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GOLFAllyourlatestgolf news from across theNorth West andERSNorth Wales www.golferslocal.co.uk JANUARY, 2013

Mexican Incredible BBCTV Acourse Charity Pro-Am doubleace appearance withgreat news delight – forBrian – forJosh– views – round-up– Page3 Page4 Page8 Page13 Page26 TAYLOR MADE FOR TOUR CHORLEY star EmilyTaylor pro- BY DAVID BIRTILL ducedanother stellarperformancetowin her place on the European Ladies Tour at Blackrodsince last February, refused to her first attempt when she tied second at claim anycredit. the final in Morocco. “Thehelp I’ve given her is based on Emily, taught to playbyher granddad my experiences as atour professional. I from aTiger Woods book, was in scintil- work on mental strength and occasion- lating form as she passed the five-round ally haveafew quietwords in her ear. test in astunning 19-under-par. She’sreally exceptional,”she said. Andshe did so less than 24 hours after Emilyhas already signed up with BradleyWiggins hadalso brought glory Cheshire-based Chubby Chandler’s In- to his adopted town by winningthe BBC ternational Sports Management group Sports Personalityofthe Year title. whichincludes Open Championship Hillside member Emily, 18, who winners and Darren signed off her amateur career as Eng- Clarke. land’s No 1player, was obviouslythrilled Sheadded: “I can’twait formyrookie to earnher fullcardbut admitted: “I year on tour.” didn’t expect it. It’s just fantastic!” Meanwhile,she gorged herself on But her coach,Adlingtonbornand ChorleyCakes when she arrived home bred Lora Fairclough and afour-time –courtesy of Lora. winner on the tour,was not surprised her “I texted her in Morocco and Ibet pupil achievedher goal so quickly. she would not score a62. Shedidn’t but “She’s the complete packageand is a Istillgaveher apacket of her favourite very rare talent. Howshe kept her mo- treat.” mentum going over fivedaysfor someone Therewas disappointment for who has just turned 18 is extraordinary.” Conwy’sAmy Boulden, Bolton-based Teenager Emily Taylor will be plying hertrade on the Ladies Lora,who’s hadEmilyunder her tute- Kelly Tidy and Mere’sCharlotte Wild European Tour this year. lageatthe Chilli Dip Driving Rangein who allmissed the cut.

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TEL:01244 681605 Send your stories to: [email protected] 3 GolfersLocal January 2013 Local News GOLFERS

WELCOME to our NewYear edition of GolfersLocal. LLANGOLLEN DUO CROWNED We’vehad great fun bringing you allthe latest golfing news from across the region over the last four years, as well as providing the perfect platform forour advertisers to gettheir mes- sageacross to our golfing readers each NATIONAL PRO-AM KINGS andevery month. Thereare lots of fabulous features planned forthe year but we would THE twoWelshrepresentativescontest- tense finale after the Llangollen duo had love to include your club’s news too. ing the Virgin Atlantic PGA National put daylight between themselvesand If youhaveastoryfor us, whether Pro-AmChampionship in Mexico their compatriots at the turn. deadlyserious or hilariously funny, as turned the final round into adramatic do- Levelwith Parc on seven-under at the long as it is legal, decent, honest and mestic showdownthat was not resolved startofplay, Rooke and Jones birdied the interesting,we’ll do our best to use it. until the last hole. last four holes of the Dunes loop to es- Andfittingly,given the Pro-Amfor- tablish athree-strokelead. Send it to us at: GolfersLocal,Cherry matofthe contest, whichisalso sup- However, when Dinsdale,capitalising Bank Barn, DarkLane,Burton, Nr ported by SkyCaddie and BMW,itwas on asprinkler headpreventing his over- Rossett, Wrexham LL12 0AE. Or e-mail: [email protected]. the amateur partnering Vale of Llan- cooked approach from trundling into a gollen assistant PGA professional Lee bunker,birdied the par four 15th, the EDITORIAL: Paul Chapple: Rooke who delivered the coup de grace. deficit hadbeen wiped out. 01978 449917 or 07956 033265 Nick Jones, 40, from Wrexham, had Thereafter Dinsdale and Rooke traded E-mail: [email protected] picked up on the last hole of the Jungle blows. Parity remainedfollowing the 16th loop of the Jack Nicklaus-designedMoon but when both found sand with their tee ADVERTISING: Palace Golf &Spa Resort, Cancun, in the shots at the par four 17th, the trophy Callour friendly sales team on: first of the grand final’s tworounds. looked destined forLlangollen. 01978 449917. When it came to the crunch, however, Rooke,benefitting from an easier lie E-mail: [email protected] the eight-handicapper kept his cool in the and morecomfortable stance,drilled his Llangollen proLee Rooke, right, with club amateur Nicholas Jones. PhotobyAdrian Milledge. WEBSITE: Mexican sunshine to repel the challenge escape to within 12 feet. By contrast, www.golferslocal.co.uk of the Parc Golf Academy,Newport. Dinsdale, his ballmaroonedunderthe lip It was moreofateam efforttoday-ithad UniCredit 2012 PGA Professional Unfazed by the water that guards the of the bunker,lefthis 50 yards short. His to be because Richardisafine golfer. Championship of Europe in September. PRINTERS: parfive hole’s green, Jones executed asu- approach,however, was fivefeet shyof “I hadn’t playedhim beforebut I’dbeen Furthermore, it marks ahappyreturn Mortons of Horncastle Ltd, Media perbnine-iron approach shot and fol- being immaculate. told that’s he’s atough opponent and he to the MoonPalace Golf and SpaResort Centre,Morton Way, Horncastle, lowedupwith aputt that lefthim with a Andsotothe last where, despite Dins- certainlyprovedit. Even when we went forhim. LincolnshireLN9 6JR. tap-in nett birdie forasix-under-par dale and Rooke both reaching the green three strokes clear,Iknewhewould make “I came herefor my honeymoonseven round of 66 and onestrokevictory. in three,itfelltothe latter’samateur part- us work forour win.” years ago,”revealed Rooke,whose wife Youcan nowfollowuson As well as clinching the trophy and the ner to decide the destinyofthe title. That win is the largest and most pres- Lucy is due to givebirth to the couple’s twitter at £5,000 cheque on offer to the winning “Given that it was aPro-Am, Ithink tigious of Rooke’s career and followshim first child in May. www.twitter.com/golferslocal PGA pro, Jones’sapproach and nerveless it’s appropriate an amateur like Nick earning £4,000 after putt typified the standardofgolf from should settle it,”said agrateful Rooke. finishing runner-up to both pairs. “Heplayedsuperblythroughout and I defending champion That was especially the case during the certainlyrelied on him in the first round. HugoSantos in the

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GreatdayforMcKay

HENLLE Park member Rick BRIANGETS McKay has claimed the familybrag- ging rights after hitting his first ever hole-in-one last month. The 17-handicapper aced on the 167-yardfourth hole at theShrop- shire-based club using his six iron IT RIGHT... while playing alongside his brother Jayand friend John Sutcliffe. “Itwas the perfect shot,”ex- plained Rick, who worksasacon- tract manager forkitchen company AND LEFT Brian Cullinan celebrates his remarkable double. BKoncepts, in Wrexham.“I hit it as sweet as anut. The weather was ACHORLTON Golf Club senior last BY GEOFF GARNETT quite foggysoweweren’t quite sure month completed oneofthe most incred- it hadactually gone in until I ible golfing feats when he holed in one But ayear later disaster struckwhen he checked in the hole. playing left-handed just fiveyears after slippedwhileworking in his garageand “I felt like I’dwon the lottery also notching an acewhile playing right- suffered apainful shoulder injury. when Irealised it was in,”added handed! Forthe next twoyears he was unable Rick, who lives in Warrington. Eighteen-handicapper Brian Cullinan to playgolf as he underwent twomajor “I’ve onlybeen playing forfour was an accomplished sportsman as a operations to tryand rectify the problem. years so Jay, who has been playing a youngster in Ireland wherehewas atop Brian explained: “I was keen to get lot longer,was alittle jealous at first hurling playerand also enjoyedhis golf. back to playing but found the movement as he is stillwaiting forhis first ace. He originally playedgolf left-handed to my leftshoulder was very limited and He’s comingtoterms with it now but was persuaded by his club proinIre- painful when playing right-handed so I though after Ibought John and him land to playright-handed to givehim decided to go back to my early youth and apintafterwards,”hejoked. moreaccess to golfing equipment. tryand playleft-handed. After alot of He playedregularly between 1970-78 practice Iwas able to getbacktoregular and during that time always putted left- golf with help from club proJames Curtis Ambidextrous Brian has the rare talent of being able to play both left and right handed. handed while playing right-handed. and my friends at Chorlton. Familyand work demands saw him “Then when playing recentlyinachar- “But when Ifound it thereitonce and therearen’tmanypeopleinthe world rarely playgolf again until 1997 when he ityday forthe Ticker Club,lightning moreset the scene formanycelebrations to havemanaged it.” joined Chorltonand enjoyedhis game strucktwice when Iholed my tee shot on at the 19thhole- and it did win the Near- The last word came from Brian’s regu- with regular success on the course and the 168-yardpar three 10th hole with a est the pin prizeonthe hole and help my lar playing partner Peter Tongewho Brian gothis first acein2007 on the par five-iron and like the first one, because team into atop positiononthe day. joked: “Whether Brian plays left-handed three 128-yard17th when he holed out the pin is slightlyhidden from the tee,I “I knowit’saveryrareachievement to or right-handed, he is stillone of the using his wedge. did not actually see the ballgointhe hole. aceplaying both leftand right handed biggest bandits in the club!” Rick McKay celebrates his aceatHenlle. Send your stories to: [email protected] 5 GolfersLocal January 2013 Local News BRIAN’S ON ANEW MISSION AT THE OAKS MOLLINGTON

THE man who playedamajor role in BY PAUL CHAPPLE course is nowreally well manicured,”said HeatonParkwinning Municipal Golf Alan. Course of the Year back in 2006 has “I liveinSale,near Manchester, and al- “There’sstilllots to do,but nowthat joined the team at Chester’s newest golf though Ihaveplayedalot of golf allover we’vegot Brian on boardwecan launch club The Oaks at Mollington. the NorthWest region, Iwasn’t awareof the club to awider audience. Brian Dique,akeen golfer himself, this golf course beforeIsaw the vacancy “Thereissomuchpotential, everyhole joins the team at the revitalised club as advertised. is totally different and the 6,526-yard general manager and he has big plans for “When the positionarose Ivisited as a course is laid out within 196 acressoitre- The fabulous signaturehole17th at The Oaks. 2013. mysteryshopper to assess the qualityof ally does feel like achampionship course. “New owners tookoverthe club last the facilities and was very impressed with “Our signaturehole is the par three February and the team havespent2012 thecourse design and warmreception. 17th, whichhas astunning islandgreen making major improvements both on and “A fundamental partofmyrole is to butthere aresomeother superb tests like off the course,” explained Brian, who has raise awareness of the club and to con- the par fiveseventh hole,whichat638 previouslymanaged severalmembers tinue the stronggrowthinmembers and yards is oneofthe longest in the UK. clubs across the UK. visitors for2013 and beyond. “The14th reminds me of oneofmy “Having experienced the wettest sum- “I’mamember of the TraffordEagles favourite courses –Dundonald Links. mer on recordweare formally going to Christian Golf Societyand we’reall “After adifficult year,somecoursesare launchthe club in 2013 and believe visi- booked in forJuly.” clearly in decline but Ican see the im- tors willbepleasantlysurprised when Brian joins director of golf Alan Beat- provements hereevery single week and theysee howmuchthe facilities haveim- tie,who leftthe prestigious Gleneagles, thereisareal buzz about the place”added proved,”headded. in Scotland, to be partofthe newset up the former U16 Cumbrian County Director of golfAlan Beattie,left, welcomes generalmanager Brian Dique to the team. “This year willbeall about raising the in Chester. championwho nowlives just amile or so club’s profile and building uponthe 200 “Theclubhouse has been refurbished, from Mollington. provements too.“We arehoping to be the next fewmonths,”said Alan. members that joined The Oaks last year. the putting surfaces improved and the Plans areafoot formoremajor im- able to make further announcements in “It’sall very exciting,” added Brian.

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Call nowon01772 744630 Penwortham Golf Club, Blundell Lane, Penwortham, PrestonPR1 0AX www.penworthamgc.co.uk GolfersLocal January 2013 6 Send your stories to: [email protected] Local News EALES HONOURED FOR WORK WITH PGA NORTHERN light Paul Eales received BY DAVID BIRTILL ChallengeTour to the European Tour aPGA RecognitionAwardfor his out- wherehis career earnings totalled more standingcontributiontogolf at aPGA is acharityset up to help PGA members than €2m. fundraising lunchatManchester’s Hilton in times of hardship. He playedinseven Open Champi- Hotel. Eales, 49, is astalwartofthe PGA onships and oneUSOpen and it was Also honoured was Manchester NorthRegionhaving enjoyedawide- after missing the cut at the 1996 Open at United and England legend SirBobby ranging career,excelling as aplayer, coach Royal Lytham that he was asked to be a Paul Eales, right, receives the award from John Heggarty. Charltonwho picked up an awardfor his and also as arespected golf punditwith summariser forthe BBC. of directors, he is supportcoach to the the awardIwas blown away. It is nice service to footballand sport. the BBC on both TV and radio. This led to asuccessful career behind England Golf U18 boys’squadand lead doing your daytoday stuff and foryour Moneyraised from the lunch, where He began hiscareer as an assistant at the microphone whereheremains apop- coach forthe England Golf NorthWest ownAssociationtorecognise that work,” Premier League refereeHowardWebb Royal Lythamand St Annes underEddie ular and familiar figureinthe media squads forboysand girls aged 16-18. said Eales who was presented with his ac- was aguest speaker,willgotowards sup- Birchenough, who retires at the end of world. “Theawardcame out of the blue,Ihad coladebyPGA vice-chairman John Heg- porting the PGA Benevolent Fund which the month, and graduated through the Amember of the European Tour board been asked to do aQ&A but once Isaw garty. LOCAL TRIO PICK UP ACCOLADES AT GOLF UNION OF WALES AWARDS NIGHT

AMY Boulden shared the Welsh Ama- year running,when their achievements BY TREVOR PEAKE Year forhis work,whichincludes run- “I just love being involved with teur Golfer of the Year awardwith were considered inseparable at the ning three junior academies. golf,” is his explanation.“I worked out RhysPugh and Macclesfield-based awards ceremonyheld at the Vale of Teams and Performance committee, Middleton has enjoyedaremarkable that Ihavehad three days off since the Jamie Donaldson was named tour pro- Glamorgan hotel and resort. said:“Itwas veryclose between the two, fewmonthssince taking over the role as summer –and Iused those to go and fessional of the year forthe second year Irish Openwinner Donaldson fought but in the end Jamie did enough to earn headpro at Rhylinthe summer. watchorplaygolf. running in the annual awards from the off Bridgend’s LydiaHallastheyboth the awardonce again. NorthWales Golf Development “Itisveryrewarding to see people Golf Union of Wales. picked up their maiden tour titles. The “Itisnice to think back to when he Wales officer DilwynGriffiths de- enjoying the chance to playand im- Conwy’s CurtisCup star Boulden, Macclesfield golfer hadgreater consis- was in the Wales amateur teams coming scribed him as “the Pied Piper of North prove. Iwant to introduce this great youngest daughter of Maesdu pro tencythrough the season finishing 19th up through the ranks and to see how Wales golf.” game to as manypeople as apossible Simon, and European Amateur cham- in the Race to Dubai rankings, with well he is doing now.” Middleton also worksout of the and one dayIwould love to produce a pion Pugh from Vale of Glamorgan earnings in excess of one million euros. Rhyl’sAnthonyMiddleton was Ryder Cup Wales Legacy Fund facility WelshEuropeanTour playerfromone also shared their awardfor the second Andrew Ingram, chairman of the named Wales PGA Professional of the in Llanfrog,Flint and Ruthin Pwllglas. of the academies.”

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THE DRIVE ConwyGolfLinks One of the most well-knownimages in theworld of the early days of golf,The Drive,was painted in 1893 by DouglasAdams, when Conwy wasthe only golf courseinNorth Wales, and oneofonly ahandful in Wales.The course is lessthan an hour fromCheshireand Merseyside, and justoveranhour from Manchester.

Forfurther details of winter membership/green fee packages, contact The Secretary at [email protected] or call 01492 592423. Conwy (Caernarvonshire) GolfClub,Morfa, Conwy, North Wales LL32 8ER. www.conwygolfclub.com Send your stories to: [email protected] 7 GolfersLocal January 2013 Local News

AccoladeforGarner

FORMERRyder Cup playerJohn Garner has been awarded the PGA’s ALTRINCHAM highest accolade of PGA Master Professional. Garner,amemberofthe 1971 and 1973 Ryder Cup teams and awinner on both theEuropeanTour and Eu- PRIDE AT ropean Senior Tour,isone of 16 PGA professionals to havebeen recognised in the latest recommen- dations from the Accreditation for Professional Achievement and Learning (APAL) Council. NOMINATION The awardsees the 65-year-old Manchester-bornprofessional, who ALTRINCHAM GolfCourse reached a‘Donate aBirdbox’ scheme,whichcon- nowresides and coaches in New the final of last month’s prestigious Golf tributed to their nominationfor the envi- The Altrincham course has been recognised forits natureconservation. Zealand, join an elite band of PGA EnvironmentAwards under the section ronmental award. Master Professionals across the ‘NatureConservation’, and only narrowly Paul explained: “This scheme asked areas around the course or as mulch. Any- ment. We do alot of hardwork, which worldincluding the likes of leading missed out on the top prize. members to donate birdboxestothe golf thingbiggerthanfive inches is cut into often goes unnoticed and it’s good when coaches John Jacobs, Pete Cowen Managed by TraffordCommunity course,then the greens-staffwould install manageable lengths and placed in wood- efforts suchasthese arerecognised. and David Leadbetter. LeisureTrust, the course was given a them whereeverthe member wanted. land areas as ahabitat forinsects, bugs, “Theteam havemoved both our “I am absolutelythrilled and de- ‘HighlyCommended Award’ forthe The members would be able to see their and smallanimals.” courses, Altrincham and William Wroe, lighted to getthe honour,” said Gar- work that has been carried out. The Golf birdboxwhilst theywereplaying golf and The course also employs athrough on amillionmiles from wheretheywere ner,who has hadadistinguished Environment Awards is judged by the seethe featheryin-habitants. water management system. Over the last 10 years ago, not just in the standardof career as an international coach,au- STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute) “After four years of carrying out this six years TraffordCommunityLeisure the course forplaying golf but as areas thor,course designer,administrator and has been running for15years. scheme we nowhaveatleast onebox on Trust has invested thousands of pounds that arehugelywildlifefriendly and at- and speaker. Altrincham was initially nominated for everyhole and havearound an 82%oc- into drainage. This has meant thousands tractiveplaces to visit.” the awards because of the environmental cupancy, and numerous speciesofbirds of metres of land drainagebeing installed Executivecouncillor Jonathan Coupe work that the staff at the course have on the golf course.Futureplans arefor and removing water from the golf course said: “Congratulations to TraffordCom- completed. Paul Murray,golf manager owl, bat, and maybebee boxes. and into water courses. It has also meant munityLeisureTrust on this magnificent outlined the programme of work by say- “Every year the greens-staff go around the greens-staff managing some of the achievement. To reachthe national finals ing: “Wehaveplanted morethan 700 and maintain and prune the trees to keep ponds on the course to keep them clean, of this competitionistestament to the smalltrees aroundthe course in the last them healthyand to make them grow attracting wildlife, and improvingthe aes- hardworkofall the staff who work hard eight years at acost of £10,000. These aesthetically and properly. This produces a thetics of them. to make Altrincham Golf Course sucha trees were planted to define the shape of fewtonnes of branches and wood. Allthe Bernie Jones, chief executivefor the wonderful place to visit. the course and to create ahabitat forbirds branches that aresmaller than fiveinches LeisureTrust, added: “Eventhough we “Theprojects bring great environmen- and the majorityare nowthriving.” wideindiameterare put throughawood- didn’t actually take the first place award, tal benefits to the site and the recognition John Garner, PGA Master professional. Altrincham Golf Courses also operates chipper and is then used on decorative getting to the finals is afantastic achieve- is well deserved.”

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Beaumaris, Anglesey, North Wales LL588HU T: 01248 811717 E: [email protected] W: www.henllysgolfclub.co.uk GolfersLocal January 2013 8 Send your stories to: [email protected] Local News

Bighitterssquareup forshowdownafter JOSH MAKES tourannounceplans

THE Chorley-based NorthWest ProTour willstagefour long driving competitions at NewGeneration HIS MARK ON Golf at Euxton Park early this year following the success of their first venturelast November. And their events willcount to- wards the European Tour Long BBCSPORTS Driverankings after signing acon- tract with the organisation’s boss Xavier Eusebio. Morethan £1,000 prize-money willbeupfor grabs and the winner of PERSONALITY the series willwin atriptothe Czech Republic European Long Drive Championship in July. YOUNG golf prodigyJosh Curtis made BY GEOFF GARNETT Jack Brooks, director of the his markonnational TV last month with NWPT, said Europe’s biggest hitters an appearance on the BBC Sports Person- in actionand interviewhim about junior willbeheading to Euxton but the ac- alityofthe Year show. golf development. tual dates of the events haveyet to be The 13-year-old is ajunior member at His father James is the highlyre- Josh Curtisinaction. INSET: Josh on the BBC Sports Personalityofthe Year show. announced. both Didsburyand Chorlton golf clubs spected professional at Chorltonwhere “Wepride ourselvesoncreating and looks destined forcountyhonours he has set up the very successful Man- tainlyfollowing in his father’s footsteps. first team in 2012 to showthe great work opportunitybyteaming up with after dropping his handicap to fiveduring chester Golf Performance Centre. During the past seasonhewon junior being done forjunior golf in the south other protours and we offer awide the past 12 months. James when ajunior member at Dids- ‘majors’ at both Chorltonand Didsbury Manchester clubs. opportunityfor local players to travel The show, whichwas watched by a bury, wherehis dadSam is also along- and he has hadagreat example to follow James said: “TheBBC TV crew came abroadtocompete at minimal ex- peak audience of 14.5 millionviewers, standing member and his brother Ben at Chorltonwherejunior captain down to Chorltontofilm Josh in action pense,” he said. featured junior golf development in the also won countyhonours, was Cheshire’s Cameron Massey, aformer student at St and ask him about his golf.All of the Meanwhile,the 2013 schedule will countryand the BBC cameras came youngest-everplayeratthe ageof16to Anthony’s High School, Stretford, has familyand members of the club arevery be launched this month. down to ChorltonGolf Club to film Josh win fullcounty colours and Joshiscer- playedfor England U18s and Cheshire proud of him.” ENGLANDGOLFPARTNERSHIP WELCOMES £13MSPORTENGLANDAWARD

THE England Golf Partnership (EGP) Roger Moreland, the EGP’s chief op- rationofLondon2012 alive and help ful- The 2013-17 Whole SportPlan for in our achievements to date and we will has welcomed last month’s announce- erating officer,said: “Weare very pleased fil Lord Coe’s pledgethat the Games golf,whichwillberolled out from April, continue to work to make golf welcom- ment that it willreceivea£13 million with this leveloffinancial support from would getmorepeople playing sport, a includes plans to encouragemorepeople ing,accessible and asportthat offers fun grant from SportEngland to continue to SportEngland and lookforwardto feat that no other host nationhas ever with adisabilitytotake up golf and fo- and value to allthose who want to take develop the sportoverthe four years from working with them to maximise their in- managed to achieve. cuses on providing opportunities forpeo- part.” 2013-17. vestment and to build on our successes of SportEngland’s director of sport, Phil ple older than 26 to take up the game and The current four-year plan has shaped The grant is an increase on the £12.5 the past four years.” Smith commented on the grant forgolf: playmoreoften. asuccessful period forgolf development, millioncorefundingawardfor the cur- The grant is partaninvestment of al- “This investment reflects the progress the In addition, the plan contains proposals during whichanetwork of CountyGolf rent period and willsupportprogrammes most half abillionpounds in grassroots EGP has made in getting morepeople forincreasing the number of young peo- Partnerships were established andcreated to encouragemorepeople to startand sport, announced last month by Sport playing golf and developing talent within ple aged 14-25 playing the game. asignificant increase in golf participation. stayingolf and to nurturetalent. England. It is intended to keep the inspi- the sport. Moreland added: “Thereare many Their activities,todirect newand re- “Whilstthereare challenges in keeping challenges in golf,not least those of the turning golfers to structured PGAcoach- people playing golf in the current eco- weather and of the economic climate,but ing and playing opportunities, are nomic climate, we areconfident the EGP we areexcited about the prospects forthe enhanced by working with pro-active, af- willcontinue to demonstrate leadership coming four years, whichwillinclude the fordable and accessible golf centres and WESTHOUGHTON and innovationwithin the sporttoensure returnofgolf to the Olympic movement. by abetter understanding of the require- the number of people playing grows.” “This awardisareal vote of confidence ments of golfers and would-be players. GOLF CLUB In the last year apilot marketing cam- paign, Get into Golf,has promotedac- Jointhe funin tivitywith oneclear message. Gem this year’s Since the current plan began in April Bolton’s Hidden 2009, morethan 154,000 people have Fantasy Golf tried golf at taster and coaching sessions, B R A M A L L P A R K of whommorethan 85,000 were aged League over 16.To date,4,200 newmemberships G O L F C L U B havebeen reported as being created as a direct result of their activity. Seepage 16 for These numbers haveaccelerated as the Dates foryour 2013 diary entry forms and CGPs havebecome morecustomer-fo- Ladies’ Spring Open –Tuesday, 21st May cussed. The latest CGPImpact Report Senior Men’s Open –Wednesday, 14th August further details shows that in the year to the end of Sep- Mixed Open –Sunday, 8th September tember 2012, morethan 70,000 people To launchthe ‘new’ Mixed Open, the first 20 entries tried golf –almost double the number in will qualify forafree gift. Closing datefor WINTER WARMERS 2012/13 2011. In the same period the number of Application and details on www.westhoughtongolfclub.co.uk adults playing golf regularly as aresult of entries: Monday, Coffee/Tea &Bacon Roll on arrival, 18 holes of golf &main course meal –min 12 players being involved in CGPactivityincreased STOP PRESS!! 28thJanuary (lessthan 12 players, golf &meal only) by eight per cent. We will be offering anew 5-Daymembership for2013. Meanwhile,England Golf’s2012 golf Introductorydeals still available. ONLY£25.00 club membership questionnairehas re- Available Tues,Wed &Fri (until 31st March 2013) Forfurther information, call Jean Spencer on vealed that, although golf club member- 01942 817456 More than £1,000 CALL 0161 485 7101 ship dropped overall, 25 per cent of clubs or e-mail [email protected] of prizevouchers haveexperiencedanincrease in member- Westhoughton Golf Club, Long Island, Bramall Park Golf Club ship in the last twoyears. These clubs are Westhoughton, Bolton BL5 2BR up forgrabs 20 Manor Road, Bramhall, Stockport SK7 3LY beingexamined in detailtoestablish how www.bramallparkgolfclub.co.uk theyare achieving success. Foradvertisinge-mail: [email protected] 9 GolfersLocal January 2013

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Teesaremeatand FATHER AND drinktoStewart SON STAR

THE Annual PresentationDinner for BY GEOFF GARNETT Sale Golf Club’s men last month was an- other memorable evening with their and James Hindle was the ‘Most Im- ‘major’trophies being handed out. proved Golfer’dropping his handicap It was quite anight forthe Bullough from 23 to 15. familyascaptain-elect Ian and his son James also wonthe Jubilee Plate nett Jack scooped severalofthe top prizes. prize. Jack,who was the first Sale playerto John Burgess tookthe Captain’s Prize win the MerseyChampionship formany and winning the knockouts were four- years, also tookthe Scratchand Peace somes champions Kevin Mooreand Trophies and he was runner-up forthe SteveCarr and fourballtop dogs Neil President’s Prizewon by Paul Abbott Griffiths and Mobi Rawthore. while Ian picked up the coveted Life Sale captain Peter Middletonthanked Fairfield’s StewartProffitt enjoyedagreat year in 2012. Members Trophy. allwho hadhelpedtomake 2012 amem- The club championwas John Russell orable seasonfor the club as theyenter STEWARTProffitt candeservedly Jack and IanBullough with their ‘major’trophies. who also won the Jubilee Plate grossprize their Centenaryyear this year. layclaim to being the top golfer at Fairfield Golf Club after another great season of success in 2012. Stewart, who is also the club’s SIBLINGS SHOWTHE WAYONWARRINGTON FINALS DAY catering and bar manager,plays off one and is also the Fairfield course recordholder. ABROTHERand sister from War- ing eight handicapper ValWickens to hadmybest golfing achievement ever, In 2012 he wonthe scratchgold rington Golf Club made it afamilydou- win the Ladies Singles Lyon. but big sister hadtogoone better with medal forthe sixth time with his ble on Finals Dayattheir home club. Ann’s brotherJim Boyd,playing off twowins!” other victories coming in 1999,2001, FirstlyAnn Taylor,playing off 15, 18, then beat four handicapper John Ann said:“I was delighted to win two 2006, 2007 and 2009. wontwo of her three finals –partnering Arber in the Men’s MatchPrize final. major knockout finals in one year.The In addition he also picked up the Ian Pethybridgetovictoryinthe Mixed Commenting afterwards when he icing on the cake was to sharethe day Golfer of the Year green blazer for Foursomes ScottTrophy and then beat- hadheardofAnn’s success, Jimsaid: “I with my brother.” the fourth time,having wonitprevi- ouslyin2001, 2004 and 2010. His personal highlight of the year was to post eagle,birdie,eagle in suc- Jointhe fun cessiveholes when playing in acom- Te st Drive in this year’s petition at The MereResortand he will be looking to addtohis roll of theBusiness WealthClub Fantasy Golf honours in 2013. Completely League. Golf is very strong in the Proffitt forOne Month familywith his wifeNicky,who plays FREE! (worth £99) off 11, also being the ladies course BO Watching the Brotherand sister Jim Boyd and AnnTaylor recordholder. OK with their trophies at Warrington. NOW golfhas never Business Coaching &Training 7.00AM STAR been such 25 JAN, T Learnskills to grow your profits by 101% 22 FEB fun!!! 22 MARCH & Positive Local Support More than Get Re-energised,Refocused &Ready ClaimYour Free £1,000 of to grow CopyofSecrets of theWealth prize ProfessionalNetworking &JV's Accelerators when vouchersup youvisit. forgrabs with Do moredeals, Get morecustomers Value £14.99 our sponsors Scottsdale Golf DEVERE VILLAGE, ST DAVID'S PARK, EWLOE, WINTERSOCIETYPACKAGE CHESTER CH5 3YB Seepage 16 18 holes of golf &atwo-coursemeal Meetyour Certified Business Mentor Gavin Preston fordetails of Choices include roastchicken dinner, ONLY curryorsteakpie Author,Coach and Speaker how to enter. £20pp Upgrade to include all these extras: ONLY Don’tmiss unlimited tea and coffee on arrival, Call 01244960 292 today bacon roll, biscuits and toast £25pp this month’s or visit www.TheBusinessWealthClub.co.uk/Chester Minimum nine people.Non-refundable deposit required to secure booking. closing date Available Monday -Friday.OnSaturdaysadd an extra £2 to above prices. of Monday, Winter Society Package available until 1st March, 2013.

28thJanuary, Antrobus Golf Club, Foggs Lane, Antrobus, Cheshire CW9 6JQ 2013. Tel: 01925 730890 (office) 01925 730900 (pro shop) www.antrobusgolfclub.co.uk Foradvertisinge-mail: [email protected] 11 GolfersLocal January 2013 Raa PUTTERS

INTRODUCING... THEQUINTIC BALLROLL SYSTEM COMING SOON!!! THERaa SILK THE FOUR MAIN STEPS

• At Raa Putters we knowthe • That’swhy we have recentlyin- putter is themost used club in the vested and now opened“The bag butalso themostover- Brand New Raa Putting Studio”, looked partofthe average based at ourheadofficeinMac- THERAA golfer’spractice. Golfers every- clesfield,Cheshire. With the where are using the technology help of our very own PGA Golf PUTTER availableintoday’smarket to Professionaland Certified Putting help analyse and improve their Instructor,Lee Sullivan, who uses golf swing. the newstudio, notonly to help RANGE andcoach players on allaspects • When it comestoputting,al- of putting, butalso to carry out 30-DAY most allhave no concept of putter fittings using the state-of- MONEYBACK what happenswith their putting the-art, Quintic BallRoll. GUARANTEE* strokeand what the ball is doing in detail. • TheQuintic BallRoll System is *Thisapplies to an improvement alaunchmonitor forputting, it to yourputting only,not your • At RaaPutters we follow a canmeasure awhole hostofpa- wholegame! Allputtersmust be Learn, Understand, Develop, Im- rameterssuch as launch angle, returned with only reasonable prove philosophy. forwardorbackwards rotation, wear and tear,damaged putters hookorcut spin to mention just will not be refunded. Proof of purchaserequired. • When it comestodesigning afew. and building our putters,with their Cordial Groove Technology • Together with our Raaputters whichmaximisesthe ball roll, we andour PGA professional’sad- also follow the same philosophy viceonputtingtechnique, we when it comestoour coaching know we haveput together a of putting. Such is theimpact put- uniquecombination to help all ting canmake,not just to your golfers improve this stilllargely overall score but also to a overlooked, but most important player’sconfidence. partofgolf.

raaputters.com email us: [email protected] or callus: 01625 511104 GolfersLocal January 2013 12 Send your stories to: [email protected] Local News

Sterlingstartdate

THE newSterling GolfTour,which FABFOUR is open to assistant professionals, willget underwayatthe challenging Dunham Forest on April 5. Didsburywillfollowashosts later in the month with Davenportthe lo- TEAM UP FOR cation in early May. Other dates and venues arestill to be confirmed but the Grand Final willtake place at Marriott WorsleyPark. Former European Tour player CLASSIC Penwortham will host the four-day LancashireClassic on day three. Peter Barber,now the headpro at Didsbury, and experienced PGA as- FOUR of Lancashire’sfinest courses Entryfees forall four days of golf are through the respectivewebsites of the us on to bigger things. We aredelighted sistant DaveMacKinnonwillhead haveteamed up to create the Lancashire just £100 per player(£400 per team) – participating clubs, is nowopen and de- to be joining forces with twoofour the tour. Classic Golf Tour –anevent theyhope and the format willbefourballbetterball mand is expected to be huge. renowned links neighbours. Fairhaven Tour promoter Rob Caruana said: willquicklygrowand establish itself as a (3/4 handicap)onthe first three days and ForPenwortham and Prestonthis ini- was voted to be oneofthe 10 best Open “All players arerequired to join as ‘major’inthe local golfing calendar. individual Stableford(fullhandicap – tiativefollows on from their successful Championship qualifying courses and St memberstoplayinthe events and The parkland courses of Penwortham limit of 24) on the final day. co-hosting of the UK Corporate Games Annes OldLinks has been voted into theguaranteed introductorydis- and Prestonwillbejoining with the links On no occasiondoall four players in July–when hundreds of participants Golf World’s ‘Top 100 Courses in Eng- counted membership offer has now courses of Fairhaven and St Annes Old from the same team playtogether and all descendedonPreston from alloverthe land’. Initial interest has been phenome- been extended to January31, 2013or Links to host four-man teams from scores willcount towards the team score. UK forthe annual multi-sportfestival. nal and anyone interested in playing in the first 54 to register as members. throughout the UK to indulgeinafan- Therewillbeprizesfor the overallwin- RichardWoods, vice-captain of Pen- the tour should enter quickly.” “Theaim of the tour is to provide tastic golfing challenge. ners of the four days and also forwinners wortham and chairman of the organising The venuesand dates are: Monday, July aplatform,withalow costalterna- The teamswillplayonfour consecutive of each individual day. Team members committee,said: “Thesuccessful co-oper- 8–StAnnes OldLinks; Tuesday, July9 tive diarydate,for players keen to days during early Julyenjoying the best willplaywithin 30 minutesofeachother. ationbetween Penwortham and Preston –Fairhaven; Wednesday, July10–Pen- participate and gain experience of that Lancashirehospitalitycan offer. Online entry, whichisavailable in hosting the games in 2012 has spurred wortham; Thursday, July11–Preston. competitiveevents against their peers with the resulting prizes being awarded in pounds sterling. NEW NORTHERN TOUR LAUNCHES FOR OVER 35YEAR OLDS “Thetour aims to provide amini- mumprize fund at each event but ANEW golf tour forcategoryone hole competitions at Reddish Vale teur golf forover35year oldshas been in the NorthWest.Theyare all36-hole willendeavour to increase this fund players over the ageof35istolaunch (June 10), Accrington (July17) and virtually non existent with onlyevents events and the entryfeeof£60 foreach with supportand sponsorship from this year. WorsleyinAugust (date to be con- playedmainlyinthe south organised by one includes soup and sandwiches. local, national and international The NorthernMid Amateur Tour firmed). Mid Am Golf and occasionally by golf Formoredetails or entryforms, visit businesses.” willkickoffatLeyland on May13. NorthernMid Am’s Ian Meeds ex- unions or individual clubs. www.northern-mid-am.co.uk or email Forfurther information, visit This willbefollowedbyfurther 36- plained: “Overthe past years mid ama- “Sowethought we’d create some here [email protected] www.SterlingGolfTour.com.

2m iles MALKINS BANK GOLF CLUB J1 7o from Betchton Road, MalkinsBank, Sandbach, Cheshire CW114XN fM www.malkinsbankgolfclub.co.uk 6 Society Packages Corporate Golf &Membership Twilight Golf OnlineShop 2013 Use the course to further both your golf and your £8.50 after 12.30pm Visit our online golf Package Description Price pp from business Visit our website for further details or during January. shop with all the very contact our Corporate golfteam of director of golf latest equipment. Tony Minshall and our dedicated Corporate Golf Call for best price. Bronze Bacon roll, coffee, £14.00 PGA professional Alex Heler.The worldissimply 18 holes at your feet with our fantastic corporate offers. Call and we will take you through our varied Silver Bacon roll, coffee, corporate programme and tailor your golf to suit 18 holes, £19.00 your budget and needs. Whether itʼs agolf day, 1-course meal use of PGA pros, entertainment, celebrities, food, video, advertise on the course or halfway house, Gold Bacon roll, coffee, we can fullfil all your needs. 18 holes, £21.00 As an added incentive we will add 10% to the 2-course meal value of your corporate package. Our Corporate membership is very flexibleat Platinum Full English breakfast, an excellent price whether you are asmall busi- coffee 18 holes, £23.50 ness or amulti national conglomerate, our pack- 2-course meal age is so flexible it will suit everyone. £3 weekend supplement For details, call Alex on 01270765931 or 07786 656969. Since the team took over at Malkins Bank in 2011good things have happened. Trybeforeyou buy Membership “We started by revamping and reshaping the course, designed by Fred Hawtree, which led to Our three PGA pros welcome you to Malkins us hosting more than 140 golf societies in 2012. Bank with our ʻTry before you buyʼ scheme. Our value-for-money society packages are Sample the greatclub atmosphere by playing a some of the best in the UK and whether your re- few holes with one of of the PGA pros or one of quirements are for asimple package or amajor our threeyounger starlets who are destined for corporate deal we can accommodate your needs. the European Tour. Most recently we have opened our clubhouse, Stay &Play which is available for functions catering for up to Buggy Hire Junior Lessons 130 people. Deals available with Ramada Tony Minshall Encore, Crewe. Fleet of buggies Every Saturday morning. All juniors welcome. ” Director of Golf Visit our website for details. available for hire. For further information, e-mail [email protected] or call01270 765931 ForClub Features email: [email protected] 13 GolfersLocal January 2013 Club Feature ROOMS WITH A VIEW Ourregion is blessed with numerous coursesboasting stunning views from its fairways, but few arequiteas breathtaking as the backdrop enjoyed by players at a The elevated 16th teeatMytton Fold offersfabulous, far-reaching views. friendly hotel and golfclub basedjust outsideBlackburn. Prizegiving evenings, footballclub func- Lancashire &Blackpool Tourist Board, forwalkers so we changed the rules to tions and Christmas parties. the MyttonFold course is already popular allowguests to bring their dogs.” LOCATED in Langho,just afew miles some 221 yards from the back tee and can The suite cancater forupto300 guests with golf societies from NorthWales, David, who was made club president in north of the LancashiretownofBlack- requireasmuchasathree wood even for and playedhost to comedian Peter Kay’s Merseyside and Manchester as well as 2006 when he tookoverfromhis dad burn, the 6,132-yard18-hole Mytton the longer hitters. wedding to his wifeSusan in 2001. wedding guests who love the idea of Frank,explained: “It’sgreat to be so in- Fold golf course sits high in the hills Former European Tour star Paul Eales “We’ve even hosted largeexhibitions in being able to playagame of golf on the volved with the club as president and it overlooking the Ribble Valley,Pendle playedthe course acouple of years ago there,”added golf managerNigel Alcock. morning of the big day. means Iget to speak regularly with the Hill, Forest of Bowland, YorkshireDales, and said: “Thefirst nine holes areveryde- “Thehotel is popular with businessmen “Because it’s ahotel we areable to pro- committee, whichinturnthen gets me Fylde coast and the distant spireof manding from the tee.Ithought the con- and women golfers during the week. If vide food 24 hours aday,” said Nigel. moreinvolved with our members.” Blackpool Tower. ditionofthe course was immaculate and theyare staying in the hotel then theyget Boasting 43 bedrooms the hotel also Friendliness and informalityisthe Opened in June 1994 by Liverpool leg- the elevated tee shots on the downhill free golf after 4pm. This is perfect for received aSustainable Tourism Award. hallmarkofgolf at MyttonFold and end Kenny Dalglish,who went on to lead holes aregreat fun as the ballhangs in the people that maybestaying at the hotel Owner David added: “Wepride our- along with the hotel facilities and those BlackburnRovers to the Premier League air forwhat appears to be alifetime.” alone.” Nigeladded. selvesonlistening to what our customers stunning panoramic views, youcan be as- crownthe following year,MyttonFold To assist youaround, the club has a Twice voted SmallHotel of the Year by want, forexample we areapopular spot sured that youwillenjoyyour time there. became the only three star hotel with its fleet of buggies available forhireand owngolf course in the area. since buggypaths were built in 2006, the The fast maturing course has manyin- buggies cannow be used 365 days ayear. teresting aspects that make it amust visit Being partofthe Best WesternHotel forany golfer. chain the off course facilities arewhere The course is laid into the hillside the club really earns extragolf stars. In above the hotel and opens with ashort 1982 the first barnonthe then farmland par three of just 130 yards from the white was converted and the hotel was opened tees. Arun of challenging par fours follow by the mayor. WINTER WARMER SUNDAY NIGHTER beforeback-to-back par fives at the sixth The traditional 19th hole,including su- AVAILABLE UNTIL 28/02/13 TWOROUNDS OF GOLF,DINNER, and seventh. The former being known as perboriginal oak beams includes agolf TWO-BALL (18 HOLES) WITH A BED &BREAKFAST Mytton’s Accent, whichclimbs 501 yards bar, TV and pool table.Themain hotel BUGGY,INCLUDING BACON ROLL to the summit of the course.Try and bar is used by golf societies and features a &COFFEE ON ARRIVAL ONLY£79.00 blockout the distractionofthe widescreen TV and aroaring fireduring supplement of £20 for single occupancy panoramic views from the seventh, which the winter months. ONLY£40.00 is afabulous driving hole. Registered forweddings with an out- per two-ball Owner David Hargreaves’sfavourite door and indoor licence,the versatilityof hole is the par four 14th. The 19-handi- the clubhouse/hotel facilities is amassive capper said: “It’saclassic driving hole feature. from the elevated tee and the prevailing Elsewherethereisthe Ribble Suite – wind pushes your balltowards the out of ideal forfunctions and conferences, the SOCIETY bounds, whichruns allthe waydownthe Hodder and Calder rooms–perfect for PACKAGES right hand side of the 411-yardhole and smaller, moreintimate events, and the then round behind the back of the green.” piece de resistance –the AbbeySuite –a NOWAVAILABLE The 16th offers another great opportu- stunning room used forlargeevents, in- FROM JUST £20.00 nitytoreally open the shoulders off the cluding weddings and civil partnerships, (min 8players) elevated tee and the round finishes as it started, withapar three.Incontrast to the opening hole though, the 18th measures

Bookings can be made by contacting the golf shop on 01254 245392 or e-mail: [email protected]

Anotherofthe picturesque holes. The hotel’s idyllic garden. GolfersLocal January 2013 14 Send your stories to: [email protected] ProNews

FaststartforNixon

MATTHEWNixon, who wonback his EuropeanTour card forthe third BEATTIE RISES TO successiveyear,wasted no time in making his markinthe first event of the newcampaignbyfinishing in a shareoffourth placeinthe Nelson Mandela Championshippresented THE CHALLENGE by ISPS Handa at Royal Durban. IT SEEMED ahugegamble at the time BY DAVID BIRTILL grammes and Worldwide Golf and re- The 23-year-old from Ashton- but Alan Beattie has morethan justified viewedcourses and wrote teaching arti- under-Lynebirdied four of his last his decisiontoquit his job as aprofes- Beattie could not resist the challenge. cles. eightholes to tag a67tohis opening 63, six-under-par in total, in atour- sional at Gleneagles to work at aprevi- The 33-year-old Cumbrian certainly “We’ve increased the membership at Alan Beattie. ouslyrundown club in Chester. has allthe credentials to breathe newlife The Oaks by nearly 200 last year,which nament reduced to tworounds be- Even the mouth-watering prospect of into the club wherethe green shoots of consideringthe economic downturnand “We’re restructuring the lay-out and cause of torrential rain. aringside seat at the Scottish resortwhen recovery aretherefor alltosee, the conditionofthe course when Iarrived ripping out some of the rough to make Europe defend the Ryder Cup next year He joined the professional ranks at 17 herethe turn-around has been phenom- the course moreattractive. failed to dissuade him from accepting the as an assistant at Stoneyholme in his na- enal. Anditwillcontinue to be so for “It’snot as tough as Gleneagles by any role of golf director at the villagecourse. tiveCarlisle but he was out of actionfor there’sastructureinplace to getthe club stretchofthe imaginationbut it’s afair MollingtonGrangehad twice gone threeyears after sustainingaserioushead wherewewant it to be in three years. test.” into receivership,the last time 20 months injury in acar accident. “This place has gotgreat potential.The Meanwhile,Beattie recentlytookstu- ago, hadadwindling membership and He said: “I went to teach at Cranfield greens were about 70 per cent deadwhen dents from Chester Universityunder his the whole complex was clearly in need of Driving Rangeand through aclient Iarrived herebut course manager Simon tutelageand workscloselywith fellow some tender loving care. landed ajob as sales and marketing direc- Hardman, who was at East Sussex Na- PGA professional Craig Thomas, devel- But with newowners, Cornerstone tor of Wilmslow-based WSPGlobal, tional, has revived them along with the opment officerfor the CheshireCounty Golf,and achangeofname to The Oaks, who publish official European Tour pro- fairways whichwereinapoor state. Golf Partnership. MatthewNixon. WELLTRAVELLEDSOLSKI LANDS ADUALROLE IN UKRAINE

NICK Solski has leftthe Le Meridien dor foralocal children’s hospital. babies and children,”said Solski, whose moneytothe children’s hospital,”said club in Lithuania, wherehewas golf di- With the assistance of his wifeLaura, procareer started when he signed on as Solski. rector forfour years, to take up asimilar ascientist from Manchester,and Fa- an assistant at ShrigleyHallwhere his “They work verycloselywith the In- post in the Ukraine. timah Rajah, an intensivecarenurse dad, Peter,was headgreenkeeper. ternational Children’s HeartFounda- And he’s not onlybeen put in charge from Leeds, theyare importing out-of- He’s amember of Prestwich, where tion, whichisacharitywheresurgeons of running the Superior Golf &Spa date but non consumable medical sup- his son was junior captain, and last year andnursesgiveuptheir free time to go Pictured (L-R) are: Simon Gale (Global ICHF ambassador), Dr Ali(Swiss Heart Resort, in the NorthEast near Kharkov plies from the UK. wonthe club’s president’s final. and perform operations in places such Surgeon), Fatimah Rajah and Nick Solski. buthas been appointed as an ambassa- “They areusedinheartoperationsfor “Insteadofaprize he asked to donate as Kharkov.”

CCOOMMPPAANNYY AANNDD LDERSEY REEN CCHHAARRIITTYY GGOOLLFF DDAAYYSS A G Why not host your Company Day or Charity Day at Aldersey Green. GOLF CLUB We specialise in hosting large Arelaxed and friendly golf club in the heart or small events. of the Cheshire countryside Prices from £15.00pp (which includes midweek round of golf and aone-course meal). Other packages can be tailored to suit. MEMBERSHIP OFFER Bookings now being taken for2013. 01829 782157 Get 15 months for the priceof12 Call our Golf Team on or e-mail based on full membership [email protected] from 01/01/13 -31/03/14 £465 (7-day) £405 (5-day) SSUUMMMMEERR PPAACCKKAAGGEESS Tea/coffee &bacon sandwich, 18 holes &three-course dinner. £26.50pp WINTER

Chester WINTER To

A55North Wales M53 Liverpool PPAACCKKAAGGEESS Tea/coffee &bacon sandwich, WE ARE HERE A41 18 holes &two-course dinner. £18.00pp To Wrexham To Nantwich GGOOLLFF TTUUIITTIIOONN Whitchurch

To AAVVAAIILLAABBLLEE Whatever your level, book alesson Call: 01829 782157, 07768 746699ore-mail: [email protected] with our PGA pro and Titleist fitness coach Website:www.alderseygreengolfclub.co.uk Stuart Hursfield. Visit www.stuarthurstfield.myprogolfer.co.uk Aldersey Green Golf Club,Aldersey, Chester CH3 9EH for more details Send your stories to: [email protected] 15 GolfersLocal January 2013 ProNews

TEACHINGPROVES BROMBOROUGH SIMPLE FORSIMON GOLFCLUB Considered by many to be the best parkland course in the ONE of the region’s most successful pro BY GEOFF GARNETT cellence at Clays Golf Centre wherehe golfers is turning his main focus to teach- remained until taking up his present ap- area with more than 100 years of history. Host to the ing. ing system and Flightscope technology, pointmentaspro at Windermerein2008. prestigious English Amateur Championship in 2005, it’s SimonEdwards is alegend in North everystudent cansee and understand the His passionfor playing tournament an excellent test of golf all-year-round. Wales and NorthofEngland PGA Golf correct waytoplaygolf. golf is evident from his manyachieve- with astring of outstanding playing suc- “This philosophy is borne from spend- ments. He holds the positionofMaster cesses in his 21 years of being agolf pro- ing time with the world’sgreatest instruc- Golf Instructor with Nicklaus /Flick fessional. tors suchasJim Flick, Sean Foley, David Golf Schools –onlyone of 12 profession- Wirral’s Parkland Jewel Although he stillplans to compete,his Leadbetterand Butch Harmonand some als in the worldtobegranted this status. main passioniscoaching and helping of the world’sgreatest players suchasUS His playing recordisalsohugelyim- golfers to maximise their potential and at Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III and pressivehaving won morethan 200 tour- his Windermerebase he has an ideal fa- Masters championBubba Watson.” naments. These include the Glenmuir cilitytohelp in this aim. Simonrepresented Wales at junior, Club Professional Championship in Simonsaid: “Myphilosophy is that youth and senior international leveland 2001, the Leeds Cup,the oldest trophy in golf is simple as long as youare focussing on turning proin1992 he was assistant professional golf,in2006and the Welsh on the correct aspects of the game.This at Wrexham. He then tookthe assistant’s National Professional Championship willbring immediate improvements. job at Carden Park beforebecoming head three times. “With the state-of-the-artcoaching profor fiveyears. Simonalso qualified to playinthe studio at Windermere, whichincorpo- His next role was to take ateaching 2010 Open at St Andrewsand the 2011 rates the Optimal Analysis Video coach- positioninthe Ryder Cup CentreofEx- Open at Royal St Georges. BOND LOSES HIS BATTLE WITH CANCER

GERRYBond, one of the NorthRe- BY DAVID BIRTILL rium at 2.30pm. Allare welcome to gion’s best-known professionals, lost BlackburnGolf Club later.Family his battle with cancer on NewYear’s fully-fledged professional job at Black- flowers onlyplease,with donations to Dayatthe ageof55. burn. Cancer Research UK via LChamp Fu- Open Events 2013 He was the second eldest of seven When he returned to Southportafew neral Services Ltd, Bank House, Date Competition Format siblings with twoofhis fivebrothers, yearslater he ranseveral golfingoutlets. WhalleyRoad, Clayton-Le-Moors, 27 May Team of 4any gender (max 2juniors) Best 2Stableford scores and one sister,joining the professional He also enjoyedaspellasHuyton & Accrington, LancashireBB5 5DY. 10 Jun Senior Men +55 4BBB Stableford ranks including European Tour player Prescot proand was director of golf at Best 2Stableford scores Liam. Hurlston HallinScarisbrick. 17 Jul Ladies Team of 4 Brimstage Brewery Golf Challenge - Gerrywas no mean playerhimself in In 2011 he was back in Blackburn 4Aug Stableford 9-6-3 his younger days.His first notable vic- when he tookownership of Samlesbury Team of 4any gender (max 2juniors) torywas in the LancashireU21 Cham- Golf Centre. 26 Aug Team of 4any gender (max 2juniors) Best 2Stableford scores pionship and he wonseveral events in His elder brother Derek, who worked 4Sep Senior Men +55 4BBB Stableford the region including the Wansbeck forhim, said:“Hewas amassiveperson- Classic at Bedlingtonshire. ality. Once he was around people they More details and booking forms can be obtained via our But one achievement he was partic- were drawn to him. It wasn’t onlythe website or call 0151 334 4499 ularly proud of was acourse record65 golf -itwas the wayhewas. He hada in the Martini International at Lin- gift of making people laugh.” drick. Gerry is survived by his wifeHilary Southport-bornGerry joined John and children Lauren, eight, and Jack,12, Winter Special Donoghue as an assistant at Hesketh apromising golfer whom he mentored. Available to 31st March, 2013 then teamed up with Peter Gillat The funeral is on Friday, January11, Knole Park in Kent beforemoving at 1.30pm at St Gabriel’s Church, £25pp or £90 for apre-booked fourball back to Lancashiretotake his first Blackburnthen Pleasington Cremato- GerryBond sadly passed awaythis month. (includes soup &sandwiches to end of February) TEE,AND ALITTLE SYMPATHY,FOR JAMIE Call Geoff Berry on 0151 334 4499

JAMIE Donaldson’s hopes of regaining BY DAVID BIRTILL But Wolstenholme responded with Society & Away Days the StandardBank Mauritius Open birdies at the 16th and 17th before, with crownhecaptured in 2008 were scup- Despite his first round 78 he stillfin- twoputts forvictory, he holed the second Special packages available pered when he almost missed his teetime ished fourth behind Gary Wolstenholme, of them. on the first daylast month. who is attached to Kendal club Carus That saw him complete the tworounds from £25pp (minimum 12 people). The 37-year-old Macclesfield profes- Green. in one-under-par 141, atotal he felt owed sional, who chalked up his maiden Euro- The oneshot victoryoverDenmark’s much to his putting, especially in the final Call 0151 334 4499 for availability pean Tour winatthe Irish Open in the MarkHaastrup by Britain’s most capped stages. summer,did not even havetime fora amateur topped off his most successful He said: “I was put under alot of pres- warmupand scored anine on the open- year of his shortprofessional career and sureright the waythrough the round. ing par four hole. his thirdsuccess of the season. “But Imanaged to hole putts at the Memberships available Donaldsonwas staying with his with It followshis back-to-back Spanish right time,especiallyroundthe turnwhen All categories –5-day, 6-day &7-day his familyatthe resort’sexclusiveLe double on the European Senior Tour ear- Markwas making birdies. At that stageI Touessrok hotel, whichisattached to the lier in the year when he wonthe Mallor- was just trying to cling on. course and whereOasis star Noel Gal- canOpen and BenahavisSenior Masters. “Fortunatelythis course suits me. Call Geoff Berry on 0151 334 4499 lagher andhis wifeand twochildren were Wolstenholme,who turned proatthe You’vegot to drivethe ballstraight and among the guests. ageof47in2008, earned morethan keep your shortgame in check, so it Please quote voucher code when youcall The WorldNo47was understandably €150,000 last year. worked out very well formeand Iturned GL01/13 unhappywhen he found his tee time Haastrup birdied the 16th and 18th it round at the end. posted on anote outside his bedroom holes of the tricky BernhardLanger-de- “Tofinish the year with awin is very www.bromboroughgolfclub.org.uk door! signed course to crank up the pressure. pleasing and I’mdelighted.” GolfersLocal January 2013 16 Forleagueupdates e-mail: [email protected] Fantasy Golf League2013

The players HOW TO PLAY £3,000,000 ThorbjornOLESEN DEN Andres ROMERO ARG SAF Mikael LUNDBERG SWE GIVE your team a‘clean’name, RoryMCILROY NIR SCO ChrisWOOD ENG Troy KELLY USA Jeff MAGGERT USA £2,500,000 GER GaryWOODLAND USA Ben KOHLES USA Damien MCGRANE IRE then select your 10 players from Luke DONALD ENG Henrik STENSON SWE £400,000 Jason KOKRAK USA ChrisPAISLEY ENG the listing opposite,remembering TigerWOODS USA AUT Ken DUKE USA Dong-Hwan LEE KOR Eddie PEPPERELL ENG not to exceed the £5million spend £2,250,000 £900,000 Bob ESTES USA TomLEWIS ENG Alistair PRESNELL AUS Louis OOSTHUIZEN SAF AaronBADDELEY AUS DarrenFICHARDT SAF David LINGMERTH SWE GarySTAL FRA limit. Justin ROSE ENG Jonas BLIXT SWE Brian HARMAN USA Luke LIST USA Graeme STORM ENG Points willbeawarded foreach Adam SCOTT AUS Ben CRANE USA CharleyHOFFMAN USA John MERRICK USA Nicholas THOMPSON USA LeeWESTWOOD ENG RyoISHIKAWA JPN SorenKJELDSEN DEN Edoardo MOLINARI ITA MarkTULLO CHL golfer finishing in the top 30 of the £2,000,000 Pablo LARRAZABAL SPA Peter LAWRIE IRE James MORRISON ENG LeeWILLIAMS USA selected scoring events on the Eu- Jason DUFNER USA VijaySINGH FIJ GeorgeMCNEILL USA Eduardo de la RIVA SPA £100,000 ropean and US tours(top 40 inThe Webb SIMPSON USA Kyle STANLEY USA Cameron TRINGALE USA Brett RUMFORD AUS BjornAKESSON SWE Brandt SNEDEKER USA £800,000 Jaco VANZYL SAF RobertSTREB USA StuartAPPLEBY AUS Open Championship,USOpen Bubba WATSON USA FANDERSSON HED SWE £350,000 ChrisSTROUD USA Seve BENSON ENG and USPGA). £1,750,000 Jonathan BYRD USA RobertALLENBY AUS Daniel SUMMERHAYS USA Michael BRADLEY USA Keegan BRADLEY USA Ben CURTIS USA Charlie BELJAN USA AlessandroTADINI ITA S.S.P.CHOWRASIA IND Generally speaking aTour Ernie ELS SAF Brendon De JONGE ZIM GregoryBOURDY FRA Jhonattan VEGAS VEN RobertCOLES ENG event winner will earnyour team Erik COMPTON USA Sergio GARCIA SPA MarcLEISHMAN AUS Chad CAMPBELL USA Fabrizio ZANOTTI PAR 500 points, asecond place 350, Peter HANSON SWE AlvaroQUIROS SPA Graham DELAET CAN £200,000 Kenneth FERRIE ENG Dustin JOHNSON USA Michael THOMPSON USA MarkFOSTER ENG Kris BLANKS USA BobbyGATES USA third250 etc. Morepoints areon Matt KUCHAR USA MarkWILSON USA J.J.HENRY USA Jason BOHN USA Tano GOYA ARG offer at the Majors, the Tour Graeme McDOWELL NIR £700,000 Scott JAMIESON SCO Justin BOLLI USA Emiliano GRILLO ARG Phil MICKELSON USA TimCLARK SAF John MALLINGER USA Angel CABRERA ARG JimHERMAN USA Championship,Players Champi- Ian POULTER ENG ENG Troy MATTESON USA Michael CAMPBELL NZ MatthewJONES AUS onship and VolvoMasters. Michael JONZON SWE SteveSTRICKER USA Stephen GALLACHER SCO Hennie OTTO SAF Roberto CASTRO USA Send your entries by post (a £5 Bo VANPELT USA Thongchai JAIDEE THA Chez REAVIE USA StewartCINK USA Maximilian KIEFFER GER Nick WATNEY USA Joost LUITEN HOL LeeSLATTERY ENG Johan EDFORS SWE Doug LABELLE II USA cheque or postal order per entry) £1,500,000 Seung-Yul NOH KOR RichardSTERNE SAF Tommy FLEETWOOD ENG Maarten LAFEBER HOL SteveLEBRUN USA and made payable to Golfers Local GFDZ-CASTANO SPA Jeff OVERTON USA Romain WATTEL FRA Brad FRITSCH CAN to: FantasyGolf League,Golfers Rickie FOWLER USA RobertROCK ENG £300,000 Brian GAY USA MOrumMADSEN DEN JimFURYK USA JeevMilkha SINGH IND ACANIZARES SPA Paul HALEY II USA NIR Local, Cherry Bank Barn, Dark RichardMCEVOY ENG Zach JOHNSON USA Charlie WI KOR MACARLSSON SWE SorenHANSEN DEN CMONTGOMERIE SCO Lane,Burton, Nr Rossett, Wrex- MartinKAYMER GER DannyWILLETT ENG Kevin CHAPPEL USA Andreas HARTOE DEN Carlos del MORAL SPA Paul LAWRIE SCO Y.E.YANG KOR John DALY USA TimHERRON USA ham LL12 0AE. Jose Maria OLAZABAL SPA Hunter MAHAN USA £600,000 Harrison FRAZAR USA Justin HICKS USA GaryORR SCO Francesco MOLINARI ITA SAF GregoryHAVRET FRA ENG Phillip PRICE WAL THE RULES CarlPETTERSSON SWE Kristoffer BROBERG SWE David HEARN CAN Billy HORSCHEL USA Brian STUARD USA CharlSCHWARTZEL SAF Paul CASEY ENG SAF ENG Andrew SVOBODA USA £1,250,000 MatthewEVERY USA Espen KOFSTAD NOR AlexandreKALEKA FRA AaronWATKINS USA 1. Allteams must contain 10 play- Thomas BJORN DEN Retief GOOSEN SAF Jbe KRUGER SAF Simon KHAN ENG £50,000 ers from the listing. K.J.CHOI KOR Luke GUTHRIE USA Thomas LEVET FRA Colt KNOST USA Scott ARNOLD AUS Nicolas COLSAERTS BEL J.B.HOLMES USA Wen-Chong LIANG CHN SamLITTLE ENG Steven BOWDITCH AUS 2. Total team value must not ex- Jason DAY AUS Charles HOWELL III USA William MCGIRT USA GaryLOCKERBIE ENG Don CONSTABLE USA ceed £5 million. Jamie DONALDSON WAL RaphaelJACQUELIN FRA Prom MEESAWAT THA David MATHIS USA Matteo DELPODIO ITA 3. Once registered ateam cannot RobertGARRIGUS USA RobertKARLSSON SWE Garth MULROY SAF Paul MCGINLEY IRE Derek ERNST USA Brandon GRACE SAF ChrisKIRK USA Greg OWEN ENG Cameron PERCY AUS Peter EROFEJEFF FIN be changed. BillHAAS USA Spencer LEVIN USA Dicky PRIDE USA Ricardo SANTOS POR Oscar FLOREN SWE 4. A£5admin feemust accompany David LYNN ENG Ryan PALMER USA Julien QUESNE FRA Joel SJOHOLM SWE AUS Matteo MANASSERO ITA TedPOTTERJnr USA Brenden STEELE USA DarronSTILES USA Fabian GOMEZ ARG each team entered (you mayenter Ryan MOORE USA RorySABBATINI SAF Shawn STEFANI USA Justin WALT ERS SAF Jeff GOVE USA as manyteams as youwish). Scott PIERCY USA Kevin STADLER USA Kevin STREELMAN USA SteveWEBSTER ENG David HIGGINS IRE 5. If an entry exceeds the £5mil- John SENDEN AUS Scott STALLINGS USA Josh TEATER USA Boo WEEKLEY USA Lasse JENSEN DEN David TOMS USA Johnson WAGNER USA Simon WAKEFIELD ENG Peter WHITEFORD SCO Si-Woo KIM KOR lion spend limit, the organiser will £1,000,000 Jimmy WALKER USA AnthonyWALL ENG £150,000 Joakim LAGERGREN SWE tryand contact the team manager Sang-Moon BAE KOR CaseyWITTENBERG USA MarcWARREN SCO James BUSBY ENG Moritz LAMPERT GER RCABRERA-BELLO SPA £500,000 £250,000 JorgeCAMPILLO SPA Scott LANGLEY USA by phone forare-selection. If no Bud CAULEY USA Blake ADAMS USA Felipe AGUILAR CHL Robert-Jan DERKSEN HOL Michael LETZIG USA contact is made an adjustment will Greg CHALMERS AUS DarrenCLARKE NIR MatthewBALDWIN ENG James DRISCOLL USA Alexander LEVY FRA GeorgeCOETZEE SAF Brian DAVIS ENG Ricky BARNES USA Oliver FISHER ENG Callum MACAULAY SCO be made alphabetically. Simon DYSON ENG Victor DUBUISSON FRA Will CLAXTON USA Scott GARDINER AUS Pablo MARTIN SPA 6. In cases of dispute the organ- AUS HarrisENGLISH USA ChrisDOAK SCO Ignacio GARRIDO SPA Eric MEIERDIERKS USA iser’s decision is final. Anders HANSEN DEN Tommy GAINEY USA David DRYSDALE SCO Jean-Baptiste GONNET FRA MatthewNIXON ENG Padraig HARRINGTON IRE TomGILLIS USA RichardFINCH ENG Andres GONZALEZ USA Henrik NORLANDER SWE 7. The closing date forentries is John HUH USA RussellHENLEY USA MartinFLORES USA Scott HENRY SCO JinPARK KOR Monday, January28, 2013. Fredrik JACOBSON SWE NIR LorenzoGAGLI ITA Mikko ILONEN FIN John PARRY ENG Miguel A.JIMENEZ SPA Davis LOVE III USA LucasGLOVER USA Mikko KORHONEN FIN PatrickREED USA MartinLAIRD SCO BryceMOLDER USA Ricardo GONZALEZ ARG Jose Manuel LARA SPA TagRIDINGS USA THE PRIZES Shane LOWRY IRE Sean O`HAIR USA RichardGREEN AUS Craig LEE SCO AnthonySNOBECK FRA Kevin NA USA PatPEREZ USA James HAHN USA RichardH.LEE USA Matt SOUTHGATE ENG Our2013 Fantasy Golf League Alexander NOREN SWE D.A.POINTS USA Joachim B.HANSEN DEN Justin LEONARD USA Andy SULLIVAN ENG Geoff OGILVY AUS John ROLLINS USA Morgan HOFFMAN USA ChrisLLOYD ENG MatthewZIONS AUS sponsorsare once again Scottsdale Golf.They willkindly provide each Manager of the Month win- Entry Form ner with a£50 prizevoucher. At the end of the season the winner willreceiveavoucher to spend in the shop worth£300. Team Manager:...... Player Name Value Player Name Value Secondwillreceive avoucher for Team Name (Max 18 characters):...... 1...... 6...... £200 andthirdwillwin a£100 voucher. Address:...... 2...... 7...... CONTACTUS ...... 3...... 8...... Forany queries or foradditional ...... Post Code: ...... 4...... 9...... entry forms, call 01978 449917. If youwould like weeklye-mail TelNo:...... 5...... 10...... updates sent to you, please enter your e-mail address on the entry E-mail:...... Total (must not exceed £5million) £...... form. Foradvertisinge-mail: [email protected] 17 GolfersLocal January 2013 GolfersLocal January 2013 18 Send your stories to: [email protected] Captains News CAPTAIN’S MOLD’S NEW CaptaincyjobforJane CAPTAIN MOLD Golf Club’s newladycaptain Jane O Scholes has driven intooffice,raising around £600 forChildren In Need intothe bargain. Ladies hadgreat fun dressed in DRIVES IN pyjamas and nightwear to play the 12-hole Drive-In competition. AFTER being elected Mold Golf Club Members and friends guessed the R captain for2013, Roger Howesheld his length of his drivetoraise moneyfor Drive-In early last month. worthy cause and the winner was John Anitaswingsin Morethan 100 members and friends Green with his estimate of 142 yards. were therefor aquicktipple in the club- Some 82 members followedthe Cap- house beforeRoger droveofffromthe tain’s matchinafourballbetterballevent, first tee. with Rob Stacey and StuartFergusonthe N He was partnered by the current club winners with 45 points. champion IestynIngman as theypaired Therewas plentyofactionasTimmy up foramatchagainst the newvice-cap- Davies hit ahole-in-one on the 16th, tain, Tony Moore, who playedalongside Gareth Evans won nearest-the-pin on the club proCraig Tudor. the ninth and RichardHughesstruckthe Roger,along with the lady captain, Jane longest driveonthe 18th. ANITA Brock, from Ellesmere,isthe new E Scholes, has chosen Help forHeroes as After the competitionthe club’s new lady captain at Oswestry Golf Club.Anita his charityashis sonGareth is in the caterer,CarlWillis, laid on asplendid droveintooffice last month and will be Armed Forces and is currentlyserving in Hot Pot, whichwas most appreciated by raising funds throughout the year with the ladies section forachildren's cancercharity. Afghanistan. everyone. PhotobyKen Done. R Claysofficerselected with... Arscott Golf Club captain Pete Davies CLAYSGolf Centre’s AGM, under GL: Wheredoyou live? hole too.Itlooks straightforward, yet the chairmanship of the president PD:IliveinMeole Village, Shrews- is anything but, and it is bordered on Tony Harcombe,tookplace last bury, whichisapproximatelyaseven both sides by banks of trees, which month whenits officers were elected. minute drivetothe golf course. lookstunning in allseasons. The club captain is Bob Brown and his vice-captain is Ernie GL: What do youdofor aliving? GL: Howoften do youplay? Williams. The newladycaptain is PD:Iam anational account manager PD:Asoften as possible.Inthe sum- ShirleyRoberts and her vice is foramagazine distribution company. mer maybetwo or three times per Yvonne Taylor.Irwin Elkin is the week, work permitting. newpresident with Reg Peacockand GL: Howmanyyears haveyou been a Eifion Jenkins as the honorarysec- member at Arscott? GL: What areyour other hobbies? retaryand honorarytreasurer re- PD:I’vebeen an Arscott member for PD:Idon’t gettoo much time for spectively. sevenyears. other hobbies at the moment, but my Lining up forthe traditional Captain’s Match at Mold last month (L-R) are: Iestyn Ingman (club champion), Roger Howes(captain), Craig Tudor (professional) and Tony Moore(vice-captain). BarryDarecontinues as handicap wifekeeps telling me I’mprettygood secretaryfor asecond year and past GL: Haveyou been amember of any at DIY! captain Gareth Roberts is the new other golf club/s? competition secretary. This year’s PD:No, footballwas my first sport GL: Whichfootballteam do you seniors’ captain is Colin Brown. until Ifound golf,it’swith regret I support? ALL CHANGE AT PADESWOOD In the junior section, Neil Gled- didn’t take it up earlier! PD:MybelovedEverton, I’ve fol- hillbecomes junior organiser and lowedthem from being akid. PADESWOOD&Buckley’sfour new MaryRowlands. Both were captains to- James Falcus is the junior captain. GL:What is your current handicap? officers were elected at the NorthWales gether in 1992 and willremain in office Both captains havetheir own PD:Iplayoffahandicap of 20. GL: What’s your chosen charityfor club’s AGMlast month. as club presidents until 2016. charities this coming year.Bob’s Whilst Ienjoysocial golf,competi- the year? This year the twonew captains were Newcaptain Kevin said:“I would like Captain’s CharityisYsgol Heulryn, tion golf is my passion, hence the cur- PD:Guide Dogs ForTheBlind. The confirmed as being Kevin Grandfield, to thank allthe retiring officers fortheir YCanol, in Gwersyllt. Shirleyhas rent handicap. service transforms thelives of around from Nannerch,and Christine Fogerty, commitment and dedication to selectedKidneyResearch UK, which 4,500 blind and partially sighted peo- from Mancot. The vice-captains for Padeswood &Buckleyoverthe years.” specialises in promoting the under- GL: What’s the lowest handicap ple everyyear.Itwould great to be 2013 areIan Cameron and June Hol- He added:“Christine and Ihavecho- standing of kidneydisease,its you’veeverplayedoff? able to name apuppyonbehalf of the land. Also twonew presidents started sen alocal child supportgroup,Daf- causes, prevention, and treatment, PD:Mylowest handicap was 18. golf club. their three-year termofoffice last fodils, as our nominated charityfor the as her nominated cause. month. Theyare Gerald Williams and year.” GL: ApartfromArscott, what’s your GL: If youhad to pickout one per- favourite other course? sonal golf highlight whatwould it be? Denbighdreamteam PD:I’vetried to playasmanydiffer- PD:Ihavehad ahole-in-one, but my ent courses as Ican, but forced to tee shot on the first in my Captain’s make achoice it would havetobeThe Drive-In would havetobemychoice. Vines, in Perth, Australia. My daugh- Iknocked it to within 2ftofthe pin ter lives thereand Ihaveplayedita and walked off with atwo! couple of times. It’s atough test of golf with wildlife throwninand you GL: If youcould play18holes in a can’tbeat playing golf with the sun on fourballwith anyone else,who would your back. be theother three players? PD:Luke Donald as he has sucha GL:What’s your favourite hole at Ar- smooth swing and great tempera- DENBIGH’S elected officers for2012/13 arepictured at last month’s AGM.They scott? ment;Dynamo the Magician because are: Front Row(L-R): Julia Jones (lady PD:Thethird. It’s atrickypar three if he would be great in the bar after- vice-captain), Kate McColl (lady captain) youdon’t concentrate and giventhe wards; and my son Kieren –alast we and Sue McCarthy (lady president). Back views from this hole is the reason it’s havestopped arguing when we play Row: ELlewDavies (club president), Adam Houston (men’s vice-captain) and hardtoconcentrate.Ilove the 16th together! Padeswood &Buckleycaptains Kevin Grandfield and Christine Fogerty. Eifion Ll Jones (men’s captain). Send your stories to: [email protected] 19 GolfersLocal January 2013 Juniors News

Jamie’slegacy DoubledelightforJoel JUNIORS THRIVING atDGUpresentation PLASSEYGolf Club youngster Joel Harold receivedboth the prestigious Junior Champion and Order of Merit gross awardatlast month’s DenbighshireGolfing Union AGM AT NEW MILLS at Denbigh. BY GEOFF GARNETT DGUcaptain Ken Williams was Nathan Collinson with his shield. on hand to present allthe awards, whichalso included Wrexham’s EUROPEAN Tour star Jamie Don- JUNIOR golf has enjoyedagreat 2012 Thomas Williams picking up the aldson has neverforgotten his golf at NewMills Golf Club and professional Junior playerofthe Year as well as roots, whichbegan as ajunior at David Cullen and his band of helpers, led winning both Junior championships Macclesfield morethan 20 years ago. by junior organiser Phil Holland, are at U16 and U18. MatthewWaters, One of his legacies to the club is looking to build on the success in 2013. also of Wrexham, wonthe nett award the Jamie Donaldson Shield and it David, formerly the proatChapel en as well as the countyU14 title. was wonbyNathan Collinson who le Frith, has enjoyedworking in his new Meanwhile,Abergele Golf Club’s was the club’s ‘Junior Golfer of the role at NewMills and has seen the num- youngsters scooped the Junior Year’after winning severaltrophies. ber of juniors grow from just fivetomore than 50, including six girls. League Shield. David, who began his procareer at Chestercheer NewMills in 1981 and who has aproven teaching recordrecognised by an English Golf UnionAward, said: “A surprising NewMills proDavid Cullen at work with ajunior group. number of past NewMills juniors have goneontofame and fortune in golf in- than £1 millionworth of goods. David added: “Adult members join cluding Ricky Adams winning the “Tothose parents who entrust their juniors on the coursehelping them to de- ‘World Long Driving Champion’ title. young ‘Tigers’ to my professional care, velop their skills and it is another reason “SimonHigginbottomisnow aPGA thereisnopromise that theywillall be- whyNew Mills is known as the ‘Friendly tour refereeand canbeseen officiating at come acegolfers, renowned referees, Club’. many‘majors’ including the Ryder Cup, championship course designers or suc- “We’re going from strength to strength while Steven Richardsonmanages seven cessful business people,but theywill by beingcommitted to bringing golf to THEwinners of Chester Golf Club’s major championship courses in Portugal. enjoyafulfilling experience and who the wider community. junior competitions were presented with “JohnHinchliffe, who hadhis first les- knows!” “Golfers newtothe game cantry atrial their trophies last month. Pictured (L-R) sonasajunior with me,isnow the prin- Nowteaching golf in local schools and membership,whichgives anew golfer are: Emily Pogue,James Hamilton, Oliver cipal of SnaintonGolf Discount, ahuge encouraging young people to trythe twofreelessons and allows them time to Claireaux, Alex Johnson, Luke Faulkner, Joel Harold receives his trophies from DGU Matt Curtis(junior vice-captain) and online golf retailer and theynow stock game has resulted in athriving junior sec- choose whichmembership category captain Ken Williams at Denbigh last Charlie Parker (junior captain). the NewMills shop giving access to more tionatthe club. would best suit their lifestyle.” month. GolfersLocal January 2013 20 Send your stories to: [email protected] Local News

ReddishCentenary BIDSTON bookprovesabighit REDDISH Vale Golf Club mem- bers and friends haveenjoyeda great Centenaryyear in 2012 with their famous McKenziecourseen- CELEBRATE joying top class action throughouta busy and memorable season. Nowtoadd to the memories of the year theyhavetheir Centenary bookpublished and readyfor sale. CENTENARY Vale committee official Dave Sanders said: “I am pleased to an- nounce that the ‘Bookofthe Year’ APOPULAR Wirral golf club, BYPAULCHAPPLE has been delivered. renowned forits fine greens, is this month “Forget 50 Shades of Grey this is celebrating the startofits Centenaryyear. men, ladies, seniors and juniors. the booktoown in 2013 forReddish BidstonGolf Club members gathered The club came into existence on May members and other local golfers to welcome in the NewYear with aspec- 24, 1913 at the GroveHotel, Wallasey, who haveplayedour course over the tacular fireworkparty at the club and nu- and was started by members of three golf- Bidston Golf Club today and INSETin1913 at the inaugural Drive-In. years. merous events areplanned forthroughout ing societies, the Grove, the Warren and “Itisofverygood quality, with 2013. the West Wirral,who at that timewere Limited to 120 gentlemen members at Lady Captains in 1963; Rita Maddick– interesting content showing plenty Aspecial familyfun dayisplanned in playing on the links of the WallaseyMu- £1. 1s 0d and alimited number of lady captain of the West CheshireSocietyof of the year’s celebrations as well as August to markthe inaugural Drive-In, nicipal Course ‘TheWarren’. and junior associate members at 10/6d, Golf Captains in 1976; Mrs ECole – some historyofour great club, whichtookplace on August 16, 1913. Being anine-hole course,congestion the original course was playedovernine captain of the West CheshireSocietyof whichisinkeeping with allthat The club has also organised aGala was inevitable and it was agreed at this holes and was on the site of the present Lady Captains in 1990 and Douglas Cox Reddish Vale Golf Club is about. Dinner,with entertainment being pro- meeting to lease apiece of land between back nine holes. It was extended to an 18- –captain of Captains of the Liverpool “Theclub’s thanks go to Brian videdbylocal guitar legend GaryMur- Leasowe Roadand the River Fender for hole course in 1924. SocietyofGolf Captains in 1998. Rendellfor allofhis research and phyand his band, forSeptember 21 at the use of the members and the newclub Members who havebrought honour to The August focus week events consist skills in producing the bookto- nearby Leasowe Castle when the Mayor to be called the BidstonGolf Club. the club include: Earnest Crimes, who of: Sunday, August 4–Mixed Competi- gether with manyother helpers who of Wirral, together with captains from The first officers appointed at this having been runner-up four years previ- tion(club members); Monday, August 5– allplayedtheir part. other local clubs, willcelebrate 100-year meeting were:captain Mr SForsythe; ously, became the Amateur Championof Ladies Open; Tuesday, August 6–Juniors “It’savailable foronly£10 from milestone. honorarytreasurer Mr EW Carr,and the Countyin1955 at Wallasey;William Open Team Competition; Wednesday, the club office and as therewillnot As well as celebrationdinners and honorarysecretaryMrHPepper. Lodge–captain of the Liverpool Society August 7–Seniors MatchvEastham be another print run, anyone inter- familyfun days,throughout the year there Founder member and first secretary of Golf Captains in 1958; GladysHol- Lodge; Thursday, August 8–Ladies Cen- ested in purchasing one needs to areavarietyofcompetitiveevents Edward(Teddy) Carr was to hold office land-Owen–captain of the Cheshire tenarySalver; Friday, August 9–TBA; place an early order to ensurethat planned including afocus week in August as either secretary,treasurer or captainfor Lady Veterans in 1963;BessieLodge– Saturday, August 10 –Men’s Open; Sun- theyget acopy.” when competitions willbeavailable for morethan 50 years between 1913-64. captain of the West CheshireSocietyof day, August 11 –Men’s CentenarySalver.

01352 840 440

MEMBERSHIP OFFER 18 months for the price of 12 (Direct Debit available) WINTER SOCIETY PACKAGE -Coffee &bacon rolls -18holes of golf Excellent access via the A55 (Junc 33A) £18pp(midweek) £23 (weekends) Central location for Cheshire, Merseyside &North Wales Championship-standardparkland course SPECIAL GREENFEE OFFER Outstandingclub and leisurefacilities (Mondays, Tuesdays &Wednesdays only) £12pp

NORTHOP COUNTRYPARK,NORTHOP,FLINTSHIRE CH7 6WA www.northoppark.co.uk e:[email protected] t: 01352 840 440 Send your stories to: [email protected] 21 GolfersLocal January 2013 Local News

HENLLE MAKE PLANS Fitfor golf with... STUART FOR 10TH BIRTHDAY HURSTFIELD THIS year marks the 10th anniversaryof the opening of Henlle Park Golf Club, In this, the first of anew regular fitness feature, when founder members brothers, Dave and John Evans playedthe first fullround Chester-based PGA proStuartHurstfield introduces of golf at the AwardWinning Georgian parkland course. the basics of Titleist Performance Institute(TPI). Celebrations at the Oswestryclub planned forJulyinclude adouble shotgun MOST golfers areimmediatelyput off above the bottom hip.Push up until startcompetition, followedbyadouble by the word fitness, associating this thereisastraight bodyline through hog roast forasmanymembers as the with cardio vascular (exercise) or a feet, hips and head. Keep the elbow friendly canaccommodate and on the changeofdiet. under the shoulder.Lower under con- following day, acompetitionfor founder Although this is advantageous in trol and repeat on the opposite side. members and past captains willtake place performancethis regular featurewill Hold this position foranincreasing followedbyadinner and prizepresenta- focus moreonincreasing the rangeof length of time up to amaximum of one tion. movement. minute.Perform twotothree sets. Development has continued over the It is fair to saythe onlyway to im- years ultimatelyinthe constructionfour prove, is to changethe wayyou move! (3) –TheGluteal bridge years agoofthe splendid newclubhouse, Henlle Park will celebrateits 10th birthday this year. But, even the most structured and Lie on the floor with your knees bent. whichprovides both members and visi- disciplined practice routines canprove Squeeze your gluteals and then push tors with everyrequirement. added: “Aswellasproviding the fullshop numbers and enthusiasm, goes from futile.This is because the mechanicsof your hips up until thereisastraight Owner RalphTomleysaid: “Despite service, Chris has given many golf lessons strength to strength. Nowthat the wettest agolf swing areset by an individual’s line through knee and hip to upper the recession, during the last twoyears, since his arrival and built up the junior summer for100 years is behind us, every- mobility, hence no twomovements are body.Shoulders remain on the floor. further improvements havebeen made, sectionculminating in aprize giving just oneislooking forwardtonext season, the same. Bewareofrising too high or of flaring including the constructionofsix new beforeChristmas and the appointment of particularly the 10th anniversarycelebra- We willaddressthe mostcommon the ribs, whichpushes the back into bunkers, sevennew winter grass tees, ex- anew junior captain and junior matches tions.” swing faults,identifying the physical hyperextension. Hold this position for tended footpaths, and anew putting next summer. The 2013 GolfersLocal Summer Classic limitation, then counteracting with a an increasing length of time up to a green built to the same USGA specifica- “Our 520 members aredelighted with also takes place at Henlle Park on Friday, resistance training programme in maximum of one minute.Perform two tionasall the other greens at Henlle.” the improvements; moreare planned for July19and costs just £50 per pair to take order to extend mobility, thus improv- to three sets. Henlle Park is also bucking the trend 2013, and particularly with the free part. This includes coffee/tea on arrival, a ing technique. by recentlyappointing anew fulltime draininggreens and fairways allowing the two-course meal and prizepresentation. First and foremost we need to focus (4) –Birddog or Superman golf professional –Chris Hodges, who course to be open when manyothers have To bookyour place or forfurther details, on the King and Queen to the golf Startwith your hands belowshoulders joined the team in August 2012 and has been closed. call the GolfersLocal on 01978 449917 or swing–the glutes and abdominals (the and knees belowhips. Setyour low already made alargeimpact. Ralph “Themembership,both in terms of e-mail [email protected]. corearea). back into neutraland braceyour ab- These coremuscle groups provide dominals slightly. Slowly slide back stabilityinmovement. Without this one leg and slide forwardthe opposite therewillalmost definitelybealoss in arm. Ensurethat the back does not slip PRESIDENT-ELECTBACKSJUNIOR INITIATIVES postureorachangeinspinal angle. into extension, and that the shoulders This area of muscles canbeexercised and pelvis do not tilt sideways.Hold ALAN Rawlinson, who has been nom- stems from when he tookitupasan11- with anumber of wonderfully named foruptoamaximum of 20 seconds. inated president of the Lancashire year-old at Allerton Park,whichhede- routines suchas: the gluteal bridge,the Slowly bring your leg and armback Union of GolfClubs,has high hopes scribed “asprobablythe busiest plank, the side plank, the oblique and swap sides. Performfive to 10 sets. aboutthe futureofthe county and in municipal course in the world” at the crunch, birddog or superman. particularly the continuing develop- time.“Tr ying to getonthe course was a (5) –Oblique Crunch ment of the junior game. challengeinitself,” he recalled. (1) –Theplank Lie on your back with right ankle rest- “Wehaverecentlystarted an Under- Rawlinson, 72, who comes into office Hold astraight body position, sup- ing on leftknee.Right armisplaced 12 group,whichisinline with most in March,has helped to champion ported on elbows and toes. Bracethe on the floor out to the side.Keeping sports,”herevealed. “Youngsters de- grassroots initiatives since he joined the abdominals and set the lowbackinthe the right shoulder down, curlthe left velop an interest much earlier than countyexecutive11years agoand has neutralposition. Hold this position shoulder up to the right knee.Crunch theyused to and we already have10 been chairman of the junior committee foranincreasing length of time up to a at the top and return slowly, under boys playing at ahigh standardfor since 2006. maximum of one minute.Perform two control. Avoid ‘headnodding’during their agewho areattending four ses- At his peak, he playedoffscratchand Alan Rawlinson. to three sets. the movement: keep your headoffthe sions over the winter with Haigh Hall represented the Lancashiresenior team floor and lookforwardthroughout. professional Ian Lee. in its early years. plant maintenance forthe construc- (2) –Side Plank Performtwo to three sets of 15 to 30 “There’salwaysadebate about what His name adorns the honours boards tion industry in Speke and when the Lie on one side,ensuring the top hip is repetitions on each side in turn. agetostartthem but it’s important at Childwall, the club he joined in 1981, depot closed in 1988 he led amanage- that Lancashirekeep up with trends. and wherehewas scratchteam captain ment buy-out. We havesome good talent coming on three occasions beforestanding Rawlinson, awidower, retiredin through.” down as aplayerinhis early 60s. 2005 and he handed the reins to his son His interest in the junior game He started work as a15-year-old in John and daughter Jean. PRIZE TIME

THE 2012 Fantasy Golf League runner- up Stephen Davies and thirdplaced Barry Moss were at Scottsdale Golf last month The glutes, right, and to pickuptheir prizes. the abdominals are Stephen, who plays at Mold, won a King and Queen to the TaylorMade driver and Barry, amember golfswing. at Alsager,received his TaylorMade bag from storemanager Martin Barnes. Winner Alan Norwood was pictured Further detailsongettingfit forgolf canbefound at: lastmonth afterhewon the set of Taylor- www.stuarthurstfield.myprogolfer.co.uk Stephen Davies, left, Scottsdale storemanager MartinBarnes, centre,and Barry Moss. Made ironsfor first prize. GolfersLocal January 2013 22 Send your stories to: [email protected] Ladies News CAPTAIN’S BECKY LOOKS BigmoveforHannah O FORFAST Hannah Davies. STARTINOZ ONE of Stockport’sbrightest young golfers has taken up the demanding BY TREVOR PEAKE ABERGELE’S Becky Brewertonwillbe challengeofthe PGA qualification R hoping to startthe 2013 Ladies European three-year course to achieve her Tour seasoninAustralia the wayshe fin- top 15 in the final rankings. long-held ambition of becoming a ished in 2012, when her closing 65 in the In Dubai, after an indifferent 70 and golf professional. Omega Dubai Masters gaveher a12- 73 in the first tworounds lefther down Hannah Davies, amember of under-par 276 and ashareofthirdplace the field, she added a68onthe thirdday Bramhall, willbebased at Adlington in the final event of the season. to move into ashareof20th, beforeher Golf Centre,whereshe has worked N The €31,000 she earned in Dubai at sevenunder on the final daytookher into forseveral years, to complete her the beginning of December morethan the top three.She wasinfactseven under PGA training and she willalso be doubled her total forthe year to €56,367 par through 11 holes but then hadtoset- looking to playinPGA tournaments from 22 events and movedher up to are- tle forseven straight pars to finish. and the LETAccess Tour. spectable 52nd in the final order of merit, Her 65 was the second best round of The 21-year-old spent her early to rescue asomewhat dismal season–her the tournament, alongside tournament years at Didsburywhereshe was a E ninthyear as aprofessional. winner China’s Shanshan Feng,who had keyplayerintheir successful win in Prior to Dubai she hadhad just one her 65 in round two. the Manchester Alliance Williams other top 10 finish in 21 starts, taking a Holland’s Dewi-ClaireSchreefel had BMWTeam Challengebeforemov- shareoffourth in the SanyaOpen in the bestround, a63inthe third on her ing to be nearer her home in ChinainOctober,but she hadmissedthe waytofinishing alone in second place on Bramhallwhereshe was astudent at cut no less than 10 times, an unexpected 272, four aheadofBrewerton and Ger- BramhallHigh School. R setback in the hitherto rock solid career many’sCaroline Masson, but fivebehind Her playing career tookoffin with..Northenden Golf Club lady captain HazelFoster of the former Solheim Cup player. runawaywinner Feng. 2002 when she gother first handicap Shemissed the cut in both the Aus- Brewerton, who turned 30 last Octo- and was the U15 winner in the GL: Wheredoyou live? ter Citysupporter for37years, so tralianand NewZealand Opens early last ber,starts 2013 with the first three LET Joanne MorleyJunior Challenge HF:IliveinUrmston. Cityismyteam. Beforethat, my local year and was plagued with injuryprob- events ‘downunder’. and the following year she repre- team in Scotland was Queen of the lems formuchofthe seasonasshe The 54-hole Volvic Masters at the sented CheshireGirls in the Four GL: What do youdofor aliving? South,and Istill liketokeep an eye slipped dramatically down the order. Royal Pines ResortinQueensland, from Counties tournament. HF:Ihavejust retiredafter 18 years on their progress. Brewerton, who turned proin2003 February1-3 and the NewZealand Open Shewon the CheshireGirls at as headteacher of aprimaryschool in with astring of top amateur titles to her at Clearwater in Christchurch on the Helsbyin2003 hadthe best nett in Timperley. GL: What’s your chosen charityfor name,has won three events on the Euro- South Island from February8-10 before the NorthernGirls at Darlington the year? pean Tour and, despite her poor season the Australian Open, playedover72 and playedher first EWGAevent. GL: Howmanyyears haveyou been a HF:Alzheimer’s Research UK. I last year,inched past the millioneuros in holes, at the Royal Melbourne Club from The following years saw her as a member at Northenden? think this research is vital, as so many official earnings mark. the 14th to the 17th. regular forCheshiregirls with HF:I’vebeen aNorthenden member of us knowsomeoneaffected by de- Her best year was 2009 when she fin- Brewerton, who is nowbased in Swin- plentyofcountyand regional suc- forsix years. mentia.Mydad suffered from ished thirdinthe merit with earnings of don, is also in the field forthe Mission cess beforejoining the adult ranks Alzheimer’s for12years and he and €221,000 and, apartfrom2005, when she Hills WorldChampionship in China and in 2010 she hadthe best gross in GL:What is your current handicap? my mumwerefortunate in having ex- was 24th, she has neverbeen out of the from March 7-10. the Margaret Sangster Cheshire HF:Iplayoffahandicap of 21. cellent supportand care.Iwant that ‘major’. formorepeople. With her handicap nowatfour it GL: What’s the lowest handicap DEVON DELIGHTFOR DUO meant Hannah could begin her you’veeverplayedoff? GL: If youhad to pickout one per- PGA training last autumn. HF:Mycurrent handicap of 21. I’m sonal golf highlight whatwould it be? Shesaid: “I would like to thank hoping to come down morenow that HF:Scoring abirdie on the first hole my mumand dadfor alltheir sup- Ican playmoregolf. of the Hunting Course,atSlaley portand belief throughout my golf- Hall, Northumberland. ing career otherwise it would not GL: ApartfromNorthenden, what’s havebeen possible. your favourite other course? GL: Howdoyou feel to be joint cap- “Also Margaret Walker,Joanne HF:Packsaddle RidgeGolf Club,in tain during the club’s Centenaryyear Morley, PatDalbyand latterly allat Harrisonburg,Virginia.The course is with your husband? Adlington Golf Centre forall of carved from abeautiful mountainside HF:Johnand Iare honoured to be their on-going support. I’ll keep on and the views arespectacular. joint captains, especially during the practising and see what the future club’s CentenaryYear.Highlights of brings.” GL: What’s your favourite hole at theyear include aFestival Week with Northenden? Open competitions and social events, HF:Ilove the 16th hole.Itlooks and around robin of men’s and ladies’ EmilystarsatChester straightforward, yetisanything but, competitions with the other three Janet Ions and Jean Halligan with the trophy.Photocourtesy of LeaderboardPhotography. and it is bordered on both sides by local ‘Centenary’clubs, Sale,Daven- TYTHERINGTON Golf Club’s Janet This is their biggest win in golf and, as banks of trees, whichlookstunning portand Hazel Grove.This newCen- Ions and Jean Halligan rewrote their club Jean said: “It’slovely.”Janet added: “It’s in allseasons. tenaryTrophycompetition willthen and countyrecords at East Devon Golf great and abig shock, areal surprise!” become an annual one-dayevent. Club by winning the English Australian The Stableford foursomes event is con- GL: Howoften do youplay? Spoons Championship. tested by players with handicaps of 21 HF:Imanaged to playtwice aweek GL: If youcould play18holes in a Played on aspectacular cliff top course, and over and the national finalists –who through last season, but this year,I’m fourballwith anyone else,who would the pair,representing the NorthRegion, each represented oneofEngland Golf ’s looking forwardtoplaying alot more. be theother three players? wonatight tussle against Sheelagh Ay- women’s regions –had come throughclub HF:AiMiyazato -she’s smalllike me cliffeand Jill McLeod, from Bovey and regional qualifying rounds. GL: What areyour other hobbies? and Iloveher fabulous, fullswing; Last month the major Chester Golf Club Tracey,Devon who were representingthe Janet, whohas been playing golf only HF:Birding,hiking and reading. the late AlexHay forhis clear analysis ladies trophies for2012 were presented by South West with the other four pairsleft four years, has ahandicap of 26 –and had lady captain, Patricia Antlett, at the and stories; and Ian Rankin, abril- in their wake. been cut by twointhe run-up to the final Ladies Christmas Dinner. Notablesuc- GL:Whichfootballteam do yousup- liant writer who might be persuaded cesses included 13-year-old Emily Pogue “Itwas very close,” said Janet. “Our –while Jean is a29handicapper. port? to set an Inspector Rebus novel who wonthe both the Ladies Coronation playing partners were aheadofusall the The pair,who scored 31 points, arethe Cup and the mixed Marston Cup.Emily is HF:I’vebeen married to aManches- within agolf club! waybut we pipped them on the last.” first winners from Cheshire. pictured with Patricia and all the winners. Foradvertisinge-mail: [email protected] 23 GolfersLocal January 2013 PENNANT PARK GOLFCLUB

FUNCTION WIN AGOLFHOLIDAY SOCIETY IN PORTUGAL!!! ROOM Available for PACKAGES2013 All societies of 12 or more who book Option 1 corporate events, or Option 2ofour 2013 Summer Deals weddings, parties SummerDeals will be entered into afree prize draw christenings, etc to win agolf holiday for four to Portugal. Option1 Coffee&bacon roll 2nd prize –free Option 1for your society 18 holes+2-course meal (same numbers as original booking). £30 £34 3rd prize –two complimemtary fourballs, Mon-Fri –Weekend includingbuggies. Option2 4th prize –acomplimentary fourball, including buggies. 9holes of golf Soup &sandwiches The prize draw will take place on 18 holes+2-course meal Saturday 31st August, 2013. Mon-Fri £37 –Weekend £41

When you visit on your society golf day you will be offered the opportunity to enter our WINTER society team of 4competition on FOURBALL MIDWEEK BUGGY SPECIAL WARMERS 2012/13 Saturday, 31st August, 2013. • Fourball • 2 buggies • 18 holes of golf • £60 Available until 31st March, 2013 Entries are £80 per team, which consists (Available until 31st March, 2013) Coffee &Bacon toastie, 18 holes of 18 holes and ameal. WINTER GREEN FEES &aone-coursemeal Prizes for winning teams. • Weekdays - 2 play for £25 Mon-Fri £20 –Weekend £25 For all bookings, call 01745 563000 • Weekends - 2 play for £35 Pennant Park Golf Club, Whitford, Holywell, Flintshire CH8 9AE CALL US ON 01745 563000 Follow us on Facebook Directions: Take junction 32 for Holywell off the A55, then follow • E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.pennant-park.co.uk the signposts to the club. PENNANT PARK HOLIDAYHOMES &GOLFCOURSE Offeringholiday homeownershiponour luxury, exclusive development Do you fancy owning your own holiday home overlooking abeautiful golf course in North Wales? New BEAT Pennant Park is currently offering ex- Pennant Lodges clusive holiday home ownership in stun- availablenow fromjust THEVAT ning surroundings. BuybeforeApril, 2013 The wonderfully appointed lodges will £89,950 and don’tpay the5% That’s 35% offthe delight those searchingfor a‘stressfree’ VATthat is being lifestylewhilst enjoyingsome of North original price!!! Wales’ spectacular countryside. Pen- introduced nant Park Golf Club boasts asuperb 18- hole course with quality greens. The clubhouse also has great facilities including apro shop, restaurant and multi-purpose function room. It enjoys a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The exclusive development has alim- ited number of 15 luxury lodges and comes ready to move into, making it even easier to upgrade to your deserved lifestyle. The best way to really appreciate the lodges and all the other fantastic facili- ties is to come and have alook and ex- perience that ‘Wow Factor’ at first hand.

For more details, call 01745 563000 (day time) FULL 12-MONTHHOLIDAYLICENCE or 01745 852332 (evenings). Website: www.pennant-park.co.uk E-mail: [email protected] GolfersLocal January 2013 24 Send your stories to: [email protected] Local News

GolfShowrollsinto

Knowyourrules with... Manchester RECOGNITION THE Golf Show Group has an- nounced it is launching abrand new event in Manchester,bringing its PETER successful and long running format to the famous sports madcityfor the FOR ROYALST first time. TURNER The show, at EventCityonApril 5-7, willbesupported by newretail partner Express Golf.Theshowis OurShropshire-based English Golf Union referee the first of its kind in the NorthWest DAVID’S TEAM and the organisers hope it willbeas with his latest rules questions to test your knowledge. successful as its established London Golf Show,whichiscelebrating its Question 1: Question 4: ROYAL St David’s has become the first times in trying tomaintain income and eighth year. Aplayer’sballislying on the fairway In astrokeplaycompetition Tony’s golf club in Wales to be accredited with only those who improvetheir business Manchester willtake asimilar and coveredbyaleaf.Byaccident he balllay in abunker in apositionwhich the Investors in People Standard. performance and maintain good practice format to its sister shows and has movesthe ballwith his trolleyashe gave him adifficult stance.Ashetries Investors in People is administered by willsecurelongtermsustainability.” been designed to provide atruly in- searches forit. The ballmust be re- to take up asuitable stance he knocked the UK Commissionfor Employment & Trefor,who represents the Wales Re- teractive experience forgolf enthu- placed but thereisnopenaltyasthe down sand at the side of the bunker Skills and specialises in improving busi- giononthe Golf Club Managers’Associ- siasts of allageswith informed ballwas movedbyaccident. True or with his foot in an efforttoget his feet ness performance through people.They ation, added: “Talking with colleagues technical advice,PGA pros giving False? nearer to the same level. What is the help businesses to achieve results by fo- throughout the British Isles Iknowhow free lessons, guest interviews, cus- penalty? cusing on their objectives, and acting as a difficult it canbetobalance the need to tom fitting,club testing,Tour Question 2: critical friend in order to maintain con- work within an Investors in People type trucks, simulators and avast indoor Aplayerplays astrokefromwithin a a. No penaltyasheisentitled to area- tinuousimprovement. framework on the onehand and manag- driving rangefeaturing the top club bunker and the ballfinishes out of sonable stance when taking his stroke At the heartofInvestors in People is ing the daytoday aspect of golf club life brands. bounds. Beforehedrops aballunder b. One stroke the Standard–aframework of best prac- on the other. However, the team hopes to give penaltyofstrokeand distance the c.Twostrokes tice.Club secretaryTreforDavies “Luckilywehaveanoutstandinggroup the Manchester its owndistinct feel playerrakes the bunker at the spot thanked LesleyBrown, abusiness advisor of experienced and dedicated staff,many with supportfromlocal clubs and from whichthe original ballwas last Question 5: working forthe Welsh Government, for of whomhavespent the majorityoftheir brands giving the showits own played. Thereisnopenalty. True or In amatchGlanryd chipped his ball her supportinthe last twoyears in help- working lives here. As well as crediting unique identity. False? onto the green and it came to rest ing the club achievethis accreditation. He the club’s committee forthe wayinwhich Ian Mullins, marketing director against the flagstickbut did not actu- said: “This awardreflects our belief in theysupportthe staff and encouragecon- of the group,said: “Having joined Question 3: ally fallinto the hole.Without Glan- training,developing and supporting our tinuous personal development, the staff the Golf Show Team last year,itwas Janet and Margaret areplaying a ryd’sauthorityhis opponent Phil staff in order to help achieve the club’s themselvesput in atremendous amount always our intention to take are- match. At the fifth hole Janet has removedthe flagstick, expecting the objectives, and Lesley’shelp and guidance of hardworktoensurethat Royal St freshedlookatthe coredemograph- holed out forfive.Margaret misses her balltodropinto the hole,but it did not was invaluable. David’s maintains its positionasone of ics of golfers in the UK, wherethey putt forafive and says to Janet ‘That is do so and came to rest twoinchesfrom “Golf clubs areexperiencing tough the UK’s leading golf clubs.” live and what theirspending habits your hole’. When theyget to the sixth the edgeofthe hole.What is the pro- were. tee and beforetheytee off Margaret cedure? “Our instinctstolaunch ashowin remembers that she should havehad a Manchester were soon confirmed strokeonthe fifth hole and claimsthat a. Phil is penalised one strokeashe when the research came back.With the hole was halved. What is the pro- causedGlanryd’s balltomovewhen he statistics showing thereare in excess cedure? removedthe flagstick, and the ball of 1m+ golfers within a90minute must be replaced against the flagstick drivetime of EventCity, it was a‘no a. Janet wins the fifth hole b. Thereisnopenaltyand Glanryd brainer’that we should launcha b. The fifth hole is halved must replace the ballonthe lip of the showinManchester.” c. Margaret wins the fifth hole as Janet hole EventCityisthe second largest did not remind Margaret that she re- c. Phil loses the hole forcausing Glan- exhibition centre outside London, ceived astroke ryd’sballtomove situated in aprime spot next to The

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ho 8am-10ammidweek (exc Bank Hols) -2ball £14 (save£4) now available er lay ap if that says 18-2 ule –R lse Fa 1. he wt no ok yt onsibilit sp re ’s et ar Marg junior membership -3ball £19.50 (save£7.50) -4ball £24 (save£12) free for the first 12 months CALL 01244 579282 Haveyou got arules query you’d likeustoclarify?Ifso, e-mailyour question www.darlandgolf.co.uk for details call the secretaryon to [email protected] and we’ll provide adefinitive answer foryou. ChesterRoad, Lavister, Rossett LL12 0DF 0151 677 5852 Send your stories to: [email protected] 25 GolfersLocal January 2013 Local News

BIG GUNS TAKE PART Greenside with... IN MATCHPLAY MIKE BY GEOFF GARNETT DAVIE

THE Manchester Alliance matchplay This month our HazelGrove Golf Club headgreen- competitionhas again attracted atop class field of professionals and top ama- keeper on anew year and resolutions forgolf. teurs who willbelooking to make finals dayinApril forthe last four in both the ANOTHER year passes by and partof back of the golf club canand does a main event and the assistant’s event. me can’thelp thinking ‘thank good- very good job of leaving the surface of ChallengeTour proPhil Archer ness’ as the past year has been, possibly, the sand smooth forthe next victim. (Birchwood) is the number oneofeight the worst year ever forthe golfing in- Having finally gottothe green, the seeded players and he takes on Ringway’s dustry. next resolution would be to prevent Nick Ryan in round one. Title holder The weather has affected allareas of and repair allblemishes on the surface. Graham Cox(Davenport) is also atop golf,fromthe sales in the proshop to The correct procedureofrepairing a seed and he enjoys home advantage the golfer playing in atrocious weather, pitch markresults in helping prevent against Cheadleamateur Andy Hall. and on aselfish point of viewthe hor- bumpygreens and areas of damage Didsbury’sPeter Barber is the record rendous conditions bestowedonthe that maybesusceptible to disease.Re- holder forthe number of wins in the greenkeeper.Hopefully we canall look member if thereare morethan one competitionand he hosts another local forwardtoanew exciting year in the pitchmark, then repair as manyasyou legend in Bramhallamateur and former sportweall enjoy. see as this willhelp the fellow golfer. countycaptain Gareth Bradleywho has Whilst looking forwardtothe sea- Frequentlythe marks of scuffed and playedover150 times forCheshire. son and playing golf in some good draggedfeet canbeseen on the close Keeping it in the Barber familyis weather,hopefully,the NewYear is a mown area of the putting green; this Peter’s sonJack, the assistantpro at Hazel Alliance Matchplay holderGraham Coxwill play Andy Hall in the first round. good time to consider implementing impedes with the rolling of the ball Grove, who is at home to Alliance captain newresolutions. and damages the surface of the green. Kris Andrews(Ashton-on-Mersey) with (Davyhulme Park;Grant Hamerton DaveGreen (Dukinfield) vTim Maxwell The following arealist that if all It is in the interest of allgolfers to try the prospect of success giving him a (Pike Fold) vKen Thomson(Bramall (Knutsford); Tony Cuppello (Brookdale) golfers followed would help the game to avoid this problem. chance to take on his dadinalater round. Park); MarkSmith (Stamford) vEd vBen Thompson(Hazel Grove); Peter considerably. Those golfers that use atrolley Full draw:Phil Archer (Birchwood) v Smethurst (BramallPark); Graham Cox Barber (Didsbury) vGareth Bradley The first is forgolfers to observe the should observe the code of trolleyuse. Nick Ryan (Ringway); Jamie Tipper (Davenport) vAndy Hall(Cheadle); Josh (Bramhall); Craig Daggitt (BramallPark) etiquette of NO practice swings on the Forexample trolleys should not be (Denton) vJordan Flint (Cromptonand Garnett (Davyhulme Park)vSteve Mc- vAnthony Millar (Cheadle); SteveParry teeing ground. This willhelp preserve taken between green and bunkers and Royton); Alan Crompton(Haigh Hall) v Carthy(Lymm); Andy Clarke (Bramall (HartCommon) vGeorgeDrakonakis this area and prevent anyunnecessary should be kept awayfromthe putting Martin Longshaw (HindleyHall); Liam Park)vScott Jackson(Disley); Mobi (Sale); Jack Barber (Hazel Grove) vKris divots or scuff marks and improving surface. Burgess (BramallPark) vMike Wallwork Rawthore(Sale) vKevin Moore(Sale); Andrews(Ashton-on-Mersey). the qualityofthe tees. The next resolution would help with The second is that should adivot be golf course presentation and is really taken on the course,then the correct quite minor yetabig issue.Place all repair procedureshould be undertaken litter in bins provided or take the litter MOTTRAM OLD BOYS SHOWTHEIR CLASS depending on the policyofthe golf home so that the course becomesfree course. from rubbish. DE VERE MottramHallshowedits Some courses supplydivot bags, Another resolution forthe golfer great drainagequalitybyproviding an some divot pegs and some accept the would be to observe the etiquette of excellent course forafullManchester repair of divots by replacing the sod not playing ashot if it puts anygreen Alliance field, whichsaw arecord that has been removed. staff in danger.This would improve the number of 37 pros taking part. The next is the repair of damage health and safetyissues on the course The top individual prowas Disley’s within the bunker.All too often the and willhelp the green staff complete Scott Jackson with 41 points, which sight of golfers’ footmarks and damage their tasks sooner. lefthim three clear of DannyWardrop from the shot that has been playedcan The above arejust afew areas that (Didsbury) and four aheadofmerit be seen in abunker.Often the green arecause forconcern. These areas leader Alan Crompton (Haigh Hall). staff is blamed fornot raking or main- though areimportantfor theetiquette The top scoreof45points in the taining the bunker correctly. However of the game as well as improving the Pro-Am section came from Mottram’s on manyoccasions Ihavewitnessed a playing surface and safetyonthe golf TomHigson with the help of sponsor Mottramdirector of golfsales JoeGrundy,centre,with Am-AmwinnerTony Smith and his bunker raked early morning and look- course.Now is the perfect time to re- GoodseyAhmed, of Mere, but as Tom son Mark, the Stamfordprofessional. ing amess not long after.Ifrakes are flect on thepast and to lookforwardto is not yetaregistered PGA pro, the top available then it is courtesy to use it for the future. The implementation of spot went to former Mottrampro Tim chester) with42points, one morethan 41 points aheadofKennyThomson the benefit of fellow golfers. Then re- these resolutions and anyothers rele- Maxwell(Knutsford) and his partner Hazel Groveduo JamesRowlands and andAndyClarke (Bramall Park)and placethe rake as required by the policy vant to golf canonlyimprovethe sport. Mobi Rawthore, of Sale,aformer Jon Baxter. DaveAshton and SteveWalton, of of the golf club.Ifnorakes areavail- HappyNew Year to alland lets hope Mottramplayer, as theyhit 43 points. In the Am-Am section, Stamford Bolton OldLinks, who wonacard able,the use of the sole of the shoe or foragood one! Next in were Scott Jackson and Al- captainKeith Coxonand club partner play-off on 37 points from abig group liance treasurer VinnyDoyle (Man- Tony Smith were first past the post with on the same score. ALAN TAKES HALF-TIME LEAD

WITH the Manchester Alliance now though he missed some of the early-sea- enjoying amid-seasonbreak beforere- sonevents due to other commitments he suming actionatWychwood Park on Jan- is stillhandilyplaced in thirdspot behind uary23, the race forthe Order of Merit leader Alan Crompton(Haigh Hall) and looks as if it willbeanother close-runone Grant Hamerton(Pike Fold). SOCIETIES WELCOME WINTER GOLFDEAL beforebeing decidedatthe final fixtureof SteveParry(HartCommon) enjoyed Avariety of packages now Play 10 holes of golf the season, whichisPresident’s Dayat his successful experience representing £33pp £10 BramhallonMay 1. England PGA in Europeand he is also available for 2013 from for only Graham Cox(Davenport) is the cur- in contentionalong with Peter Barber For details call 01204 522878 or visit www.harwoodgolfclub.co.uk rent title-holder,whichcarries auseful (Didsbury), Scott Jackson(Disley) and HarwoodGC, Roading Brook Road, Harwood, Bolton BL2 4JD Alliance leaderAlan Crompton. paycheque as well as the trophy,and al- DannyWardrop (Didsbury). GolfersLocal January 2013 26 Send your stories to: [email protected] CharityNews

MiddletonJunction enjoysagreatday CHARITY GOLFERS PROVE TO THE Middleton Junction Golf So- cietyenjoyedagreat day’sgolf at BlackleyGolf Club whichraised £1,550 forits chosen charity. And benefitting from the funds BE ALL-ROUND WINNERS raised was the legendaryScroungers Golf Society, who use theircharity AN ENTHUSIASTIC group of “Toberecognised like this is atribute funds to buy wheelchairs forseverely fundraising golfers crowned another great to everyone involved. disabled children whichtheyhave year with atwo-waypresentationasa “Weworkhardand playhard, havea been doing formorethan 20 years. local cancer charityheld a‘thank-you’ lot of fun but we arealwaysfocusedon Severalofthe Middleton Junc- party. the importance of raisingmuch-needed tion Golf Societyare also members RosemereGolfers Against Cancer, funds forthis vital cause.” of theScroungers and theyare now nowinits 12th year,handed over an im- RosemereGolfers Against Cancer was looking to buy their 170th powered pressivecheque for£12,000 to the Pre- founded in 2001 by Leyland golfer Keith wheelchair foradeserving young- ston-based RosemereCancerFoundation McIntosh, who wanted to combine his ster. at its annual Supporters Christmas party, love of the sportwith supportfor Rose- hosted by PrestonGrasshoppers RUFC mereCancer Foundation. last month. Amongst its patrons, the group in- Captains John Allott and GillRoscoe, cludes former European Tour winners along with RGAC vicechairman Mike Paul Eales and Lora Fairclough, leading Kemplay, presented the cheque to Rose- professional caddy Phil ‘Wobbly’Morbey merechairman Dennis Benson. and former BBC presenter and ex-front- In return, theyweredelighted to accept man of the HoughtonWeavers, Norman the prestigious EmilyDibben ‘Volunteer Prince. of the Year’awardfor 2012, chosen from SueThompson, chief executiveofthe the various supporters’ groups, from par- RosemereCancer Foundation, said: ents Ian and Tricia Dibben. “Over11years, through aregular pro- Blackleycaptain and Middleton Junction Adelighted John Allott explained: gramme of events, RosemereGolfers GS member Gerard Skelly,left, presents the cheque to SydBartonofTheScroungers. “These aredifficult times forall charities haveraised thousands of much-needed RGAC captains Gill Roscoeand John Allott, with LauraStephenson, centre,Rosemere’s Central and fundraising is at apremium. Against pounds forthe charity.” Lancashirefundraising organiserwith the presentation cheque and the Emily Dibben Trophy. this backdrop,wehaveraised money Sheadded: “They areafun group who through events at Leyland, Morecambe, strivetirelesslytohelp the cause and we RosemereGolfers Against Cancer an ambitious aim to top this year’s £5kraisedatP&B Penwortham, Stoneyhurst and Fairhaven aresincerelygrateful forall theycon- haveawhole series of events planned for cheque.Further details canbefound at golf clubs. tribute.” 2013, including exciting newvenues, with www.rosemeregolfersagainstcancer.org.uk. PADESWOODand BuckleyGolf Club captains AnneTapp and Nigel Metcalferaised £5,000 forthe But- terflies Aftercare StrokeClub dur- WARRINGTON’S TIMELYCHRISTMAS GIFT TO QUARTET ing their 2012 year of office. The cheque willbeofficially WARRINGTONGolf Club last On receiving their cheques, Rita handed over at the club later this month presented cheques to four local Mahon on behalf of the St Joseph’s month. charitiesfollowing ayear’s hardworkby FamilyCentre expressed her gratitude the members in raising £12,600. forthe £6,200 cheque saying that it Highlights of the year at the club “far exceeded what Ihad hoped for were the annual CharityAm-Am golf when the captain first approached sug- event in July, the Sportsmen’s Dinner in gesting that he would like to make a October and –for the first time –aCraft donation.” Fair whichhad been held in November. Brian Carter,representing the This event hadbeen the brain-child of Samaritans, thankedthe club forthe lady captain Margaret Croftand had £3,100 cheque adding that the money featured abookofmembers’ favourite would be put to good use as theywere Padeswood &Buckley’scaptains Anne cooking recipes. improving their phone system. Tapp and Nigel Metcalfewith the cheque. As well as the main events, numerous Jane Allen, of Macmillan Cancer other fund raiserswereheld including Support, was also most appreciativeof quiz nights, bridgedrivesand raffles. the cheque for£3,100 and stressed that Doubledonation Captain Walter Winstanleysaid:“Mar- allofthe amount received would be garetand Iare very proud of what was used to help local needs. AWREXHAM-based golf centre achievedlast year.Themembers of War- The junior section of the club also has giventwo local charities aNew Pictured with their cheques at Warrington Golf Club in the front row (L-R) are: MarkAustin rington Golf Club should be congratu- raised £400 forStRocco’s,their cho- Year boost after presenting cheques (St Rocco’s), Brian Carter(Samaritans), RitaMahon (St Joseph’sFamily Centre)and Jane Allen lated on their generosity. Theyall have sen charity. The cheque was accepted (Macmillan CancerSupport). Back row (L-R) are: DesAppleton (Warrington member and St for£1,781 to each of them. Joseph’svolunteer), Walter Winstanley(Warrington captain), RichardBroadbent (chair of great hearts when it comes to support- on their behalf by young member ClaysGolf Centre’s past captains trustees at St Joseph’sFamily Centre)and Margaret Croft (lady captain). ing theseimportant local causes.” MarkAustin. Gareth Roberts and Annie Lee made the presentations to Nightin- gale House and the British Heart Foundation at aspecial event last EATON CAPTAINS MAKE THEIR ANNUAL PRESENTATIONS month.

LAST Year’s Eaton Golf Club captain, that suchalargetotal amount as £6,350 Ian Russelland lady captain, Janet hadbeen raised as both charities are Robinson havehanded over £11,000 to very personal to me as friends and rela- their chosen charities. tiveshavesuffered from these diseases.” The pair were delightedatthe amount Ian presented acheque for£5,058 to raised and Ian said: “Wewould like to the Hospice of the Good Shepherd thankall the members and staff of chairman Maureen Hastings and to Eaton forgiving so generouslyoftheir Sheila John,ofthe Christleton and Wa- At last month’s presentation (L-R) are: time and efforts to supportour chari- verton Hospice SupportGroup. ShirleyRoberts (Clays lady captain), a ties.” He said: “I was very pleased to to be representativefromNightingale House Lady captain Janet presented cheques handing over suchalargeamounttothe Hospice,Gareth Roberts (Clays past of £3,175 to Ruth Owen, of Arthritis hospice to be used forthe care of local captain), Annie Lee(past lady captain), a representativefromthe British Heart Research,and to Joanne Dobbie,from patients and their families as theycope Foundation and AngelaWellstead(Clays Parkinson UK. Shesaid: “I was thrilled with lifelimiting illnesses.” Eaton captains IanRussell and Janet Robinson with the charityrepresentatives. charityorganiserfor 2012). Send your resultsto: [email protected] 27 GolfersLocal January 2013 Club Results

ABERGELEGC Anderson 47pts; GBott &KBott Jones 23pts; Maria Morgan 22pts; Men’s Turkey Trot Stableford: Mervin Hughes &Ruth Morris33pts;Pat York, Pro’sWinter Stableford–Division 1: 46pts; MFindley&TButterworth Teresa Tone 21pts. Liddle 39pts; KM Jones 39pts. June Francis &BettyCollins 24pts; StuartMcKeller 26pts; IoriHughes 45pts. Seniors’ Stableford: SteveBaggaley SapphireMedal: Josh Barlow83-17=66; Margaret Evans, Sandy Wilson &Bar- 25pts; Ben Lindquist 25pts. 36pts; Elfed Jones 36pts; NobbyMorris AaronBarber 85-16=69; Richard baraBebbington 24pts. Division 2: ChrisTollitt 28pts; Martin CHORLTON-CUM-HARDY GC 34pts. Wilkinson 81-11=70. Ladies’ Draw Stableford: Marie Male Thomas 27pts; Dennis Chamberlain Shambles: ValMawson &Muriel Wal- Ladies’ Turkey Trot (15 holes): Betty 40pts; Alma Barker 37pts; Margaret 27pts. ton 44pts. DIDSBURYGC Whitby 25pts; Beryl Young 23pts; Brogden 36pts. Ladies’ Chicken Run(9holes): Shirley Xmas Stablefords: Jane Sellors 58pts. Greensome (Am): KAllan &LMilner Helen Dinsdale 21pts. Ladies’ Draw Stableford(9holes): Brown43-7=36. Day1:Pat Daly34pts. 40pts;TTansey&DMcGovern 36pts. Ladies’ Stableford(15 holes): Sheila Rachel Wigley20pts;BarbaraBebbing- Ladies’ Chicken Run(9holes): Joan Day2:Kathy Hu 28pts. Greensome (Pm):ISelf &PSherlock Lockett 25pts; SueBlackburn25pts. ton 19pts; Diane Jones 17pts. Hughes 49-13=36; Annette Williams 39pts; JGregory &JChapman 38pts. Ladies’ Turkey Trot (15 holes): Jan Christmas 4BBB Medal: Graham 49-11.5=37.5; Jo Adams 55-17.5=37.5. CLAYSGC Greensome (Am): JCleary&DGalvin Wruszek 24pts; Gwen Thomas 23pts. Maule &RichardWilson 63; Chris Ladies’ Stableford(9holes): Jo Adams Seniors’Yellow Ball: Ron Roberts,Tony 39pts; PMassey&SMcKay 38pts. Ladies’ Turkey Trot (15 holes): Helen Harrison &DarrenGriffiths 64; Steve 25pts; ShirleyClayton 24pts; Nerys Owens, Larry Birch &Andy Mitchell Greensome (Pm): AAndrews&MSer- Dinsdale 25pts; Sheila Lockett 22pts; Griffiths &Frank Mottram65. Watkins 24pts. 136pts; Maelor Davies, Noel Jones, rage 40pts; SThomas &DMorrison BettyWhitby 21pts. Christmas Mixed: Harrison Gwilt & Seniors’ Stableford–Division 1: Dave Geoff Morris&JohnKelty135pts. 39pts. Kelly Evans 76-189/12=573/12;Oliver Owen 28pts; RayWebsell26pts; Peter Stableford: Jack Cade 42pts; Gareth 4BBB Stableford(Am): MHolmes & MARKETDRAYTON GC Hughes &Nesta Orrells71-1211/12=58 Chell26pts. Roberts 39pts; BillKelleher 37pts. MSmith 40pts; NMorris&JCleary Men’s Stableford: Joe McLellan 38pts; 1/12;DavidThomas &Victoria Bradbeer Division2:Elwyn Bowyer 30pts; John 4BBB Stableford: Andy Matthews & 40pts. Paul Whitehurst 37pts; Michael Bloor 64-42/12=5910/12. Newcombe 29pts; Maurice Smith Kevin Scaife41pts; Mike Griffiths & 4BBB Stableford(Pm): DHenshall& 36pts. 28pts. BillKelleher 40pts. DRyder 39pts; PBayley&TBiddle- Seniors’ FunStableford: BillWorkman PADESWOOD&BUCKLEYGC 4BBB Stableford: Mike Griffiths, Bill combe 37pts. 44pts; Alan Lewis 34pts; Peter Sendall Seniors’ Christmas Stableford(12 ALDERSEY GREEN GC Kelleher,MickMcHugh &Mike Car- 4BBB Stableford(Am): SGarnett &S 33pts. holes): GR Williams 28pts; Graham Stableford: PLeech36pts; DAshworth nell; Karl Matthias, Brian Johnston, McKiernan 38pts; AJupp &MYates Ladies’ 3BallAm-Am: JennyWilson, Griffiths 28pts; Ron Jones 27pts. 36pts; AKennah 35pts. DaveWright &Ernie Williams. 38pts. Marjie Miller &Joanna Howard69pts; Meat Run: RPicken 49pts; Graham Winter League (Round 3): SJones &C Club MonthlyMedal –Division 1: Paul 4BBB Stableford(Pm): PDuignan &S LornaWalker,Jan Oliver &Irene Griffiths 40pts; Kevin Rea 40pts. Jolliffe40pts; TBewley&PLeech Fell 77-6=71; Michael Evans 73-1=72; Entwistle 40pts; PBayley&ACollins Clarke 60pts; BuntyYendole,Joyce 38pts; AKennah &RKennah 38pts. Stephen Hart82-9=73. 36pts. Barker &Marion Bayliss 58pts. PORTALPREMIER GC Division 2: James Falcus 85-17=68; Boxing DayTexas Scramble (11 holes): Ladies’ Texas Scramble: SueCushing, Ladies’ Winter League 3(10 holes): ALSAGERGC Michael Scott Carnell86-16=70; Kevin S&ARimmer,Chi Hu &JHilton PatDowler &BarbaraEvans 71.5; Irene Hurst 20pts; JoyceBuckle 17pts. Ladies’ Winter League Stableford 4(9 WynJones 87-17=70. 28pts. JennyWilson, Marjie Miller &Joanna Ladies’ Stableford(10 holes): Anne holes): LDumbleton 22pts; DMadew Division 3: Vaughn Tissink 86-22=64; Howard74.5. Paton 21pts; PatBowering 17pts. 22pts; PLeese 21pts. Lewis Greenwood 93-26=67; John Kelty HAWARDEN GC Ladies’ XmasStableford–SilverDivi- Ladies’ Winter League 3: JoyceBuckle Ladies’ Winter League Stableford 5(9 92-20=72. Pro’sStableford–Division 1: Stuart sion: JennyWilson 30pts; Becky 38pts;Alison Smith 36pts. holes): KAllan 24pts; KDean 22pts; M Turkey Trot: Gareth Whitley86-19=67; Lammond 39pts; AlexRoberts 38pts; Belcher 27pts; MaggieHolmes 22pts. Ladies’ Winter Stableford3:Val Davenport22pts. David Parry76-8=68; Andrew Jones 83- RobertGray36pts. BronzeDivision 1: Margaret Playfair Thompson 39pts; JoyceBuckle 34pts. 12=71. Division 2: Keith Phillips 42pts; 30pts; SallyGlover27pts; Margaret Men’s MonthlyStableford: Paul ARSCOTTGC Seniors’Texas Scramble (9 holes): Barry Thomas Davison 39pts; Geoff Shone Williamson 23pts. Roberts 37pts; LesPayne 36pts. 3Clubs &Putter:DGriffiths 37pts; A Dare, Bob Brown, Barry Evans &Tony 38pts. BronzeDivision 2: BarbRoberts 27pts; Turkey Trot Texas Scramble: Karen Humphries 36pts; Allan Smith 35pts. Owen 22.2; Andrew Mitchell, Bob Pro’sStableford–Division 1: Graham Lynn Ellerton 23pts; SueWalton 20pts. Roberts, Pete Godfrey,Ray Houlton & American Foursomes Stableford: Dave Brown, BarryEvans &LarryBirch 24.8. Cheers 38pts; Kenneth Edgar 38pts; StuartLeech; Rhian Jones, JudyScott, Marr&David Nicholls 41pts. Seniors’ Winter Stableford–Division Fraser Blair 36pts. MILE ENDGC Mike Eaton &MorrisLegge. PearlDyas Turkey Trot Trophy –3 1: ColinWilliams 35pts; Noel Jones Division 2: Alan Biggs 38pts; LesFenna Ladies’ MondaySocial: Janet Edwards, Clubs &Putter (9 holes):Sue Pearson 35pts;Tony Jackson 33pts. 38pts; Steven Roscoe 37pts. Carol Evans &Anne Walley 39pts; PRYORS HAYESGC 15pts. Division 2: Peter Lynch38pts; Neil Anna Pugh, Janice Turner &Sue Rob- Winter League –Division 1: Nigel Seniors’ ChristmasTexas Scramble: Les Sanger 38pts;TomMcGrady37pts. HAWKSTONE PARK GC son 33pts; Carol Ashley, Amanda Ord Thomas 40pts;TimJackson 40pts. Parker,Graham Davies&Brian Lever- Shop Stableford: Colin Bryan 37pts; BillBlake Seniors’ Trophy:DaveC &MoyaHolmes 32pts. Division 2: ChrisGillespie 45pts; Mike ton 56pts; David Williams, BarryDew- DilwynJones 36pts; Mike DJones Wright 41pts; Bob Smith 39pts; Alan Ladies’ StablefordAggregate: Janice O’Mara44pts. fall&Brian Webb 55pts; Peter 34pts. Molyneux 39pts. Turner 34+35+33+34=136pts; Janet Ed- Seniors’ Stableford: John Davis 42pts; Brunton, David Eccleshall&FredCot- Seniors’ Stableford: Peter Fraser 36pts; Seniors’ Stableford–Division 1: Lord wards37+30+30+36=133pts. Bryan Pritchard40pts. trell54pts. Mike Goring 36pts; DaveJones 36pts. Colan Langley-Ingress 38pts; DaveC Alice SealTrophy:JaniceTurner 151pts; Winter League (Week 9) –Division 1: Men’s American Foursomes: POwen Wright 37pts; Colin Ditty36pts. Amanda Ord129pts. SteveJones 42pts; James Pickett 40pts. &SBailey83-20=63; DSkone &N DARLAND GC Division 2: ClivePTinsley39pts; SundaySocial: Angela Eke,Frank Mor- Division 2: Alan Rowlands 44pts; Mike Thomas 76-13=63; TMorris&M Turkey Trot Stableford: Alan James Desmond Clark35pts; Bob Smith ris&RichardMeyer 44pts; Moya Curtis44pts. Williams 83-17=66. 38pts; Pete Cartwright 33pts; Allan 34pts. Holmes, StuartBall&Peter Kenyon Midweek Winter League (Week 10): Birch 31pts. Ladies’ 3BallAlliance: Lorane Scott, 44pts; Anne Bailey, JaniceTurner,Gary Pete Goulden 41pts; BillGregory ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE GC Julie Wales &Nicky Jones 60pts; Harper &Peter Bailey36pts. 40pts. Team Am-Am 3Clubs &Putter (13 DENBIGH GC Louisa Goff,Sharon Jones &Lyn Law Ladies’ Social: Janice Turner &Angela Seniors’ Canadian Greensomes: Ken holes): John Jenkinson, Neil Men’s Winter League Bogey (Week 9): 51pts. Eke 36pts;Carol Ashley, Carol Evans & Oakes &Denis Wallett 39pts; Tom Hallsworth, RichardMostyn &Nick David TJones 7up. Christmas Stableford: Sharon Jones Amanda Ord36pts. McNeill&BillAllsop 39pts. Richardson 79pts; NigelKay,Joe Silver Division: GaryOwen5up; Gary 31pts; Kath Gleave30pts; NickyJones 4BBB Social: Angela Eke &Gary Ladies’ Stableford–Division 1: Lyne Davidson, SteveBarlow&GaryWil- Thomas 5up; DarrenFoulkes 4up. 28pts. Harper 25pts; Barry Lingard&Di Hebden 40pts. son 75pts; Ken Clayton, GlynnTaylor, BronzeDivision: Don Walmsley7up; Turkey Shoot –Division 1: Ron Gleave Bradbury22pts. Division 2: SueHulme 31pts. Don Lawton &Steve Kiy 75pts. GaryJones 6up; MarkShaw 5up. 46pts; DaveWRalphs 44pts; Jordan Division 3: SueDunne 31pts. Ladies’ Winter League Stableford(9 Evans 43pts. MOLDGC BARON HILLGC holes): SandraMorris19pts; Betty Division 2: Andrew Fielding 42pts; Bill Lady Captain’s Drive-In (12 holes): RHOS ON SEA GC Turkey Strokeplay: Ian Jones &John Thomas 18pts; Jean Gwynn 18pts. WYoung 41pts; Robin Gemmill41pts. Debbie Barton, SueJackson &Mags Stableford(12 holes): Rob Greenland Roberts 63; Gareth Jones &MickBar- Juniors’ Winter League Stableford Seniors’ Christmas Stableford–Divi- Southern51pts; Janet Spence,Judith 28pts; John Williams 27pts; Ian Taylor low64. (Round 5): RhysBennett 34pts; Alex sion 1: DaveWRalphs 43pts; DaveC Froggett &DelythBarker 51pts; Peta 25pts. Pork Stableford: Evan Evans &Wyn Mason 34pts; John Roberts 32pts. Wright 42pts; Ron Gleave42pts. Bellis, Angela Green &Pat Fisher 2Man Texas Scramble: Ian Carter & Thomas 41pts; Trevor WJones &Eric Seniors’ Stableford: LesWilde 38pts; Division 2: PercyWMellor 45pts; John 50pts. Graham Lineger 69-4.4=64.6; Haydn Jones 37pts. Ifor Jones 35pts; JGlynJones 34pts. Snell45pts; RobertWParker 45pts. Ladies’ Bottle Stableford(10 holes): Phillips &Paul Sinacola 68-2.8=65.2; Ladies’ Stableford(9holes): GillJami- Seniors’ Stableford: John Farrington Kate Graham 21pts; BettyBaird19pts. Mike Snape &Steve Mays 70-3.2=66.8. son 19pts; Ann Harries Jones 17pts; 36pts; Steven Baggaley36pts; Nobby HELSBY GC Men’s 4BBB Bottle Run: JBell&R JoyceSalisbury16pts. Morris34pts. Christmas Team Stableford: KWilkin- Akehurst 46pts; ETonyDavies &G UPTON-BY-CHESTERGC Ladies’ Stableford (9 holes): JoyceSal- Men’s Winter LeagueStableford(Week son, JEve &KHoather 53pts; FFeld- Evans 45pts; PStanton &CStanton Men’s Greensome Medal:Stephen Far- isbury13pts; Caroline Barlow12pts; 10): Alan Brooke 41pts. wick, RMetcalfe&VOliver 51pts; V 43pts. rington&Alan Sherlock79-17.8=61.2; Lynda Thomas 12pts. Silver Division: John DryhurstRoberts Nagle,VFletcher &BPrince 49pts. Nicholas Harbridge&Graham Ladies’ Ryder Cup ShortCourse Sta- 39pts; David Clayton 38pts; RHughes PC Qualifier Stableford: SShingler OSWESTRY GC Roberts 72-10.4=61.6; RichardComp- bleford: PatSalisbury25.5pts; Carol 37pts. 42pts; PDuffy 38pts; NRobertson Ladies’ Turkey &Tinsel Am-Am Sta- son&James Devenney76-13.2=62.8. Williams 27pts; Jan Myers 27pts. BronzeDivision: John BWilliams 38pts. bleford: Tania Pearce,Celia Pearce & 41pts; Elfed Jones 41pts; SteveWardell Marie Male 74pts; Anne Davies, Susie VALE OF LLANGOLLENGC CHESTERGC 41pts. HILLVALLEYGC Graham-Wood &Elsa Gwilt 69pts; Turkey Trot American Greensome Saturday Turkey Trot: ISmith &TA Ladies’ Christmas Stableford(9holes): Men’s TurkeyTrot Stableford: Paul Bar- Brenda Wilson, Setsuka Watanabe & Medal (12 holes): GaryBurgoyne & O’Regan 42pts; RHurds &DRMackie Christine Jones 19pts; Pauline Pierce low40pts; Andrew Funnell39pts. Enid Gill64pts. WayneBurgoyne 44; GaryTweedie & 42pts; AHall&TBell42pts. 18pts; SueMcCarthy 18pts. Men’s Turkey Trot Medal: Paul Barlow Ladies’ Turkey &Tinsel Am-Am Sta- MarcHughes 44; Ian Harrison & SundayTurkeyTrot: SCamilleri&K Ladies’ Winter League (9 holes): Karen 88-15=73; Josh Barlow91-17=74. bleford(9holes): WendyPughe, Mary Gareth Austin 45. GolfersLocal January 2013 28 ForTravelFeaturesemail: [email protected] Travel Feature ENJOYS SURGE IN POPULARITY With the Irish Open returning to Northern Ireland last summerfor the first time since 1953, it seemed aperfect time fortravelwriterJEAN TOMLINSON to take up amediainvitation to visit NorthDownand soak up the golfingatmosphere and all that is on offer in the area. The Carnalea course boasts stunning sea views.

THE options of transportfor my trip most popular places to dine in Bangor. smartclubhouse offered panoramic views The panoramic cafe is famed forhome- over to NorthernIreland were to fly or Thereare various meal options making across the course.This golf club holds a stylecooking.Theparkoffers 3.5km of sail and Ichose the latter,asIwanted to surethereissomething to suit alltastes. TourismWeek mid-August each year and lovely beaches and riverside rambles and haveuse of my caratthe other end. Recentlytaken over by aScotsman competitionbookings for2013 arenow allfor free! Iopted to departfromLiverpool with avision, this place is going places availablevia the club’s website. From the parkIwas directed to Grey (Birkenhead) to Belfast with Stena Line, having already won the ‘Best Hotel Following lunchatthe clubhouse I Point Fort and Museum, which on arrival oneofthe world’slargest ferryoperations. breakfast in Ireland’prepared by an movedontoCarnalea Golf Club whereI looked far from readyfor visitors but The outwardjourneywas by daywhen it American chef from Vermont. Iwas de- playednine of the 18 holes choosing the what asurprise was in storefor Icould waspossible to enjoythe recentlyrefur- lighted to find that out of the 15 bed- frontnine as theylooked out to sea prov- havespent hours looking around afast- bishedfacilities onboard,whichinclude a roomsIhad been allocated aroom ing to be very picturesque with atesting expanding collectionofmilitarymemo- choice of loungeareas, acinema,pod area overlooking the harbour and sea. par three at the ninth known locally as rabilia, much of whichhas beencollected and aplayareafor children. Thereisalso During my visit Iwas to find thatBan- the ‘green or bust’hole and in viewofthe by enthusiastic volunteers. The fort is acoffee house,bar and grill, restaurant gorhad far moretoofferthan Ihad an- 19th. proving to be aunique historical legacy in Clandeboye Golf Club has two courses. and, forextraluxury, youcan bookinto ticipatedand proved an excellent centre In contrast to the morning round this NorthernIreland. the Stena Plus Lounge, whichissimilar to stayfor the durationofthe trip. course was much tighter and Iwas in- This was the end of averybusy dayand Bangor,this parkland course measures to that experienced in aprivate airport As usual my prioritywas to visit the formed that the back nine were hillier Iwas happytoreturnto‘The SaltyDog’ 6,185 yards and has apar of 70. It is sit- lounge. Shouldyou choose to travel over- golf coursesavailable in the area, which than the front. Again thereisasmart foranexcellent dinner and the odd drink uated less than a20-minute drivefrom night youhavethe optiontoreserve one were to proveveryvaried and easy to ac- clubhouse withstunning panoramic sea or two. Belfast CityCentreand 40 minutes from of the four-berth en-suite cabins, thus ar- cess from Bangor town. The first course views from the conservatory,perfect fora Daytwo and another early startwith a Belfast International Airport. Hence if riving rested foryour on-going journey was Bangor Golf Club,situated close to beer or wine after your round, the food round of golf at Clandeboye Golf Club youarriveinthe morning this could easily the following morning.Thechecking on the town centre. This proved to be an un- being servedlooked quite mouth water- wherethereare twocourses –the 5,755- be your first round of golf. and off the ferrywith my carwas seam- dulating parkland course with alargeva- ing. yardlongAva Course and the Dufferin Ifound this to be amuchmore less. rietyoftrees. The greens herewere As abreak from golf my itinerarysug- Course at 6,742yards. HereIwas quite friendly course than expected with wide Forthe durationofmyvisitIwas to be immaculate and in allshapes and sizes gested avisit to CrawfordsburnCountry impressedbyhow well these courses had open fairways surrounded by ancient based in Bangor,ajourneywhichtook and therewereafew cute dog-legs to Park and Grey Point Fort,two popular drained following adelugeofrain. Again, woodland and great sea views, the main about25minutes arriving at the boutique master.Itwas plain to see that the green- attractions with the countryparkinthe due to time,Iplayednine holes on each challenges being the deep traps around hotel, The SaltyDog,situated on the sea staff heretookpride in their work.I top fiveofNorthernIreland’s most visited course,the fine matureAva with its the undulating greens. front. This proved averywelcome base found the course to be enough of achal- attractions annually. The excellent Visitor friendly fairways offers ablend of pleas- Finish off the round in the splendid, due to the warm, livelyatmosphereand lengetoentertain good players without Centrehas exhibitions on the park’s ureand skill, set in stunning woodland atmospheric clubhouse,whichoffers friendly staff and probablyone of the discouraging the less able golfer.The wildlifeand provides free marked maps. surroundingsprovedmucheasier thanits views over Belfast Lough, the richest bird sistercourse, with fewbunkersand easy reserve in the whole of Ireland in the walking,anice warmupbeforeplaying middle of oneofthe country’s most heav- the Dufferin, whichprovedquite tough, ilyindustrialised areas–anoasis in the moreamoorland terrain and far more heartofthe city. testing with masses of gorse,bracken and After quite abusy twodaysIdecided strategically placed trees whichflank to haveaquiet evening walking around everyhole thus demanding accuracyand Bangor town itself,including astroll punishing the slightest error.Ifyou fancy along the sea front. At the far end of the playing both courses in oneday then promenade youcan see Pickie FunPark, avoid Tuesdays,whichisLadies’ Day. whichhas just seen a£2.6millioninvest- Following lunchhereImoved on to ment including newcafeand 18-hole the prestigious Royal Belfast Golf Club, mini golf –ideal if youare visiting with a whichisthe oldest private members golf young family. club in Ireland. Founded in November Another place of interest just fivemin- 1881, it marked the birth of the game of utesbycar from the hotel is the North and in 1891 the club be- Down Museum, wherethe historyofthe came oneofonlynine founder member area is presented in an interesting fashion. clubs of the Golfing UnionofIreland. Thereisoften avisiting exhibition, talks Another course within easy access of and demonstrations going on whichall

The SaltyDog,inBangor,was Jean’s base for Royal Belfast is the oldest private membersgolf Jean Tomlinson tees off at Bangor Golf Club. herNorthern Irish trip. club in Ireland. ForTravelFeaturesemail: [email protected] 29 GolfersLocal January 2013 Travel Feature

The Titanic Visitor Centre.

Hollywood Golf Club where RoryMcIlroy played as ajunior.

Thereissomuchtosee herethat I should youdecide to payavisit youwill would recommend youlookonthe offi- not be disappointed and the locals are cial website beforehand forfulldetails very welcoming. and to plan your visit to enjoythe full Should youwish to haveavisit pack- benefit as nearby thereisalso the Titanic’s aged foryou then Iwould recommend Dockand Pump-House. youemail [email protected] This isn’t acheap dayout but is amust or call 028 9127 8083. Other useful web- if youare in the area and youmay want to sites include: www.saltydoghotel.com, consider taking apacked lunchasal- www.stenaline.com, www.theoldinn.com, The parthree Blackwood Golf Course. thoughthe food was excellent, the restau- www.thedirtyduckalehouse.co.uk and rants areverybusy and to my mind alittle www.titanicbelfast.com. Jean with the replicaUSOpentrophy. addtothe attraction. Between Mayand themembers very friendly and welcom- over priced. September an observationbeehiveisin- ing. As Iwas sailing situ and it is amost fascinating experience Ifound the course to be tricky,where home overnight I to behold. Whilst hereitisworth allow- accurate driving and approach shots area foundIhad time to ing time to visit the Bangor Castle necessity. The frontnine draw youinto a killbeforeboarding Walled Garden –aperfect place to relax falsesense of golfing ability. Howeverthe theferryhomeso and enjoyafew moments of peace and back nine is laid out on adifferent terrain, chose to returnto quiet. Again both these attractions are whichIfound much moredifficult and I the nearby town of free. was gladtohaveabuggy. Hollywood and on York Street On my thirdday Iwas invited to visit Ican understand whyRoryisquoted enjoyahearty meal NothingcouldbefAiner...n INN the payand playBlackwood Golf Centre, as saying the course was great to learnand at the recommended An INN whichcomprises an 18-hole par three develop various shots –especially the Dirty Duck Ale- than golfinginSouthCarolina course and oneofthe most natural18- shortgame. house,whichhas hole courses Ihavehad the pleasureto That evening Iwas invitedtodinner by won numerous • Stay in ahistoric Southern Plantation, English run B&B play. The greens areUSGA and each hole aNorth Down tourism development offi- awards forbest pub is unique anddemands adifferent shape cer who tookmeout forwhat proved a grub.This was a • Play leisurely golf on fabulously conditioned courses of shot. Water features come into playon sublime dining experience at The Old good decisionasthe Experience the slow pace and charm of small-town mid USA 11 holes. The course is well manicured Inn, Crawfordsburn.The inn is steeped in place was fulloflo- • with well-kept tees and greens set in historyand the atmosphere, with its cals watching their • Relax and unwind after golf by the pool sipping "Mint Juleps" rolling countryside with plentyoftrees. beamed ceilings, open log fires and Ulster local boyRoryplay- This golf centre offers excellentpractice “Craic”, proved to be oneofthe most ing in the Irish • Luxury en-suite rooms with gourmet breakfast facilities including six outsideand 20 cov- charming eateries Ihavehad the pleasure Open at Portrush • Golf booked and arranged to suit ered bays,whichare floodlit, apractice to dine in, avisit is amust if youare in wheretheywere bunker and nine-hole putting green. the area. hanging on to his • Choice of 18 courses within a40-minute drive The twosurprises formewerethat My last dayIhad put aside to visit the everyshot -what an thereisaLuxurySpa on this site and the much talked about Titanic Experience at atmosphere! Iwas • Just 50 minutes south of Charlotte Airport design of the clubhouse is quite asurprise Belfast Docks, but on the waypulled in lucky enough to find and certainlycreates atalking point! to visit the Ulster Folk &TransportMu- aseat having hada Well avisit to this area would not be seum where, if fine,you canwander lookaround and no- complete without avisit to Hollywood through the beautiful parkland of the ticed arestaurant Golf Club,homeclub of double Major Folk Museum with its cottages, farms, upstairs so another 7-DAY SPECIAL winner RoryMcIlroy whose loyaltyto schoolsand shops, the people’s storyof good place to dine. this club neverwavers and he visits when- Ulster Folk. Then it was just ashorttrip Whilst thereyou FOR ONLY £349 ever his schedule allows. over the bridgetothe TransportMuseum might like to read Enjoy 7nights B&B including 3rounds of golf with abuggy for It was great to see awhole area set out to visit transportthrough the ages. ‘TheLegend of the just £349pp +asecond consecutive week for just £300pp in tributetohis achievements including Moving on Ifelt quite excited on ap- Dirty Duck’oralter- (based on 2people sharing and assuming rate of £1 to $1.55) areplicaofthe trophy he won at the US proaching the Titanic Belfast, the world’s nativelyontheir Open in 2011 amongst lots of his golfing largest Titanic Visitor Experience,which website.Iwould love memorabilia. Rory’sprofile means the was launched in April, 2012 and is lo- this as my local. club nowregularly getAmericans arriv- cated in the heartofBelfast at the headof Ihavetried to ing in coaches when their cruise ship the slipwaywherethe ‘Titanic’was built. condense this article An INN on York Street, 164 York Street, Chester, SC 29706 docks in Belfast. Housed in an iconic, six-floorbuilding, as much as possible T: 001- 803- 581- 8681 The newlyand tastefully refurbished the state-of-the-artvisitor experience whilst giving youa clubhouse has three bars and arestaurant tells of the ‘Titanic’fromher conception taste of what the E: [email protected] offering panoramic views of Belfast in Belfast in the early 1900s, her maiden area has to offer.I W: www.innonyorkstreet.com Lough. The food here was excellent and voyageand subsequent place in history. canpromise youthat GolfersLocal January 2013 30 To listyour club on thispage e-mail: [email protected] Club Directory

18-HOLECOURSES LOCATION MIDWEEK WEEKENDPRO TEL. SEC TEL. WEBSITE/E-MAIL AlderseyGreen GC Nr Tattenhall, Chester £15 £20 01829 782157 01829 782157 www.alderseygreengolfclub.co.uk Allerton GC Allerton Rd, Liverpool £11 £12.60 0151 428 7490 0151 428 7490 www.liverpool.gov.uk/golf Alsager G&CCSouth Cheshire£30 -01270 877432 01270 875700 www.alsagergolfclub.co.uk Altrincham GC Manchester £14 £17 01619 280761 01619 280761 www.traffordleisure.co.uk AngleseyGCRhosneigr, Anglesey£21 (£11 winter) £26 (£16 winter) 01407 811127 01407 811127 www.theangleseygolfclub.com Antrobus GC Northwich/Warrington £28 (£18 winter) £30 (£22 winter) 01925 730900 01925 730890 www.antrobusgolfclub.co.uk Bromborough GC Mid-Wirral£25 £25 0151 334 4499 0151 334 2155 www.bromboroughgolfclub.org.uk Chester GC Chester CityCentre £30 £35 01244 671185 01244 677760 www.chestergolfclub.co.uk Chorlton cum Hardy GC South Manchester £17.50 £22.50 (inc Bank Holidays)0161 881 9911 0161 881 5830 www.chorltoncumhardygolfclub.co.uk ClaysGC(Main Course) Wrexham £18 £24 01978 661406 01978 661406 www.claysgolf.co.uk Conwy GC Conwy,North Wales £41 (Mon/Tue) £49 (Wed/Thu)£55 (Fri/Sat/Sun) 01492 593225 01492 592423 www.conwygolfclub.com CreweGCHaslington, Nr Crewe£30/£20 N/A 01270 585032 01270 584099 www.crewegolfclub.co.uk Davyhulme Park GC Davyhulme,Manchester £42 (£21 -2for1 )£42 (£21 -2for 1Sun only) 0161 748 3931 0161 748 2260 www.davyhulmeparkgolfclub.co.uk Denbigh GC Denbigh £24 £30 01745 814159 01745 816669 www.denbighgolfclub.co.uk DidsburyGCNorthenden, Manchester £29 £33 0161 998 2811 0161 998 9278 www.didsburygolfclub.com Eastham LodgeGCMid-Wirral£30 £30 0151 327 3003 0151 327 3003 www.easthamlodgegolfclub.co.uk Fairfield G&SC Audenshaw,Manchester £28 £28 0161 370 2292 0161 301 4528 www.fairfieldgolfclub.co.uk Heaton Moor GC Stockport£25/£38 (callfor promo rates) £31/£44 (callfor promo rates) 0161 432 2134 0161 432 2134 www.heatonmoorgolfclub.co.uk Heaton Park GC Prestwich, Manchester £15/£12 £20/£12 0161 654 9899 0161 654 9899 www.mackgolf.co.uk Henlle Park GC Oswestry £25 £30 01691 670680 01691 670680 www.henllegolf.co.uk HenllysGCBeaumaris, Anglesey£32 £32 01248 811717 01248 811717 www.henllysgolfclub.co.uk Hooton GC EllesmerePort£11.50 (£8.80 Concession) £12.50 (£10 Concession) 0151 339 7689 0151 339 7689 www.brioleisure.org Huyton &Prescot GC Huyton, Merseyside £30 (callfor promo rates) £35 (callfor promo rates) 0151 489 2022 0151 489 3948 www.huytonandprescotgolf.co.uk Knights GrangeGCWinsford£11.50 (£8.80 Concession) £12.50 (£10 Concession) 01606 552780 01606 552780 www.brioleisure.org Leasowe GC Wirral £32.50 £37.50 0151 678 5460 0151 677 5852 www.leasowegolfclub.co.uk Leigh GC Culcheth, Warrington £15 (£20 summer) £20 (£25 summer) 01925 762013 01925 762943 www.leighgolf.co.uk Leyland GC Jct 28 M6, A49 WiganRd£28 £35 01772 423425 01772 423425 www.leylandgolfclub.co.uk Liverpool NorthGCIngoe Lane,Liverpool £11 £12.60 0151 546 5435 0151 546 5435 www.liverpool.gov.uk/golf Lytham Green DriveGCLytham St Annes £35 £35 01253 737390 01253 737390 www.lythamgreendrive.co.uk Mold GC Pantymwyn, Flintshire£22.50 £27.50-£32.50 01352 740318 01352 741513 www.moldgolfclub.co.uk OldPadeswood GC Nr Mold, Flintshire£30 £35 (discounts for4+) 01244 547401 07973 862455 www.oldpadeswoodgolfclub.co.uk Oswestry GC 2miles SE of Oswestry £27 £31 01691 610448 01691 610535 www.oswestrygolfclub.co.uk Pennant Park GC Whitford,Holywell£23 (2 for£35) £28 (2 for£45) 01745 563000 01745 563000 www.pennant-park.co.uk Pike Fold GC Unsworth, Bury£20 £20 0161 766 3561 0161 766 3561 www.pikefold.co.uk Prestatyn GC Prestatyn,North Wales £25 (£15 winter) £30 (£20 winter) 01745 854320 01745 854320 www.prestatyngolfclub.co.uk Reddish Vale GC Stockport£20 (£15 winter) £35 (£25 winter) 0161 480 3824 0161 480 2359 www.rvgc.co.uk Rhos on SeaGCPenrhynBay,Llandudno £15 (inc breakfast) £5 Twilight £20 (inc breakfast) 01492 548115 01492 549641 www.rhosgolf.co.uk Rhuddlan GC Rhuddlan £30 (£20 winter) £35 (callfor promo rates) 01745 590898 01745 590217 www.rhuddlangolfclub.co.uk RuncornGCRuncorn, Cheshire£30 (callfor promo rates) £36 (callfor promo rates) 01928 564791 01928 574214 www.runcorngolfclub.co.uk Sale GC Sale,Cheshire£40 £40 (callfor promo rates) 0161 973 1730 0161 973 1638 www.salegolfclub.com Shaw HillHotel, G&CCNrChorley£50 £60 01257 279222 01257 269221 www.shaw-hill.co.uk ShrewsburyGCCondover, Nr Shrewsbury£32 £38 01743 874581 01743 872977 www.shrewsburygolfclub.co.uk Swinton Park GC Swinton, Nr Manchester £20 (£15 winter) N/A 0161 793 8077 0161 794 0861 www.swintonparkgolfclub.co.uk The Oaks, Mollington Mollington, Chester £20 (£15 winter) £25 (£20 winter) 01244 852805 01244 852805 www.theoaksmollington.co.uk Upton-By-Chester GC Upton, Chester £30 (£20 winter) £30 (£20 winter) 01244 381333 01244 381183 www.uptongolf.co.uk Vale of Llangollen GC Llangollen, Denbighshire£26/£34/£39 £30/£38/£43 01978 860906 01978 860906 www.vlgc.co.uk Vicars Cross GC Chester £35 (£25 off peak) £35 (inc Bank Holidays)01244 335595 01244 335174 www.vicarscrossgolf.co.uk WalmersleyGCBury£20 (£15 winter) £20 (£15 winter) 0161 763 9050 0161 764 7770 www.walmersleygolfclub.co.uk Walton HallGCJ10, M56 Nr Warrington £14.70 £19 01925 263061 01925 263061 www.waltonhallgc.co.uk Westhoughton GC Westhoughton, Bolton £20 (£13 winter) £25 (£18 winter) 01942 811085 01942 811085 www.westhoughtongolfclub.co.uk William Wroe GC Flixton, Manchester £11 £14.50 0161 748 8680 0161 748 8680 www.traffordleisure.co.uk Woolton GC South Liverpool £35 £40 0151 486 1298 0151 486 2298 www.wooltongolfclub.com Wrexham GC Wrexham, NorthEast Wales £35 (£20 winter) £40 01978 351476 01978 364268 www.wrexhamgolfclub.co.uk 9-HOLECOURSES LOCATION MIDWEEK WEEKENDPRO TEL. SEC TEL. WEBSITE/E-MAIL Adlington GC Macclesfield £9.50/£18 (Graduate course) £6.50/£12 (Academy Course) 01625 850660 01625 850660 www.adlingtongolfcentre.com AintreeGC&DR Aintree, Liverpool £8 (£10 18 holes) £9 (£12 18 holes) 0151 523 5157 0151 523 5157 www.aintree.co.uk/golf CaerwysGC2miles from J30&31 A55 £8 (£9 18 holes) £9 (£10 18 holes) 01352 721222 01352 721222 [email protected] CheadleGCCheadle, Cheshire£22 £30 0161 428 9878 0161 491 4452 www.cheadlegolfclub.com ClaysGolf Centre Wrexham £4.50 (£3 jnr) £4.50 (£3 jnr) 01978 661406 01978 661406 www.claysgolf.co.uk Darland Rossett £9 £11 01244 579282 01244 579282 www.darlandgolf.co.uk Fore Golf Chester £5/£8 £5/£8 01244 881800 01244 881242 www.foregolfdiscount.co.uk Fore Golf Alyn Waters Wrexham £5/£8 £5/£8 01978 855131 01978 855131 [email protected] Hartford GC Northwich£7.50 £9.50 01606 871162 01606 871162 www.hartfordgolf.co.uk Oak Royal GC Withnell, Nr Chorley£10/£16 £12/£18 01254 830616 01254 830616 www.oakroyalgolf-countryclub.co.uk PenmaenmawrGCPenmaenmawr, Conwy £12 (£18 18 holes) £12 (£18 18 holes) N/A 01492 623330 www.pengolf.co.uk PlasseyGCEyton, Nr Wrexham £8 (£12 18 holes) £9 (£16 18 holes) 01978 780020 01978 780020 www.plasseygolfclub.com RhylGCRhyl, Denbighshire£9/£18 £10/£20 01745 353171 01745 353171 www.rhylgolfclub.co.uk Ruthin-Pwllglas GC Pwllglas, Nr Ruthin £16 (£12 winter) £22 (£16 winter) 01824 702296 07881 426178 www.ruthinpwllglasgc.co.uk Sandfield GC &DRBridgeTrafford,Chester £6/£7.50 £6/£8.50 01244 301752 01244 301752 www.sandfieldgolf.co.uk SouthportOld Links GC Southport, Lancashire£12.50 (£16 summer) £16 (£20 summer) N/A 01704 228207 www.southportoldlinksgolfclub.co.uk Westminster Park GC Chester £5 (£4 Concession) £5 (£4 Concession) 01244 680231 01244 680231 www.brioleisure.org Please contact the respectiveclubs to confirmprices beforeyou make your visit. Get your club’s details listed on this pagefor 12 months forjust £50. Call01978 449917 or e-mail [email protected] fordetails.

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•FRIDAY, 19THJULY, 2013 •ENTRY FEE£50 PER PAIR (NON MEMBERS) TO BOOK OR FOR FURTHER •HENLLE PARK GC, GOBOWEN, SHROPSHIRE •INCLUDES COFFEEONARRIVAL DETAILS, CALL 01978449917 •BETTERBALL PAIR’S STABLEFORD •TWO-COURSE MEAL OR E-MAIL: •GREAT PRIZESUP-FOR-GRABS •PRIZE PRESENTATION [email protected] Send your stories to: [email protected] 31 GolfersLocal January 2013 Columnist&Tips

KEEP YOUR PUTTING Talking pointswith... GRAHAM STROKE IN CHECK CARTER GolfWorks teaching proDanielHaughian, based at the Adlington Golf Centre,in Ourregular columnist on the joys of winter golf. Macclesfield,with auseful drill to help improveyour putting stroke. NOTfor the firsttime,the ‘end of the derwear,thicksocks and three layers of world’(on this occasion according to the clothes under my waterproofs; no 200 Mayan Calendar) came and went with- yardeight iron shotsthat bounce as high 1 3 out incident! It’s always the case: despite as ahouse and rununpredictablyfor the warnings of those street-walking, ages; and no morehunting fora‘lost shabbily-dressed, always-bearded and ball’ under aspreadoffallen leaves. eccentricsandwich-boardcarriers in Instead, Ishallseek winter pleasures manyofour big cities, howevernigh our elsewhere. An innocent couple of hours Doom is, and howeverwemight or walking in the countryside (brolly re- might not preparetomeet it, the end of quired) often reveals aprivileged peek the worldalwaysseems to fizzle out, into nature’s private life. Rarely seen somewhat disappointingly, like adud finches and goldcrests flit between firework. One daythey’ll getitright, hedges and shrubs; black swans preen and they’ll haveabout three seconds of ‘I themselves beside aprivate pond; ahare, told youso’ bragging time beforethe annoyedatbeing disturbed from its long-promised ‘Goodnight Vienna! form,sprints away; and the seemingly Until then, though, drearily, lifegoes on. ubiquitous mewing of asoaring buzzard On apositivenote,weenjoyedade- reminds us that we’rebeing watched lightfully quietand happilyuneventful over by the newking of the skies. festiveperiod close to the wilds of Dart- As inclement weather and course moor.After aChristmas Daystroll conditions put atemporaryhalt to the along partofthe South Devoncoast and Cherubic Commandant’s improvement 2 aquickpint in the pub,wehad agrand and enjoyment with club and ball, it has lunch. Next daywewatched the Dart- become my personal preference to stand moor Hunt on its traditional outing, in the middle of an open field, popping and up to 50 enthusiastic riders and clay pigeons out of the sky.(Naturally, in horses rode to hounds in the most ap- keeping with allmysporting pursuits, palling conditions. What fools, I past and present, Imay miss morethan thought! Keen, obviously, but fools nev- Ihit, but thereisalwaysthe satisfaction ertheless. Frenchpoet Boileau wrote: ‘A of knowing that Ihaveall winter to im- fool canalways find agreater fool to ad- prove!) Somehow, it doesn’t seem to mirehim’.Those wordscame to mind as matter that it might be muddy,orit the horizontal rain lashed mercilesslyas might be really cold, thereisalwaysthe Itried, in vain, to huddle forshelter.At camaraderie,banter and (often un- that moment, yes, Iwas, forsure, the sought, but freelygiven) advice with and greater fool. from the chaps, and the warmand wel- Having trudged along manyafairway come bonhomie in the bar,later.(From in similar conditions, it is fair to saythat allthe sporting institutions with which most of us havebeen considered fools by I’ve been associated, however, Imain- those looking out from the clubhouse tain that one always gotamuchbetter WITH the weather being generally poor whichinmyopinionisthe most impor- ballperfectlyinthe middle of the ball window. Still, Iknowofmanyaone class of insult at the golf club!) at this time of the year agolfer’s putting tant partofputting. thus rolling it into your target. If you lying in Church Street who would prob- On the downside,itistruethat be- technique canoften take abit of abeating Allyou need is twogolf balls and your strike the balleither side of the middle of ablyrelish the chance to do it allagain. cause of the lack of exercise I’ve gained a due to lack of playing. pitching wedge. the ballitwillveer off to either side and Except me,however! Within mo- fewpounds around the girth, and I’ve With this in mind,here’sareally useful Placeone ballabout 2ftaheadofyou miss the other ball(PIC2). ments of opening the second boxoftis- become slightlyless agile.Moreworry- putting drillyou canpractice on the car- to actasyour target or imaginaryhole. Practice this forawhile until your can suesinasmanydays, I’dmadethe easy ingly, there’sanoticeable stiffness pet from the warmth of your ownhome. Setuptothe ballbyturning your pitch- strike the ballconsistentlyinthe middle, decision to become afair-weather golfer. around the neckand shoulders, so,when Thisdrill willimproveyour consistency ing wedgeclubhead so that the toe end of once youcan do this starttomovethe No moregetting unnecessarily Idohaveapractice swing,everything of strike on your putts as well as high- the club is levelwith the middle of the target ballfurther away. The longer the drenched playing mud-coveredballs above the waist cracks and creaks like an lighting anymajor flaws in the path of ball(PIC1). strokethe harder it gets (PIC 3). from the rough; no morediving from old wooden staircase! No matter,asfar your stroke. Make your normal stroketrying to hit Ioften hear clients really enjoythis under the umbrella in torrential rain to as Ican tell, fair-weather golf doesn’t Consistencyofstrike when putting is the middle of the ballwith the toe end of drillasit’salittle different to normal thrash afour iron into oblivion; no more haveadownside. often ignored, but is essential forcreating your wedge. drills and gives them great feedback as to lunacy with ayellowballonfrost-bitten And besides, awinter without golf agood roll and controlling your distance, What youare trying to do is hit the howtheir strokeis. temp greens;nodonning of thermal un- isn’t the end of the world...yet!

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SANDIWAYGolf Club,near North- wichisoffering free golf coaching taster sessions foradult beginners RECOGNITION FOR from nowuntil the end of March as partofthe Get into Golf campaign. Theyare open to beginners/non members and provide an ideal oppor- tunityfor adults to experience the game of golf. To find out further information on the above sessions and to bookales- LIFE-SAVING BETH son with aqualified PGA coach,call AYOUNG lady golfer has been com- SandiwayGolf Club on 01606 mended by officialsofMold GolfClub 883180. forsaving the lifeofafellowmember who collapsed after suffering aheartat- tack in the clubhouse. Beth Davies,23, tookchargeofthe sit- StewartstarsatClays uationwhen semi-retired businessman, ArfonEdwards, fell to the floor uncon- scious and his heartstopped, minutes CLAYSsenior StewartPoole hit a after he hadarrived at the clubhouse in nett albatross forfive points in last the villageofPantymwyn, near Mold. month’s Seniors’ Winter Stableford Shequicklyassessed the situationand event after he holed his eight iron sec- applied resuscitationtechniques before ond shot on the par four sixth hole. usingadefibrillator,stored in the club- house,torestartArfon’s heart. Shecon- tinued to monitor the situationuntil the arrival of paramedics. Alan’sfeelingace Arfonisnow recovering after atriple by-pass operation forapreviouslyundi- LONG-standing Mobberleymember agnosed conditionand is looking forward AlanTraffordwas playing in aWinter to resumingplaying golf in the NewYear. Saturday Beavers roll-up when he “Beth’s prompt actionundoubtedly holed in one on the par three thirdat saved my life,”said Arfon. “She acted his home club. with courage, maturityand greatpresence Mold Golf Club president John Hughes presents the letter of commendation to Beth Davies with heartattacksurvivor,Arfon Edwards, left. “Myplaying partners, Andrew and of mind in taking chargeofthe situation Jerry,said that it hadgone straight in and I’mextremelygrateful to her. aletter of commendationinrecognition and, indeed, in as manypublic areas as through local paramedic, JonCross, have but Ididn’t believe them until Igot to “I also want to thank other members of her efforts. possible. trained myself and sevenother members the green,”said Alan. who helpedthat evening as well as golf “She was trained to use the defibrillator “Two men areenjoying lifetodaywho of staff in using the defibrillator and we’re club officials forhaving the foresight to when she was assistant professionalatthe otherwise wouldn’t havebeen without our delighted that it’s been put to suchgood acquirethe defibrillator and make time club and didn’t hesitate to use that train- defibrillator,sowho knows howmany use on twooccasions.” forits staff to be trained to use it.” ing to suchgood effect when the incident other lives could be saved if the machines Jonadded: “Not manygolf clubs have Beth, who nowworks at the Plas occurred,”heexplained. were morewidelyavailable.” the machines but, following the incidents Denbighdonation Hafod Hotel, in nearby Gwernymynydd, The defibrillator,donated to the club The Welsh Ambulance Service NHS at Mold this year,alot moreare express- and plays off ahandicap of two, said: “It by the Welsh Ambulance Service,has Trust saythereare 40 defibrillators regis- ing an interest. was very rewarding to be able to use my nowsaved the lives of twogolfers –76 tered forcommunityuse through trained “Thekey is having asufficient number DENBIGH Golf Club donated £500 defib training to savealife. years old Trevor Slinger was similarly re- volunteers in NorthWales with the ma- of volunteers willing to be trained up to from entryfees from aWinter League “I nowhope to further develop my vived with the machine just afew months jorityofthe machines being provided by use them and if moreNorth Wales golf event therelast month to local victims skills in other aspects of first aid so Ican beforeArfon’s collapse. organisations suchasthe British Heart clubs or other organisations want to take of the devastating floodsinthe Vale of respond wheneverthereare emergency John added: “This latest incident is a Foundationand through local fund-rais- up the opportunityofhaving adefibrilla- Clwyd. situations.” further demonstrationofthe importance ing efforts. torontheir premises theycan contact me The final total was also boosted by Mold Golf Club president, John of having defibrillator machines with per- Mold Golf Club manager,Chris Mills, foradvice.” the club’s members making smalldo- Hughes, last month presented Beth with sonnel trained to use them in sports clubs said: “TheWelsh Ambulance Service, Fordetails, call Jonon07956 441570. nations too.

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