THE annual visit of the Manchester Alliance to Styal Golf Club gave a full field a first chance to sample the changes to the course and it got the thumbs up from all of the players who felt the course was in the best condition ever.

There was some good scoring to reflect the quality on offer led by Ashton on Mersey assistant pro Olly Smith, who enjoyed a great double success.

He posted the top individual score of 42 points in a round that contained eight birdies to finish ahead of Steve Parry (Hart Common), on 41, and Andy Palmer (Chorley), who scored 40.

The top assistant pro, not in the main prizes, was Bramall Park’s Liam Burgess with 39 points.

In a close finish for the pro-am section, Smith partnered John Davies (Sale) to 47 points and they won a card play-off against Parry and Alliance treasurer Vinny Doyle (Leigh) with Chorlton’s dynamic duo of Adam Hodkinson and James Doodson next in with 43.

The am-am section had Bolton Old Links stalwarts Brian Carroll and Mike Wallace showing their enduring class with a winning haul of 45 points, taking them home from Terry Gilbert (Davyhulme Park) and Marcus Corfield (William Wroe), who scored 43, and the consistent Stamford pair of Danny Fox and Steve Finan, on 41.

Before the Styal event, Wigan Golf Club made a fine debut as they hosted a Manchester Alliance competition for the first time in their long and distinguished history.

Their impressive and scenic Arley Hall clubhouse backed by an excellent course was enjoyed by all players in another top-quality field.

Alliance captain Dave Smith, the Swinton Park professional, certainly had a day to remember with an outstanding double success.

He posted 10 birdies as he led in the professional individual scores with a superb haul of 43 points, which took him clear of Phil Archer (Birchwood), on 42, and Palmer and Charlie Fletcher (Helsby), both 39.

The top assistant pro not in the main prizes was Jamie Howarth (Davenport) with 38 points.

Dave Smith found a great partner in the ever-reliable Jimmy O’Reilly (Swinton Park) who helped him to a massive 50 points – the biggest in the Alliance for more than a year – which left them four clear of Archer and his Leigh partner Mark Pasquill and Stamford Golf Club’s Mark Smith with Steve Moores.

Local knowledge saw home player Simon Stott and Peter Finch (Hindley Hall) top the am-am section with 43 points, one more than Peter Hamlett (Ashton on Mersey) and Mike Lynch (Chorlton) and Wigan’s Reece Cranfield and Phil Dermott.

Another highlight on the day saw Leigh assistant professional Sean Blinkhorn secure his first-ever ace.

It came when his perfect pitching wedge tee shot on the 154-yard par three 15th arrowed its way into the hole, much to the delight of his club colleague Dan Crook.