ASHTON-on-Mersey Golf Club took great delight in hosting an evening with Maureen Madill that was attended by a sell-out audience of almost 100.

Madill, who was a very successful lady professional golfer and, latterly, a successful golf coach has, more recently, become more widely known for her commentary and punditry of professional golf tournaments from all over the world on both TV and radio.

Working with many stars such as Peter Allis and Sam Torrance, to name but two, she spoke at length to the gathering after an enjoyable dinner.

She kept all enthralled with tales and anecdotes of her time in the game which proved of interest to golfers and non-golfers alike.

Later, a riveting question-and-answer session was enthusiastically received by all present which, itself, lasted in excess of one-and-a-half hours.

The evening was organised and hosted by the club's lady captain, Fiona Vaughan-Thomas, who first encountered Madill when captaining the Wales Under-18s team which met with unprecedented success under her expert coaching.

All present learned a lot more about life behind the scenes in the professional game.

Elsewhere, Sale provided a terrific course and great hospitality for Tytherington and Shaw Hill Golf Clubs who responded by providing what was probably the most dramatic and exciting Archie Preston Mixed Foursomes club knockout final in the past 25 years of the competition.

Shaw Hill, who have reached the semi-finals on three previous occasions, saw their final path begin in March at Davenport and further wins against Davyhulme Park, Turton, Pleasington, Haydock Park and Breightmet got them through to their first-ever final against previous winners Tytherington, who were runners-up to Sale last year.

It was nip and tuck throughout an absorbing match with the lead changing hands and both teams played some great golf.

Shaw Hill’s captain Phil Jervis and lady captain Hillary Powell set the example for their team as they opened their account with a 2&1 win against Tytherington counterparts Carole Ryder and Greg Adams.

Tytherington then struck back with wins from Alex Weare and Caron Corden and Sam Burton and Sara Gilmore.

Shaw Hill drew level through Mark Pallett and Ruth Harrison and then took the lead with a 5&4 win for Simon and Lesley Penketh.

It was down to the final two matches, which both ended level on the 18th hole, to set up a sudden-death finish and Tytherington drew level with a win on the 19th for Ian Mathers and Janet Ions.

All eyes were on the final match which saw Powell pull off an amazing chip shot on the 19th to keep the scores level and then the dynamic Shaw Hill duo, with a stroke advantage on the 20th hole, played textbook golf to secure the trophy.