THERE promises to be a lot of divided loyalty among the new Macclesfield Golf Club’s top officers in the coming year with a definite red/blue divide.

The new president is Alan Brocklehurst who plays off 16 handicap and among his past duties at the club have been chairman of greens and junior organizer.

Alan is also a very keen Manchester United supporter.

Providing opposition for the blue half of the club is new captain Roy Flitt who has followed in Alan’s footsteps as chairman of greens.

Roy has been a member of the club for 12 years and plays off a useful 11 handicap and he is a Manchester City supporter through and through.

And to swing the balance towards the Reds is new lady captain Judy Mutter, a fanatical United fan. Judy has been a member at the club for 10 years and plays off 22 handicap and her committee role has been that of social secretary.

Davenport’s men played a nine-hole BB Stableford and first past the post were Phil Geoghegan and Dave Hollin with 24 points from Keven Martin and Neil Healey after a card play-off. John Weaver and Mike Jennings won another cpo on 23 points from five other pairs to take third spot.

Elsewhere, Sport4Life is offering two courses suitable for people who would like to develop their skills in coaching golf to youngsters.

The TriGolf Activator Workshop provides candidates with the knowledge required to maximise the potential of the popular Tri-Golf scheme.

It helps candidates to deliver activities in a structured and co-ordinated programme linked to the delivery of the preliminary level on the Junior Golf Passport.

There is also the Golf Extreme Workshop which provides the golf game and programme for secondary schools.

It is a new game designed for the 11-15-year olds who have outgrown Tri-Golf.

For more information visit www.mysport4life.co.uk, email info@mysport4life.co.uk or call 0845 1300 849.

Golfers looking for some early-season action and also to support a good cause can book in for the fund-raising competition for the British Heart Foundation.

It is at Heaton Moor Golf Club on Friday, February 26 with an entry fee of only £15 which includes a meal and prizes.

For more details contact Jeff Scott on 0161 432 2220.

The number of adults in England who regularly play golf has risen significantly over the past two years according to new research.

The survey showed that 948,000 people over the age of 16 play golf at least once a week, an increase of 59,000 from two years ago.

It means that golf is one of the fastest-growing sports in England and one of 14 sports eligible for four-year funding from Sport England.

It is estimated that, for every member of a golf club, there are three others who play but are not yet club members.

This is good news for local clubs as they actively seek to recruit new members and visitors to play their courses with various innovative deals and schemes, particularly for younger players.

Winter golf is now in full flow and will continue at all clubs until next March.

To get your club and individual results, achievements and special events in this report contact Geoff Garnett on 0161 881 7550 or email ggggarnett@aol.com