Maxitours at high class Hopwood

Another great day for our players at Manchester golf club. The forecast was horrendous but we dodged a bullet as the day was dry in the main.

The course just keeps getting better and is probably the premier course in Manchester. All my players seemed to think so. The greens and tightly cut fairways are just wonderful to play golf on.

Brian Connor has been pro here for over 40 years and has just received a distinguished award from the PGA. He is a lovely man and a top, top businessman. Go into his shop at your own risk- your pockets will be lighter when you leave.

Rebecca behind the bar worked her socks off for us today, she was brilliant with all my players- thank you.

Graham Jackson won last week but I think the win has changed him. He has started wearing plenty of after shave like the top tour players after becoming the Cheshire Classic champion at Hazel Grove. I could hardly write out his scorecard as my eyes were watering too much.

Tony Baldwin is a real team player. He hit his approach to 2 ½ feet on the par three 13th but left his putt short. ‘I decided to lag it as my team had all let me down.’ Reported the likeable six foot tall Wilmslow man.

I’ve never known a day with have such contrasting morning and afternoon scores. The morning saw warm perfectly still conditions and the average score was in the mid to high eighties as players made the most of the short par fives and immaculate greens.

In the afternoon the ‘Tide changed’ according to local favourite Steve Heywood. Average scores increased by about ten shots.

The top seven scores in todays event all teed off before 11am!

Likeable Mike Dobson had a best of the day 49 points on the front nine before his team stalled and came home in 38 to lose the card play off.

Andy Bradshaw, Ian King, Matt Ford and Joe Kirwan took 3rd with a very solid finish on the tougher back nine.

Second place went to Withingtons Andy Parrington(4), Ted Lacey(9), Chris Perry(12) and Alex Stewart with a superb 89 points.

Winning today were the Yorkshire team who travelled through the rain from Barnsley before enjoying the Lancashire Mediterranean conditions and scoring an impressive 91 points. It was a great team effort but Tom Broadhead had the round of his life closing out with three pars on the toughest finishing stretch in the county. Well played chaps, great score.

We have a Charity evening at Knutsford Golf Club in aid of The British Heart Foundation and The East Cheshire Hospice, there is a silent auction and our lovely Lady Captain and Captain have asked for your support. Please click the link below if you want to bid for a cheap 4 ball etc !

Thanks so much for playing today. Tim

Nearest the Pin 13th hole John Barnes Doz AD333

Nearestthe pin 16th Paul Fell Doz AD333

2’s sweep £240 3 pro v1s or 8 srixons per two

George Kerr Tim Barstow Steve Aspinall Ken Booth Paul Bamber Andy Bradshaw Keith Shale Colin Bryan Paul Fell Jim Caldwell Don Bailey John Cross Steve Dowd Julian Brindle Dave Hughes John McCaffrey John Barnes

Vale of Llangollen

Friday 4th October

9.00 David Wilkinson x4

9.09 Simon Hemsley x4

9.18 Colin Roberts x4

9.26

9.35 Jim Lindsay x4

9.44 Dave Buckley x4

9.52 Paul Fell x4

10.00 Martin Humphries x4

10.08 Dave Cooper x4

10.17 Andy Taylor x4

10.26 Steve Aspinall x4

10.35 Dave Griffiths x4

10.44 Neale Laurent x4

10.53 Lewis Marland x4

11.02 Sam Leach x4

11.10 Paul Evans x4

11.19 Martin Prescott x4

11.28 Roy Ainsworth x4

11.37 Martin Firth x4

11.45 Paul Salt x4

11.54 Pete Dolan x4

12.03 Paul Price x4

12.12 Lee Tilley x4

12..21 Les Evans x4

12.30 Simon Poucher x4

12.39 Dave More O’Farrell x4

12.43 Tony Ainsworth x4

12.48 Peter Maher x4

12.57 Richard Blackwell x4

1.06 Steve Smith x4

1.15 Paul Gilbert x4

1.24 Pete Walters x4

1.30 Dave Smith Hale x4

1.39 Dave Hughes x4

1.48

1.57Geoff Bickerton x4

2.06Simon Ashton x4

2.15 Dave Stewardson x4

2.24

Tim Maxwell
Advanced PGA Professional
The Knutsford Golf Club
07810 887636

Maxitours at brilliant Hazel Grove

Hazel Grove was absolutely beautiful today. Sitting in the foothills of the peak district there are few better places to play golf on a sunny Autumn day.

Thanks so much to Margaret and her team -she is a legend and they raised £285 for her Charity St Annes hospice at her half way house. Thanks so much for your generosity. Maxitours players were just asked for donations towards the lovely cakes and drinks and your class shone through.

Nick also parked the cars for us as it is one of the busiest days of the year for this lovely Cheshire Club. I’ve never known a club with so many volunteers. Lovely giving people. Excellent.

Blackburn based Mick Mahon and his team had a night out enjoying the high life in Alderley Edge. They were definitely talking a bit posher than usual when they checked in this morning. Retired Blackburn doctor and tea mate Munro Donald is not daft and he had woken early and spent all morning looking around the Charity shops for some bargains. ‘There was some nice stuff but a bit too pricey for me.’ Declared the wealthy retired GP.

For some reason Alan Vaughan has convinced himself that he is a medium. He won a top a few weeks back. I tried to let him know that the large would be a better fit but he wouldn’t listen. He is currently in the changing rooms trying to get out of the top. I have let the staff know as it could be a while.

A team of four Jet 2 pilots played today. The match behind told me that their balls were crashing into trees and landing all over the place. I am going home to change my upcoming overseas flight to East Jet.
In todays event Colin Bryan had a hole in one on the extra 18B hole as his team finished in 3rd- congratulations.

Scoring was exceptionally close in the overall 2 day event and it was won by Jim Clarkes team who scored 79 points on day one and just 76 points today for a 155 total. They have no idea they are in the reckoning as most of yesterdays top teams were only playing one day. Incredibly they didn’t finish in the top seven either day, slow and steady sometimes wins the race! Graham Jacksons golf has improved since he improved his diet. He now won’t touch a mars bar until he has had a bacon sandwich. Congratulations chaps!

Nearest the pin 2nd Neale Evans Doz AD333
Nearest the pin 13th Mark Pickles Doz AD333
Nearest the pin 18th Colin Bryan Doz AD333

2’s sweep £212.50 3 Pro V1 or 8 srixon per two
Liam Rex Colin Bryan x2 Steve Blakeway Richard Palmer Richard Taylor Carr Jonty Rigby x2 Henry Petrie Vini Dave Mark Pickles Steve Rourke Sam Bagshaw x2 James Monney

Tim Maxwell
Advanced PGA Professional
The Knutsford Golf Club
07810 887636

*Another team spot just filled at the Algarvian Classic 1 on 16th January – 2 team spots left for this amazing event in the Portuguese sunshine.

Maxitours at Vale Royal

Day one of the Cheshire Classic saw us visit the superb Vale Royal Golf Club.

A gloomy start then gave way to glorious sunshine at 11.30am and as temperatures rose so did the scores.

‘That is a well designed golf course.’ Declared likeable Martin Humphries. ‘Its brilliant and getting better.’
‘Cracking golf course. It’s a real favourite of mine.’ Announced John Webb who has played all the greatest courses in the world.
I haven’t had quite so many great comments for a long time as Vale Royal was loved by all.

Ian Embury runs a tight ship and his staff were a real credit to him as we were looked after like kings throughout the day.

Scoring was tight with 4 teams on 82 points all looking forward to making their moves tomorrow.
Gary Neiles wins todays event but isn’t paying at Hazel Grove

Full report and prize breakdowns after Day 2 tomorrow. (no team can win more than 1 prize)

It is all to play for!!

Nearest the pin 10th Steve Heywood Doz AD333
Nearest the pin 16th Gary Hempstead Doz AD333

2’s Sweep £255 5 pro v1s or dozen AD333 per two
Pete Ledger Andy Taylor Ray Sims Lee Charnley Ian King Barry Wellings Chris Genders Steve Heywood John Croxford Ian Snape Dave Hughes Gary Hempstead

Tim Maxwell
Advanced PGA Professional
The Knutsford Golf Club
07810 887636

Dont miss out – incredible forecast – spaces Vale Royal on Weds and Hazel Grove on Thurs!

Dear Maxitours players, Its a long winter ahead so don’t miss out on playing at one or two of these great courses in the Autumn sunshine this week.

I have a team requiring 1 player and another pair also requiring a couple of players.

There is room for teams of 4 also.

The Algarvian Classic events are filling very nicely also – see below. The Quinta resort is voted the number one golf resort in Europe, the courses are OUTSTANDING and trip offers competitive golf this winter, outstanding value and playing with lovely people. Let me know!

07810 887636

Thanks Tim.

Tim Maxwell
Advanced PGA Professional
The Knutsford Golf Club
07810 887636

*Room for singles, pairs or teams of 4 at Vale Royal on Weds and Hazel Grove on Thursday- two class courses!!* DON’T MISS OUT!

Maxitours at charming Chorley

A brilliant day was enjoyed by all at Chorley. So many players were playing here for the first time and there was lots and lots of praise for the golf course. For any players who missed this venue -we will be back!

There was a constant stream of compliments for the Chorley greens which are a superb surface and still running at a wonderfully fast pace. The green staff should be very proud.

‘Those greens were magnificent. If you hit a good putt on the right line you couldn’t miss. Unfortunately, we are so bad we couldn’t hit it on the right line!’ Admitted honest Richard Williamson.

‘I’ve not payed here before – that’s a cracking golf course!’ Declared well-travelled Jeremy Waterhouse.

Catering was also fantastic with the bacon butties right up there with the best in the North. Thanks to PGA pro Andy Palmer for hosting us so well and being incredibly helpful.

Slim England senior player Cath Rawthore also had a great day today, not only did she play well, her husband Moby payed for her golf and but he then treated her to big cornet on the way home from Fredericks famous ice cream shop at the bottom of the golf course. ‘I don’t even like ice cream!’ She claimed whilst munching on her flake.

I shall pay my annual visit to Fredericks as soon as this report is sent.

Mick Mahon has lost a few pounds and smartened up his appearance in the past few months. He is even thinking about taking up pilates like his friend Andy Faulkner who is much more in touch with his feminine side. Micks’ neat new haircut has adversely affected his teams performances. ‘We used to be able to see the breeze direction and its strength by looking at Micks unkempt locks flowing in the wind – we have to just guess now.’ Reported a frustrated Richard Palmer

In todays event Heyrose’s Jim Meldrum(21) holed an eight iron on the par five 14th for an impressive birdie to help his team into 2nd place with 81 points. Josh Street (plus 3!), Chris Stretch(10) and Chris Chidley were his playing partners.

Phil Robinson’s likeable Wychwood team of Dave Goodwin, Lord Richard Williamson and Dave Snape returned to form as did Withingtons Andy Parrington and his Charismatic four ball including Andy Taylor, Andy Strickley and Ted Lacey. They all scored 81 points to narrowly miss out.

Paul Rudkin from Old Worsley Golf Club and his team of Craig Gorton(11), Mike Lomax (17)and Graham Butler(9) were delighted to win with just 83 points.

‘We love playing Maxitours, another great course and I can’t believe we won with just 83 points in perfect conditions!’ What a great tour with brilliant like minded golfers!’ Thanks Paul. Glad you had a great day.

Thanks so much for playing with such integrity and supporting the host club. We just keep getting positive comments from everywhere we play.

Yours in golf, Tim

Nearest the Pin 7th Jim Doran Doz AD333

Nearest the Pin 16th Mike Binden Doz AD333

2’s sweep £187.50 4 pro v1s or 9 srixon AD333 per two

Josh Street Jim Meldrum Malc Kendrick Chris Chidley Andy Parrington Andy Corner Liam Pilkington Dave Carter Jim Doran Mike Binden Alison Shipstone Ian Snape Nigel Edwards

Vale Royal start sheet Weds 18th September

8.28 David Wilkinson x4

8.38 Simon Hemsley x4

8.46 Jim Caldwell x4

8.54 Colin Roberts x4

9.04 Gary Smith x4

9.15 Paul Fell x4

9.24 Dave Buckley x4

10.30 Martin Humphries x4

10.39 Dave Cooper x4

10.47 Andy Taylor x4

10.57 Steve Aspinall x4

11.04 Mick Mahon x4

11.13 Neale Laurent x4

11.22 Lewis Marland x4

11.31 Paul Gilbert x4

11.40 Sam Leach x4

11,49 John Gleave x4

11.58 Jim Clarke x4

12.06 Kev Hart x4

12.15 Tim Spencer x4

12.24 Paul Salt x4

12.33 Steve Heywood x4

12.42 Paul Price x4

12.51 Dave More O’Farrell x4

1.00Peter Maher x2 Ian Snape x1

1.08 Lee Tilley x4

1.17

1.26 David Hughes x4

1.35 Gary Neiles x4

1.44

1.53 Peter Fildes x4

2.02 Paul Browne x4

2.11

2.20 Geoff Bickerton x4

2.29 Steve Baldwin x4

2.38 Garry Owen x4

2.47 Dave Hillier x4

2.55

3.04

Hazel Grove start sheet

Thursday 19th September

9.30 Colin Roberts x4

9.39 Jim Caldwell x4

9.48 Dave Goodwin x4

9.57 Ed Pysden x4

10.06

10.14 Paul Fell x4

10.23 Martin Humphries x4

10.31 John Hudson x4

10.40 Andy Taylor x4

10.48

10.57 Mick Mahon x4

11.06 Neale Laurent x4

11.15 Lewis Marland x4

11.24

11.33 Jim Clarke x4

11.42 Sam Leach x4

11.51

12.00 Kev Hart x4

12.18 Paul Salt x4

12.27 Dave Hughes x4

12.36 Paul Price x4

12.45 Paul Gilbert x4

12.54 John Gleave x4

1.03

1.12 Dave More O’Farrell x4

1.21 Peter Maher x2 Ian Snape x1

1.30Richard Blackwell x4

1.39

1.48 Ian Reece x4

1.57 Steve Saunders x4

2.06 Jack Coleman x4

2.15 Geoff Bickerton x4

2.24Nathan Mills x4

2.32 Simon Ashton x4

2.40 Andrew Hill x4

Tim Maxwell
Advanced PGA Professional
The Knutsford Golf Club
07810 887636