Maxitours at marvellous Mottram Hall

The warm Autumn weather continued to bless Maxitours players at Mottram Hall today.
The greens here are always superb in the winter and the front nine holes are among the driest in Cheshire. The green keeper prepared the course magnificently and his team have kindly been leaf blowing for the last three days to help us get round without too much ball searching.
‘I’ve played here on and off over the last thirty years but I have to say those greens are the best they have ever been. Mint!’ Declared Dave Blood.

I really enjoyed working here for 15 years before taking up my role at Knutsford Golf Club in 2006. The members were great with me and I will always appreciate their support when I was trying to play full time. It was also great for a young lad to work in a busy golf club with plenty going on. My favourite moment was when I was cashing up one evening and Norman Wisdom walked in the shop and pretended to trip over one of the golf bags to make me smile. Classic.

Romantic John Farnsworth was moaning about the Christmas trees on display in the clubhouse in NOVEMBER. I asked him if he would be buying his best friends and team mates a Christmas present this year. ‘I won’t be buying my wife a present, never mind this lot.’

Gary Owen and his Denton team took 3rd place with 82 points, Jim Clarke and his team continued their revival with 2nd place on 83 points. They were narrowly beaten by a better back nine from home players Richard Blackwell, John Hilton. Tony Jennison and Chris Marshall.
Well played everyone I hope you had a great day. (I’m off to a parents evening so report slightly shortened)
Tim

Nearest the pin 3rd Rob James Doz Wilson Duo
Nearest the pin 7th Dave Goodwin Doz Wilson Duo

2’s sweep £155 4 prov or 9 srixon
Richard Wakefield Colin Berry Pete Ledger Ed Wilkinson Steve Blakeway Greg Davidson Paul Yearsley Rob James Sam Leach Mike Hill

Warrington start sheet
Wednesday 24th November 11am shotgun
1a Bob Sutton x4
1b Paul Fell x4
2a Kev Hart x4
2b Gary Neiles x4
3 Les Russon x4
4 Neale Laurent x4
5a Ian Hellens x4
5b Roger Percival x4
6 Sam Leach x4
7a Martin Humphries x4
7b Steve Marsh x4
8a Simon Hemlsey x4
8b Colin Roberts x4
9 Dave Sully x4
10a Dave Blood x4
10b Roy Ainsworth x4
11a Lee Tilley x4
11b Marc Morris x4
12 Jim Lindsay x4
13 Lewis Marland x4
14a Andy Taylor x4
14b Andrew Cox x4
15a Paul Gilbert x4
15b Simon Poucher x4
16 Neil Edwards x4
17a Dave Monk x4
17b Jim Clarke x4
18a Steve Aspinall x4
18b Mick Mahon x4

Maxitours at formidable Fairhaven

Another top golf course hosted Maxitours today. When Justin Leonard is the course record holder (he shot 64 in Open qualifying at Fairhaven in 1996) you know you are playing at a class venue.

The course was in excellent condition and the green keeper ensured that the greens were double cut and rolled for us first thing this morning.
‘Those greens were superb!’ Declared Mike Fenton ‘And very quick in places!’ He added.
‘They are tremendous surfaces for November- really excellent’ Reported Fred Swift.

Legendary course architect and three-time Open winner James Braid together with J H Steer designed and landscaped the course creating the hills hollows and superb bunkers which characterise the Fairhaven layout and make it so enjoyable to play.

The Fairhaven logo is a pheasant and you will always bump into a few on the Golf course -especially if you are regularly in the rough. Richard Blackwell is on first name terms with a few after his round today. The Club professional in the late 60’s -Bill Miller – befriended a couple and they became popular with the members as they wandered in and around his pro shop. Being a true golf professional and spotting a business opportunity when he sees one Bill introduced the pheasant on the clubs merchandise. Sales went through the roof and since then the clubs association with pheasants has steadily grown.

History lesson over.

Every year at this time of the season when the shotgun starts begin I am never ceased to be amazed when somebody always asks this question. Sean Davies was at it today.
‘Who tees off first in a shotgun start is it team ‘A’ or ‘B’? ‘
Have a wild guess Sean.

A healthy sea breeze is usually the defence of the course but today benign cloudy conditions and yellow tees meant scoring was going to be excellent. A lot of players were surprised however that 85 points was good enough for first place!

Davyhulmes Paul Yearsley(8), Kevin Hart(11), Andrew Mansfield(14) and Deam McFadden(14) took 3rd place but were beaten on the card play off by Joe Stanley(scr), Adam Carolan(7), Jim Kenyon(8) and Shaun Mudalige(14) who took 2nd place. Both teams had excellent 84 point hauls. Team Captain and all around nice guy Adam Carolan was delighted to play in less than 4 hours. It meant he could have a burger and chips in the clubhouse after his round and he would still be able to enjoy his pie and chips for supper tonight.

Winning today were the Prestbury Golf Club millionaire bankers. Chris Adams(11) Andy Oakes(7) Nick Hargreaves(11) and Peter Atherton(5). The team were cruising on the front nine but picked up just two points on the 15th (their 16th) as they started struggling under the intense Maxitours pressure. Andy Oakes steadied the ship with a quality par on the tough 16th and two closing threes on the short 17th was enough for victory. Well played chaps.

Thanks to everyone for your 100% attendance. What a great day.
Tim

Nearest the pin 10th Dozen Wilson Duo Graham Jackson
Nearest the pin 17th Dozen Wilson Duo Phil Harris
2’s sweep £122.50 3 pro V1 or 8 srixon AD333
Chris Bracchi Jim Kenyon x2Phil Harris x2 Pete Atherton Paul Fell Anthony Kenny Steve Schofield Chris Lee

Mottram Hall start times Thursday 18th November 11am shotgun
1a Paul Fell x4
1b Sam Leach x4
2a Kev Hart x4
2b Gary Neiles x4
3 Martin Humphries
4a Neale Laurent x4
4b Lewis Marland x4
5a Ian Hellens x4
5b Roger Percival x4
6 Richard Blackwellx4
7 Les Russon x4
8a Steve Marsh x4
8b Lee Tilley x4
9a Dave Goodwin x4
9b Mick Mahon x4
10a Simon Hemsley x4
10b Colin Roberts x4
11 Dave Sully x4
12a Dave Blood x4
12b Jim Clarke x4
13a Steve Aspinall x4
14 Martin Bramwell x4
1a John Hunt x4
1b John Hilditch x4
15 Andy Dunster x4
16 M Hill x4
17a Pete Roche x8
17b Pete Roche x8
18a Gary Owen x4
18b Ian Snape x4

res Lewis Marland x4
Tom Williams x4

The 2021 Xentum Summer Order of Merit

Thanks to everyone who played in Maxitours events throughout the summer. It is great to see so many players in with a chance of winning the prestigious order of merit.

Good pals Colin Bryan from Carden Park and Wrexhams Mike Lowe shared 3rd place with 58 points.
Legend in his own lunchtime Kevin Hart from Davyhulme has played the golf of his life this summer and was delighted to finish in 2nd place.

Wilmslows’ Jim Caldwell loves his golf and plays with plenty of passion and heart each week. It is great to see a seventy year old taking the order of merit. Jim brings a different team each week but he is the glue who holds them together with his straight hitting and fine short game.

Congratulations Jim on your super play this year.

Many thanks to XENTUM.co.uk on their continued support of the the tour and the order of merit

1 Jim Caldwell 66 Titliest cart bag
2 Kev Hart 65 Cleveland wedge
3 Colin Bryan 58 Galvin shirt
3 Mike Lowe 58 Galvin shirt
5 Paul Fell 56 Callaway shirt
5 Gary Neiles 56 Callaway shirt
7 Garry Owen 55 Dozen Srixon AD333
8 Dave Rhodes 52 Dozen Srixon AD333
9 Dave Buckley 51 Dozen Srixon AD333
10 Simon Hemsley 50 Dozen Srixon AD333

Maxitours at fantastic Formby Hall

A gorgeous Autumn day greeted Maxitours players at Formby Hall today.

The course is class and the firm USGA greens were a pleasure to putt on. Despite recent rain the fairways were dry and firm and enjoyed by all.

Hard to please Lewis Marland said he was really, really impressed by the course. It was the first time the lovely seventy year old had played here and he was already looking forward to returning in March.

‘That is a terrific golf course. The only complaint I have this week was the 18th hole- the sun was shining directly into my face – did anyone else mention it?’

No.

The venue is getting better each year. I first played here in a European Challenge tour event in 1998 where I narrowly missed the cut by 8 shots. A young Justin Rose was playing in the three ball behind me and he had quite a big crowd in awe as they watched his classy multi-million dollar golf swing. It was clear he was going to be a future major winner. My Dad and a stray dog were following our group and they both walked in after nine holes.

There was another Rose (Gandy) managing the bar and all her staff were really friendly throughout the day and did a great job looking after our guys.

The clocks went back last Sunday giving everyone another hour in bed this week. It still wasn’t enough for Dave Blood who slept through his alarm call. The ex-policeman spent his career ignoring alarms so there was no surprise there.

Ex RAF fighter plane navigator Dave Sully dodged a few bullets as he led his team to 87 points and a 3rd place finish The six handicapper had a gross 73 which is mighty impressive on this championship golf course. Janet(8) and Steve(5) Heywood and Mellor Captain Graham Davenport(8) made up the four.

Sandiways Gary Neiles(5), John Longworth(11), John Morton(10) and Carl Barks(5) scored 88 points. They had 46 points on the tough front nine. But were beaten on a card play off.

Jim Clarke(10) Chris Clarke (8) Graham Jackson (10) and Pete Ledger (16) took the honours today. A solid 44 points on the front nine was given a huge boost after Jackson and Ledger both birdied the 11th to pick up 8 points. Despite not picking up any shots on the closing four holes the damage was done and the likeable quartet were delighted with their win.

Well played chaps.

Thanks for your 100% attendance once again.

Tim

Nearest the pin 6th Phil Watson Doz AD333

Nearest the pin 16th Peter Griggs Doz AD333

2’s As well as Roger Percivals’ hole in one there were lots of 2’s today due to the accessible pins and true greens. Dave Sully had three, Colin Berry, Martin Humphries and Paul Fell got two. Even Bob Sutton got one.

2’s £140 2 pro v1s or 5 srixon s per two

Colin Berry x2 Dave Sully x3Peter Griggs Steve Barlow Bob Sutton Paul Fell x2 Sarah Ormrod Alf Shillitoe Munro Donald Martin Humphries x2 Roger Percival hole in one (x2)! Pete Atherton Ed Wilkinson Colin Berry x2 Phil Watson

Fairhaven start sheet 11am shotgun

9th November 2021

1a Simon Hemsley x4

1b Colin Roberts x4

2 Dave Sully x4

3 Dave Blood x4

4 Jim Clarke x4

5 Steve Aspinall x4

6a Mick Mahon x4

6b Paul Fell x4

7 Martin Humphries x4

8 Kev Hart x4

9a Gary Neiles x4

9b Bob Sutton x4

10 Neale Laurent x4

11a Lewis Marland x4

11b Ian Hellens x4

12 Roger Percival x4

13 Richard Blackwellx4

16 Les Russon x4

16b John Hunt x4

17 Lee Tilley x4

18 Dave Goodwin x4

res

Dave Monk x4

John Hilditch x4

Chris Adams x4.

Adam Carolan x4.

Maxitours from splendid Preston !!!

A relatively dry but breezy day made for challenging conditions in today’s event.

Fresh sausage and bacon baps were the order of the day pre round provided by the caterers outside the clubhouse which were enjoyed by many players.

A big thank you to long serving PGA Professional Andrew Greenbank and his staff along with congratulations to Preston’s Greenkeepers for presenting the course superbly in particular the greens. Everyone enjoyed the overall experience of playing this gem of a course with many positive comments from players as they came in.

Also to my good friend PGA Professional Matt Turnock fromMottram Hall for running this event efficiently as always in my absence. My prize box is always returned immaculately organised due to his OCD !!!

Paul Fell’s team got off to a flying start with 3 out of the 4 players recording a 2 on the 1st hole but unfortunately they peaked too early and it was all downhill from there !!!

ON AN ADDITIONAL NOTE A CALLAWAY MAVERIK WEDGE HAS BEEN HANDED IN FROM THE PRESTBURY CHARITY DAY LAST WEEK – PLEASE MESSAGE ME IF THIS IS YOURS

Today’s results were as follows:

NP 1st – Mike Lowe 1 Doz Srixon

NP 12th – Darren Whittaker 1 Doz Srixon

2’s £157.50 = 3 x ProV1’s or 7 x Srixon AD333’s per 2

Liam Rex, Phil Vaughn, Roger Percival x2, Dave Hest, Paul Butler, Paul McDermott, John Harrop, Andy Corner, Steve Best, Geoff Bickerton, Jerry Harris, Pete Fotheringham, Paul Fell, Colin Bryan & Mike Lowe

RESULTS