After a weekend of Storm Claudia followed by more heavy rain, snow and frost, which caused the closure of many golf courses in the area, a full field for the MDGA Winter Series were amazed and delighted to ba able to enjoy a great competition at Mottram Hall GC.

The temperature was a bit nippy (not noticed by a handful of players who played in shorts) but this was offset by wall-to-wall sunshine and a dry course in great condition.

This was supported by excellent hospitality après golf and the usual slick organisation provided by early-to-rise President Ian Brooks and Jim Cunliffe in their impeccable silky manner.

Professional OoM leader Josh Crumplin (Disley) set the early pace with a six-under par 42 and his Tytherington GC partner Chris Jackson added a point to lead the pro am section briefly with 43.

This was soon matched by Davyhulme Park Professional Martyn Hamer and Mark Perrin with Mark adding 13 points to Martyn’s modest 30 - it could be an Alliance amateur record!

Then Ryan O’Neill and Steve ‘Majestic’ Moores (Saddleworth) took over the leader board with Ryan posting 43 to win the pro individual prize and Steve added four more to see them win the pro am section with 47.

Taking second spot with 45 were Alliance Centenary Captain Grant Hamerton (Pike Fold) and Kenny Schmitz (Ashton on Mersey).

The second individual pro was Josh Crumplin ahead of Ryan Owen (Styal) and Grant Hamerton, both 38.

Good scoring also in the Am Am section led by Stamford’s dynamic duo of Carleton Weldon and Spencer Lavery 45 from Neil McGuinness (Disley) and Gavin Peavoy (Wilmslow) 44 and Alliance Captain Alistair Holloway (fresh from his competition win at Denton) and Anthony Kenny (Prestwich) on 43.

The Nearest the pin winner was deadly accurate Craig Daggitt (Bramall Park)

All of the players and Alliance officials gave deserved thanks to Mottram Hall for putting on a great show both on and off the course.

Geoff Garnett