After a marvellous summer of sport where Rory McIlroy won his second golf major, Great Britain’s Olympics and Paralympics teams delighted the nation, and Andy Murray won the US Open tennis, those pining for more feats of physical skill and top-class sporting prowess assembled for the Golf Society’s September meeting at the Marriott Worsley Park Golf Club. And in addition to the best bacon butties of the season so far, the host club thoughtfully arranged for delightfully cooling breezes to prevent the Society’s golfers from overheating on the front nine.
Phil Waxman (Ridgetown/CDI Global) had an impressive start. ‘It’s all down to my world class chipping’, he said modestly after gaining an impressive par on the tricky 8th hole before the golfing gods took their revenge. ‘I got 35pts playing off the back tees on Saturday’ was heard on every hole by the fourball accompanying Worsley Park member Tony Caisley (TGC Computing), and they believed him even though at times they wondered how he’d done it. ‘I’m playing like Rory’ boasted Captain Michael Sweeney (Good People) but his playing partners thought he meant bearded comedian McGrath rather than golfing maestro McIlroy. The Captain’s Seve-like fist pump after holing a six footer for par on the 18th was premature - his 36 points only managing fifth place.
Facilities Management experts Panad Site Services were excellent sponsors of the event and their representative Jim Atherton took fourth position with a great back nine and 36 points. Bob Wagner (DPG Plc) disproves the dour reputation of some of his fellow Yorkshiremen due to his consistently cheerful demeanour and he was smiling once again after taking the trophy for third place with 37 points.
The gentle winds on the outward nine saw Matt Watts (Lowri Beck) score a meagre 13 points, before storming through the field and adding a fantastic 26 coming back for second place overall. Yet once again, the winner with a superb 40 points off a handicap of 12, was ‘Lucky’ Jim Gilliland (PSL Print Management) who took advantage of his local knowledge as a club member to secure the honours and make a typically gracious speech. Jim's business partner Brian Eyre won at our previous event at Wallasey GC making this duo a formidable combination both at work and at play.
The Marriott Worsley Park has been more than kind to the Society this year, offering special deals to regular Society players to play the course and kindly donating a prize of dinner for two at the hotel’s restaurant for this event. This gift was used to boost our collection on the day to £218 for Captain’s charity Bolton Hospice, which once again showed the generosity of our members.
The Society now readies itself for the traditional end-of-season flourish at Sandiway GC on October 9th. Following a shotgun start, our annual prize presentation will take place as well as the introduction of our new Captain and Vice-Captain for the 2013 season. Places are being booked fast for this popular meeting, so do register early to ensure your presence at this wonderful golfing venue for the Society’s flagship event.
Got to http://gmccgolfsandiway2012.eventbrite.co.uk/ for more information and to secure your place.
