WERNETH WEDGE
No. 63 Captain: Shaun Rattigan April 2006
CAPTAIN SUNBEAM OFF TO A SOGGY START.
Soon after driving in the 2006 season, new Captain Shaun Rattigan had good cause to regret his decision to call himself Captain Sunbeam when the heavens opened and drenched the afternoon starters – including himself. Nevertheless, he had reason to be pleased with his inaugural drive which sailed (the word is used advisedly), more or less straight down the sodden fairway. It was the first drive-in in the club’s long history when mats were required on both the tees and fairways, and when no less than seven temporary greens were in operation. The 36 fourballs who got up at crack of dawn for the morning shotgun start escaped the later downpour, with Brian Taylor and Barry Hamner notching up 45 Stableford points. Although they were the eventual winners, two other pairings – Nigel Wareing and Geoff Dawson plus John Armstrong and Alan Palmer, who all played together – also scored 45 points in the afternoon downpour, with the Wareing-Dawson combination taking second place on a countback. The rain had ceased on the following day when Lady Captain Pat Redman also drove neatly down the middle to mark the opening of the ladies’ season. However, the course was even more sodden than on the previous day and the first competition was restricted to just twelve holes – a team event won, appropriately enough, by the Lady Captain’s team, with the Lady Secretary (Nadine McNamara) and her colleagues in second place. The bad weather continued to cause problems in early April with mats still compulsory and the first monthly medal of the season having to be postponed.OBITUARIES.
ROLAND GREENHALGH AND SYDNEY JOLLEY.
The club has lost two more popular members with the deaths of Roland Greenhalgh and Sydney (Syd) Jolley – both victims of cancer. Though a modest 21-handicapper, 74-year-old Roland had a fine sporting pedigree, having played as a spin bowler for his home-town team, Rochdale CC, as a spin bowler. After his amateur soccer career ended, he then became a soccer referee. A devoted supporter of Rochdale FC all his life, he even travelled to away matches until he was taken ill and moved into a hospice, where he died. A baker in the family firm in his early days, he later worked at Turner Brothers for many years. There was a large turnout at his funeral to say goodbye to one of the club’s true gentlemen. Syd Jolley, who was only 58, died peacefully at Christie Hospital after a nine-year battle against a rare form of liver cancer. Syd had a varied career as a PE and maths teacher, with a spell as mine host at three public houses during a break from teaching. But he is best remembered as head of PE at Breeze Hill School, where he was responsible for developing athletics, football, cricket, and swimming as well as organising regular school trips. A 10-handicapper, Syd, a former member of the club’s council, won the Mellor Cup in 1996. He was also a member of Saddleworth Golf Club. Away from the course, he captained a winning local team when TV’s “It’s a Knockout” was staged in Oldham in 1977. The team went on to further success in France, and then came third behind teams from Switzerland and host nation Germany. But because neither of the first two wanted to compete further, Oldham went on to represent Europe in Hong Kong. Syd, who lived in Green Lane, is survived by his widow, Pat, four children, and seven grandchildren. Our condolencess to the family and friends of both Roland and Syd – they will be greatly missed.ANOTHER HONOUR FOR ADAM ROWBOTHAM.
Adam Rowbotham, the youngest member of that remarkable sports dynasty, has been appointed as the club’s second Junior Captain in succession to Michael Farrimond. Quite apart from playing to a handicap of nine, the fifteen-year-old is also a table tennis champion. As reported last month, he recently won the Under 19s title in the Manchester Boys Championships, and has followed this up by clinching the Oldham juniors’ championship.WILSON RIGHT ON CUE FOR SNOOKER TITLE.
Despite conceding 28 points per frame, Graham Wilson stormed to his second snooker title – and the Albert Brooks Memorial Trophy – by defeating Arnold Sykes by two frames to nil in the three-frame final. Graham, well aware of Arnold’s potting ability, treated his opponent with respect and the pair were level at 57 each in the opening frame. But, with four balls left, Graham sunk the brown, the blue, and the pink to win by 72-57. Arnold managed to score only twelve extra points in the second frame, finally losing 76-40 to a man who last won the title in 2003, but who has appeared in four successive finals.NEW CHEIF ON BOARD.
After 31 years at sea in the Merchant Navy, Rob Weston decided to try a change of scenery and has been appointed as the club’s new chef. He began as a galley boy, working his way up to head chef in various vessels before becoming a ship’s purser fifteen years ago. And Oldham’s nippy weather will not worry him – he has served as purser on five expeditions to the South Pole with the British Antarctic Survey, each lasting eight months. Born in Liverpool but brought up in Ormskirk, Rob is a non-golfer.CLUB CENTENARY NEARS – IDEAS AND HELP WANTED BY BILL WATERHOUSE CENTENARY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN.
January 2009 heralds the start of our Centenary Year. How do members feel about this? Do we wish to make this a “special” year and, if so, in what way? All members are entitled to their opinions on how they believe the year should be celebrated. In the March issue of the Wedge it was reported that a committee was already active in this respect. However, we must have many members who have a talent which could help – for example, artist, sewing and embroidery, wrought iron manufacture, photography etc., etc. Even if you think you don’t possess special abilities, please consider volunteering and providing any ideas, especially in the area of fundraising, which is vital to the cause. Contact the Captain, who has made the Centenary project his charity, myself, or any council member.MIXED FORTUNES FOR ROBINSON.
Mel Robinson was both a winner and a loser when the seniors held their Spring Meeting. He won the Stableford event with 39pts, with Adrian Brierley just one point adrift. The over 70s prize went to Gordon Emery (34pts). Mel, a publican, could not stay for the evening meal but returned to collect his prize. He left just before the first of the Friday draws took place. His number was first out of the hat but, because he was not present, he forfeited the £50 prize. You have to be in to win!DEATH OF BOB BUTTERWORTH.
As the Wedge went to press, the death was announced of Bob Butterworth, aged 75, well known as a former Chadderton sub-postmaster. He served the club well as a competition starter - and bore a remarkable resemblance to Father Christmas when he visited the club. In his youth he was a fine footballer, on the books of Blackpool FC. Bob is survived by his widow, Noreen, a son and a daughter.