Visitors retain Spedding title
THE Societies of the Manchester and District Golf Captains and Northumberland Golf Captains have played each other for the Jack Spedding Trophy, each hosting the two-day event on two different courses in alternate years.
The 38th playing of the competition was hosted by Manchester at the top venues of Bramall Park and Reddish Vale with seven pairs in match-play opposition on each day.
Manchester got off to a confident start in superb weather at the excellent Bramall Park course taking a 5-2 lead.
The winning pairs were Geoff Sable and Irvine Caplan (Whitefield) by 5/4, President Alan Preston and John Campbell (Bramall Park by 2/1, Tony Draper (Chorlton) and Derek Lamb (Styal) by 4/2. Mike Rhodes (Styal) and Derek Dooley (Ringway) by 2/1 and Ged Gaffey (Bolton) and Don Milligan (Cheadle) by 2/1.
But Northumberland, invigorated by their stay and refreshments at the Alma Lodge in Stockport, came back strongly in the heat at Reddish Vale winning five and halving one match to retain the trophy they held from victory at Newcastle United and Ponteland in 2015 by 7.56.5.
The only winners for Manchester were Captain Brian Ashfield (Chape) and Tony Barnes (Reddish Vale) with Ged Gaffey and Derek Lamb preserving their unbeaten record with a half.
As always a terrific contest played in admirable spirit with Manchester now looking to win back the trophy as they visit the North East in 2017.
Co-directors of Souter PR and husband and wife team Roger and Sue Souter won the final of the Summer Mixed Knockout at Bramall Park Golf Club in a thrilling finish.
The match against Tim Riordan and Pam Ellison was completed on the 20th hole after the pairs were level after 18.
Roger said: ‘It was foursomes format which meant we had to play alternate shots throughout the tournament.
“It’s all about not trying to make too many mistakes, which was particularly difficult in front of the spectators in the final.
“Sue and I work together in our PR business but ironically we find the stresses and challenges of golf an ideal antidote to those of running a PR agency!
“I’ve never played in such an exciting match and I’m indebted to Sue who sank a nerve-wracking eight foot putt to stay level on the eighteenth.’
Roger and Sue will now represent Bramall Park at the Cheshire County Mixed Pairs at Vale Royal GC.
Stableford action for Disley ladies had A Booth in firm control with 38 points, three more than L Pulley.
The latest Seniors Shield Stableford for Disley’s men was won by Denis Underwood with 35 points from Ian Pulley 34 and David Ward 33.
Cliff Dews showed his enduring class in a medal at Cheadle topping division one with a sizzling 59 ahead of Mike Fenton 61 and Stephen Abrahams 64.
In division two Tim Holtam was even hotter posting 58 to win by two shots Brown.
A medal for Cheadle ladies had Wendy Goodwin out on her own with 66, from Maire Eaton 71 and Sue Barker 73.
The final round of the Handicap Cup at Romiley was won by Harry Parker with his neat 70 taking him two shots clear of John Dineen and Michael Goodwin.
The clear overall winner was John Morris with 282 from Harry Parker and SB Shiels, both 290.
Romiley ladies played a singles Stableford and Astrid Ceelen led in with 36 point from Denise Booth 34 and Louise Meeks 33.
The coveted Club Trophy from Stephen for Gatley’s men saw John Hardman go clickety click to fight off Chris Whitehead, Graham Fletcher and Keith Paterson, all 69.
A singles Stableford for Gatley’s ladies had a clear winner in Wendy Woolley with 29 points, four more than Margaret Rowland.
Heaton Moor ladies were in medal mode with Margaret Worrall first past the post with 73, closely followed by Elizabeth Jordan and Carole Wheeler, both 74.
New Mills’ men were in medal action and in division one an impressive 62 from Alex Mackenzie saw him three shots clear of Jake Unsworth and Steve Worrall.
In division two Jeff Stewart was the main man with 66 from Lester Cooper 67 and Steven hall and Andrew Whitehurst, both 68.
The Pro’s Play off in the Sunday final at Mellor and Townscliffe needed a cpo on 32 points to see S Pinchin home from RJ Wrigley with DA Walsh a point off the pace.
M and T’s men also played a special medal and Mark Curtis led in with 69 from Russell Gould and the legendary Andy Cusick, both 70.
A medal for M and T ladies was won by Alison Fletcher with 75 from Kate Smith 76 and Carol Butler 77.