Maxitours at wonderfully dry Warrington

Maxitours players missed huge big bullet today as everyone completed their round in warm, dry conditions before the latest Winter storm hit the North West.

The golf course was one of very few open in Cheshire and it was in superb condition. The new green keeper is developing a fine reputation and the course continues to improve year upon year.

Catering manager ‘Ange’ is a bundle of energy and can never do enough for me or my players – she is a cracker. Thanks for all your work Ange.

I get a great view of the 18th green during the day and enjoy watching my players tackle the impressive 18th green. I started wearing glasses a couple of years ago so when I saw a player who looked like Steve Foxcroft roll in a gorgeous right to left twenty foot put I had to put them on just to make sure it was in fact the likeable Knutsford man. Sure enough, the dodgy bobble hat, beaming smile and look of utter disbelief on his face confirmed it was Foxy.

As well as Steve Foxcroft I also have some good players playing each week. Cheshire Senior Steve Blakeway is still playing off two. He has very well-educated hands and he hit a wonderful spinning greenside wedge shot next to the flag on the 18th. Impressive. The ball settled quicker than Prince Andrews legal team.

Retired headmaster Nigel Ashton treated himself to a lovely BMW sporty 7 series when he retired on his huge pension. He is always first to arrive as he likes to park in the quietest corner of the car park as he is terrified that it might get dinted. He was given a first tee start today as he is a nice bloke and plays each week. The walk from his car to the clubhouse was further than his walk to the first tee today.

The wind picked up throughout the day so scoring was tough however the excellent greens and shorter course led to some very good performances.

Paul Yates recorded a hole in one (dozen balls) after hitting the fence on the 16th -his ball shot across the green before disappearing in the cup!

Normal service was resumed for the Les Russon team who welcomed back Simon Burgess and finished near the bottom of the field with a paltry 75 points

Scoring at the top of the leaderboard was the closest in Maxitours history with three teams sharing 5th place on 85 points and four teams sharing first place with 86 points !

Richard Blackwell’s team had a wonderful front nine but a poor finish saw them take 4th place.

Mick Mahon has a zoology degree from Oxford and his team of john Farnsworth, Richard Palmer and Dave Westwood played like lions today to score their 86 points.

Cheshire senior Captain Gareth Bradley, Simon Hemsley Joe Kirwan and Ian King didn’t drop a shot all day in their 86 and they took 2nd.

Taking first place was Martin Humphries , Paul Webb, Rob Marsh and ‘pocket rocket’ Joyce Larkin. Veteran Joyce(17) sounds like a character on a Sunday night BBC drama but there was no drama in her game today as she played terrific golf to help her team take 1st place with 46 points in the back nine.

Great golf chaps and chapess.

Thanks to everyone for your 100% attendance I’m sure you had a great day

Tim

2’s £145 3 pro v1s or 8 AD333s sweep

Paul McDermott Colin Bryan Paul Fell Dan Brady Paul Webb Neil Worthington Nick Cook Paul Fell Colin Bryan Graham Jackson Roger Percival Ed Wilkinson

Nearest the Pin 9th Les Penson Doz AD333

Nearesy the pin 13th Neil Worthington Doz AD333

Eaton start sheet

Thursday 24th Feb 11am shotgun

Bacon butties available from 9.15am

1a Paul Fell x4

1b Martin Humphries x4

2 Kev Hart x4

3a Gary Neiles x4

3b Dave Monk x4

4 Neale Laurent x4

5a Lewis Marland x4

5b Ian Hellens x4

6 Roger Percival x4

7a Richard Blackwellx4

7bLes Russon x4

8a Steve Marsh x4

8b Lee Tilley x4

9 Dave Goodwin x4

10a Simon Hemsley x4

10b Colin Roberts x4

11 Jim Caldwell x4

12a Dave Sully x4

12b Dave Blood x4

13 Jim Clarke x4

14a Peter Roche x4

14b Peter Roche x4

15 Simon Ashton x4

Bob Sutton x4

16a Bob Eastwood x4

16b Ed Pysden x4

17 Steve Aspinall x4

18a Mick Mahon x4

18b John Hunt x4

res

Garry Owen x4

Andy Buckley x4

Maxitours at marvellous North Wales

Nearly 100 Maxitours competitors went home with mud free trousers after enjoying themselves on this classic North Wales links.

Jamie Bradbury and his friendly catering staff are world class. It was worth the 70 minute car journey to Wales just to taste the home made chips and chocolate brownies alone.

As I sat munching away looking at the sun drenched golf course, the breeze picked up and soon Lee Tilleys flowing hair and the North Wales flags were all flapping madly with the stiff sea breeze.

Jonny Barton enjoys these windy conditions. He has no idea where his golf shots are heading on a still day but last week in the gales at Crosland Heath he won his first ever nearest the pin when the wind miraculously diverted his wayward ball towards the flag . He was at it again today playing some great shots on the back nine when the straighter hitters were all struggling.

Pete Myers was playing and he told me that there were only two holes playing downwind. Not too sure about that one Peter.

If a golfer can still play his best whilst under intense pressure it is a sign of a class swing and real mental toughness. Duncan Cameron teed off on the 15th hole in front of about 20 golfers closely watching from the nearby clubhouse. He took a divot with his driver and his ball disappeared. It was then was seen rattling around the carpark twenty yards to the right of the tee.

Congratulations to Nick Hargreaves who recorded a hole in one on the 16th. The millionaire showed his business acumen when he did a quick runner and swerved the packed bar area.

In todays event Andy Strickley wished he had gone dancing today as his team finished 2nd from bottom.

Third place went to Mottram Halls charismatic Richard Blackwell and his team with 83 points they took the card play off with an excellent closing 6 holes.

Last weeks’ shock winners were at it again and led for much of the day with 84 points. Rob Kenyon is playing the golf of his life. Les Russon, Steve Merricks and Gary Whittaker completed the team. Normal service should be resumed next week when regular player Simon Burgess returns from holiday to drag the team down.

Winning their first ever Maxitours event was the Birchwood team of Dave Monk(14) Simon Wilkinson(6) Barry Wilson(12) eighty year old nice guy John Lynsky (13) . These lovely blokes normally go home empty handed but Lynskys birdie on stroke index 1 eleventh really got them charging. Even Simon Wilkinson played well.

Great win chaps I am delighted for you.

Yours in windy golf,

Tim

Nearest the pin 16th Martin Humphries Dozen Wilson Duo

Nearest the pin 17th Jim Cox Dozen Wilson Duo

2’s sweep £145 3 pro v1 or 7 srixon AD333 per two

Martin Humphries Neale Laurent John Harrop Graham Wilkinson Nick Hargreavesx2 Dave Griffiths Janet Wakefield

Warrington Golf Club

Weds 16th Feb 11am shotgun

1a Mick Mahon x4

1b Paul Fell x4

2a Martin Humphries x4

2b Kev Hart x4

3 Gary Neiles x4

4b Neale Laurent x4

5a Lewis Marland x4

5b Ian Hellens x4

6 Roger Percival x4

7a Richard Blackwellx4

7b Les Russon x4

8a Steve Marsh x4

8b Lee Tilley x4

9 Sam Leach x4

10a Simon Hemsley x4

10b Colin Roberts x4

11a Jim Caldwell x4

11b Peter Roche x4 tbc

12 Dave Blood x4

13 Jim Clarke x4

14a Steve Aspinall x4

14b John Hunt x4

15a Steve Lamont x4

15b John Hilditch x4

16 Dave Monk x4

17a Rob Weston x4

17b Bob Pickthall x4

18a Dave Goodwin x4

18b Roy Ainsworth x4

res

Chris Adams x4

Stuart Smith x4

Danny Holbrook x4

Room for 2 team sat North Wales next week- the course and greens are excellent.

Maxitours at blustery Crosland Heath

That was a windy day.
I knew it was going to be a challenge when I drove past the Saddleworth reservoirs on the M62 and saw a couple of guys surfing.
As I put out the nearest the pins this morning and my glasses blew off my face.

The well drained course was designed by Dr Alastair Mackenzie and is another one of his masterpieces. All the staff at this lovely club were friendly and showed us typical Northern hospitality of the highest standard.
The talented Maxitours ball strikers and also Mike George ‘Really enjoyed that test.’
‘I loved the course but it was tough out there. It was a bit like eating a really hot chilli – hard work but a real sense of achievement when you finish.’ Added Mark Morris.
‘Thats a great course – when are we coming back? Begged Andrew Cox.

At the height of the gusts Dave Rhodes new Motocaddy trolley and huge tour bag were lifted into the air and blew away. Millionaire Rhodes then put his wallet in his bag -problem solved.

I was a player short this morning and asked a couple of members if they could play.
‘By eck id luv to but I’ve got t’ earn some brass.’ We were definitely visiting in Yorkshire.

Dave Monk normally visits a few bunkers when he plays but today he hit a new low when it was his trolley that kept finding the sand. He did manage to get it out first time which surprised everyone.

Scoring was possibly the lowest in Maxitours history.
Dave Goodwin who normally only smiles when he has wind was actually smiling in the clubhouse after his team finished in 3rd place. A great effort saw attractive Sarah Ormrod, Dave Greenwood and Pete Fotheringham all contributing well.

The hardy Saddleworth team of Nick Curry, Alan Entwistle, Alan Squires and Andy Dunster are used to breezy conditions and they played excellent golf to take 2nd place with 77 points.

Steve Merricks has been told by old Bramhall pro Richard Green that he is the best putter in the club. His team disagreed when Steve missed a ten inch putt early in his round. They then all knuckled down to take a terrific two shot victory. Les Russon, Rob Kenyon and Rob Harris completed the likeable quartet. These lads love a pint and were last to leave the clubhouse yet again.
‘We like waiting for the traffic to die down.’ Slurred Kenyon.

Thanks to everyone for your support and attendance, Brilliant.

Tim

£177.50 7 pro v1s or 16 srixon AD333
Andy Dunster
Peter Veitch
Stan Devlin
Ian Venables
Andrew Cox
Brian Greenbank
Sarah Ormrod

Nearest the pin 2nd Nigel Ashton Dozen Wilson Duo
Neatest the pin 17th Ian Venables Dozen Wilson Duo

North Wales start times
Thursday 10th February
8.50
9.00 Simon Hemsley x4
9.09 Colin Roberts x4
9.18 Jim Caldwell x4
9.27 Dave Blood x4
9.36 Simon Poucher x4
9.45 Paul Browne x4
9.54 Dave Goodwin x4
10.03 Sam Leach x4
10.12 John Hunt x4
10.21 Mick Mahon x4
10.30 Paul Fell x4
10.39 Martin Humphries x4
10.48 Dave Sully x4
10.57 Neale Laurent x4
11.06 Kev Hart x4
11.15 Ian Hellens x4
11.24 Steve Aspinall x4
11.33 Richard Blackwell x4
11.42 Les Russon x4
11.50 Roy Ainswirth x4
11.57 DaveMonk x4
12.06 Andy Taylor x4
12.15 Chris Adams x4
12.24 Rob Harris x4
12.33 Dave Griffiths x4
12.42
12.51Lee Tilley x4
1.00 Steve Marsh x4
1.10

*Please note Llangollen is now Monday 11th April not bank holiday Friday 15th as advertised- let me know asap if you can’t make that new date

Maxitours at fabulous Fairhaven

There was not a breath of wind on the beautiful Fairhaven links this afternoon. The golf course is a cracker and the refurbished Clubhouse is now also five star standard. It is a real pleasure to visit this friendly part of Lancashire. Thanks to all the super catering staff for their hard work.

The greens are excellent throughout the year at Fairhaven and today was no exception.

‘They were terrific, so fast and true.’ Declared Richard Blackwell

‘ That was fantastic, I’ve never putted so well in my life!’ Announced modest Paul Salt.

It was a lovely day but there was a real chill in the air and well over half the field were wearing winter hats. John Farnsworth is 6 ft 4’ and quite a lean bloke. If you have ever played with him you will know that he has a slightly wild swing which can lead to a few wayward shots. He always plays better in the winter and was on the card lots today because when he wears so many layers his swing becomes shorter and less complicated.

John Harrop is the exact opposite. He has a short swing at the best of times and practices in a telephone box. He also had 10 layers on. He is desperate to lengthen his backswing and was delighted to swing the club past his right kneecap when he loosened up after a few holes.

Simon Poucher is a really great bloke. He loves golf even more than I do. He enjoys Fairhaven as there is very little water on this particular course. He recently played in Turkey with me and earned the nickname ‘Aquaman’ after his ball was lost in the water ‘more than once’. Today he hit a new low when he lost his scorecard in the rough after yet another wayward shot.

Scoring was excellent today with all players enjoying the superb greens.

Richard Blackwell and his likeable Mottram Hall team found some form at last to finish in 3rd place.

Romiley’s ex Captain and ex copper Dave Blood has played every event this winter without any success but he was delighted to record a second place finish alongside his good pals Andy Sandham, Jimmy Cox and Ian Smith. Excellent.

Taking the honours and moving up the order of merit was Worsleys Paul Kearsley, quietly spoken Kev Hart, Ted Mansfield and last minute stand in Tony Taylor.

Tony lives in Goostrey which is famous for its strange locals and their gooseberry competitions. He had never met the Salford trio before today but he was no gooseberry today as they all really gelled.

Thanks to all layers for your 100% attendance once again,

Yours in golf, Tim

Nearest the pin 10th Jim Kenyon 4ft (let me know if you beat that) Doz Wilson Duo

Nearest the pin 17th Richard Palmer 5ft Doz Wilson Duo

2’s sweep £125 3 prov 1 each or 7 srixon

Le Tilley Josh Steet x3 (class) Paul Salt Joe Stanley x2 Jim Kenyon Jason Atherton Dave Parry Leighton Williams Henry Petrie

Start times at Crosland Heath

Tuesday 1st February 12pm Shotgun

(mats on fairways – greens excellent)

1a Colin Roberts x4

1b Jim Caldwell x4

2 Dave Sully x4

3a Dave Blood x4

3b Martin Keates x4

4a Steve Aspinall x4

4b John Hunt x4

5a Mick Mahon x4

5b Paul Fell x4-

6 Martin Humphries x4

7a Kev Hart x4

7b Neale Laurent x4

8 Lewis Marland x4

9a Ian Hellens x4

9b Marc Morris x4

10a Richard Blackwellx4

10b Les Russon x4 –

11 Steve Marsh x4

12a Lee Tilley x4

12b Dave Goodwin x4

13 Andy Dunster x4

14a Andrew Cox x4

14b Paul Gilbert x4

15 Martin Bramwell x4

16a Dave Monk x4

16b Ed Pysden x4

17 Mike George x4

18a Roy Ainsworth x4

18b Jim Rymer x4

Res Chris Adams

Jim Lindsay

Mike Hill

Garry Owen

Paul Browne

Neil Edwards

Rob Platts x4

Maxitours at Vale Royal

Blue skies, a few fluffy clouds, a superb Clubhouse and a very high quality golf course brought back memories of Portugal. The chilly breeze reminded us that we are very much still in Cheshire in January.

Vale Royal rarely closes due to the sandy subsoil and well-built greens. There was never any danger that this gem would be closed today. The course continues to improve and is always enjoyable to play 12 months of the year.

Scoring was exceptionally close.
Three teams shared second place with 85 points. Cheshire senior Captain Gareth Bradley (+3), Ian King (5) fresh from his training week in Portugal, Joe Kirwan (7) and John Owen were 4th after the card play off.

The Bramall team of Les Russon, Simon Burgess, Steve Merricks and Rob Kenyon scored 47 on the back nine but finished 3rd after talkative Dave McDougall and his team matched them.

Landscaper Dave is a great bloke and did some work in my garden. I was shocked at his work rate. He is nearly 70 and was shovelling for 6 hours. I nearly dropped my newspaper. His fitness showed on the back nine as he picked up some valuable three pointers. Heswall’s retired solicitor Jim Rymer, Mike Dempsey and Pete Newey both from Fixby completed the second placed team.

Taking 1st place was the Alsager team of old Bob Sinclair(17), famous Staffordshire cricket umpire Dave Marchant(17), Ross Birch(9) and Charles Herbert(17).

These guys were teamed up last night after a couple of drop outs and a blend of youth and experience saw them home . Well played chaps.

Shock of the day was Jonny Barton winning nearest the pin.

Thanks to everyone for playing – I hope you had a great day.
Tim

Nearest the pin 10th Jonny Barton Dozen Wilson Duo
Nearest the pin 16th Simon Walton Dozen Wilson Duo
2’s sweep
£145 9 pro v1 or 21 srixon AD333 per 2
Sam Leach Jonny Barton John Hilditch Josh Street

Fairhaven Start sheet
11am shotgun Tues 25th Jan
1a Mick Mahon x4
1b Steve Aspinall x4
2 John Hunt x4
3a Paul Fell x4
4a Martin Humphries x4
4b Kev Hart x4
5 Neale Laurent x4
6 Ian Hellens x4
7 Roger Percival x4
8a Richard Blackwellx4
8b Les Russon x4
9a Lewis Marland x4
9b Steve Marsh x4
10 Colin Roberts x4
11a Chris Adams x4
11b Dave Blood x4
12a Simon Hemsley

13 Ed Pysden x4
13b Adam Carolan x4
16a Dave Monk x4
17 Lee Tilley x4
18 Dave Goodwin x4
18b Simon Poucher x4
res
Jimmy McEwan x4i
Garry Owen x4
Neil Edwards x4
Neil Drummond x4
Jules Hardiman x4
Dave Monk x4