Clive Takes On New Role

Oldham Rabbits Golf League has enjoyed the services of Steven Hyde for several successful and busy years.

The league has Stamford, Ashton, Dukinfield, Houldsworth, Oldham and Brookdale Golf Clubs as its members,

Steven has now decided to stand down from his position and taking his place for the upcoming season is Clive Pimlott from Stamford Golf Club

Clive said: “I came to golf late in life having played hockey to county standard (men’s and mixed hockey).

“I joined Stamford Golf Club in 2013 with a handicap which, until recently, only ever went the wrong way and in 2016 I signed up to play for Stamford Rabbits.

“After a few seasons with Stamford Rabbits I was invited to become the Rabbits captain, however, with the pandemic causing the 2020 season to be abandoned before it ever started, I actually took over as captain in 2021.

“The 2021 Oldham and District Rabbits League season saw a reduced calendar due to the continuing pandemic situation, with only the league games being played and the cup competition not being held. 

“Up to the last game of the season, Stamford Rabbits were lying in last place in the league, however, with an 8-0 victory in the last game of the season, Stamford Rabbits leapfrogged two teams to end the campaign in fourth place. 

“It was towards the end of the 2021 season that our club captain asked me to become Stamford Golf Club chairman, a post in which I continue in to this day.

“The 2022 season saw a slow start for Stamford Rabbits in both league and cup, but with a terrific team squad with a fantastic team spirit, the momentum built up through the season.

“By the end of the season, Stamford Rabbits had won all three team events (league, cup and President’s Bowl) and had also taken all three individual awards (Player of the Year, Player of the Competition for the President’s Bowl and winner of the O&DRL AGM competition in which the team captains, vice captains and league dignitaries play immediately before the O&DRL AGM. There was nothing left to win!

“Having had a truly amazing season as Stamford Rabbits captain I was approached by several dignitaries of the league and asked to take over as O&DRL secretary from Steve Hyde who had done such a wonderful job of running the league over several years.

“Thankfully, the recent winner (Phil Lord) of the Stamford Rabbits Captain’s Trophy competition, in which the winner is invited to be Rabbit team captain for following season, has decided to take over as Stamford Rabbits captain which will free up my time for me to concentrate on league matters. 

“I am hoping for a successful time as O&DRL secretary in which the league goes from strength to strength moving on into the future.”

l A singles Stableford at Stamford had the three divisions led in by Carleton Weldon after a cpo on 28 with Stephen Lennon, Leigh Williams 30 and Ian Essex 33.

Stamford ladies played their monthly medal and, in division one, Heather McNeill won a cpo on 74 from Lesley Green.

Dawn Armitage topped division two with an incredible 59, which saw her 21 clear of Susan McGinty.

l A Stableford at Ashton had the three divisions topped by Fraser Sidebottom after a cpo on 33 with soccer legend Charlie Casson, Paul Walsh 36 and Arthur Marshall 33.

Top of a Scramble at Ashton were Andy Lambert, N Edwards, J Lees and P Zrada 55.0 from N Kay, M Walker, L Pattison and J Huber 57.

A Seniors nine-hole Stableford at Ashton was won by Fred Turner 19, three more than Antony Lambert and David Chadwick.

l The latest Race to the Start at Brookdale had a runaway winner in Jonathan Bassey 44, six ahead of Peter Lloyd and Anthony Curran.

l Saddleworth have completed their Knock Out majors and the winners were Wharmton - Lee Rowbotham, Ladies Committee Cup - Pam Taylor, Ladcastle - Dave Taylor and Alex Jackson, Marion Cunnington, Maxine Parfitt and Barbara Shuttleworth, Henry Hartley, Denise Brown and Kevin Rafferty.

l The Wednesday Stableford at Denton needed a cpo on 29 to take Antony McGuire home from John Race, one more than Anthony Rimmer.

The Two from Four team winners were P, H and I Welsby and J Beeley after a cpo on 76 from B Fairbrother, A Holloway, I Welsby and J Beeley.

Denton Seniors latest Stableford was led in by David Large 27 from Anthony Pacey 26 and Frank Goodwin 25.

At the other end of the age scale, the latest junior winner was Luca Bentley from Eli Manion and the shot of the day came from James Palmer.

l Warrington Golf Club is one of the top golf courses in Cheshire and a regular host for the Manchester Alliance.

They provided a stunning, immaculate course with its outstanding quality reflected in some terrific scoring.

The round of the day, and probably the season, came from early starter Craig Corrigan, a true Alliance legend.

After a blob on the first hole, he then took the course apart, posting 11 birdies, possibly a new Alliance record exceeding the recent count of nine by Pike Fold’s Grant Hamerton at Hazel Grove by two, with eight coming on the last nine holes for a great haul of 45 points and he was given good support by partner Phil Cooney ((Dean Wood) to win the pro am section with a huge 49 points.

Chasing Craig all the way was local star Phil Archer (Poulton Park) with 43 and two points back were Ben Stanier (Wilmslow), Graham Cox (Lymm) and Ian Ridgway (Disley).

Graham Cox made a welcome return to Alliance action and showed his class by joining home legend Russ Johnson on 46 points to finish second in the pro am section, one more than Phil Archer and sponsor Anton Johnson (Warrington).

There was also some hot scoring in the am am section led by Paul Ralph (Hazel Grove) and Ian Fearns (Stamford) 45, two more than Mike Grainger (Stamford) and Steve Wild (Saddleworth) who won a cpo from Anthony Kenny (Prestwich) and Alistair Holloway (Denton). The final prize for nearest the pin was won by professional Order of Merit leader Jamie Howarth (Davenport).