No. 43 Captain: Alf Selby January 2004.
They’re The Oldest Swingers In Town!
Every Tuesday and Friday, weather permitting, Werneth’s own Three Musketeers take to the fairways for their regular friendly matches.
It’s true they don’t always complete the full eighteen holes but, with a combined age of 255 years, that is quite understandable.
Step forward Fred Walton (92), Stan Shackleton (83), and Bill Simms (a mere 80), make up possibly the oldest regular three-ball in world golf – and can certainly claim to be the oldest swingers in town.
Until his partner, Ken Entwistle, recently moved to Spain, Fred also played on Sundays.
And Fred and Bill, not content with playing golf, also represent Hollinwood Cricket Club twice a week at bowls, outdoors in the summer and indoors at Oldham Leisure Centre in the winter.
Fred, of Wellington Road, has completed fifty years membership and has just been granted life membership by the council.
A former toolmaker at the old Ferranti factory in Hollinwood, he was diagnosed in 1977 as being allergic to wheat, barley, rye, and oats, and has been on a gluten-free diet ever since – a regimen he says may well have contributed to his longevity.
He and his wife Beatrice, who has recently resigned from the club, celebrated their Diamond Wedding last year.
Now playing off a handicap of 28 (14 in his heyday), he pulls his own trolley round the course, and says he has no plans for retirement from either of his two sports.
Stan, a Coastal Command Flying Boat Captain in the war, has suffered two heart attacks and a stroke but doesn’t let a few health problems mar his enjoyment of golf.
After more than 40 years of membership, he has just one grouse: "Because I no longer play in competitions, my handicap remains at 20 – and the other two insist that I give them shots" he said at his new home in Leaside Avenue, Chadderton.
A civil servant by profession, he was Assistant Divisional Controller for the DHSS in Manchester at the time of his retirement.
Bill, who lives near the club in Fieldsway, has been a member since 1965 and rates his two holes in one – both at the 10th – as the highlights of his long golfing career.
A familiar figure on the course, not least because of his habit of pushing his trolley in front of him, he now plays off a handicap of 26.
An ex-fireman with Oldham Fire Brigade, with whom he rose to the rank of Deputy Chief Officer, he later became Commander of the Greater Manchester Brigade’s large C Division, based in Rochdale, following reorganisation in 1974.
Isabel Wright Also Honoured.
Like Fred, Isabel Wright has also been granted life membership to mark her fifty years at the club – including two spells as Lady Captain.
Recently recovered from a serious operation, she now plans to move back to her native Scotland.
She is the widow of ex-member Derek Wright, whose superb racehorse …….. proved hugely profitable for the punters among our members.
Big Drop In Membership.
In common with many other clubs, Werneth has suffered a significant loss of members – with no fewer than 27 resignations reported to the council at its January meeting for a variety of reasons.
Several new recruits have helped to alleviate the situation but, as things stand at the moment, income could be about £11,000 down on budget for the coming year if action is not taken.
As a result, council is committed to a vigorous membership drive, coupled with sensible economy measures, in order to offset what is hoped will be a temporary problem.
While it is stressed there is no reason for panic, members are urged to encourage their friends and relations to join the club.
The fact that we are open to new applications will also be noted on our website.
**Missing Title***
As the notice shows, he believed any such club should be known as Hathershaw Golf Club.
Some time later, however, it was decided it should be known as Werneth – a decision which has puzzled many members in recent years, who are of the opinion that this is not a true description of the area.
The course was originally of nine holes only but, a year or so later, a further nine holes were added to our 64 acres – to complete what is believed to be the most compact 18-hole course in the country.
Preliminary work is now under way to decide how our centenary should be celebrated, including the production of a booklet outlining the history of the club.
The historic notice on page one of this issue of the Wedge was provided by the club’s former honorary solicitor, Peter Higson, when he sorted through his papers.
Said secretary John Barlow: "A framed copy of this notice used to hang in the clubhouse but it mysteriously disappeared many years ago. We are obviously delighted that an original has now come to light."
Ex-Captain Bill Waterhouse has been appointed chairman of a new committee charged with the task of organising the centenary celebrations, and is now actively seeking volunteers to join him.
"The more the merrier," he said. "We need ideas for a possible Celebration Week and for fund raising events. I’m also seeking anyone with reminiscences of, or documents relating to, notable events and incidents in the past.
"David Whaley, deputy editor of the Oldham Evening Chronicle has kindly agreed to be our archivist and I am particularly keen for some of our younger members to join the committee – after all they represent the future of the club."
Meanwhile, as you enjoy your Christmas and New Year celebrations, please raise a glass and toast the memory of Wilfred C. Brierley, whose foresight has provided so much pleasure for many hundreds of members of " Hathershaw" Golf Club over the past 95 years.
Apathy Rules At Special Meeting.
Fewer than 60 members bothered to attend the Special General Meeting to discuss a proposed increase of 6.5 per cent in subscriptions and a further £20 levy for either additional fencing or to provide water on the tees.
In the event, the increased fees – raising full membership to £488 per year for men and £341 for ladies – was approved by 55 votes to three.
Their was no serious objection to the levy proposal, but a lively discussion ensued regarding the way it should be implemented.
A straw poll called by secretary John Barlow revealed a large majority in favour of further fencing.
But the most contentious issue was raised in any other business – should we continue to drop and place the ball in the semi-rough when winter rules are in operation or should we be allowed to play off mats on the fairway?
Ladies’ secretary Fiona Dooley suggested a compromise solution – members should be free to decide for themselves which system to use, except in competitions.
Following a lengthy debate at a council meeting the following week it was decided that this would lead to confusion, and that playing from the semi-rough should continue.
Seniors.
Christmas Cheer For Webb And Blackshaw.
The seniors’ Christmas competition was staged in glorious Spring-like weather over 15 holes, with competitors playing off full handicaps.
The overall winner was Eric Webb, with a fine 36 points, with new member Peter Campbell closely behind in second place.
The over-70s prize went to the section’s President, Tom Blackshaw.
The event was followed by a splendid dinner attended by a majority of the seniors.
Incidentally, the council has since decided to allow full handicaps in a number of Stableford competitions in the coming season following complaints that high handicappers found it difficult to compete off threequarter handicaps.
Ladies
Unification Plea Narrowly Defeated.
Proud Scot Jane Clark, who represented her country at netball in her younger days, officially took over as the ladies’ new Captain at last month’s AGM, with Sheila Waterhouse as Vice-Captain.
Due to the long-term absence of the previous captain, Isabel Wright, now happily recovered from a serious operation, Jane had been acting Captain for several months.
The vexed question of whether the Lady Captain and the Club Captain should assume office at much the same time – the Club Captain always takes over in February – split the members down the middle.
Though Jane had made it clear she was prepared to serve an extra three months in order to unify the situation, the suggestion was rejected by 22 votes to 20, with a couple of abstentions.
Cheers! Six Winners In Bottle Comp.
Brian Donnelly, with 39pts, led the way in a popular bottle competition, pipping John Rice on a countback.
Four more bottles went to Michael Farrimond, Norman Harrop, Mike Cassidy, and Ken Holt, who all scored 38pts.
The previous week, young Farrimond teamed up with Steve Koehler to win a betterball medal with a net 58.
Second, four shots adrift, were Keiron Lawler and Richard England.
A Pro’s comp. was won by Ian Turner with 37pts, beating Geoff Dawson on a card playoff.
Buckley’s Vanishing Golf Ball Trick.
Playing in a friendly fourball, James Buckley sliced his approach shot to the 12th green – and his ball plummetted unerringly into a surprised Paul Durkin's golf bag as he prepared to drive off from the 13th tee.
Equally spectacular in an earlier round was James’s tee shot from the 17th, using his new Cobra driver, which carried the gully.
Bielby Quits Juniors Role.
David Bielby, who recently underwent a serious operation, is now back playing snooker at the club but has announced his retirement as organiser of the junior section.
During his eleven invaluable years in the job he has encouraged (and acted as chauffeur for), dozens of youngsters who have gone on to become some the the club’s finest golfers.
Many thanks, David. Your efforts are much appreciated.
Finally, as 2004 approaches, a swinging New Year to you all.
Who was the prominent member who proudly showed off a label in his smart brown overcoat revealing that it was made personally for him by Reed Bros of Manchester.
Unfortunately, the label also revealed that this bespoke masterpiece was completed in 1965!
From his right-hand pocket he produced two football programmes dated 1989 and 1994. And from the other pocket he produced a threepenny bit.