Big birds are a regular sight at Mottram Hall with a resident family of buzzards performing aerobatics and curlews frequenting the deep rough.

Birdies and eagles are also frequent sights on the Wilmslow Road course.

But these were all surpassed in the club championship when seven-handicapper Mark Taylor took on the 368-yard 15th hole.

Mark’s superb drive off the tee went all the way to the green and into the hole for that very rare golfing bird – an albatross – that brought him a much-celebrated ace.

Mottram’s director of golf Tim Hudspith said: "We’ve hosted many top professional and amateur tournaments over the years but this must be the first time that the 15th has been aced."

The ace did not see Mark to the club championship which saw the gross top spot go to Iain Bartholomew with 148 after his two rounds, 12 clear of Russell Owen.

But Owen did take the top nett prize with 134, ahead of Paul Dunford (138) and Iain Bartholomew (142).

Prestbury’s men played for the Founders Vase and John Bianchi was first past the post with 65 from Nathan Rhodes (66) and Craig Barker and John Broadbent (both 67).

Penny Smith won the Prestbury Lady Captain’s Prize after a card play-off on 68 with Angela Riordan with Helen Bolam and Emma Jayne Bolsahw both a shot off the pace.

Roger White led in Division One of the monthly medal at Shrigley Hall with his 65 seeing home from Martin Firth (67) and Joe Cassidy (68).

Peter Beckett won a cpo on 67 in Division Two from John McArdle.

Davenport’s men played over 36 holes in their scratch gold medal and winning with a fine gross score of 143 was one-handicapper Mark Richardson after a cpo with Steve Rhodes and Chris Banfield.

Max Aitken had the best nett off 134 and round prizes went to Dave Pettitt (66) and Mike Attwood (66).

Macclesfield juniors played for the Jamie Donaldson Trophy and the proud winner was Max Pemberton (68) from Declan Rudd (72) and Nathan Collinson (74.

Alex Howarth led Division Two with a neat 73.

Macc’s men were in medal mode and D Town won a cpo on 65 from G Campbell with Ron Smart (66) and W Bullock (67) in close attendance.

Macc’s ladies played for the 2000 Cup and a fine round of 65 secured the trophy for Christine Gleaves with her nearest rivals being Susan Gibson, Margaret Milligan and Anita Hall, all on 68.

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