Vintage play at Reaseheath golf tournament

Leader of Nantwich Town Council, John Lewis, took a day off from politics to win the 19th Reaseheath Open Vintage Day, a tournament run for veteran golfers by Reaseheath College sports turf students.

Thirty seven players over the age of 65 contested the Stableford competition, which was held on the college's commercial nine hole golf course in Nantwich. Runner up was Bryan Glenn of Wistaston, who also won the putting competition, while best ladies' score went to Fay Stubbings of Willaston. All are members of Reaseheath Golf Club.

Also in the prizes were Chris Bishop (chipping competition), Denzil Egerton (nearest the pin) and Max Rowe (longest drive). The tournament was run in support of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The student organising committee started planning the competition in October and spent long days in the week previous to the event preparing the course to tournament standard.

Tournament leader Seb Tame and team leader Tom Francom were joined on the greens by student volunteers Alice Minshull, James Saunders, Chris Lyon, Jack Heath, David Hart, Chris Bloor and Richard Carden. The students also organised prizes, sponsorship and a post match BBQ and prize presentation.

Seb and Tom are studying for their Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sports Turf Construction and Maintenance while the volunteer team are from a range of horticulture courses. By organising the tournament, students are encouraged to engage with customers and potential employers as well as companies and organisations within the sports turf industry.

They were advised by Reaseheath's Horticulture Services Manager James Grundy and by Assistant Green Keeper Simon Hewitt.

John Lewis, who won a prize trip to the Macdonald Portal golf course in Tarporley, said afterwards: "It was a wonderful day. Many thanks from all of us to the student Green Keepers. They did a great job in preparing the course to give us the best playing conditions."

Membership of Reaseheath Golf Club is available from only £4 per week.
For more information contact Chris Bishop on 07773 472386 or email chrisbishop7@gmail.com

Caption: John Lewis, Bryan Glenn, Fay Stubbings and Chris Bishop join Reaseheath student greenkeepers and staff to celebrate the 19th Reaseheath Open Vintage Day