No. 46 Captain: Kevin Roberts. April 2004
Griffiths And Mcgarrigle Shine In The Sun.
Glorious sunshine greeted the 200 competitors who took part in the club’s Opening Invitation Day, and no-one shone brighter than Dave Griffiths and Brookdale’s Rob McGarrigle who amassed a great half century of Stableford points to carry off the first prize.
Runners-up, two points adrift, were Mike Fogo and Tony Bergin, another Brookdale-based guest, with Geoff Park and Saddleworth’s Mike Harrington in third place with 45 points.
Three other pairs also scored 45 points but, after a countback, the next three places went to Paul Rowbotham and Steve Barron (Saddleworth), Mark Lord and John Stanworth (Castle Hawk), and Lee Rowbotham and Simon Tate (Saddleworth).
Another Brookdale member, Eric Power, won the nearest-the-pin prize on the sixth hole with a drive which finished 5’ 2" from the hole, and Les Dooley, who recently moved from Werneth to North Manchester, marked his return by achieving the longest drive on the 18th.
Everyone agreed that the day was a great success, and there were many favourable comments about the state of the course so early in the season.
Generous Gift Of New Trees.
By Bill Waterhouse - Greens Secretary.
David Sarsfield, who has renewed his Werneth membership after an absence of two years, has marked his return by turning benefactor.
Having received approval to build a substantial new engineering factory on Chadderton Business Park, he noticed the site was home to dozens of trees. He promptly contacted us and offered to provide as many as we could dig up within 48 hours, by which time the bulldozers would have commenced levelling the ground.
Greens committee member Steve McNamara spoke to our former member Dave Rhodes, who very generously agreed to supply a JCB and a large lorry, both with drivers.
With the help of greenkeepers Colin, Nick, and myself, approximately twenty trees of varies sizes and ages were lifted – roots and all – transported to the club, and temporarily laid in what is known as a healing trench prior to transplanting.
The trees are mainly of the willow variety, but a silver birch is among those included
Although it is the wrong time of year to "lift" a tree (October is the ideal replanting month), we were governed by time and circumstances and can only hope that most of our new trees will survive, flourish, and eventually enhance the course.
Not only was the club saved money by David Sarsfield’s generous gift but expenditure of around £1000 was avoided thanks to the provision of diggers and transport by the other Dave.
The club wishes to thank both of them for their super gestures.
As reported last month, a Tree Appeal is to be launched soon, and it is hoped that the generosity of members will enable us to purchase over 100 more trees, including a replacement for the large tree blown down near the fifth green during the recent gale.
Aaron Is First Junior Captain.
Fifteen year old Aaron Rowbotham, who already plays off a handicap of seven, has been named as the club’s first-ever Junior Captain following the council’s decision to authorise such an appointment.
A pupil at Failsworth Sports College, he has been playing the game since he was about seven years old.
Over the winter, he has shot up by more than six inches – very convenient in view of the fact that he is a goalkeeper who recently joined the Oldham Town under-fifteen eleven.
He also plays table tennis for Honeywell Lane church.
Aaron is part of the remarkable Rowbotham family which includes big brother Lee, the two-handicapper who holds the course record, dad Paul, who plays off three, younger brother Adam, who is down to 12, and mum Gayle, who has recently taken up the game.
Fogo And Whitingham Win Monthly Medals.
Mike Fogo, with a score of 70-6-64, was the first division winner of the April monthly medal, though he was pushed all the way by seven-handicapper Steve McNamara, who had the same net score but was let down by his back nine performance.
Even more unfortunate was Dave Burton, who also achieved a net 64 but ended up prizeless after a countback.
The second division title went to ex-Captain Fred Whittingham, with a score of 78-14-64.
Runner-up was Jack Hurley (84-18-66), who defeated Richard England on a card playoff.
Seniors.
Crick Celebrates Onset Of Spring.
Trevor Crick, who is often to be seen playing a solo round, proved that practice makes perfect by winning the Seniors’ Spring Meeting, with Jack Hulley in second place.
Albert Kingham gladly accepted the over 70’s prize – a bottle of whisky – only to be informed later in the evening that Arnold Parker had a better score.
Arnold had a double reason to feel pleased with himself when he was eventually handed the bottle – nobody had thought he was over 70!
A few places are still available for the ever-popular Werneth Seniors’ Open on Wednesday, May 19.
Those taking part are asked to pay their entry fees (£18 per couple), as soon as possible.
Young Lee’s Hole In One.
Sixteen year old Lee Mather has achieved what many members old enough to be his grandfather have never managed – a hole in one.
It happened at the tenth during a friendly game with his pals.
Although he was not taking part in an official competition, young Lee (with a little help from his dad), provided the traditional bottle of whisky on the following Saturday.
Many congratulations, Lee. May your ace be the first of many more to come in the years ahead.
Here Come The Bogey Men!
The first Tuesday competition of the new season – a 13-hole Bogey – was won by Mel Robinson with a score of three up. Jonathan Wilde (2 up) was the runner up.
The Easter fourball was won by Paul Egan and Geoff Whitehead with 46 points, one better than Joe Cassidy and Noel Brown, who thwarted two other pairs on a countback – Tom McNamara and Gary Seville, and Jonathan Wilde and Adam Brown.
Kevin Clarke triumphed in a single Stableford with 44 pts, three better than Chris Cordwell.
Winning Start In Batley League.
Our Lawrence Batley Seniors League men got off to a good start with a four and a half-two and a half home victory over West Bradford.
Silence Those Mobile Phones.
Mobile phones are arguably one of the most popular inventions of the twentieth century, but they have definitely become the greatest irritant of the twenty first.
Accordingly, council has banned their use on the course except for emergency reasons.
Users are asked to switch to the vibration/silent mode and to conduct any conversations in the foyer of the clubhouse.
Enter Your Cards In Competitions.
Members are reminded that all competition cards, whether signed as a completed or no-return round, MUST be entered in the computer terminal, when in operation, and posted in the competition box after each competition round.