A GOLF club with one of the biggest and most successful junior sections in the region and is continuing to go from strength to strength

Alderley Edge Golf Club professional Charles le Sueur explained how such a big junior section has been built.

“It all started with offering some lessons included in the junior membership package," he said.

"As soon as we re-opened last year we got so busy that I decided to bring in Tom Metcalfe, PGA Professional, to take over all of the junior coaching as I didn’t have the time available that the junior section deserves.

“Tom has been offering regular coaching and it has spiralled from there with 80 junior members and nine on the waiting list.

“Several of the dads have also joined which has helped the club get to the point where we now have a waiting list in place for our full membership for men.”

Metcalfe added: “When I started we had just over 30 juniors. We now are at full capacity and some who have been added as youth members just so they can join the club!

“The success of our junior section is due to a few things I believe, firstly the price, £50 for membership and in their first year they get 2 x 30 minutes lessons free of charge with myself.

“Secondly the work that I have put into the lessons and competitions, making them better golfers which adds to the enjoyment but also my style of making lessons fun and last but certainly not least I try and encourage them to play as much as possible.

"They join the club to play golf, and I find great pleasure in seeing the young men and ladies turn up to the golf club with their friends and enjoy playing our course.

“I teach my students not only to make them better golfers when they leave the lesson, but to increase their playing potential further on down their golfing career.

“My aim when starting the job at the club was to make our junior section the best in Cheshire, which I believe we are firmly on our way to achieving.

“Lola Pratt is the new junior captain and she is not only a fantastic golfer but a superb young lady.

“She has been involved since day one and her mother, Jo, has been very supportive in growing Lola as a golfer.

“All of these things contribute into making Lola a great fit for our junior captain but also I believe it will encourage other young ladies to get involved in the game which I think is fantastic for the growth of ladies involvement in golf.”

Lola, 15, a student at Wilmslow High School, added: “I started out playing golf at another club and moved to Alderley Edge approximately two years ago. My mum is a member at the club and my dad learned to play here as a teenager accompanied by his grandfather who was also a member in the 40s/ 50s.

“The arrival of Tom Metcalfe as junior coach has really encouraged me to improve my golf game over the past year. His commitment and enthusiasm for the junior section has made it a really fun club to be part of. My parents' interest in golf has also been a big help as I enjoy playing with them both!

“One of my golfing idols would definitely be Justin Rose as he’s one of my earliest recollections from watching golf when I was younger. He’s extremely dedicated and talented, I aspire to be like him!

“My aim this year is to get a handicap, play in some competitions, improve my game and most importantly enjoy golf with friends and family. In my role as junior captain I hope to inspire the other junior members to do the same.”

Competitions have been running at courses across the county.

A men's stableford at Alderley Edge was won by Phil Whelan with 38 points, two more than John Roberts, Gary Buxton and Michael Easton.

A seniors stableford at Styal had David Blackburn posting a huge 47 points to finish well clear of Graham Swann 43.

The Friday frolics at Styal had Jordan Howard leading in with 23 points from Neil Taylor 22.

Styal ladies were in medal mode and Helen Billington was out on her own with 69, five less than Diana Hutchinson and Jenny Merren and the 9-hole winner was Sue Forster with 18.

Macclesfield ladies played for the ‘major’ Umbro Cup and Judy Mutter kept up her good run of form posting 71 to win by a shot from Sue Lawton and Rita Barton.

Alycia Sutton won the best gross after a cpo with Wendy Higgins and the nine-hole winner was Jean Atherton.

The Spring Cup for Macc’s men was won by Andrew Curley with 40 points, three more than Barry Sutton and David Jones.

Davenport’s men played their first summer medal and topping the divisions were Craig Lloyd 67, Lewie Wilson, also 67 and Max Lauder 63.

Davenport ladies were also in medal action and leading in their divisions were Joy Leary 70, Susan Hudson 68 and Myra Corcoran after a cpo on 75 with Anne Wilkinson.

A Texas Scramble at Mottram Hall was won by the fab four of A Fellowes, T Barrett, R Roper and A Watson with 54.4.

The White Memorial Trophy at Prestbury saw a bogey competition led in by James Offer on +3 and topping seven players on +2 was Martin Prescott.

Prestbury ladies were also in bogey action playing for the Liz White Memorial Trophy and it was won by Mary Staton after a cpo on +3 with Katie Jordan.

There was a tight finish in the Thursday Stableford at Shrigley Hall with a cpo on 38 points going in favour of Steve Brooks from Adam Downing, Peter Will, Don Farquharson and Keith Froggatt.