ASHTON-under-Lyne Golf Club’s new professional Michael Boyle knew he had a hard act to follow after succeeding his father Colin at the club he has been involved with since he was 10 years old.

Colin was given a great send-off by members and numerous friends in golf on his retirement and is still enjoying playing at his beloved club.

Michael said: “After joining Ashton at the age of 10 I attained a handicap of four and turned professional at 18 to do my PGA course where I was the assistant pro at Blackley to Craig Gould before moving back to be my father’s assistant a few years ago.

“Playing-wise I have won the Manchester and District Golf Association (MDGA) assistant’s matchplay and also competed in the PGA Club Professional’s Championship at The Oxfordshire after qualifying at Delamere Forest.

“At The Oxfordshire I had rounds of 77 and 72 to miss the cut by three shots but it was a great experience.

“My dad was professional at Ashton for 29 years and I am proud to succeed him and hope I can become as respected a professional as he was.

“My future plans include continuing the development of our growing junior academy and I also hope to develop the facilities at the club and introduce new technology and I know I will be given great support by my assistant Danny McCoy and all of the members at Ashton.”

A Singles Stableford over 15 holes at Ashton had the divisions led in by Peter Graham with 38 points, soccer legend Ronnie Siddall, after a card play-off on 36 points, with Mike Walker, Sean Gregg and Alan Taylor (39) one more than Tony Armitage, Paul Duffy and Ian Morgan.

A captain’s Christmas Scramble at Ashton was won by captain Lee Butterworth, president John Lewis, Peter Jones and Barry Preece on 53.9 from Steve Barlow, Mark Allen, Paul Garside and Steve Hamner 54.3

A singles Stableford at Stamford had the divisions led in by Adam Carr with 30 points, Julian Davidson (27) and Eddie Tapper (30).

Wednesday Stableford action at Denton saw P Talks first past the post with 34 points – one more than T Turner and N Brookes.

In a Denton Sunday Stableford, A Earnshaw led in with 37 points from B Fairbrother (36) and Alan Painer (35).

A Texas Scramble at Denton had the all-star team of Graham Pollit, Bob Bardsley, Les Bray and Jim Smith cruising to victory with 44.8 ahead of the 45.5 posted by Wendy Pollit, Steve Dugdale, Lee Pickford and Dean Murray.

Winter League play at Brookdale produced some fine scoring led by James Garside who won a card play-off on 44 points from Paul Goulden, with Bob Wysznskyi and Dave Taylor two points off the pace.

Another Winter League competition at Brookdale also needed a card play-off on 42 points to take Stuart Naismith across the line from Peter Walker, closely followed by Ian Pontefract with 39.

It needed a card play-off on 20 points in a Denton 10-hole Stableford for ladies to see Patsy Wood in ahead of Joyce Vernon.