UK

Pleasington GC

P……..* Down at Pleasington!

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Newbies & a returning Pair clean up on a Wet day in Lancashire!

 

Pairs events are always a hit on the tour as golfers come to enjoy the banter of playing with pals in trying to out fox the course in a format which promotes attacking play and birdies galore, but Tour sponsors Mark Gregory & Tony Mather from Sunshine Showers Golf must have missed the memo as the laboured to a 35 point total – only 1 for 2 Groups not to break par.

Sunshine Showers Golf are a new forward thinking golf brand offering lots of products in their ever expanding lineup.

The 1/4 Zip Bonded Fleece and Gilet have been going down a storm on the tour over the past year and now we have these products available to buy via our online shop.

The Optical Pulse V5 Laser Rangefinder has been a huge hit offering a vibrating flagpole lock for ease and quickness, a waterproof design makes this rangefinder one of the best in the current market.

New Players and Returning Golfers in todays prizes!

The tour has been through a recruitment drive since the 1st September and over the past 90 days our website has had a phenomenal 40,000+ sessions and its great to see new players picking up prizes and returning golfer Richard Goldsmith claiming 3rd place via a card play off from 4 teams including myself and David Quilliam.

The front nine is certainly the easier to score on as 3 Par 5’s all offer scoring opportunities but it was the Par 3’s that wielded many birdies as 11 two’s were recorded with players Ashton, Ellison, Hereford and Finch all having TWO each.

 

Playing myself in the final group! 

Over the last couple of week’s it has been great getting in the field playing in the last group, and today I went out partnering David Quilliam with Craig Bennett & Neil Brannigan – turning in 24 points was a little bit of an eye opener but only being 1 better than Craig & Neil showed a competitive game but perhaps I shouldn’t be allowed on the course as my 6 iron approach to the Par 5 was a near misses to Andy Booth head as it arrowed in for the flag. An eagle, birdie, birdie finish to the back nine had us £2 up at the turn but the heavens opened after the 12th and the end couldn’t come soon enough as we laboured to a 40 point finish.

I was as like last week a great way to get amongst the field playing with the players and would like to invite groups groups who would like to play and are one short for a game in the near future. Please just send an email and date you would like to play.

45 points just blitzed today’s field!

4 players tied on 40 points – As Goldsmith & Ashton just sneak onto the podium.”

3rd Place: Richard Goldsmith & Russell Ashton

After a short sabbatical Goldsmith & Ashton returned without close friend Richard Milsom too grab today’s 3rd Prize. Goldsmith is known for his attire like tour regular Adrian Brown for playing ONLY in shorts………. well obviously, shoes, shirt / waterproof tops too, but shorts no matter the weather and today he returned and didn’t waver from the norm as he accompanied Ashton to 40 points and claiming 3rd place by a card playoff

2nd Place: David Setterfield & Mick Southern

The Burnley Golfers made the short journey to Pleasington GC today and put on a solid show playing with tour starter Ken Finch after a quick shuffle of the pack.

After a quick start to the round the guys turned in 23 but through 11 holes were only 2 ahead of Finch as he is hitting his end of season purple patch, but the guys pulled away and produced a fine performance in there 1st ever Finch Golf Tour event just squeezing into 2nd place as the 4 teams behind faltered coming home.

1st Place: John Ellison & Andy Booth

 

Although lucky to be alive after my 7th hole exploits John Ellison (Marsden Park) and Andy Booth (Hesketh) produced a fine performance as they played flawless golf in what can only be described as a monsoon with Craig Bennett claiming he was “Wetter than an Otter’s pocket”

But turning in 24 points on the easier nine the 21 points was just if not more impressive as played from the 13th in very heavy conditions on what started out a great day for golf.

John Ellison’s two x two’s where a highlight but four hard hats have been ordered for the gents as part of their winning prizes.

The tour welcomes all of todays newcomers and our regulars as we move into our busiest period with events coming thick and fast.

Finch Tour – Order of Merit & Winners Invitational

The Order of Merit is now also taking shape – REMEMBER THIS YEARS ORDER OF MERIT WILL ONLY BE ASSEMBLED THROUGH THE SINGLES EVENTS

Order of Merit – Click Here

All winners and podium place finishers from the Pairs & Team Events will be invited back to the end of season Winners Invitational where some fantastic prizes will be on offer.

Great feedback from Joanne’s after event communications

Joanne has been the integral part of the tour over the past 6 months and improvements are always ongoing but the greatest feedback has been from the players within the winners circle as those on the podium and making a two receive communication the day after the event regarding there prizes – thank you all for the support and there support to Joanne on the event days!

Weekend SINGLES EVENTS Coming up………………………………………….

Ganton GC – Sunday 12th November 2017 – £65pp LAST REMAINING SPOT

Wilmslow GC – Sunday 19th Noveber 2017 – £32.50pp – Just 5 spaces Remaining!

Fleetwood GC – Sunday 26th November 2017 – £27.50pp

Conwy GC – Sunday 17th December 2017 – £32.50pp

LAST MINUTE SPACES LEFT for Golf coming up in October/November 2017:

Lindrick GC – Thursday 26th October 2017 – Just 5 x Spaces remaining  – £65pp

Bolton Old Links GC – Friday 27th October 2017 – 2 x Tee Times remaining at 09:36 – 09:44 – £25pp

Delamere Forest GC – Thursday 16th November 2017 – Singles Stableford – FINAL SPACES – £65pp

Contact peter@finchgolftour.com to play

TWO’s Club

Entires  = £90 in the pot

11 x 2’s = £8.20 per two

 

*These have now been added to your Finch Golf Tour Account

Winners Club

1st Place – Ellison & Booth – Sunshine Showers 1/4 Zip Bonded Fleece – RRP £60 Each

2nd Place – Southern & Setterfield – Sunshine Showers Gilet – RRP £40 Each

3rd Place – Goldsmith & Ashton – Calvin Klein Accessories Pack – RRP £30 Each

Full Results – Click Here

We hope all our players enjoyed the experience and we look forward to welcoming you back on the tour.

Would you or your friends like to get involved?

Contact: admin@finchgolftour.com or register for FREE at www.finchgolftour.com – We look forward to welcoming you onto the Finch Golf Tour

Formby GC 1st Hole

Fabulous Formby – Outclasses the rest!

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Reid and the Low Handicappers Tame the beautiful Formby GC!

 

Back again to my personal favourite along England’s Golfing Coast – Formby GC as today’s golfers battled it out on this famous links which boasts many top ranking Amateur Championships as part of its make up.

We unfortunately wasn’t greeted by the lovely Julie this time round as see was away visiting a little mouse in the States but Stuart and the team were on hand to make it such a great day for all.

In our usual spot over looking the 18th green golfers golfers checking in were excited at the prospect of the day ahead with the sun beginning to break through, Nick Wilson, Adrain Cothey, Jon Strickland & Lee Merson got the day underway and once handing in their cards they were astounded with the condition of todays course and from 10am the weather was hitting the high teens.

Formby GC – Clubhouse

More great feedback followed from today’s players as Formby Golf Club offered such a great event and everybody had such a great day.

Steve Crake was out with his new Ping G400’s and excluding a few loose putts carded a solid 33 points in what could have been for the 7 Handicapper from Preston GC, looking sharp in his new Puma Golf shoes also.

Neil McGuiness was fresh off a trip to Las Vegas, but he couldn’t miss the opportunity to come back to one of his favourite courses, although maybe a day in bed would have suited the Prestbury Golfer better.

Martin Cullen & Chris Whitmore where winners of two weekend events this summer and both played together today along with Phil Shackleton who was nearly a winner himself today’s eventually edged out on a cardplay off on his 1st visit to Formby!

More New Players and Returning Golfers!

Its was great to see some Old & New faces once again today, as players getting the Finch Golf Tour  bug back for the 2017/18 Season with the singles and Order of Merit events coming thick and fast.

Childwall Golf Club Member, 5 Handicapper and avid Finch Golf tourer for the past 2 years Ian Brougham has split from the pack by over taking Tony O’Brien as Order of Merit Leader with a large bunch of golfers looking to make the their moves in the coming weeks.

Upcoming Order of Merit Qualifiers:

Dean Wood GC (TOMORROW) – Thursday 12th October 2017 – £25pp LAST REMAINING SPOTS

Windermere GC – Saturday 14th October 2017 – £30pp – Just 5 spaces Remaining!

Lindrick GC – Thursday 26th October 2017 – £65pp – Spaces Remaining.

A wide spread grouping of players again with players from Cumbria, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Yorkshire Cheshire, Staffs and Wales – but non made a bigger journey than Ian McBeth & Shane Thompson from Southerness GC – thanks for the support lads and hope you enjoyed the day!

Its great to see so many people out on the course and playing competitive golf and as the tour season is now in full swing we look forward to welcoming you and your golfing friends back on the tour.

 

Reid finds something in Portugal! 

Robert Reid has just returned from a week kicking back and relaxing in Portugal and a couple of rounds at the brilliant Palmares GC near Lagos with brother Stephen enable him to find something which clicked in his swing as the 1 Handicapper came out on Top today with a -1 par gross and 38 points but it wasn’t a clean cut win as 3 others where also in the hunt!

38 points just couldn’t be beaten!

4 players tied on 38 points – As McDonald rues a front & back nine blob”

 

Phil Shackleton

Will be wanting to rush back to Formby GC as the 15 Handicapper enjoyed his 1st visit to Formby GC but he will undoubtedly be cursing at the 15th & 16th as two no scores will be haunting the Marston Lakes golfer. A solid opening nine which started also with a blob looked to be improving at a fantastic rate as walking from the 14th green he stood 5 better than the card, but a solid finish enabled Phil finished in the prizes.

Steven Lambert

Competing in his 1st ever Finch Golf Tour event the 4 Handicapper from Lymm Golf Club explained “Thats the best golf i have played in months” will also be rueing his “BLOB” on 13 but a -1 from there ensured a solid finish and a two has been rewarded with £10.85 added to his Finch Golf Tour Account.

Mark McDonald

The woes continue as the local lad and Formby Golf Club “fingers crossed” future member (application pending) made mistakes on the short Par 4 4th and Par 4 12th which cost him the chance of walking away with todays title.

A two on the 5th was a great way to hit back from the 4th and solid golf from the 12th ensure Mark just pipped Phil & Steven by virtue of a card play off.

Robert Reid

But todays spoils went to the Man in form. Fresh of winning at Clitheroe recently with brother Steven – Robert produced an extremely solid round as 3 gross birdies where followed by dropped shots on Stroke Index’s 3 & 5 but a extremely solid round was closed out with 7 straight gross pars as consistency was key in Robert’s round.

Fantastic golf and great to see such a great standard on the tour but also great to see everybody mixing and enjoying each others company!

Finch Tour – Order of Merit & Winners Invitational

The Order of Merit is now also taking shape – REMEMBER THIS YEARS ORDER OF MERIT WILL ONLY BE ASSEMBLED THROUGH THE SINGLES EVENTS

Order of Merit – Click Here

All winners and podium place finishers from the Pairs & Team Events will be invited back to the end of season Winners Invitational where some fantastic prizes will be on offer.

NEXT TWO SINGLES EVENTS………………………………………….

Dean Wood GC (TOMORROW) – Thursday 12th October 2017 – £25pp LAST REMAINING SPOTS

Windermere GC – Saturday 14th October 2017 – £30pp – Just 5 spaces Remaining!

Pairs Golf coming up in October 2017:

Pleasington GC – Thursday 19th October 2017 – Tee Times remaining from 10:30am – £27.50pp

Bolton Old Links GC – Friday 27th October 2017 – Tee Times remaining from 10am – £25pp

Contact peter@finchgolftour.com to play

TWO’s Club

Entires 39 = £97.50 in the pot

4 x 2’s = £10.85 per two

Tony O’Brien x 2

Mark Robinson

Mark McDonald

Chris Mulhearn

Tom Earle

Steven Warner

Adrain Cothey

Steven Lambert

*These have now been added to your Finch Golf Tour Account

Winners Club

1st Place – Robert Reid – Sunshine Showers 1/4 Zip Bonded Fleece

2nd Place – Mark McDonald – Sunshine Showers Gilet

3rd Place – Steven Lambert – Calvin Klein Accessories

4th Place – Phil Shackleton – Finch Golf Tour Scorcard Holder

Full Results – Click Here

We hope all our players enjoyed the experience and we look forward to welcoming you back on the tour.

Would you or your friends like to get involved?

Contact: admin@finchgolftour.com or register for FREE at www.finchgolftour.com – We look forward to welcoming you onto the Finch Golf Tour

Fulford GC - 18th Green / Clubhouse

Fulford, York has all the credentials!

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Fulford – Former European Tour Venue – Delightful!

The 2nd event of the 2017/18 season took us to the 2nd Former European Tour venue in succession, and with a course littered with a rich history a stern test was set for all of todays players over this fantastic venue.

Yet another warm welcome from a golf club keen to entertain our players and Gary and the team had us treated very well from our arrival.

The course setup was absolutely stunning considering the last week’s weather with stunning greens and a perfectly manicured course – the run off areas around the greens looked stunning and fitting for any Championship of years gone by.

Ian Woosnam holds the course record which still stands from his Benson & Hedges bow in 1985 where a stunning 62 took the spoils and has still stood the test of time.

With a course still challenging from the yellow tees at 6400 yards the course can certainly show its teeth as from the blues a course touching 7000 yards can set the also rans from the elite.

Warm welcome to many new members

Its was great to see so many new members again today with golfers from Lancashire & Yorkshire mixing it within the group, even Dave Roberts a local guy who resides in Buckinghamshire made the journey and the 4 handicapper made a great start to life on the tour alongside Andrew Barrow who managed to squeeze into 4th place claiming a prize.

The tour is proud to be using the best courses to stage our events and after the 1st two of the season we can’t be any prouder of the venues which have hosted.

Current promotion until the end of September!

Fancy earning yourself some FREE cashback? All online deposits paid will receive a 10% bonus paid onto their Finch Golf Tour Accounts to use against future events – promotion only applicable upto 1st October 2017 (not inclusive)

 

1st Tee Time………

 

An afternoon tee sheet enabled for a stress free journey to York for all as players checked in early but it was top guy Andy Irwin who claimed longest drive coming all the way from Cumbria followed closely by earlier mentioned Dave Roberts from The Buckinghamshire.

Alan Shimmon & Jim McMahon partnered New Order of Merit Leader Neil McGuiness in leading the way on the tricky Par 4 1st.

Topsy Allman from Hickleton GC was back on the tour and she paired along with Gary Matthews, Andrew Barrow and Andrew Whiston with the later two making their Finch Tour bow’s – a great day had and already looking at coming back to venues like Lindrick & Clitheroe in the near future.

On to the courses and the golf…….

 

The course again offers stunning holes plotting your way round is key and Martin Keough of Ripon City was on song as he played solid golf on his way to 33 points.

The course was playing well and its was testament to the golf played by Mike Davies off 18 who shot an event leading 43 points – but a handicap reduction of 3 will see the Forest Pines member now playing off 15 the next time he tees it up on the tour – Dave Brocklesby also produced some great golf for 39 and 2nd place earning himself a handicap reduction from 13 to 12 also in the process.

The Order of Merit is now also taking shape – REMEMBER THIS YEARS ORDER OF MERIT WILL ONLY BE ASSEMBLED THROUGH THE SINGLES EVENTS

All winners from the Pairs & Team Events will be invited back to the end of season Winners Invitational where some fantastic prizes will be on offer.

 

TWO’s Club

 

20 Entires = £50 in the pot

5 x 2’s = £10 per two

*These have now been added to your Finch Golf Tour Account

Winners Club

 

1st Place – Michael Davies – Handicap Reduction to 15

2nd Place – Dave Brocklesby – Handicap Reduction to 12

3rd Place – Jim McMahon

4th Place – Andrew Barrow

Full Results – Click Here

We hope all our players enjoyed this experience and we look forward to welcoming you back on the tour.

Would you or your friends like to get involved?

Contact: admin@finchgolftour.com or register for FREE at www.finchgolftour.com – We look forward to welcoming you onto the Finch Golf Tour

Sunningdale Golf Club

S(T)UNNINGDALE – Wow!

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Stunningdale!

This iconic English venue ticks all the boxes and the historic venue boasts traditional values but also offers the stern test that top golf courses offer!

A touch of class from start to finish, from booking the date in October 2016 to finally hosting the eagerly awaited event for 48 golfers, all hungry for that Bucket List experience.

“Sensational”

“Exceptional – Value for money”

“Wow”

“Peter, thanks for a great day at Sunningdale, what a great event”

“Brilliant just brilliant”

There just aren’t enough superlatives to describe a day which exceeded all expectations.

The journey down the night before for our stay at the Royal Standard Guest House in Virginia Water just a 7 Iron away from the entrance of Wentworth GC was a long but clear one and we where ready for the 6am alarm and excited to get going.

Clear blue skies………… In Dreamland!

Pulling back the curtains and looking outsides is EVERY golfers 1st thing to do in the morning on game day, any weather forecasts are instantly scrapped and the “seeing is believing” is the only forecast worth looking at.

As the birds tweeted, along with avid twitter followers excited about the day ahead, changed and ready to go, we made the short journey from Virginia Water to Sunningdale.

Clubhouse was opening at 07:30 for the players but we were ushered in through the back door and through the kitchen into our home for the day “The Critchley Room” named after the European Tour Commenter, Bruce Critchley’s mother Diana who had an extremely successful amateur career and going on to later Captain the Ladies Curtis Cup team.

By 07:30 the players were bustling in through the door taking photos as the well schooled staff and greens team welcomed the players for Breakfast and to there Masterpiece.

1st Tee Time………

The “New Course” although over 85 years Old was the 1st course as Paul Mullen, Mike Newman, Martin Humphries and Iain Hayes got the proceedings underway at 08:12 after a short tutorial from our fantastic starter for the day.

Smiles were from ear to ear as the players looked forward to playing but only after sampling the breakfast barms, croissants, cakes and cereals on offer beforehand.

On to the courses and the golf…….

Both courses offer a sensational layout and it was split down the middle with the preference of course being split 50/50.

Harry Colt’s masterpiece winds through the Berkshire Countryside offering stunning hole after hole, there are many highlights but looking back up the 10th fairway from the halfway house is a cracker.

With heather in abundance and some long carries from the tees it is quiet clear from the outset that accuracy is key from the outset but after struggling early on David Oldham who now resides on the Isle of Wight having been a regular on the tour found his form from the 7th on the New Course and later went on in the afternoon to card a stunning 39 points and the “only” player to break par in the afternoon on the Old Course, seen as the championship venue here at Sunningdale.

Fulford Heath member Rob Aston (10) was the player top of the tree after round one on the New Course, with some solid golf just pipping Hindley Hall Golf Club member Tony O’Brien (5) by one shot. Scarborough Golfer Peter Wilson was back on the tour and the left hander produced some fine golf and post 37 points but lied 3 back after a hard fought back nine.

All was set up for a great afternoon and Charles Burke of Huddersfield (Fixby Hall) GC tried his best to compete with David Oldham 39 points but found happiness with his 36 points, and eventually securing 2nd place but as Rob Aston faltered and Peter Wilson couldn’t quiet match his morning’s birdie blitz it was left in Tony O’Brien’s hands, but as blurred vision caused a wayward drive on the 12th, which playing partner Paul Aspey said was from the size of his hooter rather than a medical condition, but he was composed again by the picturesque 13th were a crisply struck iron was finished off by a solid 10 foot birdie putt, but as the wheels were turning nicely a duo of blobs followed but 34 points where enough for a -1 finish and enough for the spoils to join the many who have lifted trophies at this stunning golfing venue.

Celebrity Spotting and value for money…….. 

Sam Torrance was mingling through the day along with Former Australian Rugby Union Record Holder Michael Lynagh, but it was the value for money which had today’s players the most excited.

£299 per person included, breakfast, 2 rounds at Sunningdale GC along with a stunning 3 course carvary and afternoon tea – with complimentary food & drinks in the halfway house too. If booking this package at the club alone it would fetch £500 plus as each Green Fee would command a £240 during March to October each year.

*Please could I ask all players in the event to write a review on the website by clicking here

TWO’s Club

AM – New Course – 44 entries – 8 Two’s = £13.75 each

PM – Old Course – 44 entries – 8 Two’s = £13.75 each

*These have now been added to your Finch Golf Tour Account

Winners Club

Best Am Score – Rob Aston

Best Pm Score – David Oldham

36 Hole Championship

1st Place – Tony O’Brien

2nd Place – Charles Burke

3rd Place – Peter Wilson

Full Results – Click Here

We hope all our players enjoyed this experience and we look forward to welcoming you back on the tour.

Would you like to get involved?

Contact: admin@finchgolftour.com or register for FREE at www.finchgolftour.com – We look forward to welcoming you onto the Finch Golf Tour