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Handicap chopper falls on Andrew!!!

The sun came out again for us on our visit to Brookfield Golf Club in Hankelow near Audlem. It was bright sunshine for all of us especially Andrew Abell (22) who again returned a great score of 38 points. The course was in fabulous condition with the greens true and fair although a little slower that we all first thought. The course continues to improve and will surely be one of the best in the area in the very near future.

Kevin Sherwin (26) playing his first Society game of the year came in a close second with 34 points—a sound performance. In third we had Jon Downs (20) with 32 points. This guy can certainly hit a long ball off the tee—great with his driver. One to watch when he sorts out his short game and putting. Nearest the Pin was Phil Stonier leaving a six foot putt for a birdie on the 14th—missed!!.  Details of all the scores can be seen on the scorecard (provided by Andrew—cheers mate) in a couple of weeks.

Local knowledge too much for the field!!!

Barlaston member, Barry Brereton (18) and former Captain of our Society showed us how his local knowledge and experience of the course helped him to play key shots on a tight and tricky course.  Scoring 33 Stableford points, 18 on the front nine followed by 15 coming back paving the way for his win and a gross 93. Congratulations Barry—a good solid game.

It was tight at the top with three players carding 32 points. Captain Graham Cooke (18) stormed out of the blocks scoring 15 points on the first 5 holes—gross 97. Steve Ruddell (22), playing his first game with the Society  (welcome Steve) had a very consistent round and only just missed out on a winning debut by blobbing on the last two holes scoring 8 on each hole giving a gross 96. Otherwise a great start with the Society. However, the handicap axe falls taking away a shot for his general play. Phil Stonier (14) scored 20 points going out but lost his way on the back nine. A lost ball on the 14th ruined what was turning out to be a good  card although still returning a gross 89. Two blobbed holes like Steve Ruddell was the downfall of a good round.

Les and Richard both experienced near eagle opportunities on the 269 yard par 4th. Les hitting the flag and ended up on the lip of the hole and Richard missing the chip in.

The nearest the pin was won by John Smith (26) on the 14th 124 yard par 3, just getting inside of Graham Cooke and Phil Greatbatch (20).

Andrew wins Order of Merit clincher on count back

What another fabulous day we had on Friday 24th October, 2008 at Gorstyhill with the weather so kind to us. The course was in fine condition despite all the heavy rain during the night and the greens were in tip top order. The golf was enjoyed by everyone and this was followed by a pie and a pint at the White Hart in Hough—a great day out and what golf is all about.

So, what happened on the golf course? It was always going to be an intriguing day. At the top of the Order of Merit stood Andrew Abell and Jon Downs on level points with two points dividing these two from third placed Phil Stonier. Jon could not make the day which just left Andrew and Phil to fight it out,  Kevin Abell was nine points back in forth place and with only a slim chance of making up the points.

At the finish it was another sound performance from Andrew Abell (18) who came in with 34 points from 92 strokes to win on count back for the third time this year. In second place was Phil Stonier (14) also with 34 points from 86 strokes. The win earned Andrew the Order of Merit title leaving Phil in second place and Kevin third. (For more information on the Order of Merit click on the menu.)

Back to the competition at Gorstyhill - in third place was Kevin Sherwin (19), our 2008 Tour Champion. His round consisted of one birdie and two pars. A slow start to the round but finished strongly over the hardest holes on the course coming in with 19 points on the back nine. In fourth place was  Steve Ruddell (19) with a score of 32 points from 98 strokes nearly matching his third place the last time we played at Gorstyhill.

Jon wins Scotland warmer

Well, it just had to happen. Jon Downs (19), having played steady golf all season cruised to his first win with the Society with a score of 37 points from 93 strokes. A slow start, scoring 8 on the first and a 9 on the second prevented Jon from having a fabulous round. It is only a matter of time before Jon hits a really low score.

Chasing hard was Steve Ruddell (21), who continues to impress, with a score of 36 points from 95 strokes. Another consistent round following his second place at Barlaston. Steve also won the nearest the pin on the third hole. Phil Stonier (14) came in third on 32 points from 92 strokes and is beginning to play better golf.

It was yet another sound performance from Barry Brereton (17) with 31 points from 98 strokes. “Mr Consistency” Kevin Abell (20) came in with 30 points and looks set to make a challenge in Scotland. Andrew Abell (18) and John Smith (26) both tied with 28 points.

The handicap system seems to work well for both Russ Howard (30) and Brian Abell (30) who both collected 27 and 26 points to give them more of a competitive edge. Should work well for the pair of them over three days in Scotland with both players hitting the ball solidly. Kevin Sherwin joined us for his second game of the season and recorded a rusty 21 points which is a little off the mark for Kevin who had a good Tour in Scotland last year.

Finally, welcome to Steve Rushton who enjoyed his first round of golf with us and now looking forward to the trip north of the border. Well played Steve—always difficult playing your first game with a Society, especially when you have not been playing golf very long.

A sizzler served up by Kevin at

Malkins Bank in BBQ weather!

Was it really Malkins Bank we were playing or was I dreaming that we were playing in some far off country. What a fabulous day we had with the weather—hot and humid and such a contrast to playing at Knights Grange a few weeks earlier when the course was saturated with overnight heavy rain. Malkins Bank provided us with excellent fairways, rough not too deep and greens that were good but a little slow. Certainly good test for our mid to high handicap members and an opportunity to enjoy a good round of golf.

Kevin Abell (20 handicap) scorched the course with a red hot 35 points from 92 strokes. Kevin enjoyed a slow front nine but had a storming back nine which included 4 pars and a par on the infamous par 3 14th hole in the woods. The driver was the key to Kevin’s round—often down the middle.

Playing his first game with the Society was John Smith (28) and playing only his second game of golf in 2008. John notched up 32 points from 103 strokes which suggests that we may have to take a look at his handicap in readiness for the next competition.

Tied 3rd on 31 points were Barry Brereton (18) and Andrew (22)  with Barry gaining outright 3rd spot on count back. Andrew playing off his revised handicap of 22 nearly managed a hole-in-one on the par 3 3rd.– just missing out by 3 feet—unfortunately missing his put for the birdie—so frustrating this game of golf!

Andrew starts the new season   

               where he left off in Scotland

Our first outing of the year took us to a very wet Knights Grange on Sunday 13th April. It was only when we were on the second and third fairways that it became apparent how wet the course really was. Was it playable? Perhaps not. Had it been a private members course then we felt sure that the “Course Closed” sign would have been put out.

However, despite the wet conditions, it became clear that some players mastered the course better than others. Andrew (24 handicap) scored 36 Stableford points to become the first leader of our Order of Merit.  This was closely followed by Peter Simms (14) with a fine 34 points from a gross 82 strokes. This was a great round of golf considering the conditions and the handicap to which Peter was playing to. In third place was Jon Downs (20) who was playing his first game with our Society. He came in with 32 points and was the only player to par the first hole.