Flixton delighted to get their hands back on trophy

Flixton Golf Club began life as the Entwistle Club in Davyhulme Park over 120 years ago before moving to its present site in Flixton about 20 years later.

The Entwistle Bowl was one of their first trophies but after being awarded to Tom Alexander Galloway Wilson in 1896 as ‘A mark of esteem and appreciation’ by the members of the club.

He was the great grandfather of Dr Jerry Martin who recently handed the trophy back to the Flixton Club after doing some research on its origins.

Dr Martin takes up the story: “The trophy came into my hands after the death of my uncle who had it in London.

“He was a designer on the BBC, designing sets for programmes such as Bergerac, Blackadder and Til’ Death Us Do Part.

“He was the youngest of three children with my mother being the middle one and their mother was the daughter of Tom Wilson.

“The family lived around Sale and Altrincham and had some interest in business in Trafford Park.

“For my part I grew up in Bury and went to Manchester University before working at Park Hospital, Davyhulme and then became a GP in Tottington, Bury.

“I played cricket but was limited in playing opportunities because of call duties so I took up golf playing at Breightmet GC on the Bury, Bolton border.

“I then joined Silverdale Golf Club where we had a caravan and gradually we made Silverdale our home and I have now retired from general practice though still working part time in Bury.

“I am very proud to have been Captain and President of Silverdale Golf Club.”

Ray Anderson, the Flixton Captain said: “We were contacted by Dr Martin about the Entwistle Bowl and were delighted when he came down to present us to it.

“We will now play for it on an annual basis against Silverdale hosting it in alternate years with the likely format being teams of four including the Captain and Lady Captain of the clubs.”

William Wroe Vets played three singles Stablefords and Bill Crowder led in the first with 21 points from John Pritchard 20.

Peter Blythin carded 23 points to take the second and Gary Marriott led in the third with 32 points, one more than Barrie Thoms.

A Team competition at Sale had the fab four of Mike Walker, Ross Pippett, Steve Carr and Chris Nicholls cruising to victory with 77 points, four more than Paul Harrison, Terry Crewe, Paul Sadler and Paul Abbott.

A singles Stableford at Ashton-on-Mersey produced a magnificent winning score of 45 points from Alex Turner and trailing in his wake were Eddie Lindsay 42, and Brian Lewis 40.

After the loss of the first Manchester Alliance fixture of 2013 at De Vere Wychwood Park due to snow prospects for the next competition at scenic Disley looked gloomy as the course was under a foot of snow just four days before it was due to take place.

But thanks to a rapid thaw and great work by the green staff the Alliance field, with another good entry of professionals, were able to play off the back tees to full greens in great condition.

But then high winds with heavy rain squalls and hailstones made it a real test of endurance.

The cream rose to the top as Didsbury’s Tour professional Danny Wardrop posted 67 for 39 points to win the individual pro section from Alliance Captain Kris Andrews (Ashton-on-Mersey 35, and Kieron Gaskell ) Beacon Park) 34.

Wardrop made it a double as his Didsbury partner Malcolm Wells weighed in with some useful points to give them a winning score of 41 points in the pro am section.

Just a point off their hot pace were home pro Jamie Goodall and Disley secretary and Didsbury member Howard Orton with Bramall Park assistant Liam Burgess and Seb Etchells in third spot with 39.

Alliance treasurer Vinny Doyle (Manchester) was again in the prizes partnering Blackley’s Mike Smith to 41 points in the am am section.

They were well clear of Marcus Corfield and John Grimes (Hart Common) 38 points and John Hilton and Ron Jolley (De Vere Mottram Hall) 36.