High praise for Denton volunteers

The green staff and volunteer members have done great work on the course to get it in great condition for the full renewal of action.

A shining example of this is a bunker on the seventh hole (pictured below) that has been given a full make-over by member John Regan.

Great work has also been put in on the stream on the 18th hole and club officers have been full of gratitude for all of the work put in to get their fine course in tip top condition for a very busy summer of action.

There was also joy at Stamford as relatively new member, professional footballer Harry Bunn (handicap 26), notched a fine ace on the par three 175 yard 16th hole.

He used a clinical eight-iron and was unable to see the ball go in the hole as the green is blind from the tee.

There was also plenty of local players in the latest Manchester and District Alliance fixture at Didsbury Golf Club.

After two days of near tropical weather on the Mersey Riviera, the Manchester Alliance faced stiff cold wind and a challenging and well presented course at Didsbury GC, competing for the Bert Thompson Trophy.

Bert was a member at Didsbury for many years and at top official for the Alliance as well.

Beating par was difficult for the professionals with only Order of Merit high-fliers Jamie Howarth (Davenport) with 39 points and Phil Archer (Poulton Park) 37 managing this, with Chris Bibby (Whitefield), Mark Hancock (Stand) and former Alliance Captain Dave Smith in joint third with 35.

Jamie made it a double as he partnered new Didsbury staff member and Davenport player Stefan Sullivan to 42 points, edging out Scott Jackson and Steve Misell (Disley) on a cpo.

Next in were Phil Archer and Anton Johnson (Warrington) from Disley duo Ian Ridgway and Dave Bradbury on a cpo on 41.

The final drama came from the last pair out on the course Didsbury captain Barry Wynter and vice captain Chas McPeake who used their expert local knowledge to good effect as they topped the am am section with 40 points.

It took them one clear of Stamford’s dynamic duo of Tony Smith and Mike Hewitt, who beat club colleagues Steve Finan and Martin Dwyer on a cpo for the runners-up berth.

The nearest the pin prize on the 18th hole was won by Kris Andrews (Ashton-on-Mersey).

It was another great day for the Alliance, with Didsbury GC being excellent hosts both on and off the course.

It was a close finish in the Wednesday Stableford at Denton, with David Price in top spot on 38 points, one more than Jack Meredith and Jim Cox.

The Saturday monthly medal at Denton had the President winning a cpo on 69 from David Sibanda in division one and it also needed a cpo in division two on 69 to see David Costello home from Darryl Coleman.

The Sunday Stableford for the Rotary Cup was won by John Taylor with 41 points, one more than Gary Boott.

Denton ladies were in Stableford action with Angela Ellam first past the post with 36 points from Hazel Hathaway 35 and Sue Thompson 34.

The nine-hole competition was led in by Marie Oetting with 18 points, one more than Norma McIlvanney.

Ashton’s ladies posted some good scores in a singles Stableford, led by Barbara Hopkinson 41 and Tracey Brownhill 40.

A junior Stableford at Ashton saw an outstanding 43 points from Declan Cunningham which put him ten points clear of the field.

A Seniors KO qualifier at Ashton had the three divisions topped by Phil Hibbert 38, Rob Jackson 41 and Neville Warburton with an outstanding 44.

The Twilight Stableford was won by Darren Jones with 23 points.

The latest Pro’s Stableford at Brookdale had Thomas Barlow leading in with 39 points, one more than James Simpson.

A medal for Brookdale ladies saw Janet Holden being unstoppable with a stunning 67 seeing her three clear of Vicky Akin.

Crompton and Royton ladies enjoyed a team of Three Waltz and none more than L Haughton, G Bannister and A Richardson with a fine haul of 72 points taking them ten clear of the field.

A midweek Stableford at C and R had the three divisions led in by Angela Petrilla 38 points, Mark Booth after a cpo on 38 with David Hopkins and Alan Whiston after a cpo on 40 with Stephen Wright and Barry West.

Dukinfield ladies played a KO qualifier and it was won by Karen Harper with 34 points, three more than Sally Lester and Helen Wooliscroft.

A singles Stableford for Duki’s men had Nicky Watson well clear on 43 points, four more than Craig Tinto and Robert Kent.

A singles Stableford at Fairfield had the divisions topped by Andrew Jameson 38 points and Gary Davies 41.

A ladies Stableford at Fairfield was won by Sandra Southern with a neat 38 taking her clear of Sandra Qualters 36 and Gail Robertson 35.

The monthly medal at Stamford had the three divisions topped by Michael Bardsley with a scorching 62, Andrew Hannay 63 and Scott Barker 66.

A men’s medal at Saddleworth had division one topped by Stuart Fyfe with 67 one less than Matthew Chapman.

In division two, BS Lawton led in with 67 from Gioacchino Cavallino, Les Thompson and A Marland, all 68.

A pro’s BB Stableford at Saddleworth had K Barnes and S Jagger in control with 49 points two more than A Marland and J Gledhill and D Ashton and A Jackson.

The ladies Spring meeting at Saddleworth was won by C Eastwood with 43 points from Jo Jacombs 40.