THE Manchester and District Golf Alliance finished another fine season at Bramhall Golf Club, who provided an excellent course, good weather and top-class clubhouse facilities for the annual President’s Day.

President John Dowd was unable to attend but sent his best wishes to all participants and guests as the main winter season honours were decided.

Phil Archer (Poulton Park) retained the professional Order of Merit on 609 points, well clear of Graham Cox (Lymm) on 417 and Jamie Howarth (Davenport) on 398, but was unable to attend being on golfing duty in Portugal.

Andy Palmer (Chorley) won the assistant professional Order of Merit from Alistair Waddell (Chorlton) and the amateur OoM was taken by Mark Riley (Leigh) from Steve Moores (Stamford) and Mark Pasquill (Leigh).

On the day, the top professional was Jamie Howarth, with 67, ahead of Graham Cox (69) and Martin Longshaw (Haigh Hall) and Grant Hamerton (Pike Fold) who both scored 70.

The top amateur with a nett 66 was Archie Palmer, a former junior captain at Stamford and Bramhall and a leading Cheshire junior with 69-3=66, leading in from Josh Lees (Ashton-on-Mersey) on 67 and Martin Packingham (Wigan) on 69.

The President’s Cup goes to the best nett score on the day and Archie Palmer was a proud winner.

Alliance captain Dave Green completed his season in typical style, having lost just two fixtures due to weather since September, and he was top guest with 69 from Jim Cunliffe (Bolton Old Links) on 70 and Denis Durnian (Chorley) on 73.

The season was brought to a conclusion by Alliance vice president, Ian Brooks (Bolton Old Links), who gave out the prizes and awards and thanked all who had helped to make it another successful and enjoyable season for the biggest Alliance in the country.

It was also announced the next captain of the Alliance would be Steve Finan, of Stamford Golf Club.