September 2000 Issue No. 7 Captain: Peter Griffin
Since
the launch of the Wedge in February, one name has dominated its pages - that of
Paul Rowbotham.
Whether
playing in medals or in Stableford competitions, in singles or with a partner,
he has regularly figured among the prizewinners.
But
he and his regular partner, John Armstrong, were thwarted in a greensome medal
comp - by themselves.
Father
and son duo, Jim and Gary Mellor, who scored
59, were declared the winners.
So now we know how to beat Paul Rowbotham.
Nevertheless
he has continiuned to pick up prizes, winning the monthly medal with a
magnificent 65 gross (net 60), edging out 12-handicapper David Murray on a CPO.
The
second division title went to Alistair Gillian (80-18-62), with Curt Helme in
second place on a countback.
Paul
and young Alan Palmer also amassed 51 pts to win a fourball Stableford - the
second half century at the club in a month - to beat John Parnell and Paul
Gough, who scored a more than creditable 46 pts.
And
Paul came third in the Oldham Centenary Trophy event, with a level par 68 (net
63).
Inevitably,
Paul is also a member of the Wedge's Millennium Hole-in-One club, which has now
been joined by handicap secretary John Andrew (at the 10th), and Jack Cain (at
the 16th).
The other aces are Ian Briscall and Paul Ashton.
Anyone else had one and is hiding his (or her) light under a bushel?
Two
members from different ends of the age scale narrowly failed in the latter
stages of prestigious events.
Though
conceding three shots, Terry was one up at the 13th after missing a hole-in-one
by an inch at the 6th, but his
opponent then proceeded to hole putts from all over the greens, completing three
holes in four under par net to win the day.
Seventeen-year-old
Chris Cordwell, who plays off 10, reached the final of the Manchester area junior knock-out where, by a quirk of fate, he met
Ellesmere's 12-handicapper Scott Morley - son of Terry, Werneth's former pro -
at Flixton.
Chris
was two up after four holes, but Scott fought back to be level by the 14th, and
clinched the match with a fine approach to the last green.
Every
year, the captains and vice-captains of the five Oldham area clubs take part in
a Stableford competition in which the pair with the lowest score suffer the
indignity of being awarded the dreaded wooden spoon.
As
the 1999 "winners," it fell to Werneth to organise this year's event,
with vice-captain Bill Waterhouse in charge of arrangements.
He
booked Bolton Old Links for the annual showdown and made sure the spoon was put
aboard the coach taking the contestants and their invited guests to the course.
To
their eternal credit, captain Peter Griffin and Bill scored enough points to
consign Saddleworth's pair to bottom place.
But
when it came to the presentation ceremony, no-one could find the spoon.
Werneth,
it transpired, had contrived to lose the darned thing twice!
Bill
had a replica made - and personally varnished it a couple of times. Then,
surprise, surprise, the orginal spoon was found at the Bolton club.
So
Werneth lost a spoon twice, and gained another.
Members
with long memories will recall that this is not the first time this has
happened. That is how we came to have the Werneth Spoon - the object of an
annual aggregate Stableford competition.
Tom
McNamara and John Whittaker won the Seniors' Open at Ashton-under-Lyne, while
Joe Smith and Cliff Fletcher carried off the first prize in a similar event at
Uttoxeter.
Partnered
by David Bielby, Joe also came third at Hindley Hall's event.
Meanwhile,
Werneth gained a creditable third place in their division of the Lawrence Batley
League, won by Dewsbury.
Ron
Beresford won the Oldham Centenary Trophy event, staged at Werneth, with a
splendid score of 67-6-61.
And
as if to prove (if proof were needed), that our course is not as easy as some
claim, the top five places went to home players.
Terry
Ogden came second with a score of 81-19-62, with Paul Rowbotham, Les Lawton, and
Andy Barlow close behind.
Captain
Peter Griffin also posted a one-under-par 67 (net 61), to win the Grasshopper
Trophy, with Nick Stanley (80-18-62) runner up, and vice-captain Bill Waterhouse
(83-20-63) in third place.
In a single Stableford (full handicap) comp, Tony Farrell won with 45 pts, two better than Curt Helme, and Kevin Roberts won a three-quarter handicap event with 40 pts.
A three-man Texas scramble was won by Shaun Rattigan,Grahame Holt, and Steve Britt
with a score of 56.5. Second wereAndy Stericker, Duncan Firth, and Michael Owen.
Brian
Hope, former Industrial Editor and Principal Leader Writer of the Manchester
Evening News, has been named as the club's next vice-captain. He will succeed
Bill Waterhouse in February.
The
club's first team finished the season in seventh place, out of eight, in the
Oldham and District Golf League.
While
they won three and drew two of their seven home matches, they managed only one
point on their travels to finish with 48 points. Winners Stamford accumulated 72
points.
The
second team, captained by Peter Haq, fared better, achieving
fifth place - their highest for five years - despite losing all their
away fixtures.
But
they had a memorable 8-0 home win over Oldham and a 6-2 victory over Denton to
finish with 50 points. Stamford were also winners of this division with 83
points.
Jane
Fletcher and Fiona Dooley won the George and Bessie Nash Greensome - a board
comp. - with a net score of 66.2.
Vice
captain Barbara Whiting and Sheila Whittingham won the Daily Mail Foursomes
qualifier, carding 93-21-72.
Other
results: Mrs Bottoms Cup - Joan Hughes .
Club Captain's Prize - Judith Wilkinson.
Surprise 9-hole comp. - Sally
Newton.
LGU Pendant - Sheila Whitingham.