Pilling out to make his Mark for Ladies
THE Cheshire Ladies Golf Association have appointed Mark Pilling as their new coaching professional for the east of the county.
Mark, who is the PGA coach at Prestbury Golf Club, met up with some of the county’s top and up and coming players at Bramhall Golf Club to outline his plans for them and as they played some holes together in groups he went round with them to assess their golf etc.
Cheshire Ladies Captain Frances Gell said: “Mark already had an excellent track record over the last few years coaching CCLGA junior girls in the east of Cheshire, together with Mark Johnson, Styal GC, and Matt Turnock, Mottram Hall GC.
“Mark was very innovative when lockdown started, immediately introducing online coaching for the junior girls. He plans to develop Cheshire’s elite teams’ performance under pressure, their understanding of course management/ strategy, and building team spirit.
“He is extremely enthusiastic about Cheshire’s elite squad’s future performance at County Match Week, as well as the individual player’s personal golf development and will be a great asset to the County.
“Mark, Matt and Mark are only involved with the junior girls in the east of the County as we have other teaching professionals on the Wirral, and we’re also hoping to reestablish coaching for juniors living mid Cheshire after Judy Statham’s retirement from our golfing programme this year.”
Mark has an outstanding golf pedigree and as a junior at Astbury he became the first Cheshire player to win the British Boys Championship at Carnoustie and was selected for the GB and I team to play against the Continent of Europe.
He turned professional and played for three years as a tour pro before deciding to turn his skills, knowledge and personality to coaching and joined Prestbury as an assistant professional.
He set out to be one of the leading coaches in the region and was as good, if not better than his word.
He is now regarded as one of the most qualified coaches in the country having taken an academic as well as practical route to success.
His Masters degree at Birmingham University was underpinned by a research thesis investigating the career paths of seven former tour players.
Mark said: “My aim is to provide the highest quality advice to all the players I work with regardless of age or ability.
“Every player has different needs and the university education has helped me develop a holistic view of coaching – it is not all about the swing!”
A midweek Stableford at Avro had Neil Flood first past the post with 35 points from Stephen Callaghan 34 and Peter Hale and Phil Normanton, both 33.
A ladies Stableford at Cheadle had some solid scoring led by Josy Taylor 38 points from Jayne Popplewell 37 and Beverley Van Ross 35.
The President’s Day Trophy at Cheadle was won by Joshua Booth with 37 points, one more than Spencer Walburn and Alistair Culpan, both 36.
The Cheadle Captain’s latest Challenge medal was close with Chris Maudsley winning a cpo on 62 from Michael McGhee, three less than Duncan Clarkson.
The Seniors Shield at
Disley was taken by Paul Sturgess with 35 points from Denis Underwood 34 and John Stuart and Keith Hughes, both 32.
Disley ladies were also in Stableford action with Gaynor Calvert on top with 33 points from Lesley Mott 31 and the Past Captain’s Trophy medal was led in by Irene Fell with 78.
Mike Curley was the proud winner of the President’s Trophy at Heaton Moor in a close contest as he posted 68, one less than Marcus Quiligotti, soccer legend Anthony Spellman and cricket legend Ian Collins.
Moor Lady Captain Liz Jordan was in charge of a singles Stableford with 34 points taking her clear of Teresa Hadfield 32 and Tina Benson, Margaret Arnison and Naheed Farooq, all 31.
The Club Trophy at Gatley was won by Joseph Faulkner with 68 closely followed on 69 by Richard Rood and Peter Stiles.
The accompanying Stableford was taken by Anthony Finch with 33 points, one more than Matthew Milnes.
Medal action for Mellor and Townscliffe’s men had Stephen Crosthwaite top of division one with 66 from Simon Stonehouse 67 and Nick Challinor and Russell Evans, both 68.
In division two Russell Gould was top of the shop with 65, two less than Phil Batty, Peter Woodruff and Ian Castle.
Carys Baggs posted an impressive 39 points to win a ladies Stableford at M and T and Kim Jackson was hot on her heels with38.
New Mills men played over two rounds for the Club Trophy and in round one Mitchell Salthouse and Jack Marshall set a hot pace with 64’s, six clear of the field.
Josh Webb was in a league of his own in round two with 59, seven less than Barry Lawson but it was Barry who took the trophy with a total of 136 from Mitchell Salthouse 137 and Jeremy Unsworth 139.
New Mills ladies were in singles Stableford action and Joyce Bennett led in with 36 points, four more than Celia James.
Romiley ladies played a singles Stableford for the Eaton Vets and Gill Walker was first past the post with 31 points from Janet Worthington 30 and Francine Walburn 28 and the 9-hole competition was led in by Kathryn Pendleton with 12.
Round three of the Handicap Cup at Romiley was won by Steve Horne with a neat 68, two less than John Abbott, Chris Stones and Paul Himsworth.
Gary Brown is proud and delighted to be the Captain of the Manchester and District Golf Alliance, the biggest organisation of its kind in the country, for the coming year.
Now the professional at Glossop Golf Club he brings a wide range of golfing and sporting experiences to his role and he began his time with the Alliance in 1995 at Dunscar GC.
Gary said: “I started my golf as a junior at Mellor and Townscliffe Golf Club,then after leaving school took up the assistant pro position at Stockport Golf Club with professional Roger Tattersall for five years, qualified as a PGA professional in 1990 and moved to Glossop Golf Club for my first Club position.
“I spent two years at Glossop then moved to Germany for two years at Rickenbach Golf Club teaching then moved back to Glossop for my second spell in 1994 and spent two more years there before moving to Buxton and High Peak from 1996 until 2005.
“My next job was at Adlington, teaching and and working with Peak Practice golf then moved to Altrincham driving range 2012 till 2014 .
“In 2015 I was playing and teaching freelance, mainly at Adlington before returning to Glossop Golf Club in 2019 .
“I have enjoyed many highlights with the majority of my time has been spent coaching and in golf clubs and through my work meeting so many interesting and wonderful people.
“I have only really started playing competitively again over the past five years which has been rewarding and enjoyable with some good results.
“I suppose I have played more football than golf with a spell with Chinley Town and with my local side Mellor FC as Captain and Manager .
“I have also completed three London Marathons which were a lot of fun. I would like to thank my long term partner Jen who has been very supportive in my career and has been there for me through thick and thin.
“It’s been a great honour to be asked to be the Alliance Captain as I have been associated with the Alliance since my first appearance in 1995 at Dunscar Golf Club when the likes of Durnian, Cooper and Screeton were the top golfers in the region.
“I aim to enjoy my year as Captain carrying on the traditions of the Alliance and help to grow the Association through ‘Friendshipthrough Golf ‘!
“I think Ian Brooks is doing a great job taking on the President’s position from Alliance legend Jonny Dowd. Ian Hales does sterling work as secretary sending out the posts every week and Jim Cunliffe who helps out with the running of the competitions throughout the year.
“I am certainly going to enjoy my golf through what is to say challenging times which hopefully will eventually return to some sought of normality.”