CHESHIRE UNION OF GOLF CLUBS APPOINT NEW SECRETARY

STEVE Doughty is relishing his new role as the Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs secretary, taking over from Peter Whitehead who has given superb service to Cheshire for the past five years.

Steve said:“I am thrilled to be taking up the role as county secretary and am really looking forward to this exciting opportunity to work for a county, with such a rich golfing history, dating back more than 100 years.

“My aim is to build on the wonderful contribution that Peter has made to Cheshire Golf, by continuing to work with the first class pool of county volunteers and enhancing the experience for all competitors who take part in the numerous championships and events that the county run.

“Hopefully I will get to visit as many of our clubs as I can in the coming months so I can get to know them and offer as much support as I can.

“Another area is to work closely with the Cheshire Ladies Golf Association to build up a good working relationship with them.

“My wife Robyn, children Jennifer and Elliott are hoping to relocate into the Cheshire area, so we hope to meet as many of you as possible.

“I have been involved in the golf industry for nearly 30 years.I caddied on the LET from 1992-95 and then

New GM at Prestbury

PRESTBURY Golf Club have appointed a new general manager,Stuart Finlay.

He has joined the Macclesfieldbased club from Radyr Golf Club, Cardiff and took up his duties on January 1.

Prestbury chair, Mary Staton, said: “We welcome Stuart at a very interesting time with so many changes going on at the club.”

First ace for Tony

HELSBY Golf Club member Tony Fernandez hit his first ever hole-inone in a recent society event at his home club.

He aced on the 152-yard long, sixth hole and was met by a busy clubhouse waiting to celebrate with him afterwards.

BY GEOFF GARNETT

joined the Sky Sports Golf team as golf statistician and worked there from 1995 to 2000.

“My next move was on to the European Tour (now DP World Tour) in 2001 and was there until May, 2017. I worked in the media department as golf statistician and whilst there I became involved with the Rules of Golf and refereeing and qualified to Level 3 standard.

“My other roles then included working for the PGA as a tournament controller for the PGA South Region and then gaining experience in club management as assistant manager at Sunningdale Heath Golf Club in Berkshire.

“My most recent role came as England Golf’s club support officer for Surrey, for which I served for nearly four years.

“I have many golfing highlights, which include caddying for Julie Forbes on the LET when she won the 1994 French Open in a play-off and I was also lucky to caddy on the LPGA Tour as well.

“Whilst working for the Sky Sports Golf team, I worked on and attended multiple US majors,Ryder Cups,Players Championships and WGC events.

“As a result I worked with many of the ex-pros turned commentators including Ken Brown, Howard Clark,

Ewen Murray, Richard Boxall, Ronan Rafferty and many others plus presenters like David Livingstone and Butch Harmon.

“I have been very fortunate to meet many top players including Jack Nicklaus,Tom Watson,Tiger Woods, Nick Price and many others.

“A great highlight was to play Pebble Beach in 2000, the day after the US Open and the same with Pinehurst No 2 in 1999 and Sawgrass a couple of times the day after the Players Championship.

“Whilst at the European Tour I met many pros during my 17 years there and the highlights included working at six Ryder Cups, 17 BMW PGA Championships and The Seniors Open.

“Also on the European Tour, I was given the opportunity of attending the Tournament Administrators Referees School at St Andrews in 2010 and as a result I refereed events on the Challenge and Seniors Tour and the European Tour Qualifying School and I have carried on refereeing for the PGA, England and Surrey Golf Union.

“My lowest handicap was four and I represented Worcestershire Colts and South of England Colleges whilst I was at university and I was a member at Richmond Golf Club for 17 years.

“I am a big fan of Jack Nicklaus,Tom Watson and Gary Player (who I have been lucky enough to meet),Nick Price and Sandy Lyle - who is the best striker

Double delight

PENWORTHAM Golf Club won the Ribble Valley Seniors League for the second year in a row last year and now new captain John Bretherton is hoping to make it a hat-trick in 2023.

They also went one better than 2021 by winning the Red Rose Veterans League in a closely fought contest with Turton, which went down to the very last game.

of a golf ball I have even seen!

“My previous Cheshire connections include my good friend Neal Briggs, a former European Tour player and now Tour referee.

“He was a former colleague of mine on the EuropeanTour and I refereed with him quite a bit and I have also known Andrew Murray,a former EuropeanTour winner and commentator for a long time.”