Astbury President

After the golfing battering of the winter months golfers are delighted when the seasons turn around and the golfing diary also progresses at great pace. The first weekend in June brought mostly good weather, bouncy fairways and Astbury Golf Club President, Alan White's, first big moment of 2010 - President's Weekend. The weekend covered a Senior Trophy on Friday 4th, A Junior event on the 5th and the Men's President's Day Trophy on Sunday June 6th, and still to come towards the end of June, is Ladies President's Day.

The course was looking terrific for the weekend and with everything tended and tidy it showed what all the members really know already - that Astbury is a gem of golf course and when in its best condition it is a rival to any course in the area and beyond.

While it is without doubt an honour and privilege to be President of such a great golf club there is no doubt also that the weekend is demanding and great credit goes to the President who was on the 1st Tee for all sections on each and every day to welcome them and to wish them well. After the golf, the weekend culminated with his invited guests, in the newly refurbished clubhouse for the President's dinner - and afterwards for the presentations of winners and prizes for each of the 3 sections taking part.

After a great meal and good company Alan kicked off the presentations with a big thank you to all those whose support made his day possible -

Peter and Patsy for the fine catering throughout the 3 days,
in the 1/2 way house where a team of the lady members provided refreshments that stirred many on to greater things,
the pro shop with Neil and his team ensuring everyone was ready and eager for the event ahead of them,
the Seniors under Eric Porter and John Wolstenholme for all their arrangements,
the Juniors under the guidance of Jane Bozon,
the Green's team where Eric, Scott, Mark and the team delivered the course and its surroundings in such fine condition
and finally to his wife Nina who supported Alan in many of the tasks over the 3 days but especially a long stint in the 1/2 way house for the seniors event( with provision of some uplifting and fortifying snifters to the weary warriors)

And so to the competitions and presentations - with 200 competitors playing over the weekend it was a great turn out for the President - see the end of the article for the complete results..

In the Junior section and introduced by Jane Bozon, Jane pointed to the fact that the club is blessed with 90 junior and novice members, which must hold such promise for the future of Astbury. Jane especially mentioned the excellent work from Angus McCormick in his role as Junior Captain this year and went on to present the prize winners. Winner on the day was Adam Cockerill with 42 points which is a great score, and Adam generously thanked Alan and then Jane for all the support she gives the juniors in his winner's speech. 2nd was Ben Goostrey with 41 points and 3rd was Ryan Cockerill with 40 points. In presenting the prizes Alan highlighted that after standing on the 1st Tee for the majority of 3 days competition that this was the only section that had players that drove the 1st green !

In the Senior section Senior Skipper Eric Porter introduced the winners, with Mike Darby overall winner of the President's Senior Trophy recording a fine 41 pts. Mike paid generous tribute to his playing partner Harry Sadler who gave great support and encouragement on the round. 2nd was Fred Reed with 37 points and 3rd was Eddie Prince on 36 points. The senior's over 75 prize was won, to everyone's delight, by Jack Moss. Alan pointed out that in a recent friendly Jack had asked him about the "Favourite Putter" he was using on the day and Jack remembered " Wait a minute I have one of those in the attic". Jack told the audience how he had scurried up there and duly retrieved it and used it to great effect on the day to record 35 pts.

In the Men's section Dave Young announced the various winners, with Roger Taylor winning the overall President's Prize with an excellent 42 pts (playing off 6). 2nd overall and just losing out on countback was Don Walsh also with 42 pts and 3rd was Alastair Strang with 41 points. In his winner's speech Roger was clearly delighted with his performance although this observer doubted that his preparation of getting to bed at 5 am after a night out with the lads would work for everyone - that's youth for you! Buoyed by his success Roger quizzed his Dad, Orville, in the audience, as to whether the Taylor surname had previously graced the President's trophy and you can imagine his competitive delight to discover that it hadn't; summed up in the single word " QUALITY!". He concluded in a supremely tenuous link that somehow his performance would stir England into winning the world cup.... that's where he lost me!

The event concluded with the Captain Peter Bozon leading in 3 cheers for the President. A fine weekend and one to be proud of for Alan.

Overall winner of The President's Day Trophy was Roger Taylor ( Hcp 6) on 42 pts.