Results from Sandiway Spring Classic

Spaces stll available at these great Maxitours events!

Mere 9th April (room for 2 teams)

Dunham Forest 16h April

Vale Of Llangollen 20th April

Maxitours at Vale Royal

Despite a mixed weather forecast the rain held off for most of the day and only the last five groups enjoyed the challenge of exhilarating wind and rain.

‘The course was superb considering the overnight rain’ said Mick Mahon ‘

‘Those greens were excellent’ reported Phil Smeathers.

Many thanks to Ian Embury and his five star Vale Royal team for their superb attention and service throughout the day, this is a top class venue.

Sixty five year old Tommy Thompson played in his first ever Maxitours event today and it was very interesting to watch his warm up routine before play. As he came out of the Gents he tripped over a step before doing a graceful forward roll down the Vale Royal corridor.

Barry Jackson lives 40 minutes away from the Vale Royal and Sandiway golf courses. He has got away with telling his Mrs that he is staying overnight in nearby Chester (25 minutes away) so he can prepare correctly for the two day event. Yeah, right.

The latest Maxitours Order of Merit is available to view on my website http://www.maxitoursgolf.com . Tiger Woods has surprisingly just dropped out of the Official world’s top 100 for the first time since 1996, he was number 1 in the world for 683 weeks. Less of a shock is the fact that Geoff Underhill has also dropped out of the top 100 in the Shotsaver Order of Merit after he reached a career high of 96th two weeks ago.

In today’s event Knutsford’s David Kelly was in a negative frame of mind before play. ‘Great- we have got three chances to come last this week’ he complained looking with little hope at his teammates ‘last today, last tomorrow or last overall!’

Despite this very harsh criticism some terrific golf from the ageless Bob Sutton(19), Nigel Eckersley(11) and Big Dave Harlow(15) saw them overjoyed to be sitting in 3rd place going into tomorrow.

The Wigan team led by Phil Dermott lead the 2 Day event with an excellent 82 points in tough conditions. Neville Dennis’ team is second with 77 points closely followed by three teams on 76 points led by their Captains Bob Sutton, Colin Roberts and Paul Lowe. Simon McCoy nearly had an albatross when his 3 wood on the par 4 twelfth hit the flag. He casually tapped in from 2 inches for his eagle.

The Spring Classic will conclude tomorrow at Sandiway with 12 teams eligible to win the 2 day prize. There will also be the usual great prizes and Order of Merit points for the one day event. (Teams can only win 1 prize)

Thanks for your support,

Roll on Summer,

Tim

2’s £85 10 pro v1s or 20 ad333s per 2 Barry Jackson Steve Boland Simon McCoy

Nearest the Pin 10th Alf Shillitoe

Nearest the pin 16th

Tomorrow’s Sandiway start times

9.00 Colin Roberts x4

9.09 Bob Sutton x4

9.18

9.27 Neville Dennis x4

9.36 Ben Alcock x4

9.45 Keith Griffin x4

9.54 Pete Short x4

10.03 Steve McDermott x2 Mark Marshall x2

10.12 Mick Mahon x4

10.21 Roy Ainsworth x4

10.30 Neale Laurent x4

10.39 Gary Garner x2 Chris Brownhill x2

10.48 Ian King x4

10.57 Ian Ainsworth x4

11.04 Colin Owen x4

11.15 Steve Berrell x4

11.24 Frank Stapleton x4

11.33 Roger Percival x4

11.42 Ron Sloane x4

11.51 Paul Bennett x4

12.00 Gerry John x4

12.09 Barney Ross x4

12.18 Chris Lee x4

12.27

12.36

12.45 Martin Firth x4

12.53 Danny Ritchie x4

1.01 Joe Yates x4

1.10 Matt Cheffins x4

1.19 Phil Dermott x4

1.28 Paul Griffiths x4

1.37 Michael Longshaw x4

1.46 Barry Jackson x4

1.55 John Stubbs x4

2.04 Richard Williamson x4

2.13 Richard Blackwell x4

2.22 John Farrell x4

Great Upcoming Maxitours events

Vale Royal AM AM this Monday- still spaces
Sandiway AM AM Tuesday -still spaces
Mere Galvin Green AM AM 9th April – filling fast
Dunham Forest Pairs 16th April -spaces
Llangollen Titleist AM AM 20th April -nearly full
Conwy Pairs 27th April – nearly full
Knutsford singles 30th April -nearly full

other event of note: Debra Charity Golf day Thursday 25th June Marriott Manchester £500 a team please contact tony.eckershall@debra.co.uk if you wish to support this worthwhile Charity

Maxitours at Windy Prestbury

A full field of talented players enjoyed one of the finest golf courses in the North West today. Despite heavy overnight rain the free draining fairways were superb. There were plenty of rosy cheeks but not a hint of any mud on any of the windswept golfers as they cheerfully entered the clubhouse after play.

I trained as an assistant professional at Prestbury when I was a fresh faced 18 year old. I would lose most of my £20 a week wage playing against the other two professionals. I would then spend what was left on Mars bars as I twiddled my thumbs in the pro shop. I do have great memories of those times and the members were very good to me indeed and I always enjoy returning to this great Club.
After play at last week’s Maxitours event, huge Everton fan Jim Rymer was very chirpy when he announced he was about to go home and watch the only remaining British team in Europe. The posh scouser was a little quieter than normal this week after his boys took one hell of a beating in Ukraine. He is watching Masterchef with his wife tonight.

The players had to contend with very testing blustery conditions and this led to several wild tee shots from Barney Ross. As he searched for his golf ball in yet another hedgerow he noticed that even Wayne Rooney’s hair looked slightly ruffled by the wind as the footballer watched on with interest from a neighbouring garden. ‘It’s in dose bushes over dare mate!’ informed the on-form striker.

Last weekend it took Liverpool’s Steven Gerard less than fifty seconds to let down his team mates. It took Andy Hallows even less time than that to let his team mate Tony Coleman down today. His first tee shot disappeared into the rough and this set the tone for his disappointing performance.

In today’s event there was a large spread of scores as the windy conditions and the undulating tree lined course baffled many of the more easily confused members of the tour.

Ex-Marine Andy Stubbens(5) and scaffolder Martin Firth(4) recorded six birdies between them as the big hitting Tytherington men made the most of the shortened course to finish in 5th place with 42 points.

Alsager nice guys Colin Roberts(17) and John Rigby(13) continue to surprise many people, including themselves, as they recorded another top four finish with 42 points.

Newly married Simon Conway(9) teamed up with Hazel Grove’s Vince Coombs(16) and an opening birdie by Conway was the springboard his best finish of the season. ‘I feel like the luckiest man on earth!’ he added in a repeat of his wedding speech. ‘I’m having a great honeymoon period’ Their 43 points earned them third place.

Didsbury supermodel Annie White(15) nearly became the first female Maxitours winner for three years as she teamed up with Paul Dalby (2) to score 44 points and finish in 2nd position. Annie did her Larry Mize impression when she dramatically chipped in on her last hole, over the bunker from the left of the par three 10th hole.

Winning a pairs event today for the first time in their golfing careers were Andy Hockenhull(16) and Johnnie Walker(9) from Tytherington. Very honest car salesman Hockenhull knows how to close a deal and he certainly closed out the back nine when he majestically parred the tough closing four holes. Johnnie steadied the ship late on when Andy started to hyperventilate with the excitement of it all. 44 points was good enough to take the honours today. Well played chaps.

Nearest the pin 7th hole Vince Coombs Dozen AD333s
Nearest the Pin 17th hole Paul Dalby Dozen AD333s
2’s £117.50 3 pro vs or 6 srixon AD333s
Paul Dalby Annie White Simon Conway Andy Stubbensx2 Martin Firth Richard Williamson Russell Lees Peter Maxwell Alan Smith Kevin Fahy

Spring Classic Start times at ‘VALE ROYAL on MONDAY’ followed by ‘SANDIWAY times on TUESDAY’

Prizes for top 3 each day and top 3 teams over 2 days (only 1 prize per team)
Vale Royal Monday 30th March

8.30 Colin Roberts x4
8.40
8.50 Bob Sutton x4
9.00
9.10 Ben Alcock x4
9.19 Simon Hemsley x4
9.28 Colin Lynch x4
10.30 Lewis Marland x4
10.39 Neale Laurent x4
10.48
10.57 Ian Ainsworth x4
11.06
11.15 Keith Griffin x4
11.24 Brian Sill x4
11.33 Kenny Plumb x4
11.42 Graham Littler x4
11.51 Barney Ross x4
12.00 Colin Owen x4
12.09 Mick Mahon x4
12.18 Neville Dennis x4
12.27 Danny Ritchie
12.36 Paul Bennett x4
12.45
12.54 Barney Ross x4
1.03 Phil Dermott x4
1.12
1.21 Pete Short x4
1.30 Martin Firth x4
1.39 Barry Jackson x4
1.48 Archie Tahir x4
1.57 Colin Baxendale x4
2.06 John Stubbs x4
2.15 Richard Blackwell x4
2.24

TUESDAY 31st March

Sandiway

9.00 Colin Roberts x4
9.09 Bob Sutton x4
9.18 Ian King x4
9.27 Neville Dennis x4
9.36 Ben Alcock x4
9.45 Keith Griffin x4
9.54 Colin Lynch x4
10.03 Steve McDermot x4
10.12 Mick Mahon x4
10.21 Roy Ainswoth x4
10.30 Neale Laurent x4
10.39
10.48
10.57 Ian Ainsworth x4
11.06 Colin Owen x4
11.15 Steve Berrell x4
11.24 Frank Stapleton x4
11.33 Roger Percival x4
11.42 Ron Sloane x4
11.51 Paul Bennett x4
12.00 Gerry John x4
12.09 Barney Ross x4
12.18 Chris Lee x4
12.27 Pete Short x4
12.36 Archie Tahir x4
12.45 Martin Firth x4
12.54 Danny Ritchie x4
1.03 Joe Yates x4
1.12 Matt Cheffins x4
1.21
1.30 Phil Dermott x4
1.39 Paul Griffiths x4
1.48 Michael Longshaw x4
1.57 Barry Jackson x4
2.06 John Stubbs x4
2.15 Richard Williamson x4
2.24 Richard Blackwell x4
2.33 John Farrell x4
2.42 Brian Hopkins x4

Great upcoming Maxitours events
Prestbury Pairs 26th March -full
Vale Royal AM AM Monday 30th March-last few spots
Sandiway AM AM Tuesday 31st March-last few spots
Mere AM AM 9th April- filling fast
Dunham Forest Pairs 16th April-filling fast
Vale of Llangollen AM AM 20th April-filling fast
Conwy Pairs 27th April-last few spaces
Knutsford Singles 30th April- nearly full

Maxitours at Crystal Clear Caldy

Another full field enjoyed the superb playing conditions at Caldy Golf Club. Today’s European Tour event at Madiera was delayed due to strong winds however the gentle breeze and soaring temperatures provided perfect golfing weather in this lovely oasis in the North West of England. Anyone who didn’t enjoy their game today needs to pay a visit to their nearest golf psychologist.

All the staff at Caldy were tremendous to deal with, the only slight hiccup on the day was the fact that there had been a flood overnight when a pipe burst in the club’s entrance hall. There was a sign warning Maxitours players to be aware of the uneven surface as they checked in. There were no certainly uneven surfaces on the Caldy greens however and the course was in exceptionally good order.

In the clubhouse the Caldy chef is now a new contender for bacon butty of the year award, the super soft baps and crispy bacon hit the right notes with piano playing Les French.

Rob Weston entered a team for this event four months ago before unfortunately putting himself out of action when he damaged his achilles tendon. Although unable to play he thoughtfully drove all the way to Caldy to have breakfast with his team and walk a few holes so he could give them plenty of advice and moral support. Unfortunately after his Knutsford team picked up just one point on the first hole he decided to return to the clubhouse to have another bacon bap and finish off the Telegraph crossword instead.

Man City fan Joe Kirwan’s(4) week of football despair turned to golfing joy with four birdies in a world class performance today. He teamed up with new friends John Royle(17), Ian Acton(14) and Gary Jones(17) to finish in a very respectable 4th place.

Martin Edmunds(11) got very little sympathy from his team during registration. When he discovered he was starting on the 4th hole (which has the beautiful estuary closely guarding the left side of the fairway) he looked worried. ‘Oh no- thats my bogey hole!’ he announced. ‘Thats not quite true’ said pal Peter Kenny(13) ‘It’s usually your triple bogey hole, a bogey is a very good score for you on any hole.’ he added.

Despite the verbal abuse from his team the Heswall member actually started with a birdie and used his local knowledge to help the Wirral based posh scousers take a career best third place with 81 points. Mick King(18) and Andrew Morgan(6) completed the strange talking team.

It has been four and a half years since the last solar eclipse, it’s been longer than that since Ben Luscombe(14) won a prize. Playing alongside the famous and wealthy Hale estate agent John Hilditch(11), lawyer Geoff Underhill(15) and property developer Iain Bartholomew(3) the sun shone down on his golf today and he was delighted to finish in 2nd place just a single point behind the winners.

Winning the Caldy classic were the lovely senior team of Colin Roberts(18), Dave Marchant(15) Bob Sinclair (14)and keen carpenter John Rigby(14).
Rigby has struggled for years with a slice but things took a turn for the worse when he shook hands with his circular saw in his workshop two months ago. He sliced off three fingertips and has been out of action for 2 months. In a Cinderella type story Rigby played in his first event back today and his more relaxed grip saw him hit a consistent draw. ‘It’s a fairytale ending ‘ said the popular seventy year old. ‘I’m thinking of doing the same thing to my good hand next week, I might play even better’.

Many thanks to all players for your terrific attendance once again. Yours in golf, Tim.

Nearest the Pin 2nd Gary Christian Dozen AD333s
Nearest the Pin 17th John Rigby Dozen AD333s
£140 2’s 6 pro V1s or 12 AD333S per 2 Brian Hopkins Richard Palmer Gary Christian Geoff Underhill Iain Bartholomew David Smith Steve Parle

Start times at Prestbury GC £27.50 inc bacon bap
Thursday 26th March
1a Colin Roberts x4
1b Dave Parsons x4
2a Ian King x4
2b Richard Williamson x4
3 Roy Ainsworth x4
4a Dave Blood x4
4b Matt Cheffins x4
5 John Stubbs x4
6a Mick Mahon x4
6b Lewis Marland x2 John Hilditch x2
7 Neville Dennis x4
8a Ray Jones x4
8b Ian Ainsworth x4
9a Brian Hopkins x4
9b Bob Sutton x4
10 Derek Hollindrake x4
11a Martin Firth x4
11b Wayne Colclough x2 Simon Conway x2
12 Phil Vokes x4
13a Brian Greenbank x4
13b R Blackwell x2 A White x2
14 David Smith x4
15 Bernard Wood x4
16 Steve Parle x4
17 Anthony Grimley x2 Kevin Fitzpatrick x2
18 Ron Sloane x4