TONY McGuire pinpointed his exploits at the par three eighth hole as being key to his first-ever win in a major.
The 54-year-old retired police sergeant was victorious in the 36-hole President’s Weekend at Denton.
Tony explained: “It is surprising how one hole stuck in my mind, and for me it was the eighth.
“It is a par three over the water and was really tricky in the wind and with the pin position only about one foot on the top level of the green.
“If you misjudged it, you ended up 40 feet away from the pin but, on both days, I got to within 10 feet.
“I scored a birdie two on the Saturday and par on the Sunday and, as I only won by one point, that proved the difference.”
He amassed 38 and 33 points for a total of 71 in the 36-hole Stableford.
Tony, a member for 12 years, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have my name on the board.
“It follows reaching a single figure handicap aged 52, a mecca for golfers. And after this win, I am now down to a handicap of seven which is my record low.”
Tony added his next ambition is to get a hole-in-one.
He began playing as a junior at Heaton Moor and played in and ran police golf societies.
“I reached my early 40s and decided the time was right to join a club and am delighted to have found Denton which is a great test of golf,” he said.
The Saturday day prize went to Kevin Lloyd (39pts) from Tony McGuire and David McIlroy (both 38).
Stephen Armstrong (37) took the honours on the Sunday from David Sibanda (36) and James Ashelby (35).
The President’s Prize to the Ladies went to Laura Thomas with 38 points from Wendy Pollitt and lady captain Norma Boott (both 32).
President’s Prize to the Seniors saw Gary Yates (39) claim victory from Dave Schofield (37) and Frank Goodwin (36).
And the prize for the competition involving past club presidents went to David Rowles with 38 points.
The Nora Thorley Rose Bowl was won by Sue Thompson with a nett 74 after she finished second in an 18-hole medal which was won by Hazel Hathaway (69). Third was Wendy Pollit (77).
John Mannion and Geoff Marsden are celebrating after scoring holes-in-one. John scored his ace at the 13th hole at Denton during a club competition and Geoff’s came at the 8th at Withington during an exchange day.
- DENTON Golf Club held a collection for the Tameside East Foodbank during President’s Weekend and president David Hughes is pictured with the donated items.
