*Next week sees us visit Bramhall Golf Club on Monday (full) and Knutsford Singes on Thursday (spaces.)
Bacon butties and drinks available before play at both these wonderful venues.

**Bolton Old links – sorry due to a date clash this event as been moved to Friday 10th June please let me know if you can’t play/ or wish to enter a team.

** Welsh Classic full

Maxitours at excellent Helsby

Another full field assembled at Helsby golf club in the heart of Cheshire.

The course is situated down a little country lane and it is lovely to see the ancient hedgerows and old oak trees turning a stunning lime green in the Spring sunshine. I was told by an old member a few years ago that this is Cheshire’s very own Magnolia lane!

The course was really excellent and enjoyed by all- thanks to everyone at this traditional Cheshire Club. The half-way house near the car park was open and served terrific food throughout the day. It took me a while to explain to Allan Brown that he was allowed visit the half way house before his round and not just half way round. We got there in the end. Many thanks to the lovely caterers.

I had some great chats with my players today.

Dave Reading has been really struggling with his game but to his credit he is always trying to make the best of a bad situation. ‘ I’m so terrible at the moment I am just hoping my shanks will go a bit straighter than usual today!’.

Alex Jerman is a lovely lad. He is about 40 years old and is always good fun to have a talk with. He had a couple of new excuses today. Apparently, one of the reasons he plays badly is because his shoes are too comfortable. Secondly, when he was 16 he grew over twelve inches in six months so he is still getting growing pains. I’ll write those two down thanks Alex- they are new ones to me and I’ve heard a few in my time.

The final hole at Helsby is a 200 yard brute of a par three. In Steve Heywoods team Steve had a two on the first par 3, his wife Janet recorded a two on the 2nd par 3 and Graham Davenport had a two on the 11th (the 3rd par 3) . Playing partner Chris Lee stepped up to the teams fourth and last par three – could he make it a remarkable quartet?
No. He hit his ball into the daisies.

The golf course has a gentle opening nine holes where you make your score and then a tough back nine to test your nerve. The scoring was low once again reflecting how well the course was designed.
Beating four other teams into 3rd place was the Romiley team of Dave Blood, Ian Smith, Colin Gallimore and Nick Green. They had a super 43 points on the back nine.

Sandbach’s Maxitour Hall of famer and all round great bloke Lewis Marland led his team into 2nd place with 83 points. Team mates Steve Schofield, Phil Dickens and Paul Robinson all had a great day.

Taking top spot with his first ever Maxitours win (it could also be his first win of any description as he is normally useless) was Nigel Uttley(19) and his likeable Heyrose team of Alan Kay (17) Andy Hirst (10) and Jeff Mitchell (19).They had just 38 points on the front nine before picking up 8 points on the 10th hole. After some great putting they managed a one shot win with 84 points! Great golf guys, I am delighted you have won – very well played.

Thanks to everyone for your 100% attendance. Class.

Tim

Nearest the Pin 11th Mick Mahon Dozen Wilson Uno
Nearest the Pin 18th James Brown Dozen Wilson Uno

2’s sweep £227.50 7 pro v1s or 16 Srixon AD333 per 2.

Steve Heywood Janet Heywood Graham Davenport Mark Davies Dave Hillier Brian Kelly Andy Corner Paul Yearsley John McAtee

Bramhall start times
Monday 26th April
9.00 Simon Hemsley x4
9.09 Colin Roberts x4
9.18 Jim Caldwell x4
9.27 Gary Neiles x4
9.36 Dave Blood x4
9.45 Lewis Marland x4
9.54 Neale Laurent x4
10.03 Jim Clarke x4
10.12 Mick Mahon x4
10.21 Dave Goodwin x4
10.30 Paul Gilbert x4
10.39 Les Penson x4
10.48 Paul Fell x4
10.57 Martin Humphries x4
11.06 John Hunt x4
11.15 Dave Sully x4
11.24 Roy Ainsworth x4
11.33 Simon Raine x4
11.42 Gary Phillips x4
11.51 Steve Aspinall x4
12.00 Pete Fotheringham x4
12.09 Dave Stewardson tbc x4
12.18 Kev Hart
12,27 Sam Leach x4
12.36 Roger Percival x4
12.45 Dave Goodwin x4
12.54 Chris Bracchi x4
1.03 Steve Marsh x4
1.12 Peter Dobson x4
1.21 Richard Blackwell x4
1.30 Lee Tilley x4
1.39 Bernard Wood x4
1.48 David smith x4
1.57 Bill Melia x4

Maxitours at welcoming Hazel Grove

Thanks to Hazel Grove Golf Club for stepping up to host Maxitours after Covid put a halt to the Llangollen event. The course is always a firm favourite with my players and everyone had a terrific day out there.

I think this is possibly the friendliest club we visit and the members can’t do enough for me. A lovely older member called John volunteered to park our cars for 5 hours and the half way house was open throughout the day for our benefit. Club Professional James Rowlands is a good friend of mine and I can’t speak highly enough about him. Thanks everybody.

Players were once again around in less than four hours- brilliant guys -that really helps.

Ben Beer played today – he wins a Srixon ball for owning the best name I have seen all year. He is a great bloke and told me his son is called Teddy.

Ed Wilkinson is another legend and great company but if I can offer everyone a word of advice: don’t ask him about the new world handicap scheme. Ed turns a funny shade of red and starts to hyper ventilate.

‘I ve been absolutely battered!! Everyone I know has gone up three shots and I’ve come down two!!’ It is quite amusing to be fair and he is getting more frustrated by the week.

Roy Ainsworth is struggling to get a winning formula for his Maxitours teams. He tries different players each week but has recently come to the conclusion that the common denominator for his teams’ poor performances is himself. Long suffering team mate Brian Ankers once came out with the famous line ‘I can throw a piano further than Roy hits his chips.’ Brian wasn’t playing today due to a poor shoulder. Roy thinks he has been practicing his piano throwing?

In todays event the scoring was very average.

Ashton in Makerfields’ Jimmy Shirley(14), Dave Lee(19) John Harker MBE(21) and Jimmy McEwan (6) took 3rd place with just 80 points ‘ We left loads out there!’ Said a modest McEwan.

The Sale team of Terry Crewe (16), Graham Shufflebotham(13) Vic Neilson(13) and Neil Simpson(13) were surprised to find themselves in 2nd with 81 points.

The Denton team of Garry Owen(11), Mark Bone(10) Alistair Holloway(15) and Steve Yeadon(12) were disappointed after dropping two shots on the closing hole but their heavy gloom lifted when they discovered that 82 points was good enough for victory!

‘Wow- that’s amazing’ Declared a delighted Owen who works for the British Olympic Taekwondo team. ‘I’m shocked. You just never know what might win in this great game!’

Well played guys.

Thanks to everyone for your 100% attendance.

Tim

Nearest the pin 10th Andy Latham Dozen Wilson Duo

Nearest the pin in 2 on 15th Paul Yearsley Dozen Wilson Duo

2’s sweep £200 10 pro V1 or 22 srixon AD333

Pete Birtwistle Ian Cooper Paul Fell Andy Leatham Steve Marsh x2 Pete Jackson

Helsby start times Thursday 15th April

9.28 Simon Hemsley x4

9.36 Colin Roberts x4

9.44 Jim Caldwell x4

9.50 Gary Neiles x4

9.58 Dave Blood x4

10.06 Ed Pysden x4

10.15 Lewis Marland x4

10.24 Martin Bramwell x4

10.33 Bob Pickthall x4

10.42 Chris Chidley x4

10.51 Steve Hall x4

11.03 Neale Laurent x4

11.12 Jim Clarke x4

11.21 Mick Mahon x4

11.30 Ian Snape x4

11.39 Roger Percival x4

11.48 Rob Weston x4

11.57 Paul Fell x4

12.06 Martin Humphries x4

12.15 John Hunt x4

12.24 Dave Sully x4

12.33 Steve Aspinall x4

12.42 Gary Phillips x4

12.51 Richard Blackwell x4

1.00 Les Russon x4

1,09 Neil Edwards x4

1.18 Neil Edwards x4

1.27 Dave Hilier x4

1.36 Jon Hudson x4

1.45 Nigel Uttley x4

1.54 Mike Tarrant x4

2.03 Dave Goodwin x4

2.12 Dave Monk x4

2.21 Steve Baldwin x4

2.30 Lee Tilley x4

2.39 Kev Hart x4 earlier

2.48 Simon Ashton x4

2.57 Steve Marsh x4

Room for a team of 4 and a couple of single players required at Hazel Grove on Thursday to join two top teams – forecast superb (bacon butties available before play and superb half way house food- please support the caterers to your normal high standard)!!

*Spaces at must play Knutsford on Thursday 29th April (venue for the Cheshire PGA Championship on 23rd April)

Maxitours at the Mere

The Mere was the five-star venue for Maxitours competitors today. Feedback was excellent and the general consensus is that the golf course is in its best condition for years. It was also a real pleasure for me to see all my players enjoying the golf, sunshine and a few drinks with each other after their round. WE ARE BACK!!!!

‘The fairways and greens are superb for mid April! That is in great nick!’ Declared well-travelled Ian Snape ‘ Excellent!’

It was a very early start for Stuart Blake and his Knutsford team. Stuart remarked that it was the earliest he had been up since he was a schoolboy 63 years ago. Team mate John Atkin always dresses like a schoolboy and he enjoyed playing some great golf in his well-worn shorts in the minus 3 conditions.

Mike McKenna was proudly wearing his brand new £200 footjoy myjoy shoes. He treated himself and has had his initials MM carefully stitched into the leather on his heel. ‘He usually plays like Mickey mouse’ teased team mate Dave Monk. The team was excellent today however scoring 85 points.

The local Knutsford team of Eddie Ellis(11), Jim Kenyon(14), Tony Tighe(20) and James Clarke(23) took the early lead with 86 points. Tighe has had such an extraordinary life he is currently writing his auto biography- he needs to add another chapter after this famous Maxitours podium finish.

Joe Stanley(1), Shaun Mudalige(19), Adam Carolan(13) and Knutsford Captain Rob Sims(14) took third after losing out on a card play off. Picking up just two points on the 17th hole will give this team sleepless nights for the next few weeks.

Leading the way was the Vale Royal team of Andy Buckley(10), Pete Woodbine(16), Don Phillips(15) and Ian Pessol(13). A terrific 46 points on the front nine was where the tournament was won. It has been a terrific week for Japan with a Japanese female player winning the amateur ladies prize and Hideki winning the green jacket on Sunday. Andy Buckley actually drives a Toyota so the Japanese will have even more reason to be cheerful tonight. ‘I’m having Sushi for my tea!’ Announced the Sandbach man.

Thanks to everyone for your amazing support.

I hope you had a great day,

Tim

Nearest the pin 8th Paul Fell Dozen Wilson Duo

Nearest the pin 14th Moby Rawthore Dozen Wilson Duo

2’s £230 6 pro v1s or 14 srixon per two

Paul Robinson Roger Percival Pete Atherton Dean Jagger Norrie Irwin Graham Davenport Steve Price Adam Carolan Moby Rawthore Simon Wells Pete Jackson Kev Hamilton

Thursdays Hazel Grove start times

Bacon butties available to eat in the marque before play TERRIFIC FOOD AVAILABLE AT THE HALF WAY HOUSE!!!!! Card payment only

9.58 Simon Hemsley x4

10.06 Colin Roberts x4

10.14 Dave Blood x4

10.22 Mike Kirchin x3 1 player required

10.30 Lewis Marland x4

10.39 Neale Laurent x4

10.48 Ian Snape x4

10.57 Mick Mahon x4

11.06 John Hilditch x3 mark Richardson

11.15 Roger Percival x4

11.24 Paul Fell x4

11.33 Martin Humphries x4

11.42 Garry Owen x4 .

11.51 Stuart Cragg x4

12.00 Les Russon x4

12.09 Andy Buckley x4

12.18 Sam Leach x4

12.27 Neil Edwards x4

12.36 Neil Edwards x4

12.45 Steve Lamont x4

12.54 Andrew Cox x4

1.03 Gary Phillips x4

1.12 Dave Griffiths x4

1.21 Ian Hellens x4

1.30 Dave Cooper x1 Ian Neilson x3

1.39 Simon Poucher x4

1.48 John Dickenson x4

1.57 Roy Ainsworth x4

2.06 Koos Alders x4

2.15 Kev Hart x4

2.24 Dave Goodwin x4

2.33

2.42 Steve Marsh x3 mick jones

Space for two teams at Hazel Grove on Thursday!!

Maxitours at Classy Caldy

Caldy was in terrific condition for the first Maxitours event of the year! It was great to be back and we were blessed to be at such a wonderful venue.
Thanks to chef John who provided excellent take away fayre throughout the day. He treated me to a lamb dish for my lunch. It was my best meal of the year by far. Amazing.

The wind really picked up in the afternoon. Mick Mahon usually struggles to control his ball but today it was his Covid haircut that was causing problems as it created havoc in the Wirral breeze. By the end of his round Mick looked like a well-fed rat peeping out of a haystack. It was really great to see the lovely man back on the golf course though.

Andy Oakes looked pleased with himself after losing a much required two stones in the lockdown. His playing partners soon brought him down to earth. ‘He’s hitting it even shorter than he used to!’ Commented team Captain Chris Adams. You can’t win Andy.

Paul Woodbine needs a new range finder for Christmas. He told me he hit his three wood 257 yards onto the par five 7th hole. No chance. He still only made a five.
Scoring was excellent of the tough conditions.

Bramalls’ Peter Maher (18) Ewan McCrae(8) Gary Phillips(20)and David Kelly (15) scored a best of the day 45 points on the closing nine holes to take 3rd place on 85.
Alsagers Maxitour legend Colin Roberts (24), Dave Mason(14), Dave Marchant(16) and Nigel Armitage(12) were second out this morning in the calmer conditions and they were quite rightly delighted to score 86 points and took the Clubhouse lead.
Shortly afterwards the score was equalled by Dukinfields Gareth Winston(8), Barry Lees(3), Paul Butler(12) and Darren Burgess(5). Barry and Paul got the team off to a great start with gross birdies at the tough 1st hole. A better back nine saw the likeable quartet take their first win for many a year! Well played chaps.

Thanks to everyone for your support and integrity. It is really great to be back!

Yours in Golf
Tim

Nearest the pin 2nd Nick Moors Doz Wilson Duo
Nearest the pin 17th Gary Phillips Doz Wilson Duo

2’s £172.50 9 pro V1 or 19 srixon AD333
Martin France Martin Griffin Ewan McCrea Alan Simpson Martin Keates

Hazel Grove start times (Thursday 15th April)
Bacon butties available to eat in the marque before play TERRIFIC FOOD ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE HALF WAY HOUSE!!!!! Card payment only
9.58 Simon Hemsley x4
10.06 Colin Roberts x4
10.14 Dave Blood x4
10.22 Mike Kirchin x4
10.30 Lewis Marland x4
10.39 Neale Laurent x4
10.48 Ian Snape x4
10.57 Mick Mahon x4
11.06 John Hilditch x4
11.15 Roger Percival x4
11.24 Paul Fell x4
11.33 Martin Humphries x4
11.42 Garry Owen x4 .
11.51 Stuart Cragg x4
12.00 Les Russon x4
12.09 Andy Buckley x4
12.18 Sam Leach x4
12.27 Neil Edwards x4
12.36 Neil Edwards x4
12.45 Steve Lamont x4
12.54 Andrew Cox x4
1.03 Gary Phillips x4 tbc
1.12 Dave Griffiths x4
1.21 Ian Hellens x4
1.30
1.39 Simon Poucher x4
1.48 John Dickenson x4
1.57 Roy Ainsworth x4
2.06 Koos Alders x4
2.15 Kev Hart x4
2.24 Dave Goodwin x4
2.33
2.42 Steve Marsh x4
2.51

Dear Maxitours player,

If you wish to purchase refreshments before play crispy Bacon sandwiches and coffee will be available to pick up and take on the course before your round at Caldy tomorrow.

Here is the start sheet for next Tuesday at Mere. Times are slightly earlier than previously advertised. We are also at Hazel Grove on Thursday next week there is room for 1 fourball if you want to play this Cheshire gem.

Get to bed, Masters and Maxitours tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

Thanks

Tim

Mere AM AM start sheet Tuesday 13th April

7.45 John Atkin x4

7.54 Simon Hemsley x4

8.03 Colin Roberts x4

8.12 Peter Dobson x4

8.21 Nick Ford x4

8.30 Paul Gilbert x4

8.39 Dave Blood x4

8.47 Steve Baldwin x4

8.55 Neil Macloed x4

9.04 Gary Philips x4

9.13 Ian Snape x4

9.21 Lewis Marland x4

9.30 Neale Laurent x4

9.38 Jim Clarke x4

9.47 Paul Browne x4

9.56 Mick Mahon x4

10.05 Sam Leach x4

10.14 Mark Hagarty x4

10.23 Ian Hellens x4

10.32 Paul Fell x4

10.41 Roy Ainsworth x4

10.50 Dean Jagger x4

11.00 Charlie Beadle x4

11.09 Mike George x4

11.18 Dave Sully x4

11.27 Steve Aspinall x4

11.36 Dave Monk x4

11.45 David Raines x4

11.54 Roger Percival x4

12.02 Kev Hart x4

12.10 Simon Shimwell x4

12.19 Martin Keates x4

12.28 Mike Kirchin x4

12.37 Nigel Oakes x4

12.46 Chris Gregory x4

12.54 Richard Blackwell x4

1.02 Les Russon x4

1.10 Tony Tighe x4

1.19 Eddie Ellis x4

1.28 Lee Tilley x4

1.36 Andy Buckley x4

1.45 Richard Williamson x4

1.54 Steve Marsh x4

2.03 Gary Neiles x4

2.12 Martin Humphries x4

2.20 Gav Dixon x4

2.29 Hugh Mullin x4tbc

2.37 Simon Wells x4

2.45 Phil Gow x4

2.54 Andrew Hill x4