Chronicle Cup - August 1st

 

Down to the Wire in Chronicle Cup.

The weekend action for the men at Astbury this week was the 36 hole Chronicle Cup. A major event for scratch golfers in the Congleton area and which attracts a strong field from various local courses. The Chronicle cup is for golfers who live in the distribution area of the Congleton Chronicle series of papers ie Congleton , Biddulph and Sandbach. Otherwise a member of either Astbury or Congleton golf club.It is a scratch event for players of 9 handicap and lower.The 1st round is played at Astbury and depending on the size of the entry a cut is made at 30 plus tied scores to play at Congleton in the afternoon. A Scratch event means that handicaps are not taken into account for the main competition.
This year there was a field of 40 and due to withdrawals and Non Returns after the first round - 36 players went on to play in the afternoon.
After the 1st round Astbury players lead the way with Glyn Davies leading the field on one under par 70 closely followed by Ian Oakley with 71, 2 shots further back on 73 were Steve Kellam and Nick Davenport.
Other scores were
Mick Johnson  74
Dan Young      74
Andy Hardie    75
Martin Leese   76
Paul Zielinski  76

 
 The competition moved on to Congleton for the afternoon round..
One of the early starters was Tom Johnson who after a 79 at Astbury came in with a great score of 64(4 under par) and was the leader in the clubhouse on 143, he held this lead until the last 2 pairings completed their rounds to eventually finish 3rd. Steve Kellam, playing in the second to last group,  came in to add a 69 to his 73 for a total of 142 and the lead, followed by Glyn Davies playing in the last pairing to add a 72 to his 70 also for a total of 142. This forced a play off with Steve.  The play off is over the first 3 holes and then if still tied it becomes sudden death.
 

Hole1 par 4

Steve found the fairway bunker and went on to make a bogey 5
Glyn hit the green in regulation making a solid par (4)

 
Hole 2 par 4
Glyn made another solid par (4) whilst Steve went for the green only to find sand again but with a great bunker shot made birdie (3) to level the tie

 
 Hole 3 par 3
Steve under clubbed and again found the bunker short of the green leaving a very difficult shot to a difficult pin position. this resulted in a bogey.
Glyn played to the heart of the green and made yet another solid par to win the event.
 The presentation followed on the putting green and the winners were:
 
1st Glyn Davies     142   won in the play off
2nd Steve Kellam   142
3rd  Tom Johnson   143
 
Best AM Nett
Mick Johnson   74-7-67
 
Best PM Nett
Nick Worrall     71-6-65

Report by Dave Young