ASHTON-on-Mersey Lady Captain Irene Westcott was delighted to be able to hand over a cheque for £2,707 to her chosen charity, St Ann’s Hospice.

Irene had carried on the charity chosen by her predecessor Lynn Ford in her year of office and is hoping that, with other fund raising efforts in the pipeline, the amount could eventually top £5,000.

Irene said: “There have been a number of events such as the Sale Festival where we raised £500 and £100 from the North West Stewards GA plus socials, raffles and donations from all sections of the club to reach the amount on the cheque.

“But we have had an innovative scheme where members donate clothing and bric-a-brac to the charity’s own shop on a regular basis.

“I have kept a record of how much has been raised by this easy method and it has been amazing how much this can contribute.

“We did offer to donate our husbands to the charity shop but a quick inventory revealed that this would have raised virtually nothing so we did not pursue the idea - but giving goods to an appropriate charity shop is a great way for other golf clubs to raise funds.

“The effort put in by the ladies at the club is typical of their togetherness and sociability and any ladies who are looking to join a welcoming and friendly club could try us.”

A four-man team competition at Sale was taken by the fab four of Fraser Whittaker, C Diggle, R Cowell and B Peacock after a card play-off on 65 points from Ian and John Russell, I Salt and Mike Sallabank.

Davyhulme Park’s men were also in team mode and an am-am was won by Gordon Hand, Terry Mannin, John Priest and Rick Edmondson with 78 points.

In a pro’s roll-up at Davyhulme it was close as Harry Armitage won a cpo on 36 points from Steve Chamberlain with Albert Sullivan a point off the pace.

Park’s ladies played a five-club stableford in two divisions and Vi Nugent led in Division One with 27 points from Sheila Ridings (26). It needed a cpo on 22 points to see Anne Parkhouse take Division Two from Audrey Budgett.

Ashton-on-Mersey’s men were in team action and top of the shop with 84 points were D Mantel, M Davin, L Rimmington and Oliver Pantoja by two points from M Parker, P Gibson, S Conway and C Oldham.

A ladies singles at Mersey was won by J Jones from Lynda Brenner, S Hesketh and Pat Daly.

Manchester Alliance officials are looking forward to improved weather conditions in 2009 after a disappointing start to their hectic winter programme. They lost more competitions due to weather and course conditions in the closing months of 2008 than for many previous years.

The first half of the season finished with fixtures at Shrigley Hall and Mottram Hall but fixtures at Bolton and Leigh were cancelled.

A new venture for the Alliance is to hold their Annual Dinner following the competition at Davyhulme Park on February 11. Alliance officials welcome attendees at the event and for more information or to book your ticket contact Bert Thompson on 0161 962 5094.

The season will conclude on President’s Day at Denton when the coveted and valuable Order of Merit prizes are given out.

To get your club and individual results, achievements and special events in this report contact Geoff Garnett on 0161 881 7550 or via email at ggggarnett@aol.com .

Tweet