16 August 2024

NWMGA Team Match - Final Week 14 Worsley Home

So the curtain was to fall on another season with our lads in pole position, being 1.5 points in front of our nearest rivals Whitefield, and having the chance to strike first by playing our last game at home, and before Whitefield took to the course at Prestwich the night after. Our Visitors on the Evening were Worsley - who had just recently hosted the Fourball championship, and put on a great Spectacle as near 200 played in the comp on a wonderful sunny day on a course in great condition. For those that do not know, certain members from the club play a massive part in the behind the scenes running and admin of the league, namely Andy Barlow - Don't let that Nick Stokes take any of the Credit.......... lol. So could we get the 8-0 or 7-1 victory that would make us Champions, or would worsley throw a spanner in the works and dish out a beating that would derail our Championship hopes - Especially as we won 6-2 in the away fixture back in June..........

Match / Player Report

Gaz Hall

Fellow Captain Gaz had the honour of leading the team into battle with no shots been given in his scratch match. His start was not the best as he was down early and never really recovered, eventually losing 4n3. Final Playing Record - P 11 - W 7 - D 1 - L 3 Thanks for all your help this year Gaz

Markham Bullard

Morecambe was sent into battle against Past President of the NWMGA, Andy Barlow. Knowing he would be in for a tough game (Scratch Match), the instruction ringing in his ear from myself was 'Lets try and get a full point tonight instead of 1/2' - All I can say is that Morecambe made me eat my words as he handed out a bit of a beating, winning 7n6. Final Playing Record - P 10 - W 5 - D 4 - L 1

Steve Hamer

Steve was drafted back in to the team due to losses last week at Rochdale. Steve (Giving 2 Shots) is always a slow starter in Matchplay and I think he prefers that the 'Prying eyes' of well wishers are concentrated on other matches going on. He eventually won his game on 15, when his opponent hit his second shot into the green and went long and OOB, Great 4n3 Win Final Playing Record - P 6 - W 3 - D 1 - L 2

Dave Flanagan

The Ginger Wizard, was still smarting from his first defeat on the 18th at Rochdale last week, This was also a Scratch Match, but Flanny looked more determined than normal on the first tee and duly hit the green and moved 1 up - that was the story of the match and he never looked back and got his just reward on the 15th as he took the game 4n3. What a tremendous season Flanny has had, playing in both the low and high side. Final Playing Record Played 10 - W 9 - D 0 - L 1

Si Daniels

Si who was again at Number 1 needed to win if he was to stand any chance of getting into the top 3 in the Order Of Merit (OOM) and book his place in the Mackenzie Medallion team which would play at Bolton Old Links in September. Si was giving a Shot in his game and he started Strongly - although he was a touch wild off a couple of Tees - None more so than when he pulled his drive left off the 5th down onto the 6th Fairway, however he hit his second shot to 2ft and duly won the hole with a Birdie to go 2 up. Not much changed from there as Si eventually won 3n2 Final Playing Record - P11 - W8 - D 2 - L 1

Colin Stephenson

Cosmo was another with ambitions of staying in the Top 3 in order to make the OOM team - But was made to wait by his opponent, Dave Wright (old Adversary in more ways than one) who even though early at the club, was still working. Cosmo was chomping at the Bit by the time the game started, and even though he was giving 3 shots, raced around the course and eventually took the Game 3n2 Final Playing Record - P 10 - W 7 - D 1 - L 2

Martin Rayner

Martin was making his long overdue Debut for the team this year, as selecting him was never an easy task due to one thing or another - However his strong record in the BDGA team was not to be ignored, hence the 'Promotion' (If I can say that) into the 'Premier Golf League' in the Manchester area. I had played with his opponent in the recent NWMGA 4ball last Sunday, and knew Martin would be in for a tough game against 'Steady Eddie' - Who according to Martin, putted like a demon as Martin lost 3n2. Final Playing Record - P 1 - L 1

Dave Richardson

Richie went out last against their Captain Nicky Stokes, Richie was giving a Shot in his game as well as having to listen to Stokesy for 18 - which is a massive Handicap for anybody in Matchplay. To be fair Richie never got going and Stokesy did what he had to do in order to take the game 7 n 5. Final Playing Record - P 5 - W 3 - L 2

Kev Speight

Personal Thanks again to our Vice Captain for his support after the Golf with his 'Meals on Wheels' - Might Squeeze you in for another game next year Vice 👏👏👏👏

So in the end the lads had done all they could do winning 5-3, and putting us 6.5 points in front of Whitefield, and it was now over to them in their game at Prestwich Last night. The weather I thought was not going to be on our side, as the Stand v Pike game was called off, but the game went ahead - 'Radio silence' was observed for 3 hours, until a message popped up on the League whatsApp group from Lionel, stating 'Congratulations Bury on your League win' - as they lost 2 early games meaning they could not now get the 6.5 points to Tie.

Congratulations to all the lads who played and those who made themselves available for selection - 'Royal Bury GC - NWMGA Champions 2024' 🏆🏆🏆

I would like to thank all those who came to support the lads on Wednesday Night, I know its appreciated and I also know it made some more nervous, it was great to see you out there, including our Club Captain Steve Olive, even Though on Crutches, he was however chauffeured by the BDGA Captain, Bob in the Buggy. I had the Club Chairman in with me in the Buggy

Thanks to James in the shop for his assistance (And Craig) and the borrow of the odd buggy from time to time in Home Games.

The Final OOM table is now attached, and Congratulations go to Both Cosmo and Flanny who finish the season on 29 Points and share the top spot, in 3rd Place was Gaz with 27 Points and 4th was Si on 26 Points. The reward for the Top 3 is Entry into the Mackenzie Medallion team, sponsored by myself, on Sunday 8th September at Bolton Old Links. Unfortunately Gaz is not available on the Day, so Si is promoted and the Team will be Flanny, Cosmo and Si - Very Strong Team indeed - My advice however would be to get a Buggy on the day if you can, as it can be a bit of an upward Trek.
Latest League table attached below - 1 Game to be played Stand v Pike (Called off last night)

Well that's it, another season comes to a close, only this year we finish as champions for the first time and will be reigning champions for next season, so see you all back in May 2026 - Enjoy the rest of the summer season and good luck to all playing in the Captains Final this coming weekend.

Brest Regards Kex