Students stage Vintage Golf Day
The 71 year-old former stamp auction employee scored a winning 37 points in the stableford competition. He was three points ahead of runner-up Bob Eno of Nantwich, current Captain of Reaseheath Golf Club, who was celebrating his 71st birthday on the day. Highest scoring lady was Margaret Jervis of Nantwich with 33 points, who like Keith is a member of Reaseheath Golf Club. Also in the prizes were Dave Morgan (chipping competition), David Randell (nearest to pin), Les Brett (longest drive) and Bryan Glenn (putting).
The annual tournament, which attracted 20 competitors from across the region, took place on the college's commercial nine hole golf course last week. Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture students Alex Heaton and James Heathcote, who are aiming for careers as greenkeepers or sports groundsmen, were the tournament leaders. They took charge of a team of 17 volunteer students from all horticulture courses, many of whom worked 12 hour days during the week of the competition to ensure that the course was in first class condition.
The team was helped by Horticulture Services Manager James Grundy, Deputy Head Greenkeeper Simon Hewitt and greenkeeper Sebastian Tame.
Keith Johnson said: "We had a good day despite the wind and rain. The students had done a brilliant job to get the course in such a good condition. Despite the cold start to the season the grass had picked up and the course played very well."
Crewe Alexandra FC, Brookfield Golf Club, Haydock Racecourse, Wolverhampton Racecourse, The Farmers Arms pub in Crewe, Clewlows butchers in Nantwich, Wendy's Florists and Reaseheath Floristry were among companies who donated prizes for the winners.
Machinery specialists Sharrocks, Burrows Ground Care and Turner Ground Care loaned equipment to help with the course maintenance and Concorde Trophies offered a free engraving service.
The £377 raised from entries and a raffle was donated to the On Course Foundation, which provides golf skills and employment training for wounded servicemen and servicewomen and for war veterans.
John Dodds, the Foundation's head of fundraising said: "We very much appreciate this generous support from the students. We have been in touch with Reaseheath for several months and look forward to working with the college. Greenkeeping can provide an excellent career for our members following their medical discharge."
Image: Winners Keith Johnson, Margaret Jervis and Keith Johnson celebrate with Dave Morgan, David Randell, Les Brett and Bryan Glenn and team leaders Alex Heaton and James Heathcote