Adrian's comments 2004: I have coached Ian for several years now and year on year seen improvement in every part of his game. Ian is another tall slim player with naturally long levers, which give him a wide powerful swing. Ian's systematic approach to working hard on every part of his game including the correct mental, fitness and practise preparation means he approaches every event totally committed with nothing left to chance.
Technically, Ian has worked extremely hard to overcome a small but long-term back swing plane change and this year his swing has been very repeating, simple and consistent.
Ian won the Cheshire boys Under 18's Championship on his way to achieving a plus one handicap whilst still only 16 years old and secured his first full County Cap representing Cheshire men's first team. Ian is also part of the England Elite squad and this special recognition will provide extra preparation and confidence for the big events Ian will compete in during 2005.
The picture above shows Ian receiving his 2004 Cheshire Boys Championship Trophy.
Ian becomes youngest winner of the Northern Order of Merit.
Ian Winstanley clinched the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit when he finished fourth in the penultimate event, the Ashton Trophy at St Annes Old Links. The 18-year-old England international from Warrington is also the youngest winner of an award instigated in 1988 and has also clocked up a record 875 points. (for more info on the Northern Order of Merit read David Birtill's articles at http://www.pleasington-golf.co.uk/visitors/northernorder.asp).
Achieved a plus one handicap (currently plus 0.9 exact at 3rd September) at 16 years old.
Got his first full county cap playing for Cheshire men's first team against Northumberland and won 4&3
Won Cheshire Under 18's Boys Champion for 2004
3rd in the North of England boys EGU competition at Stockport
3rd in the South of England under 17's championship
Top ten finish in the Cheshire county men's order of merit
Played in the third round of the British Boys Championship at Conwy (winning against a Welsh and Spanish u 18 national player in round 1 & 2)
April 05 Ian Wins In Double Quick Time
Ian has started the season with two fabulous wins against very strong fields. Over the West Lancs Golf Club Ian won the first major northern order of merit amateur event by wining the prestigious Crosby Plate. Ian scored rounds of 1 over and 3 under par over the testing 7000 + yards championship course against a field of the North's most elite golfers taking him into pole position in the order of merit.
Ian then quickly followed this success by then winning the Faldo series North Eastern event with a score of 1 under over another prestigious Championship course, Ganton, North Yorks. This also places Ian in a strong position to qualify for the main Faldo series Championship.
