THERE are new names on the MENWN Golf Trophies after a terrific final for the men’s singles and ladies’ pairs at Marple Golf Club.

The Marple course had recovered well from the recent horrendous weather to provide its usual tough challenge for the finalists, and there was a terrific array of prizes on offer for those who had battled through the match-play rounds.

In-form Swinton Park two-handicapper Lee Parr set the standard in the men’s singles as he posted a magnificent level par 68 for a Stableford score of 38 points - the benchmark for the rest of the day.

It was eventually matched by Salford-based 13-handicapper Dave Smith, who had looked down and out with an opening nine holes of just 15 points.

But a back nine of 23 points, that included three birdies, took him to the top spot to win the top prize of a fantastic golf break for two in South West Ireland. Tickets were presented by main sponsor Peter Walsh of Fairway Holidays, along with a fine trophy provided by Ryan PGT.

Taking the same prize in the ladies pairs were Macclesfield Golf Club’s first-ever lady President Myra Clark, partnered by Catherine Atkin, who came out on top with an excellent haul of 39 points to claim victory from Oldham’s resolute duo of Jane Antrobus and Bev Scholes, who like Lee Parr, will enjoy a round of golf for four people at De Vere Mottram Hall.

The other major prize winners in the men’s singles were Roger Harrop (Stamford) who won a voucher from Made2Measure Golf and a round of golf for four at Marple, David Murray (Styal) with a National County Card, Garry Smith (Brookdale) with a round for four at Styal and Paul Greatbatch of Marple who won a golf shirt.

In the ladies pairs Oldham’s Sheila Antrobus and Lynn Kershaw took the Made2Measure voucher and round for four at Marple, Judy Read and Charlotte Lang (Bramall Park) won a round for four at Styal, Mary Buckley and Edythe Turner (Oldham) won Trolley Dolly bags and Pauline Roper and Val Savage (Worsley) won statuettes.

Nearest the pin prizes were taken by Jef Brothwell (Didsbury), Lee Bramhall (Reddish Vale), Mary Buckley and Cheryl Gillings of Davyhulme Park.

Four ‘twos’ were recorded by Roger Harrop, Paul Rayner (Breightmet), Jeff Crowder (Marple) and David Murray, and each received six balls.

MENWN managing editor Stewart Rigby was there to help present the prizes, along with Marple’s president and lady captain and Stockport Express sports editor Simon Smedley, and all expressed their delight at seeing such a splendid competition continue to go from strength to strength under the organisation of WGTB Golf.

SCORES:

Men’s singles: 38 D Smith, L Parr, 36 R Harrop, D Murray, 35 G Smith, P Greatbatch, P Rayner, 33 D Briddon (Stamford), 32 S McGee (Ashton-under-Lyne), M Burgess (Denton), S Reyer (Tytherington), J Brothwell, 31 B Mannia (Styal), L Bramhall, 30 B Beswick (Disley), T Gills (Styal), 29 M Holt (Reddish Vale), 27 R Barraclough (Bramall Park, J Crowder.

Ladies’ pairs: 39 M Clark and V C Atkin, 37 J Antrobus and B Scholes, 35, S Antrobus and L Kershaw, 33 J Read and C Lang, 32 M Buckley and E Turner, P Roper and V Savage, 30 C Gillings and E McKenna.