Brookdale pair lead from the front

GOLF: The WGTB Club Trophy has seen three knock-out rounds produce the top eight pairs in a BB Stableford final hosted for the first time at the scenic Brookdale Golf Club.

The day was blessed with good weather and a fine course at the hidden gem that is Brookdale, with great views and a pristine course to complement a terrific variety of holes around the banks of the River Medlock.

Brookdale also gave great help in hosting the final with players able to enjoy their excellent clubhouse and give a warm and friendly welcome to all of the finalists.

Battling their way through to the final were three pairs from Brookdale - G McHugh and T Curran, P Bate and P Bamber, T Clarkin and M Chapman - and three from Sale - H Hayes and C McIntyre, M George and P Drury, S Ranshi and P Bradford - and one from Cheadle - M Westbrook and C Dews and L Walker and P Beard (Denton).

The first group out saw home pair Gary McHugh and Tony Curran use their local knowledge to set a stiff target of 42, and it was enough to see off Mike George and Paul Drury (41) and Tony Clarkin and Martin Chapman (40).

The day replicated the friendly nature of the competition between players from different clubs and the high quality of golf.

The winners will enjoy a round for four at the fabulous Delamere Forest GC as well as having the trophy on display for the next year in their clubhouse.

The runners-up won a round for four at Hazel Grove GC, England Golf’s Club of the Year, and the third prize was a round for four at Reddish Vale GC.

The other prize on offer was the nearest the pin on the fifth hole, won by Tony Curran, who was 60cm from the pin.

Meanwhile, the Ted Clinch Cup at Brookdale was won by Ian Dalziell (40), from Shaun Stephenson (39).

The second Race to the Start at Brookdale saw Mark Riley top division one with 35, from Alan Robson and Anthony Curran, both 34.

Lynn Kershaw showed her enduring class in a Stableford for Brookdale ladies, posting 34 to finish ahead of Stella Cain (33) and Bev Mercer (32).

A Stableford at Saddleworth saw division one won by Darren Smith (38), from Nick Kerin (37) and Dave Stephens (36).

In division two, Andy Thornton posted a fine 43 to finish ahead of Simon Shaw (42) and Graham Bearpark (41).

A Two Man Aggregate Stableford at Saddleworth saw the dynamic duo of Duncan Jackson and Charlie Nicholson in total control with 75, from Ben and Steve Pullen (68) and Anthony McNamara and Philip Paxford (67).

The Race to Formby Stableford at Saddleworth was close with David Whaley winning a cpo on 41 from Steve Pullen and Graham Harrop.

Winning the final standings were Lee Spratt (83) and Lee Blainey (81).

It was a family affair in a BB Stableford at Saddleworth with Dean and Dave McKenna winning a cpo on 44, from Joe Ridley and Josh Pegler.

A Stableford for Ashton ladies had the three divisions topped by Poppy Adams-Lockwood (37), Barbara Hopkinson (39) and Pauline Miller after a cpo with Gabby Eckersley on 35.

The Sunday Stableford at Ashton had the divisions led in by Graham Johnson (38), Bill Croxton after a cpo on 36, with John Lees and Rory Penning on 41.

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