A well-attended Special General Meeting of members approved an average increase of four per cent in annual subscriptions and the continuation of a £20 levy for security on the course.
But there was a near-unanimous vote against the retention of a security firm.
Instead, the meeting decided the money should be spent on increasing fencing round the course – particularly along Coalpit Lane.
Secretary John Barlow pointed out this created some difficulty because Oldham council had previously decreed that no fencing more than a metre high could be erected alongside this road. Further talks will now be held to ascertain whether this ruling still applies.
Nevertheless, members believed that even a metre-high fence, combined with the planting of prickly shrubs alongside, could have a beneficial effect.
But it was accepted that, with two rights of way across the course, children and vandals would still have easy access to the course. It was also estimated that the erection of suitable fencing would take three years to complete because of the cost involved.
The increase in subscriptions was approved without discussion with only one vote against.
Following a near £7,000 deficit over the past year, due mainly to a fall in membership and a reduction in the number of visiting parties and individuals, council has approved measures designed to boost income.
With about fifteen vacancies still to be filled, it has been decided to cut the joining fee to £200, payable over two years, to encourage applications.
Advertisements will also be placed in golf magazines and newspapers offering attractive packages for corporate events and to golf societies.
Quite apart from being fine golfers, our new Lady Captain, Ann Fallows, and her immediate predecessor, Jane Fletcher, share another similarity – both are left handers who play the game right handed.
On the other hand (if you’ll pardon the expression), Ann’s husband, Nick, is a right-hander who plays the other way round.
Thankfully, says Ann, their young son Jack appears to be completely right handed.
Ann, who plays off a handicap of ten, joined the club in 1986, but was previously a member at Crompton and Royton from the age of twelve, encouraged greatly by her father, Geoff Grace.
At Werneth, she has twice won the mixed foursomes with Nick, the Cheetham-Dugdale Trophy, the Spencer Challenge Cup, the Lady Captain’s prize (twice), and the Lady Vice-Captain’s prize, as well as several other events.
But she says: “My real moment of glory was in 1999 when I won the Chronicle Cup.” Employed as an information analyst at the Royal Oldham Hospital, she celebrated her 40th birthday in June.
Course record holder Les Dooley maintained his sparkling form with a four under par score of 64 (net 61) – just one shot more than the record – in a medal comp. at the end of November.
He even managed to par the 7th despite taking three putts!
Runner up, with a more modest score of 85-23-62, was Alan Cowling.
The first division winner of the monthly medal was Gary Seville (73-10-63), with John Andrew (77-13-64), in second place.
The second division title went to Neil Pickering (83-19-64), with Steve Wilkinson (83-16-67), in second spot.
Darren Andrews and David Burton won a weather-delayed Turkey Comp. with a splendid 48 Stableford points, defeating John Andrew and Adrian Brierley by a single point.
Congratulations to Cyril Ashton, who has been granted life membership of the club.
A former deputy headmaster at Hulme Grammar School, he joined the club more than fifty years ago and is a former winner of both the Grasshopper Trophy and the Veterans’ Trophy.
Now in his eighties, problems with his legs have restricted his golfing activities in recent months.
Following a request from the ladies’ committee, it has been agreed in principle that the section should have the right to elect a representative to sit on the council.
But this will require the membership to agree – by a two-thirds majority at a special general meeting - to a change in the constitution.
This does not preclude other ladies from contesting council elections in the normal manner at an AGM.
The ladies have also agreed to run a mixed open in August.
Hyde’s Brewery, who had announced that they would not be holding their usual – and popular – event at the club this summer, have changed their mind.
We’ll drink to that!