Geoff Garnett rounds up the golfing news in and and around Cheshire.
New name on Cheshire Senior Ladies top trophy
Maureen Richmond shone through as she cruised to a comfortable 5/4 win over Sandiway’s Jane Burke in the final and paid tribute to her caddie for providing her with a jelly baby for each good shot she played.
Janet Burke said: “It was a great game and a pleasure to play with such an awesome player.
“The course was also in good condition despite the rain over the past month and my congratulations go to Sue and her team for organising the tournament and the weather.”
Cheshire begin with a win
CHESHIRE’S men’s team began their Northern Counties League programme with a vital win by 10-8 as they took on Northumberland at Close House. It looked to be plain sailing as the swept into a 5-1 lead in the foursomes followed by three wins in the first five singles matches.
But the home team hit back hard with five wins to level the scores and it needed the experience of Ashley Sage (Sandiway) and Mike Harrington (Mottram Hall) with late wins to take them to victory and level on points with Lancashire and Yorkshire.
The foursomes winners were Dom barnes (Caldy) and Jon beesley (Mere), Chris Chilton (High Legh Park) and Sam Prince (Northenden, Chris Harrison (Sandiway) and David Peel (Stockport) and Mike Harrington and Ashley Sage. The other singles winners were Sam Prince, Chris Chilton and Tom Dolan (Heswall).
Jamie on hand to present his trophy
MACCLESFIELD Golf Club’s men played their first ‘major’ competition of the season for the coveted Jamie Donaldson Spring Cup. Over 120 players competed in the medal on what can only be described as an absolutely fantastic course which was a credit to head green keeper Mark Hillaby and his staff.
To make the day even more special former Macc junior, European Tour and Ryder Cup star Jamie came along on the day and played in the final group then stayed on for the presentation.
The delighted winner with a nett 66 was 11 handicapper Gareth Robinson who finished two shots clear of Andy baker, Mark Hodson and Ray Sheldon. The best gross score of 76 was posted by Jamie Robinson, John Poole and Michaell Oakes.
Cheshire Ladies Championships
The opening day featured a 36-hole stroke-play to decide the last 16 players for the match-play KO rounds and it was led in by Jeanne Bell (Royal Liverpool) with a two-round total of 153 to win the Doris Brown Trophy. Jeanne finished a shot clear of Laura Jones (Delamere Forest) who took the best handicap prize with a 150 total.
In the Sir William Bailey Cup final Wallasey’s Lauren Drake kept her nerve to edge out Amy Toft 3/1.
However, Amy did pick up two trophies, winning the Millenium Trophy as the top Intermediate with the best 18 holes on qualifying day and the Intermediate Championship Trophy.
In the main competition for the Championship Trophy the last four were Jeanne Bell, who lost 4/2 to Heswall’s Lucy Jamieson and Prestbury’s senior ladies star Gill Mellor who beat Laura Jones 4/2.
The final was a close affair with Lucy always having a slight edge and she her talent going on to win by 2/1.
It was a day to remember for Lucy, one of the county’s top juniors, as next day she was able to celebrate her 16th birthday in style and it is believed that she is the youngest-ever winner of the Championship Trophy which she received from Cheshire Lady Captain Paula Latham (Royal Liverpool GC).
