Werneth Wedge

December 2000 Issue No. 10 Captain: Peter Griffin

BE WARNED - IMPATIENCE CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE.

Slow play is the bane of golf. There is nothing more aggravating than to be held up by the group in front who have already lost a couple of holes to those playing ahead of them - and who refuse to wave you through.

And it is all too easy to lose patience and play your shot before they are out of range.

But beware - lack of discipline could seriously damage your financial health, as this recent cutting from the Daily Mail clearly illustrates:

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In other words, it is far wiser to keep your cool and to politely suggest to the laggards in front that you would appreciate it if they allowed you to play through.

It should also be remembered that a judge recently ruled that simply shouting "fore" when your ball threatens another player is not sufficient to prevent an expensive claim for damages.

So check your insurance to ensure you are adequately covered - and if you are not already insured, take out a policy without further delay.

The Man who Played Five Rounds in one Day.

Feel a trifle weary after a round of golf at Werneth? Can't possibly play more than one round in a day? Then consider the astonishing achievement of Ernest Smith - uncle of Joan Smith, (Joe's wife), - who was the professional at Davyhulme Park in the Thirties.

In July 1939, Ernest, who was then aged 32, contrived to play five courses in five different countries in a single day - with an average score of 72.4.

He was accompanied by his friend Sidney Gleave, a 12-handicapper who, as well as being the assistant secretary at Macclesfield Golf Club, was also a motor cycle racer (winner of the Isle of Man lightweight TT), and a pilot.

He borrowed a Gipsy Moth, and the intrepid pair took off from Barton Aerodrome for Prestwick on the afternoon of July 12. At 3-40am next day, Smith teed off at Prestwick St Ninian, racing round the course in 1hr 35mins with a score of 70.

By 7-15am, after a dash across the Irish Sea, Smith tackled the lovely Bangor course, where he again shot 76 in lhr 30mins before jumping back into the plane for the short hop to the Isle of Man, where he carded another 76 at Castletown in 1hr 40mins after a 10-15am start.

Blackpool's Stanley Park course was the next venue, at 1-30pm, where Smith completed his round in 72 shots in 1hr 55mins.

The final destination was Hawarden, in Wales, at 6pm, where he set a course record of 68 in a leisurely 2hrs 15mins!

And after 30 miles on foot, and 700 in the air, he said: "It's a pity there isn't another country to be fitted in - I'm quite sure I could do another 18 holes." Sadly, both men later died in tragic circumstances - Smith in a car accident and Gleave in a wartime air crash.

*OK, OK, they are not strictly all different countries, but let's not allow nitpicking to spoil a good story or to devalue a remarkable achievement - Editor.

Changes Proposed in Batley League.

Torrential rain forced the cancellation of the seniors' Christmas competition, but 35 so-called veterans thoroughly enjoyed their traditional turkey dinner in the evening.

New chairman Albert Kingham paid tribute to all the previous officials, and the dinner guests stood and toasted "absent friends" Stan Shackleton and Bob Hall, who were unable to attend due to health problems.

Gordon Lockett announced that organisers of the Lawrence Batley Seniors' League were canvassing all competing clubs on two issues - whether the qualifying age should be raised from 55 years to 60, and whether teams should comprise five pairs instead of four.

He explained that some players in their 80s had complained that they found it impossible to compete against players at least 25 years younger.

On a show of hands, those present voted in favour of the proposed age change but rejected the idea of increasing the size of the teams after Gordon had made it clear he often found it difficult to find eight players prepared to turn out.

The chairman offered the hope that everyone wintered well and advised: "Keep wrapped up and keep taking the amber liquid" - a suggestion which was unanimously approved and immediately implemented.

...And New Handicap System For Seniors.

Following complaints from some members that their handicaps had been so brutally hammered that they could no longer hope to pick up a prize in domestic competitions organised by the seniors' section, the committee has introduced a new handicap system.

In future, full handicaps will apply but no-one will be docked to less than his club handicap. It is hoped this will give everyone, whether they be high or low handicappers, an equal chance.

Winners will be docked three shots, those gaining second place will lose two shots, and third-place prizewinners (an innovation for 2001), will lose one shot.

But these penalties will apply for only one year unless, of course, the "victims" are again among the prizes.

There will also be a prize for the best round by a player over 70 years of age - though some section members are known to be reluctant to admit they have reached their three score years and ten!

Sergeant is now Captain but Fiona Nabs Honours.

Barbara Whiting, a Tameside police sergeant based in the communications department at Ashton-under-Lyne, has now taken over as lady captain, with Jane Fletcher as her vice-captain.

Her name already appears several times on the honours board, having won the Vice-Captain's prize twice, as well as the Handley Memorial, the Cheetham Dugdale (with Joan Hughes), the Spencer Challenge Trophy, the Cheetham Dugdale Rose Bowl. She also achieved the joint best gross score in a medal round during a seasoon.

But most of the honours this year have gone to Fiona Dooley, who won the Spencer Challenge Cup, the first division eclectic prize, the prize for the most birdies in the season, and the silver division of the LGU Medals.

Hilda Garner was runner-up in the Challenge, Sheila Waterhouse had the best eclectic score in the second division, and Joan Hughes won the bronze division of the LGU Medals.