******Spaces at terrific Preston next week – A MUST PLAY COURSE*****
Maxitours at Classy Knutsford

Knutsford is rated by many as the best nine-hole golf course in the North and it more than lived up to its reputation today.
The terrific green keeping team which is led by knowledgeable Dave Jones hand cut and ironed the greens and the new bunkering on three holes has raised the course to a new level.
Clubhouse manager Steve Barker aka ‘Mr Hospitalty’ is a friendly and professional face and gave our players a very warm welcome indeed.

Nigel Ashton loves golfing at Knutsford and he has the added advantage of not caring how he plays as he loves plane spotting and is more interested in the planes than his golf. This is fortunate as Nigel was well down the leader board once again.
There were 4 Cheshire Senior golfers out there today. Joe Kirwan, Gareth Bradley, Les Evans and Dave Nelson. I had a phone call from the Cheshire senior Captain Bradley in the middle of the day so I thought there may be a serious ruling or incident on the course.
‘Have you got any doughnuts for us?’ Asked the portly Bramhall star.

Taking second place today was home player Tim Anderson. The quiet but likeable Knutsford man came home in just six over par to earn his first Maxitours podium finish.
Leading the way was Simon Burgess from Bramhall with a tremendous 43 points. He plays every week and has won the grand total of two caps. His Team have won twice but both times Simon was on holiday. It was Simon’s day today.
The singles event at Knutsford is always the final event of the Winter season and the Xentum Order of Merit was up for grabs. It was pretty much a two-way battle between two good friends from Bramhall – Steve Merricks and Rob Kenyon. Rob won the day by a single shot with a very solid 38 points. Well played Rob – final order of merit released tomorrow.

Thanks to every one for your tremendous support and integrity throughout the winter months. It is a real pleasure working for you all.
Tim

Nearest the Pin 3rd Steve Merricks Dozen AD333
Nearest the pin 14th Dave Keen Dozen AD333

There were 5 2’s today – only 1 in the sweep though!
2’s £52.50
Munro Donald

Preston start sheet
Friday 6th May

9.30 Simon Hemsley x4
9.39 Colin Roberts x4.
9.48 Steve Hall x4
9.57 Bob Eastwood x4
10.06 Dave Buckley x4
10.15 Dave Goodwin x4
10.24 Paul Fell x4.
10.33 Martin Humphries x4.
10,42 Simon Ashton x4
10.51 Neil Laurent x4
11.00 Lewis Marland x4
11.09 Steve Aspinall x4
11.18 Mick Mahon x4
11.27 Dave Monk x4
11.36 Nigel Jenkins x4
11.45 Gary Phillips x4
11.54 John Hunt x4
1.00 Mike George x4
1.09 Lee Tilley x4 x4
1.18 Dave Griffiths x4
1.27
1.36 Dave Hillier x4
1.45 Gav Sutcliffe x4
1.54 Ian Hellens x4
2.03 Gary Leek tbc
2.12
2.21 Simon Poucher x4
2.30 Dave Sully x4
2.39 Dave Stewardson x4
2.48 Andy Taylor x4
2.57 Jimmy McEwan x4
3.06 Nigel Uttley x4 tbc
3.15 Graham Pike x4
3.27 Steve Marsh x4

Knutsford Golf Club – home of the Cheshire PGA Championship

singles this Thursday – spaces available

Maxitours at beautiful Bramhall

Bramhall golf club looked in terrific condition as I drove through the entrance gates morning. From the clubhouse you look across a sea of stunning greenery, it is hard to believe you are just a couple of miles from the centre of Stockport.

Everyone at this great Club made us feel very welcome – Damon and his bar staff are probably the most professional and friendliest bunch I deal with all year – they really are something special.

The golf course is a favourite of mine and is also pretty special.

‘What a lovely course!’ Declared Fixby’s Mike Dempsey.

‘That was in great nick.’ Announced Alsager’s Colin Roberts.

‘That was absolutely brilliant out there!’ Was Graham Wrights assessment.

.

It was also lovely to get a comment at the end of a long day from a respected Bramhall member -Dave Crossgrove. He came to my desk after playing behind the last group reporting that he hasn’t seen a single pitch mark all day – thanks to all my Maxitours players your respect makes my job so easy and enjoyable.

Bramall is such a nice Club even their respected Captain Peter Thompson played today and to make all our players feel good about themselves he decided to finish last – what a lovely gesture, class.

Seventy year old Roy Ainsworth is no stranger to finding trouble on the golf course but today he reached a new low when he found trouble even before he teed off. His buggy got stuck on the way to the first tee and he needed assistance to help him make his tee time.

Scoring was tough on the well-designed Bramhall links. Firm and very fast greens meant putting was difficult.

Lancastrian Mick Mahan(18) and his team of Munro Donald(14), John Farnsworth(19) and Andy Faulkner(12) are lovely guys and they travel from north Blackburn to play each week. John Farnsworths golf has taken off since his wife sacked him from working behind the counter at their family run butchers shop. Apparently, John was too grumpy. He was in a good mood today after some great play saw a third place finish.

Rhodri Giggs took time off from making his ‘paddy power’ adverts to focus on his golf and the talented 6 handicapper scored well for his team as they took 2nd place . Colin Tichias((13), Mark Foley(7) and Karl Marginson(8) made up the Davyhulme quartet .

Leading the way was the home team of Les Russon(10) , Rob Kenyon(14), Steve Merricks(5) and Mike Priestley(15). Rob Kenyon actually believes he is a good golfer now and his performances in the last two months have been at an all-time high. He recorded six three pointers in a solid round of golf. The team scored 88 points to win by 4 shots. Brilliant golf.

Thanks to everyone for your support today, Tim.

Nearest the pin 3rd Dozen Ad333

Nearest the pin 14th Dozen Ad333

2’s sweep £200 10 srixons or 4 pro v1s

Colin Bryan Josh Street John Bradbury Tony Inesly Gary Hornby John Harrop Gary Butler Martin Bray Jim Hodges Mike Pigott Pete Newey Koos Alders Gav Clarkson

Preston start sheet

Friday 6th May

9.30 Simon Hemsley x4

9.39 Colin Roberts x4.

9.48 Steve Hall x4

9.57 Bob Eastwood x4

10.06 Dave Buckley x4

10.15 Dave Goodwin x4

10.24 Paul Fell x4.

10.33 Martin Humphries x4.

10,42 Simon Ashton x4

10.51 Neil Laurent x4

11.00 Lewis Marland x4

11.09 Steve Aspinall x4

11.18 Mick Mahon x4

11.27 Dave Monk x4

11.36 Nigel Jenkins x4

11.45 Gary Phillips x4

11.54 John Hunt x4

1.00 Mike George x4

1.09 Lee Tilley x4 x4

1.18 Dave Sully x4

1.27 Roger Percival x4

1.36 Dave Hillier x4

1.45 Gav Sutcliffe x4

1.54 Ian Hellens x4

2.03 Jack Coleman x4

2.12 Paul Cooper x4

2.21 Simon Poucher x4

2.30 Dave Griffiths x4 early

2.39 Richard Blackwell x4

2.48 Andy Taylor x4

2.57 Jimmy McEwan x4

3.06 Nigel Uttley x4 tbc

3.15 Graham Pike x4

3.27 Steve Marsh x4

Thursdays Knutsford start sheet (28th April)

9.09 Simon Hemsley x4

9.18 Colin Roberts x 4

9.27 Dave Goodwin x2 Des Kelly x1 Peter Maher x1

9.36 Jim Rymer x4

9.45 Peter Dolan x4

10.00 Les Evans x4

12.50 Mick Mahon x4

1.00 Paul Fell x4

1.09 Martin Humphries x4

1.18 Les Russon x4

1.27 Neale Laurent x4

1.36 Ian Hellens x4

1.45 Roger Percival x4

1.54 Richard Blackwellx4

2.03 Steve Marsh x4

2.12 Andy Buckley x4

Room at the following terrific events

Bramall this Monday -25th April

Knutsford 28th April – Singles event room for individuals to enter

Preston 6th May

Romiley 24th May

Hazel Grove 16th June

Maxitours at sunny Helsby

The best morning of the year greeted our Maxitours competitors at Helsby today.

There was a sweet smell of freshly cut grass, the oak trees were coming into full leaf and there was a gentle buzzing of the green keepers lawn mower. Spring had most definitely arrived. The course was excellent for so early in the season and is a firm favourite with all my players.

The catering and hospitality was also first class.

Spring signals the return of the worst ever golfer in Maxitours history. Stuart Hibbert (handicap 34.5 and rising like a Mary Berry Cake) always makes his first appearance of the season at Helsby. He did manage to win his first prize for ten years at his home golf course last December – in the pro’s raffle. Stuart was back at it today coming in a meagre three times in eighteen holes. His team are thinking about buying him a canoe so he can go missing for a few years.

Charismatic Dave Carlile hit a great shot into the 18th but his ball rolled 30 feet past the flag and finished near the back of the green. He had a couple of pints in the bar and then told me that he would have won nearest the pin if the flag was at the back of the green.

You can’t argue with that.

Some teams are more easily pleased than others. Chris Chidley and his men were rock bottom last week but this week he was much chirpier when he handed his card in early in the day – ‘We were great today – 69 points – that’s a five percent improvement on last week. Where are we lying?’

‘Last.’

The scoring was tough as players found it tough to hold the firm, fast greens.

Richard Blackwell’s(11) team took 3rd on a card play off with 83 points. Roy Rotherham(11) Kurt Kershaw(15) and Tony Neill(17) were his team mates.

Birchwood’s Simon Wilkinson(8), John Lynsky(14), Neil Bibby11) and Barry Wilson(9) had a great day. Wilkinson had a career best with a superb 4 birdies on the bounce from the 8th -11th. John Linsky then holed out for an excellent two on the tough 18th and told me off when he handed his card in as I hadn’t witnessed it as I was busy talking nonsense in the clubhouse.

Taking first place were the Onersley/Newcastle quartet of Gary Leek(14), Steve Smith(9) , Stuart Smith(6) and Malcolm Bates(15) with a terrific 87 points. The highlight was Garys eagle on the par 4 12th hole. Well played chaps.

Thanks to everyone for your 100% attendance.

Tim

Nearest the Pin 11th Simon Wilkinson Doz AD333

Neaest the Pin 18th Jonny Barton Doz AD333

2’s sweep £195 6 pro V1s or 15 ad333

John Farnsworth Peter Griggs x2 Eddie Green Gavin Locke Simon Wilkinson x2 John Lynsky Gary Leek

Maxitours at Bramall on Monday (25th April)

9.00 Simon Hemsley x4

9.09 Colin Roberts x4

9.18 Jim Caldwell x4

9.27 Paul Gilbert x4

9.36 Lewis Marland x4

9.36 Ed Pysden x4

9.54 Paul Fell x4

10.03 Neale Laurent x4

10.12 Steve Aspinall x4

10.21 Gary Phillips x4

10.30 Dave Goodwin x4

10.39 Mick Mahon x4

10.48 Dave Sully x4

10.57

11.06 Jim Lindsay x4

11.15 Sam Leach x4

11.24 Ian Hellens x4

11.33 Chris Adams x4

11.42 Jim Clarke x4

11.51 Les Russon x4

12,00 Andrew Cox x4

12.09 Roy Ainsworth x4

12.18 Dave Monk x4

12.27 Martin Bramwell x4

12.36 Richard Blackwell x4

12.45 Brendan Poynts

12.54 Mike George x4

1.03 Steve Marsh x4

1.12 Carl Marginson x4

1.20 Gary Neiles x4

1.29 Martin Williams x4

1.38 Paul Higgs x4

1.45 Jim Rymer x4

1.56 Paul Wrigley x4

2.05 Peter Maher x4

2.13 John Hilditch x3 Tony Taylor x1

2.22

2.31 David Smith x4

2.40 Steve Parle x4

2 team spaces at Helsby available – next Thursday 21st April
Maxitours at lovely Llangollen

A wonderful day was enjoyed by all Maxitours players in deepest North Wales today. This is possibly the most beautiful setting of the year and as the sun came out late in the day the course looked a real treat.
Thanks to Llangollen for hosting the event and congratulations to their new course manager Rob Lydon who is working hard and improving the course day by day.

Conditions were very pleasant for maxitours competitors as temperatures soared and returned to expected Spring time levels. First thing this morning however it was chilly for the very early starters. John Pratt is always positive and he said it would be warmer when he got on the course in the shelter of the welsh valley, even warmer in the rough and warmer still when he hit his ball in the trees. I like your thinking John.

Cameron Smith came to grief on the famous 12th at Augusta yesterday and Dave Buckley also came to grief in the water on the Llangollen signature hole -the par three 18th . For those of you who haven’t played at Langollen the water is less than a 40 yard carry from the tee. And it was downwind. Dave felt the pressure.

We had Championship linesman Phil Dermott and his referee team playing today. Premier league Jarrod Gillette’s iron play was razor sharp and he took neatest the pin on the 18th.

Scoring was low as the well-designed Llangollen course got the better of many players.
John Hilditch’s team were the surprise package taking 4th place early in the day.
Third place went to the ‘clay heads ‘ from the potteries. Gary Leek, Paul Leek, Steve Smith and Stuart Smith – members at Newcastle under lyme.

Steve Aspinall from Birchwood has been threatening to play well for the last few months and he finally got on the podium with an excellent 80 points, Colin Berry, Graham Wilkinson and John Fitzsimmons were the others in the likeable quartet.

Taking first place after a barren Winter was Jim Clarke(9), Graham Jackson(9), Pete Ledger(15) and Anthony Wilson(8).

‘Graham was excellent, Pete chipped in twice, I played great but Anthony has not had the best round of his life. In fact he was hopeless.’ Explained Team Captain Jim.

Well played guys, thanks to everyone I am sure you had a great day out there!

Tim
Nearest the Pin 14th Dozen Srixon
Nearest the pin 18th Jarrod Gillette Dozen Srixon

2’s £217.50 6 pro v1s 14 srixon AD333
George Kerr Tom Henry Greg Lewis Richard Williamson Dave McGuiness Brendan Lieghton Mike Hill Simon Hartland Paul Leek Charlie Watts

Maxitours at superb Stockport.

Is this the best club in Cheshire? Possibly.

I love this place and the golf course was in absolutely tremendous condition for todays’ event – the
head greenkeeper is right at the top of his game. Famous stewards Sue and Paul are the best for miles around and Rob behind the bar always goes above and beyond. Thankyou Stockport.

I think that there is something strange in the water at Stockport. My players were acting crazily all day…
Nick Ford lost his car keys (found in toilets) Martin Oldfield lost his phone (found in the middle of the fairway). Mike Lythgoe was driving round in circles in the Car park ‘Can you tell me where the exit is?’ Best of all Gary Neiles asked me: ‘Where is the half-way house.’

The registration desk was in the upstairs bar which was at the top of a steep staircase. Just a word of advice for chunky Steve Aspinall: never do a charity climb up Mount Kilimanjaro. Steve’s team mate arrived 5 mins after him and asked if I knew where he was. I told him to follow the heavy breathing coming from the bar area.

Hale’s Martin Oldfield is a successful actor and has appeared on your screens in many dramas. He is always getting royalty cheques through the post. He needs to spend one of the on a new set of waterproofs – or a packet of persil at the very least. When my dog ‘Snoopy’ gets wet he smells bad and we don’t let him in the front room- he had nothing on Martin waterproofs today.

The gentle passing shower (which took all day to pass) meant the course was playing longer than usual and scoring was tough.

Rich Prestbury bankers Chris Adams(11), Nick Hargreaves(11), Andy Oakes(8) and Gary Butler(10) took 3rd place narrowly losing out to less wealthy but more talented Dave Blood(5), Jim Cox(5) Ian George(6) and Jack Meredith(5) from Romiley.

Bramhall GC is only a stones throw from Stockport and four of their members took first place today. Steve Merricks(5) had a day out and shot 1 under himself, Chris Grine(13) was class , Steve Rosier (14) and Rob Kenyon (14) also chipped in well as their 85 points won by two. Well played chaps, really excellent.

Thanks to everyone for your 100% attendance,
Another great day and I managed to stay dry.
Tim.

2’s sweep £250 6 pro v1 or 15 srixon each
Chris Brown Les Evans Nigel Haynes Neil Ritche Carl Margison Paul Yearsley Norrie Erwin Josh Street Damon Lawrenson Pete Flowers Darren Booth

Nearest the pin 16th Darren Whittaker Doz AD333
Nearest the pin 18th Nick Hargreaves Doz AD333