It was still a bit chilly when the first players teed-off for the 2024 Houldsworth Cup at Leigh Golf Club. This was the first time that Leigh GC had hosted the Houldsworth Cup. It was the second time in recent years that the Houldsworth had been held in May rather than June. The format of the competition had been changed in 2023 to a Better Ball Stableford
The early pace was set by Ky Tu and Chris Jones of Stand Golf club, who teed off at 8.30 am and returned with 41points. We were advised by local members that was going to be a good score to beat since that has been the winning score of the club competition on the previous day. However, just 20 minutes later, David O'Brien and Paddy O'Reilly of Blackley Golf Club came in with 42 points. No challenging scores appeared until early in the afternoon, when Phillip Jolly and Peter Grimshaw of Worsley Golf Club also returned with 41 points. Their 4-ball partners Michael Lawton and Michael Crompton of Prestwich, were suitably inspired and returned with 40 points.
Later in the afternoon, presumably encouraged by the sunshine, a batch of 4 x 40 and 2 x 41 points started to appear on the score board. But then, as often happens, the antepenultimate score of 43 points, returned by Iain Reece and Simon Pointon of Worsley Golf Club, proved to be the best of the day.
At the Presentation the B&H Chairman, John Farmer, thanked the Leigh Captain Chris Harrison and the Club Manager Derek Vaughan for all that they had done to promote the Houldsworth competition and the welcome which had been given to players on the day. The course had been in excellent condition and the facilities available in the club house for receiving players and then recording the scores were second to none. John went on to thank the B&H committee members for all the work undertaken in the organisation and running of the day's competition.
Nick Wyatt, echoed the words of the Chairman, and once again thanked the Leigh Captain Chris Harrison for the hospitality shown to both Committee members and players by all the LGC staff. He presented the Captain with a cheque made payable to Leigh Golf Club and thanked the club for hosting the 2024 Houldsworth Cup.
A total of £750 in Pro shop vouchers was awarded to the winners
1st
£400
2nd£350
3rd£200
4th
£100
1st
IAin REECE & SIMON POINTON - WORSLEY GOLF CLUB 43 points
2nd David O'brien & Paddy O'Reilly - Blackley Golf Club 42 Points
3rd phillip Jolly & Peter Grimshaw - Worsley Golf Club 41 points
4th Derek Vaughan & James ainscough - Leigh Golf Club 41 POINTS