This years Tour to Southport taking in Royal Birkdale, Formby Hall and Hesketh was a great success with 20 players taking part. As you can see the weather at Hesketh was magnificent, but I get ahead of myself!!

Nearly all foregathered at the Vincent Hotel on Thursday evening and partook in the customary fitness and mental machinations prior to the first day at the magnificent Royal Birkdale.

Birkdale was in magnificent condition and their hospitality was second to none.

The winner of the Day was Michael Salmon with 33 points on countback from John McMenamin with Gareth Sheppard 3rd with 17 on the Back 9 on countback from Neil Blundy, Martyn Howie and Robert Seeley. Front 9 Winner was John McMenamin, with 18 winning on countback with 13 points on the last 6 from Martyn Howie, Robert Seeley and David Wannerton all with 12 on the last 6. Back 9 Winner was Neil Meixner with 18 points as Michael Salmon has already won a prize. NPx2 was Gareth Shepherd and the NP was handed down to Neil Blundy as he was 4th over all and Michael Salmon has already won a prize. The team score was 1.5 points to the Captain’s team and 3.5 to the Vice’s!

Day 2 saw us play the rather disappointing Formby Hall where the service and organisation were absolutely awful! However we stayed dry and  some had an excellent round

Winner on the day Oliver Tobin 33pts on count back – 16 on the back 9, Front 9 Ben Hurworth 21 pts and Back 9 Steve Haley 17 points. NP Stewart Kirkwood AKA Alvin and NPx2 Gareth Shepherd for the second time in two days!! The Vice’s team extended their team score lead after day 2. The scores were 3.5 points to the Captain’s team and 6.5 to the Vice’s!

Day 3 dawned sunny and warm and we played Hesketh, a great parkland/links course just north of Southport.

Final Days Winners were – NP Oliver Tobin and NP in 2 Neil Meixner, Front 9 Ben Hurworth 22pts, Back 9 Neil Blundy 21 pts both and Day 3 Winner Steven Barker with 42 points and 22 on the back 9.

So to the overall results in the individual. Third over three rounds was Iain Stevenson with 96 points, Second Neil Blundy 99 points and The Green Jacket Winner and therefore the new holder of the Claret Jug Ben Hurworth with 103 points. Well done Ben!!

The team score was very closely fought on the final day with the Vice’s Team prevailing over the Captain’s by 10.5 points to 9.5 Points. Jason Wood (Vice Captain) presented an engraved whiskey glass to all his team winners as a memento of the weekend.

A great time had by all!!

The Tour Party (minus David Featherstone, who left early for the airport but left the airport last due to delays!!!!!)

A great time was had by all who attended the 2018 Tour to the magnificent Trump Turnberry. The accommodation, service and food were all exceptional.

We played the Ailsa course twice and the King Robert the Bruce once and whilst the weather left a little to be desired at times the views and courses were magnificent.

The lighthouse and Ailsa Craig are the highlights of the landscape as can be seen above only slightly spoilt by the addition of some EPIC Golfers

The Captain’s Team (Darrell Lewis) trounced the Vice Captain’s Team (Neil Blundy) by 10.5  to 4.5 points. Winning all three days for a clean sweep!! Well done Capo!!!

The Green Jacket was a closely fought affair this year as always with Jason Wood dominating the last day in wet and blustery conditions to secure top prize – The Claret Jug and the coveted Green Jacket.

Well done to Jason

Thanks to Darrell Lewis for a great job done with the organisation and also to our Eligo Members without whom the tour would not have been possible