A record-breaking Alan McInnes Memorial Golf Day was graced by three generations of his beloved family. Wife Gwen, daughter and organiser Nicola Moores and granddaughter Izzy handed out the prizes at the major fundraising event.
Played on the immaculate Prestbury Golf Club course, the King's School's bursary fund event honours one of Macclesfield's most famous sporting sons and raises funds to enable parents who normally would not be able to afford the fees to provide a King's education for their daughter or son.
A former King's pupil and teacher himself, who played for Sale RUFC before transferring to Salford and coaching Wigan to the Rugby League Challenge Cup, Alan McInnes was a hugely respected sporting all-rounder.
Though one of Macclesfield's most successful sports people, he was always humble, without the slightest hint of ceremony and universally respected. He played the game, whatever game he chose, hard but fair and with a smile and handshake at the end; in a manner he advocated to his thousands of pupils as well as his friends and family.
The four ball better ball format off full handicap was won with a stunning 93 points by the Mobberlonians, captained by King's parent David Clayton but starring the sombrero wearing Ben Foster. David said: "Myself and fellow team mates Rick Forrest and Stuart Nicholson played well but Ben had the round of his summer."
In second place was Rob Thorneycroft's team and in third was Neil Drummond's crew.
More importantly, the event raised a record £7,500 for the Bursary Fund, with a superb prize of an expenses paid overnight stay and round for four at the glorious Loch Lomond course, donated by a King's parent, auctioned off for £4,000, helping the King's Bursary fund edge closer to its goal of £1 million.
Nicola Moores said: "My father came to King's when it was a grammar school and his family simply would not have been able to afford fees. He knew only too well that his love of cricket and rugby was nurtured in that environment and that he may not have gone on to have the career he loved so much without that wonderful start in life. That's why continuing to develop and support the Bursary Fund was so important to him."
King's Head, Jason Slack, said: "The affection that so many former pupils show both for Alan McInnes and for their old school speaks much about King's tradition and heritage. Growing the Bursary Fund is a key element of our planning and having such a willing organiser for this important event as Nicola is crucial to its success.”