Alan’s ace is a virtual reality

GOLF: 

STAMFORD broke new ground by holding their first INDOOR competition — and the winner bagged himself a hole in one!

Players gathered in the club’s new practice swing room for a nearest-the-pin shoot-out on the virtual 149-yard par three. And on his first day back from a lay-off, Alan Booth fired an ace.

The competitors then went outside to take part in Stamford’s first major of the new season, the Lowe Trophy. Victory went to five-handicapper Chris Houfe, who scored a nett 66.

Keith Dockerty was the runner-up 73-6-67, with Steve Finan (82-14-68) third.



TWO charities benefited from the efforts of last year’s captains at Saddleworth.

The Benjamin Maly Cardiac Fund was boosted by £5,000 thanks to men’s captain Andy Dunster, while ladies captain Julie Ward raised £3,485 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Benjamin’s dad, Graham, is a good friend of the Saddleworth club.

The youngster was born with a serious heart problem and had to undergo three extensive surgeries at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool.

Julie’s son, Rob, is a professional sailor and has always been a keen supporter of the RNLI.



OLDHAM’S Spring Bowl competition went to Paul Donland, who fired a nett 61. Peter Dunbar (63) was two shots adrift in second place, with Steve Warburton close up in third after a 64.



JULIE Barton, Andrea Lowe, Brenda Keaney and Margaret Bailey, with an 85-points haul, were the runaway winners of the Crompton and Royton charity shotgun start competition.In second on 74 points were a team from Eccleston Park near Liverpool.

Crompton and Royton quartet Joyce Adams, Pat Briggs, Joan Pedder and Joan Booth were third on 73 points.

Dr Kershaw’s Hospice was the other winner on the day as it benefited to the tune of £500.



At WERNETH, lady vice-captain Tracey Rowbotham won the first medal round of the season with a round of 97-32-65 — which meant a four-shot handicap reduction.