Despite some uncertainty the day before due to forecast thunderstorms, our final match of the
season was played at Chester Golf Club. The course was in fine condition and enjoyed by those
taking part. A very brief but very heavy cloudburst was a deterrent to some from completing their
rounds, however, most games were completed with some closely fought results.
The first of the 8 games saw Captain Ian, accompanied by President Tony, pitched against Chester
Vice-Captain Jim Draper (no relation) together with Stuart Evans. A closely fought match saw the
visitors succeed comfortably. Other games produced some tighter results however. Special mention
should be made of Bolton pairing Stephen McDermott and Simon Ellery whose match was so tight
that they were on the 18 th green when most other players had finished their meal.
Catering arrangements required that players dined shortly after completion of their games rather
than the traditional arrangement of dining after the last match. However, the food was of excellent
quality with a choice of three main courses and four desserts. After everyone had finished their
meals, Chester Vice-Captain Jim Draper sadly had to introduce a sombre note to the proceedings by
announcing the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. All members stood up and observed a
minute’s silence. Captain Ian the stood up and announced the result, a win to Manchester 5½-2½.
Manchester and District Golf Captains played the Northumberland Golf Captains in the annual match for the Jack Spedding Trophy.
Played over two days on different courses this match alternates each year on a home and away arrangement. Ponteland Golf Club and Arcot Hall Golf Club were the chosen venues for 2022 with 14 players from each Society participating in a 4 ball better ball match play format.
The Northumberland team, led by Captain Neil Clarke, were determined to avenge what had been a crushing defeat the previous year in Manchester and on the first day at Ponteland made the point with a fine start by winning five and halving two of the first days seven matches. With this 6 to 1 lead, they were in good spirits for the second series of games on the following day at Arcot Hall. Manchester was not going to lie down and although they put up a fighting performance to win three of the games and half two others to win the day by 4 games to 3.
The overall score of Manchester 5, Northumberland 9 and was sufficient for Northumberland to regain the trophy.
As always, the games and the match were played with good humour and in a great spirit of friendly rivalry. Good weather on each day made playing golf a pleasure especially as both courses were in outstanding condition and were enjoyed by all who took part. The golf was followed on each day by some exceptional food and drink provided by both host Clubs.
Thanks from all those of all who took part over the two days were extended to Ponteland and Arcot Hall Golf Clubs and in particular their members and their staff for making this years event hugely enjoyable.
Ashton Under Lyne Golf Club played host to our match against the Worcestershire Captains. This
was the first time it had been used as a venue by Manchester Captains. We were fortunate in being
allowed to play the match from the white tees making the course a fine and challenging test of golf
which was enjoyed by both teams. Despite the recent and prolonged dry conditions, the course was
quite verdant and in excellent condition.
The first of the ten matches saw Captain Ian Michael, accompanied by Ashton Captain David Lewis,
pitted against Worcestershire Captain Alex Bishop accompanied by their President Paul Walker.
Doubtless helped by some home course knowledge, our Captain set a fine example to the rest of the
team edging to a 3 and 2 victory. Some close matches followed meaning that the final destination of
the Kevin Woodham trophy would be decided by the final match.
On conclusion of the matches, and following some much needed refreshment all players sat down
and enjoyed a mouth-watering meal of sea bass fillets in a mussel broth accompanied by crushed
jersey royal potatoes and vegetables. After finishing dessert, club captain David Lewis made short
address welcoming all to Ashton Golf Club before handing over to our Captain Ian. He thanked
Ashton for hosting the event and paid tribute to the excellent condition of the course and the
standard of the catering. He then handed over to Worcestershire Captain Alex who announced the
result 5 games apiece, which meant that the trophy was retained by Manchester, before presenting
the trophy to Ian.
Stand Golf Club was the venue for our annual encounter with the Bolton and District Golf Captains.
The weather was largely fine apart from a very brief but heavy rain shower but that did not prevent
some fine golf being played. Lunch having been served, the past captain of Stand welcomed everybody before the teams were introduced. As is usual, some light hearted heckling greeted those members from Bolton Clubs who were playing for Manchester Captains.
The first match saw our Captain Ian Michael, accompanied by the Past Captain of Stand Jeff
Clements paired against the Captain of BDSGC John Howard and its President Gordon Howarth.
After a closely fought match the result ended in a draw. This match was followed by some early
successes for the Manchester team, however, the tail end failed to keep up with the pace!
Some much needed liquid refreshment followed each match before everyone settled down to an
early evening meal comprising of braised steak and chips followed by apple crumble and custard.
First to speak on conclusion of the meals was host (past) captain Jeff Clements. He thanked MDGC
for choosing Stand Golf Club and stated that it has been a great pleasure to partake in the event and
for the Club to be able to host it. Next to speak was Captain Ian who referenced the great condition
in which the course had been presented and thanked the Club and all its staff for hosting the event
so professionally and making the day one to remember. He then handed over to Bolton Captain
John and President Gordon both of whom spoke and reiterated the comments about the course and
organisation of the day. After the floor was handed back to Ian he announced the result, a 6-4 win
to Bolton, presented John with the trophy and wished all a safe journey home.
Our match against the Derbyshire Captains was played this year at Matlock Golf Club and we were
graced with some fine weather. The restricted numbers at 8 pairs per side unfortunately meant that
fewer of our members were able to enjoy the day, but, on the upside, they were spared a
challenging walk!
After lunch and a welcome address by Matlock Captain Neil Abdy, our team was led in the first
fourball by Captain Ian Michael accompanied by Peter Keown playing against Derbyshire Captain
Paul Waring and Neil Abdy. Despite being 4 down our pair fought back to be 2 up before the local
pair birdied the final two holes. All looked good as the home team failed to win any of the first five
matches. However, wins in the last three matches produced a final score of 3-3 with two halves.
Competitors ate on completion of each match and were treated to a healthy portion of freshly
prepared fish, chips and mushy, a speciality at the club. After everyone had enjoyed their meal
Derbyshire Captain Paul Waring spoke, he complimented Neil on the condition of the course and
thanked the host club and all its staff for having looked after us throughout the day. He then handed
over to our captain Ian who announced the result and presented the trophy to Derbyshire who
retained it because the match was tied.
Disley Golf Club was the venue for our match against the South Cheshire Golf Captains. The course was in excellent condition and, coupled with the fine weather, provided a great environment for players of both teams to get to grips with the challenging greens and breezy conditions.
Following a light lunch the players were welcomed by the Club Captain - Don Campbell who along with our Captain, Ian Michael, were the lead group on the course alongside the Captain and President of the South Cheshire Golf Captains. Despite Ian being unable to replicate his first hole in one that he achived on the recent Leeds Match at Whitefield, the pair achieved a win which provided a good steer for the rest of the team.
After completion of all matches both teams sat down to a welcome two course dinner of chicken and chorizo in an arrabiata sauce accompanied by seasonal vegetables followed by apple pie and ice cream. Everybody having been adequately refreshed, Captain Ian Michael took to the floor and thanked Disley Golf Club and all staff involved for their catering and their facilitation of the match. He then handed over to the Captain of SCGC Paul Whitehead who, after announcing the result a win to MDGC 6-4, presented the trophy to our Captain. Finally, Ian and the rest of the Manchester team toasted the SCGC team before Ian wished everybody a safe journey home.
Ideal golfing conditions and a course in superb condition greeted players as they attended Ellesmere Golf Club for the 2022 MDGC Captains Day.
Captain Ian Michael ensured that all golfers were suitably refreshed before playing by providing an excellent lunch which was well received by everyone especially Reddish Vales Dave Sanders who regularly complains that the golf interferes with his dining experience.
Ellesmere Golf Club is renowned fir having some of the best greens in the area and no one who played would argue with that.
The course was presented in excellent condition and was a great credit to all the greenstaff.
An early challenge to the golfers was a nearest the pin competition on the par 3 first hole. The hours spent warming up before the competition paid off for Alistair McGowan (Bramall Park) who hit his ball to 125 cms from the hole.
On the 18th hole Ian Doyle of Reddish Vale showed great stamina by having enough energy to hit his ball to 105 cms to win nearest the pin on that hole.
Early starters who set a blistering pace were the family combination of Ged Gaffey (Bolton Old Links) and Joe Gaffey (Swinton Park). Obviously finding the course and conditions to their liking they posted a very challenging early score of 47 points.
Des Rushworth of Swinton Park and Ernie Rimmer also of Swinton Pqrk made a valiant challenge to this score but fell slightly short by returning 45 points.
Also returning an excellent score were the scratch pairing of Peter Higham (Wilmslow) and Brian Lee (Great Lever and Farnworth) who returned 44 points narriowly pipping the ever reliable Steve Roberts and Alan Cusick (both Mellor and Townscliffe) to 3rd place on a card play off.
Other efforts by golfers were all in vane and no one managed to overhall Ged and Joes excellent 47 points.
Congratulations go to the 2022 Captains Day winners Ged and Joe Gaffey and a ´thank you' goes out from the Captain Ian Michael to everyone who played and made the day such a great success.
After the past two years competitions have been cancelled due to Covid it was excellent to be playing competitive golf again.
Ellesmere Golf Club and our Captain Ian Michael should be congratulated on providing a course in such good condition and also on providing catering, hospitality and welcome that cannot be bettered.
Congratulations to all players and we look forward to seeing you again soon at one of our competitions.
Our annual match against the Leeds Captains took place at Whitefield Golf Club. The course was in
superb condition and, along with the warm sunny weather, provided a perfect canvas for an
enjoyable and competitive afternoon’s golf which was preceded by a light lunch where all players were welcomed to Whitefield by Anthony Harris, the Club President.
When the golf got underway it became clear that all matches were closely contested. However, the highlight of the afternoon was the tee shot of our Captain Ian Michael at the par 3 3rd hole which resulted in his first hole in one. Congratulations go to Ian.
After replacing some of the fluid lost during the course of the afternoon, everyone sat down to a
dinner of roast chicken, roast potatoes and assorted vegetables, followed by a choice of desserts.
After dinner, The Club President Anthony Harris spoke once again to say how much he had personally
enjoyed playing as a guest of the Manchester Captains and how much the Club valued having us play
our match there.
Responding, our Captain Ian Michael thanked Anthony for his comments before providing a detailed description of his 8 iron shot which resulted in the afore mentioned hole in one. He also graciously offered Scottish nectar to those present.
After thanking the Club and all staff concerned in facilitating the event he handed over to Ken Lane, The President of the Leeds Golf Captains, who announced the result – Manchester 6½ - Leeds 3½ before presenting the trophy to Ian.
Finally, Ian thanked everyone for their attendance and wished all a safe journey home.
This year’s match against the Leicestershire and Rutland Captains took place at Lingdale Golf Club near Loughborough. The course was in a picturesque setting and in excellent condition providing a challenging and enjoyable venue for the match.
A light lunch was served to all before the match started, following which the President of Leicestershire and Rutland Captains, Andy Vernon, welcomed everyone to the Club.
The weather remained dry for the afternoon’s match which was closely contested by both sides. Following some much needed liquid refreshment a two course dinner of roast pork and accompaniments, followed by a choice of desserts, was served.
Following dinner, President Andy Vernon thanked all the staff at the host Club for the day’s arrangements before handing over to our Captain Ian Michael who announced the match result which was a victory to the home side by 6 games to 3. Ian presented The Glass Golf Ball trophy to Andy before thanking everyone for their attendance and wishing them a safe journey home.
Hindley Hall Golf Club proved to be an excellent venue for this year’s match versus our friends from
Shropshire and Herefordshire. Fine weather, relatively lush fairways and fast, tricky greens provided
an enjoyable day’s golf. Hindley Hall vice-Captain Paul Gaskell welcomed everyone during lunch
when the teams were announced – some S & H players proving to have surprisingly good local
knowledge of the course!
Following a very welcome three course dinner, Home Captain Ian Michael thanked the host club for
its excellent staging of the day, course preparation and bar/catering staff and stated his pleasure at
seeing old friends and foes back together in what is hoped to be the post Covid era. He presented
the club with a cheque in appreciation. Shropshire and Herefordshire Captain Roger Thomas
responded suitably and thanked his team for achieving a narrow victory of 4½ to 3½. Manchester
Captain Ian presented Roger with a “virtual” trophy in the absence of the actual one, toasts were
exchanged and everyone looked forward to another enjoyable encounter next year.
Knutsford Golf Club has a reputation as being one of the most scenic and pleasant courses in Cheshire and the 41 golfers who played in the first New Captains in Office competition since 2019 would certainly agree with that.
The sun shone and there was a light breeze as the players teed off for the 9 hole stableford competition. Knutsford Captain Stuart Blake kindly arranged for the white competition tees to be used and this was appreciated by the players.
Early leaders in the clubhouse were new Captains Billy Newsome (Dunscar) and Chris Fensome (Bramall Park) . Their joy was short lived and they were soon relegated to second spot when the second team returned to the clubhouse. They were to slip further down the leaderboard as other teams arrived.
Tony Gregory (Heaton Moor) is always in the reckoning and more so when he hand picks his team. Sadly for Tony and his playing partners Richard Parker (Stockport) Lee Costello (Reddish Vale) and Ahmed Gada (Heaton Moor) his attempts to win were unsuccessful. His team total of 42 points was narrowly beaten and he finished in second place on a card playoff.
MDGC President Elect Tony Draper certainly knew how to pick his partners and his team of Geraldine Gee (Chorlton cum Hardy) Andrew Howie (Sale) and Jim Meldrum (Heyrose) came in as winners with the same 42 points. Tony is not a regular visitor to the winners podium and was naturally delighted with his win. He hopes that this was the first of many victories during his year of Presidency.
Congratulations also go the Geoff Sable (Whitefield) Howard Milligan (Old Manchester) and David Wright (Worsley) who all scored 2's on the 5th hole.
An excellent day was had by all those who attended.
Our thanks go to Knutsford Golf Club for the use of their course and for their excellent hospitality and also to the greenstaff who presented the course in excellent condition.
We wish all the new captains a very happy and successful year in office and we look forward to seeing them in our competitions and matches this year.
