It's a bit early for some, but at about 7.30, the Sunday morning school congregates. This group of players love their golf and have a morning of golf to savour. Any member of Reddish Vale is welcome to turn up and join in, there is plenty of banter and hopefully you will make it home in time to keep everybody happy. Each person puts a ball in the hat, before they are drawn out into four balls. They have a better ball match between each group of four players, and always enter my Pro's stableford. This is a very strong section of the club, and a section which readily welcomes in new and improving players.

DNA's

FootJoy's new DNA's are a massive hit. Adam Scott, Jordan Speith, Hunter Mahan and Jason Dufner among others are all wearing this shoe and so could you. Footjoy only make golf shoes, and I can tell you for a fact they make the best golf shoes without any shadow of a doubt.

Ask anyone you see wearing a pair how comfortable they are - I have just ordered a pair myself as feedback has been so positive. If you're looking for the most comfortable, supportive and stylish shoe then look no further. £129 a pair, please compare your Pro Shop price to other retailers who are often perceived as cheaper, when in truth they are often more expensive!

Greg Norman Shirts - £10 off

Greg Norman shirts are now reduced from £30 to £19.99. I have some myself. They have the cool dry technology which stops the body from overheating too much and allows the body to breathe without the shirt sticking to you. They wash countless times and are an absolute bargain. Seven left!

Skycaddie's

The importance of skycaddie's is becoming more and more, with added confidence they are a great investment. I have a few of them in stock and have them at an unbelievable price. Skycaddie watch now £149 and the Aire (hand held device) is £99.

New Junior section

On Sunday we had an excellent turnout of 17 juniors who came along and took part in a top 5 competition followed by a putting comp. It was all based around good fun and kids enjoying themselves. My own children Daniel and Katie took part, really enjoyed the day and are keen to come back for more. Kevin Seaton did a great job, and as you can see The Captain presented the prizes to the joint winners Callum Smith and Matthew Quirke.

Kevin Seaton is the new junior organiser and together we will be doing all that we can to encourage and develop a new junior section.

Yesterday I ran a group lesson for juniors on putting and chipping. In the near future I will be running junior group lessons on Sundays, followed by a game. We can't always take over the top 5 on a Sunday though, and Nick has assured me that he will create areas fit for coaching sessions on the practice field.

Turnouts are good but there is always room for more! If you know children who would want to take part then register them in the pro shop or click here to send me an email

Just so that you know I am a PGA qualified level 3 coach (the highest level you can get) and I also have an enhanced DBS certificate (formerly known as CRB) for working with children.

Captain's Prize to Ladies

The Captain and wife Leslie started all ladies off the first tee. Jeanette Kinder was this year's winner with a net 74.

Jeanette takes regular lessons, has done so for a couple of years now and keeps getting better. In fact I would say that Jeanette is quite a bandit now and we can expect to see her handicap reduce very soon!

Jeanette is pictured holding B and B (Brian and B. Billing) Trophy which she has also won. Jeanette played in the team match away at Heyrose on Monday and won her match 7 and 6!

Unfortunately the other ladies didn't do quite as well as the team lost 5 ½ - 1 ½ . Well done Jeanette keep up the good work!

Golf Course

On Tuesday was the seniors open; It is always nice to receive positive feedback on the course and this year we received loads of it. One gentleman who was trying to play in as many opens as he could commented; 'Dunham Forest's are not a patch on these greens' and 'they are better than Prestbury's.' Bruce Philip a former member of Reddish Vale for many years commented that he had 'never seen the course so good'.

This week Nick and his men have had the stump grinder and have been busy removing lots of tree stumps, the most notable being those on the 6th. Now that the trees are in leaf we can really appreciate how the tree removal has opened up previously masked parts of the course.

I think more people have to agree that the changes on the 6th are a big improvement and the removal of the stumps has tidied things up.

Big Scoring Weekend

Pro's stableford

Rob Mahon's new shaft in his driver is working better than ever! Rob's 41 points - with two blobs -won the stableford and has resulted in Rob's handicap being reduced to 8. Second this week was Chris Shaw with 39 points beating John Northrop on a card play-off. Prizes went down to fifth.

Click here to see the full results.

Saturday's May 31st Stableford.

Thirteen players shot level or better than their handicap which is excellent. There were also a lot of 2's which I think is more down to the fact that the greens are so good and the putts dropping rather than easier pin placements.

Kevin Seaton had quite a weekend really, and still recovering from knee surgery in the winter, Kevin carded the score of the day. A one under par gross to win the comp with 43 points, Kevin equalled his lowest score ever. Kevin has reduced from 6(5.5) to 5(4.5) in one outing. Kevin has a trusty old Callaway 7 wood in his bag which is his favourite club. It comes in for just about everything, a very versatile piece of kit which as usual did him proud on the day. A bit like a favourite wedge except you can shape it and hit it about 200 yards! Finding gems like this is why you should always keep trying new equipment.

Second with 40 points was Dave Hamilton who gets his fair share of golf in and very consistent with his scores. Pete McDermott has found some form and finished third with 39 points.

President's weekend

Finally I would like to send our President Graham Kennedy my Best Wishes for a successful and enjoyable weekend ahead. In traditional style, Graham will be waiting at the summit of the 18th to welcome in all competitors with a complimentary drink.