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100 years of golf at Greenway! G
reenaway Hall GC, situated on the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent celebrates its centenary year this year. The club started life as Stockton Brook GC with nine holes until 1924 when the acquisition of new farming land enabled it to become 18. In 1930 it was renamed Greenaway Hall. The club has survived lean times over the years and since 1996 has been owned by the Jack Barker group. Recent years have seen major course improvements,a remodelled clubhouse and a new lease of life. Centenary events are ongoing at the club throughout the remainder of this year. Staffordshire Golfer congratulates and salutes our county’s latest centurion.
Les Hancock S
unday 21st June and 104 golfers gathered at Wolstanton Golf club for a friendly match to pay tribute to a very special man. Les Hancock, 76, celebrates 40 years this year as Junior Organiser at the club. In his voluntary role Les has seen between 2000 and 3000 young golfers take up the game and helped many of them reach county and even international level standards. His contribution has also been vital in teaching the youngsters valuable life skills and respect. Les, who is still performing his role at Wolstanton and at Staffordshire Staffordshire Golfer
County Level was joined on the day by many of his protégés past and present. Some, like Gordon Kelly, on the right of the picture travelled from as far away as Cornwall to take part in the event. Les modestly stated that the golfing success of his juniors has given him the most pleasure “Many of the ex-juniors here have gone on to be single-figure handicappers and are still members here today”.
Pictured here with Les and Gordon is current Junior Captain, Kyle Fitzpatrick.
Bakers half dozen P
eter Baker, ex-Ryder Cup star and director of golf at South Staffs GC had a six days of golf to remember at the start of the month. He took part in the Challenge Tour’s Credit Suisse Challenge in Switzerland and come the Sunday night was celebrating victory, his 18 under par total was enough for a one shot win, 22,400 euros and elevation to 10th spot in the Challenge Tour rankings. Not one to rest on his laurels Baker turned up at the Gailes Links near Glasgow the very next day for two rounds of final qualifying for this years Open Championship. His great form continued and two 69’s saw him qualify comfortably in 2nd place, at the time of going to press both Peter and Robert Rock, Staffs other qualifier are at Turnberry, we hope they performed well.
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