Gazza sinks his 4th hole in one and the galleries went wild!
May 2026
"It was in the Maxitours at Vale Royal on the 16th. The pin was 140 yards with a strong wind blowing across left to right.
I chose to over-club and hit a 5 iron at the bunker left of the green letting the wind carry it across. It landed perfectly about 10 feet on the green. The ball rolled up the bank to the left of the green and came down beautifully dropping in the whole sideways.
My playing partners helped celebrate in different ways. John Hilton was first on the green and said “it’s in the bunker”, then buffooning about like he normally does he looked in the hole and shouted “no, it’s not in here”. I didn’t believe him because I really thought it had gone in. When I looked in and saw it, I shouted “yeah”with glee and Richard Blackwell and Steve Austin came up to pat me on the back and shake my hand in a more traditional way than the jocular Mr. Hilton!
Later in the bar they said it was lucky - but I maintain the fact I used the elements, topography and gravity to achieve the perfect outcome!
It was my 4th hole in one & my first away from Brookdale."
Feature:
Adam Thompson
Adam reaps the reward for hard work and dedication
Chorlton Golf Club member Adam Thompson provides a shining example of how people with disabilities can succeed in golf and other sports.
Adam has mild cerebral palsy, which affects his right arm, and his first sporting success began at Ashton-on-Mersey High School when he was introduced to Brian Kean, a former international table tennis player and coach and also a member of Ashton-on-Mersey Golf Club.
After a table tennis exhibition at his school by Brian and co star John Hilton Adam got into regular lunchtime sessions at his school where his talent was recognised and he began to play with great success on the Table Tennis disability circuit.
He played in international events across Europe and won a gold in 2008 in the mixed doubles.
In 2013 he was one of two players selected to represent GB in the INAS Championships in Hong Kong where he finished third.
Through Brian and his uncle Stephen Adam took up golf and after a session with Chorlton professional Dave Mackinnon he found it possible how to play golf with the cerebral palsy affecting his right side.
With lots of hard work and dedication on his game Adam has seen his handicap come down steadily and he had his biggest-ever win in golf by winning the 2024 ‘major’ Chorlton Captain’s Trophy over 36 holes with scores of 68+67+135 to finish four clear of Monica Parsonage who had a great first round of 62.
Adam said: “I am delighted with my win and was presented with the trophy by Captain Scott Meakin.
“I have made many friends since joining the club and I have been made very welcome by all of the members.
“Regular playing with members has really helped my game consistency and consistent advice from Dave Mackinnon has also helped me loads.
“I remember Dave told me on my first lesson ‘It’s not how far you hit it..it’s about always keeping the ball in play’!
“Having dropped my handicap by over ten shots since I received my first one my aim now is to get down to single figures from my new handicap of 17.
“My thanks go to my family for their enduring support, including my Uncle Stephen, my regular partner and last year’s Chorlton Captain, and so many others who have given me encouragement since I took up golf.”
Remembering:
Ryan Birch
It is with great sadness that we have to inform members of the tragic death of Ryan Birch killed in a car crash on the Island of Bahamas
The following is taken from the Hull Daily Mail (March 2013)
TRIBUTES have been paid to a Hull Olympian killed in a car crash in the Bahamas.
Judo expert Ryan Birch, 43, was involved in a head-on collision minutes after touching down in the country.
Married father of two Mr Birch,43, who was also a commercial airline pilot, represented Team GB at both 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Details of the accident were not clear last night, but local reports state that a British man was killed when a rental car was in collision with a truck in heavy rain close to Odyssey airport on March 19th.
At this time our thoughts go out to his wife Rowena and his two children Ellis and Allana.
We all remember Ryan as a 'gentle giant' who never lost his temper and was always happy to talk to anyone
Our picture shows Ryan with a "Lady"(Carlo Loftus now in Canada) at our 70th celebrations and illustrates Ryan at his most charming and patient, in dealing with such a questionable admirer.
Ryan you will be missed by us all
Remembering:
Dave Roberts
Sad loss for Manchester Teachers Golf Society. Dave was one of the most charismatic, friendly and competitive golfers who enjoyed playing in the Manchester Teachers’ Golf Society for many years.
Dave and Geoff Garnett receive their 10 year Fairway Holiday Plates from Fairway Holidays’ Peter Walsh.
He brought plenty of friends from his beloved Astbury Golf Club to play in the society and Astbury were great hosts for MTGS for several years.
Dave also joined several MTGS friends for over ten years on the Fairway Holidays golf trips to the glorious Algarve where his superb legs were a delight for the ladies on the holidays to enjoy viewing!
Unfortunately Dave’s health problems ended his playing days with MTGS and all of the members who knew Dave will offer their condolences to Dave’s family and friends.
He was a lovely man and a great advert for friendship in golf.
An MTGS Day at Astbury- among the’famous’ players are top right Alan Atherton- father of former England Cricket Captain Mike Atherton.