No. 47 Captain: Kevin Roberts. May 2004.
Beware - Here Come The Mini-maestros
Eleven-year-old Jack Suttie and 13-year old Joe Taylor – aided and abetted by fellow juniors Michael Farrimond (15), Lee Mather (16), Adam Rowbotham (13), Jonathan Dooley (16), and Jonathan Wilde (14) – have been busy showing the way to win prizes and influence their elders over the past month.
Jonathan Wilde, who plays off 12, was first to shine when he finished runner-up in a 13-hole bogey with a score of 2-up – one adrift of Mel Robinson.
Then Michael Farrimond took the eye, winning a medal round with a score of 78-18-60. Second was Alan Rothera (75-12-63).
Veteran Tom McNamara (75-14-61) had to be at his very best in the first Vice-Captain’s qualifier and medal round in order to thwart Joe Taylor (84-22-62) – a remarkable achievement by a youngster who has only been playing the game since September
Sixteen handicapper Alan Milligan had to be content with third place after a card play-off.
Young Jack Suttie, who already plays off 13 – one better than his dad! - was next to impress, winning a single Stableford with a splendid 43 points – just two better than Joe Taylor, now down to a handicap of 16.
And a few days later Michael Farrimond (11) and Lee Mather (24) – who recently holed in one at the tenth - won a fourball Stableford with 46 points, relegating single handicappers Terry Marner and Adrian Buckley (45pts) to second place.
To prove his earlier success was no fluke, Jack Suttie piled up another 39 Stableford points in a Pro’s comp. to defeat Chris Coldwell by one point.
Diminutive Adam Rowbotham had to settle for third place after a card play-off.
Joy And Despair For Jonathan.
To add to these junior triumphs, Jonathan Wilde won the East Lancashire Schools Golf Association’s under 16s trophy with a score of 78-12-66 in a championship played at Blackley.
Jack Suttie and Joe Taylor (again!) came third in the team event.
Then disaster struck for Jonathan. Playing with grandad David Bielby, he mishit a wedge shot on the seventh at Werneth – and broke his wrist. But he finished the round before going for treatment.
Representing Failsworth Sports College in the Oldham Chronicle Schools’ Team Event, Michael Farrimond, Aaron Rowbotham, Adam Rowbotham, and Jonathan Wilde earned third place.
Our congratulations to all these fine young golfers.
Prizes Galore In Seniors’ Open.
There was a total of 28 prizes on offer – including one on every hole – when the 164 competitors taking part in the popular Werneth Seniors’ Open teed off in pleasant conditions.
As someone commented, they had not seen such a fine array of merchandise since a recent episode of Crimewatch!
A pair of invaders from over the Pennines, Tom Wilson and Alan Thornton, from Branshaw GC, Keighley, ended victorious with 44 Stableford points.
Second was ex-West Indies spinner Sonny Ramadhin and former Rugby League star Harold Lill, from Saddleworth, a point behind.
Two former captains, our own Alf Selby and Saddleworth’s Brian Elson, took third place on a countback.
Most fortunate winner was Werneth’s Eric Smith. He was phoned on the morning of the competition by former member Charlie Stewart, now living in Fleetwood, who always brings a party from his local club.
He said one of his men could not make the trip and asked if Eric would step in to partner Donald Carr.
Though the two had never previously met they carried off the prize for those with a combined age of at least 140 years with 42pts.
Fred Whittingham and Blackley’s Alan Garside, with 41pts, won the section for those aged between 130 and 139 years.
Seniors’ chairman Albert Kingham paid special thanks to the ladies who had spent the whole day either checking in the entrants or spotting out on the course.
Where Your Prizes Went.
The prizes on each hole were all donated. These are the donors and the winners.
l. John Clark (Whisky) – M. Rhodes (Fleetwood).
2. John Budding and Steve McNamara (12 bottles wine) – G.Salter (Saddleworth).
3. Beer Sellers (Whisky) – A. Tattersall (Brookdale).
4. Vice-Captain (Port) – M. Mills.
5. Adrian Buckley (Paper weight and Whisky) – D.V. Parker (Todmorden).
6. Potters Wheel (Glasses) – Steve Wilkinson (Werneth).
7. Gordon Lockett (Gin) – R. Lumley.
8. Peter Cameron (£50 car service voucher) – B.Radcliffe (Blackley).
9. Dale Hobson (Box of wine) – Brian Elson (Saddleworth)
10.Carol Buckley (Cointreau) – Roy Gaskell (Crompton and Royton).
11. Nigel Wareing (Whisky) – M. Rhodes (Fleetwood).
12. John Suttie (Brandy) – D. Hatton (Saddleworth).
13. Alan Rothera (Jack Daniels) – W. Pye (Fleetwood).
14. Alf Selby (Malt whisky) – Ray Edwards (Werneth).
15. Brian Hope (Sam Torrance autobiography) – B. Wolstencroft.
16. Bill Waterhouse (Port and wine) – Mike Day (Werneth).
17. Shaun Rattigan (12 bottles wine) – D.V.Parker (Todmorden).
18. David Bielby (Irish whiskey) - Tom Dwyer (Werneth).
Mr Kingham also thanked all the donors for their generosity.
Three Medals For Aaron.
The club’s recently appointed Junior Captain, Aaron Rowbotham, has has been busy winning medals off the golf course – on the soccer pitch.
The 15-year old goalkeeper’s first success came when Oldham under 15s beat Salford 2-0 to win the Greater Manchester Schools Cup.
Then, playing for Failsworth Sports College, he saved an extra-time penalty against Hulme Grammar School – after a 3-3 draw – to lift the Oldham Schools Cup.
Later, he helped his school team to a 3-2 victory over St Joseph’s, Bolton, at the Bolton arena, in the final of the County Cup.
Jones, Tessier Win May Medals.
Phil Jones, with a score of 71-8-63, was the first division winner of the May monthly medal – also a Mellor Cup qualifier – with Paul Egan (70-6-64) in second place.
The second division winner was Simon Tessier (82-19-63), with yet another junior, Daniel Burton, the runner-up with a fine score of 89-25-64.
A Greensome Medal was won Wayne Whitmore and Curt Helme (72-11.4-60.6), from Jim and Gary Mellor (72-10.4-61.6).
Michael Carr (83-21-62) led the field in a Chronicle Cup qualifier with Tony Roddy (71-8-63) close behind, beating Jack Suttie and Mark Abbott on a countback.
Home Sweet Home For Batley Teams.
With four of the first five Lawrence Batley League fixtures played at home, our men have got off to a fine start with three wins, a loss, and an away draw.
West Bradford, South Bradford, and Saddleworth were defeated at Werneth with only Blackley leaving victorious.
Our away draw was at Bradley Hall, current leaders of the division.
Ladies.
Five Shot Win For Brenda.
Brenda Martin was in fine form on Lady Vice-Captain Sheila Waterhouse’s Day, winning by five shots with a score of 101-36-65, with Helena McGonagle (90-20-70) the runner-up.
Brenda and Sylvia Haq also won the Scott Leggatt Foursomes and will go on to represent the club in the next stage.
Fiona Dooley won two 2-ball Stablefords with scores of 37 and 38pts and three separate LGU Medals went to Sylvia Haq (88-21-67), Joan Hughes (88-23-65), and Nadine McNamara (98-31-67).