No. 51 Captain: Kevin Roberts. November 2004

TREES AND FENCING – A PROGRESS REPORT.

Having forked out their £20 levies for fencing plus, in many cases, a generous donation to the tree appeal, members have been asking when they will see some progress made on both schemes.
In order to find the answers, Werneth Wedge asked the man who knows for an update. This is what he said:

WORK TO BEGIN SOON
by Bill Waterhouse Greens’ Secretary
The Tree Appeal, which was launched some eight months ago, has raised £1,500, and to all members who have contributed may I offer a sincere “thank you.”

Plans are now in hand to plant a variety of trees and small hedging whips along the perimeter of Coalpit Lane and, eventually, down the sides of the 11th and 17th fairways.

We hope this will deter the many unwanted vandals from gaining access to the course and reduce the damage suffered over the past years.

Trees will also be planted between the joint 4th and 9th tees and the 2nd green to protect players on those tees and to enhance the 2nd hole generally.
Further trees will be planted between the 11th and 12th fairways, although past experience has indicated that earlier trees have not flourished – or even survived – because of a particularly difficult soil base.

A line of trees is also to be planted down the centre of the fairway between the 16th and 17th holes, starting level with the 16th hole and extending approximately 50 yards.
This will better define the two fairways whilst adding more character to the 16th hole.

On the 5th fairway, where the large tree was blown down in a recent gale, a copse of various trees will be planted, including a rapid growing strain of Leylandii which, in rapid time, will create extra difficulty when playing the hole and provide a degree of protection to players on the 6th tee.

Several other locations are being considered but we are always governed by costs, and it is not only trees which have to be purchased but also stakes and straps to secure them.

The aim of this project is to provide a more attractive course for golfers, from both a playing and visual perspective.

The fencing programme is well advanced with the final l50 metres soon to be installed as double protection down the sides of the 10th, 11th, and 17th fairways at the most vulnerable points favoured by vandals.

Unfortunately, we are unable to erect 2 metre fencing along Coalpit Lane because planning permission cannot be obtained.

Members wishing to assist in any way, for example by suggestions, working expertise, financial donations, or fundraising ideas, I would be more than pleased to hear from you.

Again, may I thank you for helping to improve your golf course.

WAYWARD DRIVE SCARES LADIES.
While playing the fifth hole, Pauline Day and Brenda Jarvis were confronted by a new hazard as they prepared to play their approach shots to the green – a car trundling along the pathway across the course.

And they were understandably apprehensive when the driver stopped, got out of his vehicle, and made it clear he wanted to speak to them.

Said Pauline: “We didn’t know quite what to expect but it transpired that he had taken a bend too quickly on Coalpit Lane and had crashed over the hump at the side of the second fairway. As a result, the front of the car was quite badly damaged. “We were somewhat relieved when he said that all he wanted were directions to get off the course!”

SENIORS.
SHAKE-UP FOR BATLEY TEAMS.
Announcing his decision to step down as chairman of the Seniors’ Section, Albert Kingham told the AGM that the officials were tired of Werneth being the “whipping boys” of the Lawrence Batley League, and that the time had come to be more competitive.

One problem, he said, was that our handicaps were insufficient when playing against teams from much longer courses – mostly in Yorkshire.

But the system of picking a different team for every match, regardless of form or expertise, made it even more difficult to pick up points against the league’s stronger teams.

The meeting agreed that, in future, a three-man selection committee would study the fixtures and pick the strongest possible team when it was felt necessary.

He made it clear, however, that all those interested in participating would be chosen on occasion.

Many clubs have decided to provide bacon sandwiches for visiting teams on arrival instead of tea and scones after the matches, as decreed by the late Mr Batley.

The meeting agreed to stick with his long-established formula.

The new chairman is Bob Butterworth. All other officials were re-elected, and the subs remain at £5 (now due).

The Chairman’s Day Stableford competition, which preceded the AGM, was won by Brian Hope with 43pts. Runner up, two points adrift, was Neil Pickering, with Arnold Parker (39pts) the winner in the over-70s section.

NEW TROPHY TO HONOUR SAM.
Relatives of former life member Sam Cunliffe, the ex-Oldham Rugby League star who died in the summer at the age of 92, are to donate a trophy to the Seniors section in his memory.
A new competition will be launched in August.

Meanwhile, Mr Cunliffe’s ashes will be scattered on the course he enjoyed so much in his younger days.

SPECIAL MEETING.
SUBSCRIPTIONS TO BE “FROZEN”
A poorly attended Special General Meeting – fewer than 40 members turned up – unanimously approved all-round increases of £20 on the annual subscriptions for 2005-06.
But it was also agreed to cancel the £20 levy agreed last year because planning permission annot be obtained to provide 2-metre fencing along Coalpit Lane.

As a result, subscriptions are effectively frozen at the current levels.

The Captain reported a forecast deficit of £4,015 this year, largely due to a serious fall in membership.

“This represents a climb-back from potential disaster,” he said. “The club was short of 33 full members in March and we were faced with a deficit of £17,000.”

Fortunately, some new members were recruited and a rates rebate of £7,000 from Oldham Council, as a result of new rules for sports organisations, had also helped.
Next year, the club’s bill will be reduced by the full 80 per cent – a saving of around £12,000.

“I think reducing a potential deficit of £17,000 to £4,000 is pretty good going,” said the Captain. The club hopes to break even next year,or perhaps make a profit, based on current estimates.

The meeting also approved some rule changes. In future, ex-members who wish to rejoin will not be asked to pay an entrance fee – instead of 50 per cent.

And any new member joining after the first day of September will pay only 25 per cent of the current subscriptions for that year.

In a further attempt to attract new members, a new rule will permit the council to admit anyone as an Introductory Member on payment of a non-refundable fee of not less than £200 for a maximum of three consecutive months.

Such members will then have to decide within seven days if they wish to apply for membership.

CLIFFORD HILL.
We regret to record the death of life-member Clifford Hill at the age of 92. He had been a member since 1937.