No. 54 Captain John Yemm April 2005

SUNSHINE DRIVE-IN FOR CAPTAIN FORTUNATE

When John Yemm assumed the Captaincy of the club at the AGM he said he hoped to become known as Captain Fortunate.

And he could hardly have got off to a better start – his traditional drive-in of the new season on March 27 was the hottest March day since records began, according to the Meteorological Office.
His good fortune did not end there, however.

The new Captain had arranged for 171 large squares to be painted on the first fairway, with members invited to wager a pound on which square his ball would land.

Despite his handicap of a mere five, the Captain drove wide of the left-hand bunker, missing all the squares but proving to we lesser mortals that even low handicap players can get things wrong.
His luck held, however – he missed the assembled spectators and all the cars parked on the grass to his left.

It was then suggested that his drive in the competition proper later that afternoon should count, and luck was on his side once again.

He landed on a square which none of the 122 punters had selected, with the result that his charities - the Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen’s Fund and the club’s Centenary Fund – shared all the cash.

His good fortune continued during the social evening which followed when he won a bottle of whisky in the raffle. He declined to accept his prize, which was then auctioned by Vice-Captain Shaun Rattigan.

Following some intense bidding, Tommy Dwyre was eventually successful, and the Captain’s charities were boosted by a further £28.

The day’s better-ball Stableford competition was won by immediate past-Captain Kevin Roberts and Steve McNamara with a splendid 48 pts. Runners-up were Brian Donnelly and John Martin five points adrift.

BUCKLEY SHINES IN DESERT SUN.
On holiday in Dubai, where his family has relatives, James Buckley was in fine form on the picturesque Araban Ranches course.

The big-hitting seven handicapper – son of Roger and stewardess Carol – came second in a bogey competition when teamed with Glyn Sowerby, an ex-Werneth member who now lives and works in the Emirates, winning a Cleveland wedge. The pair ended level par.

James was also runner-up in a better-ball medal with a net 70 on the par 72 course, taking home an Odyssey two-ball putter.

Members will remember Glyn as winner of our Grasshoppers Trophy in 1998.

SNOOKER.
ROUTLEDGE IS KING OF THE CUE.
By David Bielby.
Appearing in his third successive snooker final, Graham Wilson, the 2003 snooker champion, was thwarted for a second time when he lost by two frames to one to Mark Routledge, who captured the Albert Brooks Memorial Trophy.

Mark, receiving ten points per frame, got off to a good early start but Graham, a scratch player, fought back to level the scores at 39 each with only the colours left.

Graham looked to be favourite to take the first frame but missed an easy pink, enabling Mark to despatch and pink and black to force a narrow 52-51 victory.

Mark broke off in the second frame and went in-off, enabling Graham to pick up two reds and two blacks to take an early lead.

Surprisingly, the ex-champion went in-off on three consecutive visits to the table, and the title seemed to be going Mark’s way.

But Graham was not to be denied – clearing up to win the frame by 68-62 to level the match.

Graham again got off to a good start in the deciding frame, knocking in two reds and two blacks to take an early lead.

Mark fought back, however, and the frame proceeded cautiously with only two points dividing the pair.

With only the pink and the black remaining, Mark eventually potted the pink to take the title by 58pts to 49.

It was generally agreed that this was one of the best snooker finals for some time, with the atmosphere just like The Crucible.

Many thank to John Whittaker (referee), Joe Swindells (table preparation), Tom Blackshaw and Alan Garner for overseeing the whole competition.

ADAM ROWBOTHAM – YOUNGEST MEDAL CHAMP?
Fourteen-year-old Adam Rowbotham showed his elders (but not betters), the way home by winning the First Division Monthly Medal with a score of 74-12-62 – a triumph which reduced the youngster’s handicap to 11.

Is Adam the youngest-ever winner of this honour?

Second was Alan Rothera (73-10-63). Michael Farrimond, with an identical score, was edged out on a card play-off.

The second division title went to John Parnell (79-20-59), with Steve Burton in second place (83-22-61).

ANDY CELEBRATES A ONE AND A 1OO.
Two figures were a cause for celebration for club treasurer Andy Vickers this month.

On the opening day of the new season, he holed in one at the 149-yard 15th.

And his grandmother, Mrs Lily Vickers - mother of Ron - celebrated her 100th anniversary with a party in the clubhouse.

Congratulations to both of them.

LADIES.
EARLY SUCCESS FOR NEW LADY CAPTAIN.
Just three days before driving in the new season, new Lady Captain Sheila Waterhouse led her team of Barbara Whiting and Betty Keating to victory in a three-ball Alliance at the Spring Meeting with a score of 34 points.

The approach and putting competition was won by Sheila Whittington with a score of 26, with Eileen Fallows and Hilda Davidson sharing second place on 32.
Kath Lomas took the honours in a two-ball Stableford with 37pts and Pauline Day won another similar event with 33pts.

SENIORS.
WALTON IS NO FOOL!
It might have been All Fools’ Day when the seniors’ section staged their Spring Meeting in suitably seasonal weather, but Steve Walton was pulling nobody’s leg when he carded an impressive 39 Stableford points – one better than Steve Wilkinson (the Aerospace one).

The over 70s prize went to 79-year-old Eric Smith, with 35pts.

THREE 4-3 WINS IN KNOCKOUT EVENTS.
Werneth got off to a winning start in the Archie Preston mixed foursomes, beating Poulton Park, Warrington, by four matches to three in a home fixture.

There was more success - again by 4-3 - in the Durham Forest singles knockout away at Glossop.

The same score was also good enough to defeat Leyland on their own course in the Alliance Foursomes.

Next in line is a home fixture against Macclesfield.

Less fortunate were our ladies in their home fixture against Saddleworth in the Mail on Sunday knockout, losing 4-2 with the final match decided by the last putt on the 18th green.

In the corresponding event for men, our team lost at Tunshill, inevitably by 4-3.

SORRY JOHN!
Grovelling apologies to John Hurley, who has been among the prizes in recent weeks.

The Editor, a geriatric old cove well past his prime, attributed his successes to Jack Hulley.

To his credit, John made no complaint. To his eternal shame, neither did Jack!

JACK BUDDING.
The club has lost another popular stalwart with the death of former butcher Jack Budding, aged 80, a member for more than forty years. Our condolences to his family and friends.