Les seals the Tour Championship
with an impressive win at
Lytham Green Drive Golf Club

What a performance from Les Smith on our final day of the Tour at Lytham Green Drive Golf Club. A winning score of 42 points from 80 strokes was enough to push Daz Matthews into second place in the race for the overall Tour Stableford Championship. The two of them played some fabulous golf over the weekend as we all enjoyed a memorable few days on our first visit to Lytham St Annes. Once again the courses were exciting to play and the quality of our Hotel and its location was just excellent. Then there was our turnout - every member was on Tour - well done everybody, this what makes our Society a little special.

It was no real surprise to see Les dominate the last days play. In the run up to the Tour, Les had been playing solid golf and the tight fairways and true greens of Lytham Green Drive proved that he was playing some of the best golf of his life. He just hammered the course dropping just ten shots with ten pars and had a winning margin of some eight points. At the end of a tiring three days of golf it was Les who came out on top to win the Society’s flagship event and become the “Tour Stableford Champion” to  edge out his nearest challenger Daz Matthews who finished just 6 points behind.  Les  also won  the Strokeplay Trophy  for the lowest gross score over the three days, with Daz Matthews finishing second . Congratulations to both players on playing some superb golf.


Our weekend started with our first visit to Blackpool North Shore Golf Club. A course that has been previously used as an Open Qualifying Course. Our expectations were high and we were not to be disappointed. Hardly a tree in sight and just a few bushes here and there. The course was in great condition and everyone enjoyed the afternoon immensely. Such an imposing clubhouse with unique views all the way across the course. It was Daz Matthews with a fine score of 40 points who came out on top to win the days competition. Great game of golf and hitting the ball very well. In second place came Les Smith 39 points and Phil Smith 38 points. Steve Ruddell  won the Longest Drive and Peter Hughes the Nearest the Pin competition.


On Saturday it was off to Blackpool Park Golf Club, a course that has for many years, enjoyed a splendid reputation for being a quality municipal  course. But , a trend that we have all seen unfold across the country, some municipal courses have fallen to the whims of the accountant and have closed. Fortunately, Stanley Park is now under the control of a private company who have invested heavily to bring the course back to its previous glory. The course design is good and most of us enjoyed a good game of golf despite the poor sign posting which led to a few delays. The day was won by Steve Rushton on count back from Ed Green both coming in with 37 points. What a finish though from Mr Rushton, two birdies on the last two holes to give him eight points and a back nine total of 23 points. Started his round poorly with just 2 points from the first three holes. Well played Steve - great back nine score. In third place came Daz Matthews with 36 points having enjoyed a second successful day. Special mention must be made about Ed Green who had a cracking round of golf to win his match in the team event after hitting just 84 strokes. The Longest Drive was won by Phil Smith and the Nearest the Pin Competition was won by Les Smith.

The Team Match involved our two Captains Joe Matthews and Brian Abell. Both had picks to assemble their team for the weekend and  to go out and play pairs in a four ball better competition. Eventually it was Joe’s Team that came out on Top to enable Joe to take home the Captains Cup.

Our traditional raffle at Dinner organised by  Captain Stanley raised £160 for our nominated Charity - The North Staffs Kidney Patients Association”. Well done Stan.  

Sunday took us to Lytham Green Drive Golf Club, not before Daz had been on his early morning jog, evidence of this can be seen in the photo on the left. Keen eh! Anyway, Lytham Green was a great parkland course and thoroughly enjoyed by all.  This course became our favourite course over the weekend. All of our expectations were met. The day was calm and ideal conditions for golf. It really was a marvellous setting with the first tee situated just in front of the clubhouse. We all got away on time and it was pleasant that all the groups kept up a good pace to complete their rounds around the four hour mark. Much improved from the previous days play at Blackpool. As stated previously, the day belonged to Les Smith with a resounding score of 42 points. Second place came Karl Furniss and Stan Malpass on 34 points but it was Karl who had the better back nine to take the official second spot.  The Longest Drive was won by Andrew Abell and the Nearest the Pin was won by Les Smith. Before tee-off, Joe Matthews organised a “Putting Competition” that was won by Brian Copestick who received a bottle of Whisky for his endeavours.

It was a brilliant weekend with the three days just flying by.  The Hotel provided us with an excellent menu and such lovely food and a location to enable us to find the local bars so much easier! It will certainly be a Hotel we could return to in the future.

Once again, thanks to all those who came along armed with prizes for the raffle and auction, it was very much appreciated by all of us and made Stan’s job easier. Thanks to Stan and Joe for organising this side to the Tour and a special mention to the ABB boys - Jon and Steve for their efforts.

Again, we must not forget the work that Andrew does in pulling together the scores for the weekend to make working out the winners and losers so much easier on the Sunday. Brian again for organising the cards and for filling them in and their distribution before each game.

Well done to our Fine Master, Peter Meadowcroft, who yet again keeps coming up with some amazing stories and fines from the days play. It is so amusing and thoroughly enjoyable to watch after a good dinner and a few drinks. A total of £36 was raised from the fines which will be put into Society Funds.

We returned a profit of £68 on  this years Tour by re-cycling one or two trophies and not buying a trophy for the Strokeplay winner. The daily draw profit £45, Fines £36 and £120 (your £5 each contribution) bought in £201 less the cost of Wine £52, Buggy Hire for the captains £20 and Trophies £61. Thanks to all of you for paying your money so promptly and without any chasing - much appreciated. (Society Accounts - click here)

Once again what a fabulous weekend we all had and what great company.