The 125th Anniversary of the Houldsworth Cup

1897  - 2022

Robert Lam and Ky Tu Stand Golf Club Winners with 10 Up Played at Houldsworth Golf Club 12th June 2022.

The very first Houldsworth Cup was played at Timperley Golf Club, (now Altrincham) in 1897, as was the first Balfour Cup. In fact, the same clubs hosted both B&H competitions in the same years right up to 1947. After 1921 this also included the GS Lancs as well.

It seemed right a fitting that the 125th Houldworth Cup, which had been presented by Sir William Houldsworth Bart in 1897, should be played at the Houldsworth Golf Club. Sir William had been instrumental in the establishment of the Houldsworth Golf Club in 1910, as one of the many things he did for the people of Reddish. The "icing on the cake" on the day of the 125th Anniversary was supplied by Charles Houldworth, the great grandson of Sir William, who journeyed north to present the prizes to those with the top scores in the 2022 Houldsworth Cup.

John Caveney and Martin Hill were out at 8.00 am and set the pace with a 6 up. Then the 8.50 pair, Robert Lam and Ky Tu of Stand Golf Club, set a serious challenge for the rest of the field returning a 10 up. This turned out to be the talking point of the day among players, who were amazed that anyone could return such a score in the high winds that were sweeping the course.

However, 2 hours later Steven Garner and Daniel Ward of Houldsworth, nearly met the challenge when they returned a 9 up, but they would have to settle for 2nd place. Another Houldworth pair of Kenny Miller and Richard Hackey came home with a late morning score of 6 up, this secured them 4th place on a card play-off.

The one top score of the afternoon was a 7 up returned by Paul Thorney and Bob Barrow of Flixton, which gave them 3rd place. A of total 45 pairs returned scores that were better than Bogey, 10 pairs returned with halves and 28 were were losses. Overall, most met the challenge of the high winds. A total of 15 clubs were represented and Houldworth members made up almost one third of the entries. 

Charles Houldsworth presents the Cup to the winners

In his closing speech, B&H Chairman John Farmer thanked Houldsworth Golf Club for the great support given to the 2022 Houldsworth Cup both as regards the number of members who took part in the competition and the commitment and enthusiasm provided by the officials and dignatories of the club.  Players through out the day, many of whom had never played Houldsworth previously, commented on how well the course had been presented and the excellence of the greens. 

                     A total of £900 in Pro shop vouchers was awarded to the winners : 1st  £350,   2nd   £250,   3rd   £200,   4th   £100.

1   Robert Lam and ky tu of Stand Golf Club      10 up
2   Steven Garner and Daniel Ward of Houldsworth Golf Club      9 up
3   Paul Thornley and Bob Barrow of Flixton Golf Club      7 up
4   Kenny Miller and Richard Hackney of Houldsworth Golf Club     6 up (CPO)

Click here to view all the results

2ND PLACE WENT TO STEVEN GARNER AND DANIEL WARD OF HOULDSWORTH GOLF CLUB   --   9 UP 

3RD PLACE  - PAUL THORNLEY AND BOB BARROW OF FLIXTON GOLF CLUB  -  7 UP

4th PLACE -  KENNY MILLER AND RICHARD HACKNEY OF HOULDSWORTH GOLF CLUB - 6 Up (CPO) 

the 2023 Houldsworth cup will be held at, the recently redesigned,  Prestwich Golf club.

Charles Houldsworth with the B&H Committee Members

CHARLES HOULDSWORTH WITH the Houlsworth GC Presidents and Captains, present & past. 

A day to remember at Houldswoth Golf Club

Some more photographs of the day