No. 49 Captain: Kevin Roberts. July 2004.
SPECIAL MEETING APPROVES CASH WINDFALL.
On current figures, this would provide a much-needed £11,000 windfall, though the figure this year will be about £8,000 because a third of the council’s financial year has already past.
This major cash injection is vital in view of the fact that the club has vacancies for 28 full members, creating a shortfall of around £14,000 unless new recruits are forthcoming.
At the meeting, the Captain was anxious to allay the fears of some members that the club was in danger of becoming tantamount to a municipal golf course or a working men’s club.
The constitutional change allows the club to join the Community Amateur Sports Club Scheme (CASCS) which, through Sports England, aims to invest more money into amateur sports.
Following an Act of Parliament, local authorities have, for some time, had the discretion to refund a proportion of rates to charitable organisations and sporting bodies in their areas, but many have failed to fully implement the scheme.
But now the Inland Revenue has taken over responsibility for the scheme, and has already approved the draft changes in our constitution submitted to them in advance of the special meeting.
Oldham Council will have no option other than to grant the rebate now that the Inland Revenue has been informed of the special meeting’s decision.
The main change in the constitution is a new rule stating: “Membership of the club shall be open to anyone interested in sport, on application, regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, or other beliefs. However, limitation of membership according to available facilities is allowable on a non-discrimatory basis.”
What concerned some members was that applicants will no longer have to be proposed and seconded by a member of the club.
But, in effect, this will not make any difference – no-one can remember anyone being refused membership.
And, most importantly, the club will retain the right to vet and refuse membership to anyone whose conduct is likely to be detrimental to its wellbeing, and to expel anyone who fails to obey the rules of the club or whose conduct brings it into disrepute.
LEE RETAINS TOP TITLE.
Proving that a good golfer can triumph whatever the venue, Lee Rowbotham retained the Oldham and District Championship, which he won on his home course last year, at hilly Oldham GC.
But he was chased all the way by Crompton and Royton’s Andy Clarke in the 36-hole championship, played in tough windy and rainy conditions.
Both had gross returns of 136, with Lee a model of consistency with a couple of two-over-par 68s
But in the six-hole play-off, Lee was far too strong for his rival, winning by six-shots in a one-under par blitz.
Dad Paul came third with rounds of 69 and 71 for a total of 140.
…AND YOUNG ADAM’S ALSO A CHAMPION.
Adam Rowbotham, youngest of the Rowbotham golfing dynasty, won Werneth’s junior championship – by beating older brother Aaron after a 6-hole play-off.
The under 14 winner was Joe Turner.
Adam will now represent the club at the annual Junior Open tournament at Rochdale in September.
NO NEW PROs ON CHARITY DAY.
Playing in a competition at Formby Hall GC, Merseyside, this month, former Manchester United and England star Sir Bobby Charlton scored a hole-in-one – and faced a dilemma.
For the prize on offer was a gleaming Mercedes A class limousine. And acceptance of the keys would mean he would have to renounce his amateur status.
Surprisingly, the millionaire United legend decided the car was too good to miss.
When Rick Dobrowolski and his son, Paul, who is recovering from cancer, staged a charity team event at Werneth in aid of Manchester’s Christie Hospital, they also had a car on offer for anyone holing his tee shot at the 197-yard sixth.
Thankfully, no-one among the sixty eight teams of four was faced with having to choose between remaining an amateur or turning pro.
The day was a huge success and, with Transco offering to double the cash raised, a cheque for £22,000 has gone to Christie’s.
Winners of the Stableford event were Steve McNamara, Ian Sutton, Duncan Hough, and Peter Barrington with 117 points – one better than a team from Whittaker GC.
Third place went to Werneth’s Peter Griffin, Dave Griffiths, Danny Wilkinson, and Dale Hobson.
AWAY-DAY JOY FOR HOME STARS.
John Stockley and Terry Marner won the Seniors’ Open at Meltham Golf Club with 42 pts.
Also among the prizes was former Lady Captain Jane Fletcher who teamed up with ex-member Les Dooley to win a mixed event at North Manchester.
In an open mixed foursomes at Crompton and Royton, Vice-Captain John Yemm and Yvonne Evans won the best visitor prize, with the husband and wife pairing of Peter and Marilyn Griffin winning the 0-15 handicap category.
DEATHS OF TWO MEMBERS.
Life member Sam Cunliffe, a former Oldham Rugby League star, has died at the age of 92.
Sally Littlewood, who was in her mid-eighties, has also died.
BRITT,COWLING WIN MONTHLY MEDALS.
The first division winner of the monthly medal was Steve Britt (75-12-63) on a card play-off from John Budding (70-7-63).
The second division winner was Alan Cowling (83-20-63) with Ron Hallett (85-22-63) in second place, beating Richard England on a countback.
Bill Riley and Tony Roddy ran up 61pts to win a front nine betterball-back nine aggregate Stableford, from Adrian Brierley and Geoff Dawson (58pts).
John and Andy Barlow, partnered by Mark Routledge won a Texas scramble with a fine 61pts, from Ian Hartley, Wayne Whitworth, and Curt Helme (51.4pts), and a single Stableford resulted in victory for Daniel Burton (43pts), with Aaron Rowbotham a point adrift.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT
1954.
1. Who was the Prime Minister?
2. Who took Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellenbogen by the Sea into the hit parade?
3. What record was set by a doctor?
4. Wartime rationing of which product finally ended?
5. British troops were withdrawn from which area?
6. How much was a TV licence?
7. Which electrified rail line opened?
8. Who made famous the song “Happy Wanderer?”
9. How much did a wedding licence cost?
10. What gift was given by Parliament to mark Churchill’s 80th birthday?
11. What happened to this gift?
12. Which mountain was climbed for the first time?
13. Guess the bill for our week-long, full-board, honeymoon at the Queen’s Hotel, Douglas, IOM.
14. Guess how much Olive and Brian earned between them when they got married.