Dave Goodier x4