THE Manchester and District Society of Past Lady Captains enjoyed a great day for their annual luncheon at The Point at Old Trafford, the home of Lancashire Cricket Club.

The captain of the Society Glenys Ball, from Ringway Golf Club, was delighted with all aspects of a memorable day.

She said: "More than 200 members of the Manchester and District Society of Past Lady Golf Captains attended and the speaker was Peter Barber, PGA professional and former European Tour player, who is the professional at Didsbury.

"The event was well organised by the committee and was a tremendous success.

“Peter Barber was an entertaining speaker and got everyone into a very happy and relaxed frame of mind.

“The finals day winners, Carol Platt and Rebecca Owen from Tunshill Golf Club, were re-presented with their trophy.

“The Society runs two qualifying competitions during the summer and the proceeds from the raffle at each competition (held this year at Dukinfield and Worsley) are split between Lancashire and Cheshire junior girls golf.

“Barbara Baird (Cheshire county captain) and Dinah Vaux (Lancashire county captain) were each presented with a cheque for £275 towards junior girls golf.

“The event was also attended by Audrey Bird, president of Manchester and District Ladies' Golf Association, who proposed a toast to the Past Captains' Society.

"It was also announced that Shirley Sharp, of Davyhulme Park, will succeed Glenys as captain and the new vice captain will be Didsbury’s Jeannie O’Neill.

“The new president will be Sheila Whittingham, of Werneth Golf Club, who will serve for two years following the agm in February.”

Haydock Park Golf Club were great hosts for a full Manchester Alliance field of 116 containing many local players.

Sponsor Dave Sweeney and his Dunscar Golf Club partner Bill Newsome set a hot pace as they posted 46 points in the am-am section but were overtaken at the death by the previous week’s winners Paul Traynor and Richard Margrave (Stamford GC) on a card play-off.

Next in on 45 points were Haydock captain Cliff Anderson and Lester Lowe.

Leading the way in the professional ranks was reigning Alliance Order of Merit champion Phil Archer (Birchwood), who tied with Craig Corrigan in the individual pro section.

They both posted 40 points to finish two clear of Rob Batchelor (Stand), Tim Maxwell (Knutsford), Grant Hamerton (Pike Fold) and Colin Moroney.

Archer made it a double as he found a great amateur partner in Matt Harding (Dunham Forest) to cruise to top spot in the pro-am section with 47 points.

It left them four clear of Ben Thompson (Hazel Grove) and Paul Wilson (Wychwood Park) and in a battle between seven pairs on 42 points, the card play-off went in favour of Mark Pearson and Chris Harding (Prestwich GC).