Duki delight for greenkeeper Neil

Neil White is delighted to be back on home territory in Tameside as head greenkeeper at Dukinfield Golf Club.

Neil said: “In February I was asked if I would be interested in furthering my passion for the game of golf at Dukinfield, which incidentally I didn't think twice about once approached. The process of being interviewed again along with a collection of what I would consider excellent green keepers gave me a reignition of fire to achieve.

“Dukinfield have been in the last 15 years in my eyes the most forward thinking and focused club in our area, achieving the lay-out of six new holes and club house complex to boot. This is a testament to everyone involved to achieve these heights for their members.

“My green keeping started off as an assistant at Stamford GC gaining basic knowledge of the job.

“Unknowingly at this point it would be the stepping stone into a career that would not only take over my passion for excellence but to also one day participate in the great game of golf itself.

“After Stamford a position became available at Saddleworth GC, which is where I really got my teeth stuck in, along with the support of my great mentor Darryl Smethurst I managed to attain industry recognised qualifications to help me progress even further.

“An opportunity became available at Oldham GC as their new Head Greenkeeper in 2002.

“This enabled me to have an insight into not only the green keeping aspect but the running and control of budgets. To say the unbelievable results we achieved with limited budgets was remarkable, this certainly taught me a great lesson in being resourceful moving forward.

“After five wonderful years plying my trade at Oldham I felt I was ready to spread my wings even further.

“Bury GC was advertising for a new head green keeper with a proven background and 15 years followed at Bury improving all aspects of the golf course undertaking the major works of the east/west water main.

“The reinstatement of the holes impacted was again a great insight into work maybe most clubs wouldn't consider with the costs the implications laid upon such a task.

“Early days for me were predominantly with the sport of cricket. At 14 I was allowed to spend two days per week out of school to work at Old Trafford with the late Peter Marron, with the hope one day I would represent LCCC at professional playing level.

“This would take a major u turn at the age of 15 when I was involved in a traffic accident that left me sore for a few years to say the least, which incidentally put paid to my pursuit of a career in the sport.

“My local club Micklehurst CC knew of my growing passion for the outdoors and thankfully manage to get me a position at Stamford and set me off on my green keeping career.

“The next few years more improvement's are being planned to lift the profile even further at this great Dukinfield GC and I will look to bring my experience to help this be achieved.”

Dukinfield’s men played for the Philip Quormby Salver and in a terrific contest Adam Davidson junior led in with 68 and Christian Peters was hot on his heels with 69, matched by seven other players.

Medal action for Duki ladies had Annita Kenworthy first past the post with 73 from Beverley Harrop 74 and Kath Stafford 75.

Ashton ladies played an American Greensome and out on their own with 65.6 were Anna Lomas and J Edwards well clear of A McGee and Hilary Lewis 72.4.

The monthly medal for Ashton’s men had the divisions topped by Colin Quinlan 65, Alex Kay 66 and Brian Birtles 66 with the Yellow Tee winner being Norman Seabright with a stunning 62,

The divisional hot shots in a Sunday Stableford at Ashton were Paul Ashton 39, Anthony Phillips 41 and Alan Acton after a cpo on 41 with Darren Shadford, Adam Sedgwick and Bailey Kilgannon.

A Stableford for Crompton and Royton ladies was won by Gail Taylor with 40 points, four more than Jean Clarke.

C and R’s men played for the Vice Captain’s prize and top of the divisions were Daniel Melling 69, John Brame after a cpo on 70 with Steven Bentley and Steven Mills after a cpo on 67 with Gareth Snell.

Fairfield’s men played over two rounds in the Jubilee Cup and setting a hot pace in round with 62 were Paul Mooney and Mark Bates.

In round two Paul Roylance was out on his own with 65 from Darren Schofield 68.

The trophy was won by Paul Roylance with 132 from Mark Bates 135 and Chris Ashton 138.

Fairfield ladies were able to enjoy great celebrations as they beat the holders Delamere Forest in the preliminary round of the prestigious MDLGA Bell Cup and they now host Ringway in round one.

Back at Fairfield they enjoyed a medal and none more than Diane Williams who won a cpo on 74 from Sandra Southern and Sarah Pownell.

Denton ladies are also through to round one after a tight win at Greenmount and they will host Didsbury.

Linda Leung was the winner in a medal at Denton with 74 and Joyce Vernon won the 9-hole Stableford with 16,

The Wednesday Stableford for Denton’s men was led in Graham Pollit with 39 points and the divisional winners in the Saturday medal Jim Cox 67 won the Centenary Putter.

Next day the divisional winners were Samuel Williams 67 and Alan Newbold 67.

The Spring Meeting for Oldham ladies had Adele Keate cruising to victory with 66 from Janet Thorpe 73.

The Jessie Castle Stableford for Stamford ladies was won by Lesley Green with 36 points, three more than Julia Robinson and Frances Quinn.

Stableford action for Stamford’s men saw Donal Barry ease home with 40 points, one more than Paul Whitehead, Leonard Fielding and Adam Wells,

Medal action for Werneth’s men had Andrew Vickers in hot form with 61 from Nawais Amjad 64.

A Stableford for Werneth Low’s men had Andy O’Brien winning with 40 points, one more than Lee Wilson.

Low’s ladies played a 9-hole Stableford which was won by Sandra Phillips with 21 points, two more than Gaynor Rowley.

The latest pro’s Stableford at Brookdale was led in by Anthony Berginwith 37 points from David Allman 35.

The Manchester and District Golf Alliance, the biggest organisation of its kind in the country has seen the preliminary rounds of its Inter Club Knock Out competitions completed.

The blue riband competition is for the Dunham Forest Trophy which sees the club professional and the top six amateurs looking to make finals day at Dunham Forest GC in September.

It is now down to the last 64 teams and our local teams in round one action are: Bolton Old Links v Werneth, Crompton and Royton v Bramall Park, Fairfield v Nelson, New Mills v Whitefield, Denton v Mellor and Townscliffe, Stamford v Dukinfield. Hazel Grove v Werneth Low, Ashton-u-Lyne v Leigh, Lymm v Glossop, Brookdale v