Welcome to the Manchester and District Golf Alliance
“Friendship Through Golf”
Well, that went quickly!
Alistair Holloway has completed an action-packed and enjoyable year as Captain of the Manchester and District Golf Alliance (MDGA), the biggest golf organisation of its kind in England,
Alistair, a member of Denton Golf Club, outlined his year:
“Completely out of the blue I was asked to be the MDGA Captain.
President Ian Brooks pulled me to one side at Vale Royal Abbey GC last year and asked if I would take on the role.
I was rather shell shocked as I am just your average hacker. Once I had digested the shock, I was honoured to be able to say yes, I would love to do it.
Ian explained that the Captain’s role is alternated between professional and amateurs. Hence my first thank you is to congratulate the new incoming Captain, Andy Palmer the Pro from Chorley GC. I am sure he will enjoy his time.
I have been playing in the Alliance Winter Series for several years. For me it is the best competition series I have played in. I get to meet and befriend all the local professionals and amateurs from all around the Manchester area.
The quality of golf and also the integrity of the scoring is second to none. Our local Pro’s sure can play!
We get to visit a wide variety of great courses and every year we play somewhere new I have not been before.
Also from a club viewpoint I know how important the prestige of the Alliance inter club competitions are. Take the Archie Preston, a great mixed foursomes (or ‘sorrysomes’ as I like to call it) and the headline Dunham Trophy. These are the highlight of many clubs’ year.
It is time to do some thank you’s.
Firstly to the MDGA. The guys put in so much time and effort, not just on Comp days, but all the work behind the scenes. Ian Brooks, the MDGA President and Jim Cunliffe both deserve a special mention.
This thing simply would not happen without them. Also thanks to Geoff Garnett. He does all the photography and write ups for all the events and gives us great coverage in the local press.
I would also like to thank all the sponsors. These help make our competitions financially viable and provide some fantastic prizes.
I would like to thank my playing partners. Anthony Kenny from Prestwich GC and Tom Clancy and Mick Holmes from Cheadle GC. We play a side bet for a fiver every round which is fiercely fought for.
I would like to congratulate the winners of the annual order of merit. Jamie Howarth from Davenport GC was the winner of the Professionals and Chris Jackson from Tytherington GC won the Amateur prize. Well done gentlemen, some amazing golf.
Finally, I would like to thank all the golfers who played and supported us in this year’s competitions and for making my time as Captain so memorable. I look forward to teeing it up again at the end of September.”
The Manchester and District Golf Alliance is the largest of its kind in the country consisting of over a 100 golf clubs from the Manchester and surrounding area.
It was formed in 1924, with two main aims. Firstly, to provide additional income throughout the winter months for Professional golfers, but primarily to forge ‘Friendship Through Golf’.
We are a non profit making organisation with all our revenue being returned to golfers as prizes. Whilst providing an income for professional golfers MDGA has expanded over the years to include amateur golfers and inter club knockout competitions. The Dunham Forest Trophy is our most prestigious event which involves the Club Professionals and the lowest handicap players from each club taking part, however the competitions also include The City Glass Mens Foursomes, The Archie Preston Mixed Knockout, Seniors Team Knockout and The BMW Junior Team Knockout..
Any member of a golf club that is affiliated to the Manchester & District Golf Alliance is eligible to play in the weekly MDGA competitions which take place each Wednesday from September to December and February to May.
The Wednesday competitions are in fact three competitions in one. There is an individual competition for the professionals as well as a Pro/Am and an Am/Am competition.
The events are held on a different course each week and are open to any member of the affiliated clubs. Check out the fixture list on the Winter Series tab to view the fixtures. Tee times can also be booked by contacting the Assistant Secretary via email at mdgajimcunliffe53@gmail.com.
Alistair enjoys the first half
The MDGA organises a sponsored Winter Series of competitions for professionals and amateurs playing different courses on Wednesdays between September and May, with a mid-season break between December and February.
It also organises very competitive Inter Club Knock Outs in the summer months for different categories of players.
The long-serving Alliance President is Ian Brooks who with his Bolton Old Links GC colleague Jim Cunliffe and France-based Ian Hales organise the competitions with excellent efficiency.
Each year there is a new Captain alternating between professional and amateur.
Last season was the MDGA Centenary Year with Pike Fold Professional Grant Hamerton as the Captain.
He handed over the Captain’s regalia to Denton Golf Club’s Alistair Holloway in August.
Alistair outlined the first half of his season in office:
“The season so far has been excellent.
Despite some poor weather, the host clubs have worked very hard to be able to prepare the courses and keep them playable. It is much appreciated by all the players.
My highlight of the season so far was for the MDGA to visit my home club of Denton and to see the local professionals take the course apart!
I think the reason the Alliance works so well is the inclusivity. Everyone is welcome and everyone is equal.
There is a wide variety of players, some more skilful than others! It makes for a very harmonious environment.
The Alliance motto of ‘Friendship through Golf’ is very fitting.
One thing that surprised me when I play on the MDGA circuit is just how good our local professionals are.
These boys sure can play! This is as well is being all round nice guys.
All the officials and players have been great during my first half year as Captain.
I would like to thank all the players and the Professionals who loyally support the events, whatever the weather can throw at us.
Also a shout out to for all the sponsors who help make the events a success.
A special mention to Jim Cunliffe as the wizard of scoring and results. Both Jim, and President, Ian Brooks, put in many hours not just on Competition Day, but also in the background in making sure every event runs smoothly.
My aim for the second half of the season is to move up the Amateur Order of Merit table with my playing partner, Anthony Kenny (Prestwich GC), and enjoy the company of my fellow golfers and the hospitality of hosting clubs. I look forward to supporting the Alliance moving forward in 2026.”