Oldham & District Golf League

MANCHESTER Golf Club is to compete in the 2026 season of the Oldham and District Golf League.

The Hopwood-based club – often referred to as Lancashire’s best inland course – will play in both the A and B divisions in the season that begins in April.
John Walsh, chairman of the ODGL said: “We are delighted to welcome Manchester into the League. They will be a strong addition the our line-up.”

Manchester were unanimously voted in by the member clubs at the ODGL Spring Meeting.
The 'B' Division is now full with 12 clubs in two divisions of six. With Denton A back in the League after a year out, the A league will be two divisions of five.

League chairman Walsh also paid tribute to Oldham who have now relinquished their League status.“There has been a core of players at both A and B team level who have supported the League for several seasons and we thank them for their efforts and commitment. Here's hoping that they can return at some time in the future.”

There are currently two vacancies in the A Division – interested clubs should contact ODGL Secretary David Whaley (07764638309).
The League will be pleased to consider friendly matches against teams on a free week to give potential new clubs a taste of better-ball matchplay team matches.

*League captains are reminded of the following with regard to the new matchcards.

* Please ensure that you complete match forms with full names, handicap index, playing handicap and shots allocated - 90per cent of the difference from the lower (please check these as there have been errors on a couple of Cup matchcards)

* Put result of each game indicating which team won each match and the margin of victory.

* It is the Captain’s responsibility to ensure that team members comply with handicap rules – indexes 0-9 A and 8-17 B - and that they have a fully-fledged 20-card handicap with five qualifying cards in the last 12 months.

*Could clubs drawn to host semi-finals please ensure these dates are in the home course diary for catering.

The League was conceived as an opportunity for local golfers to play competitively against other golf clubs in the local area and at the same time develop camaraderie between them. The intention is to enjoy good golf courses with sporting companions in a friendly but competitive atmosphere.

The League was composed of 2 Divisions from the outset but the Cup competition was not introduced until 1980. Initially, the League was based on singles matches in the A Division and the first Secretary was A L Davidson (Saddleworth GC). In those early years, the league was less competitive and League Tables were not produced until the last match of the season had been played! In 1982, Barry Matthews (League Secretary) and Carl Cunnelly (Fixtures Secretary) ran the League on a more organised and formal basis until 2005. In 1991 the end of season Brian Atack Tournament was added to compete for individual and team trophies.

Since 2005, the trio of Saddleworth's John Walsh (Chairman), Ashton's Brendan Kennedy (Secretary) and Werneth's David Whaley (Fixtures secretary) guided the league through an expansion into a four division format with the addition of teams from North Manchester, Blackley, Crompton & Royton and Castle Hawk. The league changed further in 2017 with the introduction of promotion and relegation between the two 'A' divisions and Howard Lawton (North Manchester) took over as League Secretary. In 2023 David Whaley (Saddleworth) assumed the role of League Secretary with Howard Lawton standing down as Treasurer. In October 2025, John Osbaldeston (Crompton & Royton) accepted the role as Honorary Treasurer.