Werneth Wedge

Lee Rowbotham Sets New Course Record.

Eighteen-year-old Lee Rowbotham set a new course record of 61 – seven under par - in winning the Grasshoppers Trophy, beating Les Dooley’s five year old record by two shots.

The young star carded nine birdies, seven pars, and two bogeys.

But, true to form, Dooley did not concede the record without a fight, finishing runner up with a splendid 64 (net 62).

Before the season began way back in March, Tommy Rowbotham forecast that his young grandson would break the record this summer.

Coincidentally, Shaun Rattigan was equally confident and had a ten pound wager on Lee with Dave Whaley, who backed Les to lower the record.

Lee, of course, is the current Oldham district champion and a former club champion.

One, Two, Three For Lee’s Family.

Not to be outdone, the rest of the remarkable Rowbotham family have also been among the prizes – including filling the first three places in a single Stableford event.

The winner was dad Paul with a stupendous 46 pts. Thirteen-year-old Adam filled second place with 39 pts, pipping 14-year-old brother Aaron on a card play-off.

In another similar competition, Adam got his revenge, beating his dad by 44 pts to 43.

Paul, who plays off three, also came second to Tom Dwayre in a single bogey comp., both finishing 4 up but with Dwayre having a better back nine.

And, partnered by Adrian Buckley, Paul also won the Werneth Spoon event with 79 pts – two more than son Lee and James Buckley.

John Yemm To Be Next Vice-captain.

Stand by your beds – ex-Sergeant Major John Yemm is to take over as Vice-Captain in February, when current Vice-Captain Kevin Roberts assumes the captaincy.

Cinderford-born Yemm, who is the club’s handicap secretary, served 23 years in the First Battalion, the Gloucestershire Regiment, rising to the rank of Warrant Officer, Class 2.

A six-handicapper, he has been joint winner of the Werneth Spoon twice in his five years at the club and was also a member of the A team which won the Oldham and District Knock-Out Cup last season for the first time in ten years.

His daughter, Lisa, is in charge of catering at the club.

Wooden Spoon Shame Averted.

The "winners" (the pair with the lowest Stableford score), were Oldham with 29 pts, much to the relief of Saddleworth, who had held the unwanted trophy for the past three years.

But the competition, at Woodford Hall GC, was as hot as the weather with Werneth’s duo scoring only four points more, along with Crompton’s pair.

Vice-Captain Roberts, who plays off four, admitted later: "I’ve never experienced pressure like that before on a golf course."

It’s An Ace For Kevin The Eagle!

Bill Needham, Arthur Rawding, Phil Jones, and John Parnell were quietly studying their putts on the fourth green when, out of the blue, a ball rolled between them – and popped straight into the hole.

A few moments later, the next group appeared back down the fairway and Arthur called to them that somebody had achieved a remarkable hole in one.

And when the ball was retrieved, it was a delighted Vice-Captain who was celebrating – an eagle and an ace with a 280 yds drive against the wind.

Can anyone remember a similar feat at Werneth?

Death Of Joe Durkin.

The month ended sadly with the death of Joe Durkin, who had a history of heart trouble, at the age of 68.

Joe, whose son Paul is also a member, was a familiar figure on the course on his electric buggy – the first to be authorised on health grounds by the council.

The Captain headed a large number members at his funeral.

Our sincere condolences go to his family and his many friends – he will be greatly missed.

Darren Pedals For Charity.

Weary after playing 18 holes over Werneth’s 5,365 yards?

Then spare a thought for member Darren Andrews and his pal, Ian Dearing, who are currently cycling 100 miles a day, up hill and down dale, to raise money for the Christie Hospital, Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, and the Willow Wood Hospice in Ashton.

Relatives of both young men have suffered from cancer and have been cared for in the two hospices.

The pair set off on August 29 on a 2,800-mile sponsored ride around Britain. By the time they arrive back at the end of September they hope to have raised about £10,000. Donations gratefully accepted.

Ladies.

Play-off Decides Major Event.

The club’s two best lady golfers, Jane Fletcher and Fiona Dooley, conceding 25 shots, had their work cut out to beat Angela Whaley and Pat Redman in order to win the George and Betty Nash Greensome – a board comp.- after an 18-hole play-off.

Lady Vice-Captain Jane Clark, partnered by Oldham’s Wendy Cash, took the honours on invitation day, and Angela took home the club captain’s prize in an LGU event. Brenda Jarvis also won an LGU medal comp.

Mixed Open A Big Success.

A team comprising the Captain, the Vice-Captain, the Lady Vice-Captain, and Eileen Fallows (deputising for Lady Captain Isabel Wright, who recently underwent a serious operation), won a hugely successful Mixed Shotgun Open with 87 pts.

Runners-up, four points adrift, were Fiona and Les Dooley, and former members Ann and Nick Fallows.

Gillies Wins Waterhouse.

Ian Gillies, with a score of 75-14-61 won the Waterhouse Trophy, defeating Alan McMunn (71-10-61) on a card play-off.

The Werneth Spoon went to Paul Rowbotham and Adrian Buckley and the monthly medal winners were Dave Griffiths (Div 1), and

Denis Lamb (Div 2).

Amendment To Dress Code.

Council has agreed that collar-attached fashion shirts designed to be worn outside the trousers will now be acceptable in the clubhouse at all times when informal dress is currently permitted – but NOT on the golf course.

Gentlemen are reminded that conventional shirts, jackets, and ties should be worn at prizegiving ceremonies and at formal dinners.