Sponsored by Steve Finan ‘Finan Fibre Fillings'

Kris sees Mersey maintain their momentum

THE excellent weather enjoyed in the early days of the Alliance Winter Competitions ended with a day of four seasons at Hazel Grove Golf Club which was top class both on and off the course.
The excellently presented Hazel Grove course is always a challenge and some strong winds, cold temperatures and heavy showers saw many of the players in the Team of Four competition struggling to accumulate the points.
Ashton-on-Mersey GC have made a great start to the season featuring amongst the prizes at Crompton and Royton and Bramhall as well as reaching the Dunham Forest Trophy final.
Their hot young professional Haydn McCullen was unavailable for this fixture but Mersey pro Kris Andrews stepped into the breach with great effect.
He inspired his old firm of John Aikenhead, Gordon Hamlett and Mark Gauchi to amass 88 points as they set the early target for the day.
It proved to be more than enough as they finished two clear of Bury GC’s fab four of Chris Bibby, Colin Stephenson, Mick Kelly and Simon Daniels with Jamie Howarth (Davenport), Peter Botterman and Brook Snape (Stockport) and Chris Alexander (Mellor and Townscliffe) next in on 85.

The top individual pro was Jamie Howarth with 38 ahead of Andy Brigewood (Flixton) 36 and Kris Andrews 35.

The nearest the pin prize went to Mark Window of Styal.

James Rowlands, the Hazel Grove professional enjoyed a great day with his team of Harry Hanson, Debbie Wilson and Lady Captain Loranne Harrison who finished her round in style with a monster putt on the 18th.

Picture: Competition sponsor Steve Finan with his team - Mark Smith (Professional Stamford GC), Tony Smith, Steve Finan (Sponsor) & Leigh Williams (all from Stamford GC).

Geoff Garnett