WERNETH WEDGE
No. 65 Captain: Shaun Rattigan July 2006
LET’S HEAR IT FOR GOOD OLD JOE!
Forget, for a moment, the performances of the rampaging Rowbothams, the heroics of our Mail on Sunday knock-out team, the sympathy owed to a member who shot a gross 64 in a monthly medal and failed to win a prize, and the three holes in one achieved in recent weeks. Instead, raise a cheer for Joe Smith, winner of the second division title in the June monthly medal with a score of 80-16-64 Nothing particularly awe-inspiring about that, you might think, until you take into account the fact that Joe is 76 years old. And Joe, Captain as long ago as 1973, cannot recall anyone of similar age winning such a prestigious event. Not that was totally satisfied with his score. “I was well on target to shoot my age until I missed some makeable putts,” he said. “However, the last time I won a monthly medal was back in 1992 and I really didn’t think I would ever win another.” Second place went to Darren Bidwell, who had an identical card but missed out on a countback. The first division medal went to teenager Aaron Rowbotham with a sub-par round of 67-6-61, with another youngster, Joe Taylor (71-9-62) the runner-up. Aaron’s 15-year-old brother, Adam, and ex-Latics star Andy Barlow lost out on a countback. But Adam was not to be denied in the July monthly medal with a spectacular four under par score of 64-7-57. Your sympathy please for Mark Abbott, now playing off a handicap of three, who also carded a gross 64 but had to concede second place to Geoff Dawson with another splendid score of 65-7-58. The second division title went to John Martin (78-15-63), with Bill Needham (79-15-64) in second spot.TRIUMPH IN SUN FOR STANLEY.
Captain Shaun Rattigan’s big day turned out to be a real scorcher, and a major test of endurance for the large field competing in this 36-hole event. Fifteen handicapper Chris Stanley, with rounds of 77 and 80 (net 127) proved both his consistency and his staying power to take the first prize. Second was the ever-steady John Armstrong with a net score of 129 (78-14-64 and 79-14-65), with the best gross score carded, inevitably, by Paul Rowbotham – splendid rounds of 69 and 70.ROUTLEDGE WINS ON ON VICE-CAPT’S DAY.
There was also a big turn-out on Vice-Captain Paul Higgins’ day, with Mark Routledge emerging victorious with rounds of 67-6-61 and 72-6-66 – net 127. High handicapper Mark Lord, playing off 28, was the surprise runner- up with rounds of 95 and 89 for a net total of 128. Once again, the best gross prize went to Paul Rowbotham with two fine one-under-par rounds of 67. Eldest son Lee was the first division hero in the morning with a spectacular round of 64-2-62.MAIL ON SUNDAY DISAPPOINTMENT.
Our Mail on Sunday knock-out team’s heroics finally came to an end with a 4-1 defeat by a strong Lancaster team. But our men deserve the highest praise for reaching the last 64 out of an entry of more than 2000 clubs. Our teams have also bowed out of three more major competitions. We lost in the Dunham Forest 5-2 at Wilpshire and went down to a home defeat to Cavendish in the Archie Preston mixed event. The A team lost 5-0 in the quarter finals of the district cup competition to Dukinfield at Fairfield. The good news is that the A team beat Oldham 8-0 and drew 4-4 at Dukinfield to stay in contention in the league and the juniors won 10-4 away at Brookdale and drew 7-7 at home to Dukinfield. Though the boys lost 4-3 to Ashton they still remain favourites to win the League title.NO PLACE LIKE HOME IN HYDE’S OPEN.
Werneth members proved there is no place like home in the annual Hyde’s Brewery Open, figuring in all the top four places. Paul Rowbotham (again) and John Armstrong were the winners with 48pts, with Ian Hartley and Gary Whitworth a point behind in second place. Third place went to Fred Whittingham and Rick Riley with 46pts, edging out Dave Royle and ex-member Ross Rosengrove on a card play-off. Steve Lee won the prize for the longest drive.A HAT-TRICK OF ACES.
The Hyde’s Open proved costly for Graeme Holt when he holed his tee-shot at the sixth hole – his third ace. He had previously holed out at the 7th and the 16th. Ex-Captain Kevin Roberts also holed in one recently at the 15th, though this hardly compares with a previous ace at the 280-yard 4th, much to the consternation of those still putting out on the green. Not to be outdone, another ex-captain, Adrian Brierley, found the hole with his drive at the 6th.AND HULLEY IS ALMOST AN ACE.
Playing at Birchwood GC, Jack Hulley hammered his 5-wood tee shot at the 215-yard par three 17th into a neighbouring garden. To add insult to injury, he then holed his penalty shot with his driver to par the hole. But Jack had ample consolation when, partnered by Peter Haq he won the Senior’ Open at Chorley with 43 pts.SYLVIA HAQ WINS LADY CAPTAIN’S PRIZE.
Played over two days, Lady Captain Pat Redman’s prize was won by Sylvia Haq with rounds of 85-16-69 and 85-15-70 (net 139) – four strokes better than runner-up Joan Swindells (94-22-72 and 93-22-71). Other major results: Handley Memorial Trophy and Bunty Booth qualifier – Lady Captain on a card-play-off from Hilda Garner. LGU Medal and Mrs Bottoms Cup – Brenda Jarvis (who has since been named as the next Lady Vice-Captain). LGU and Francis Smith – Nadine McNamara.DEATH OF BOB LEES.
The club has lost another valued member with the death of seniors’ stalwart, Bob Lees, whose widow, Sheila is also a member. Former member Paul Goodwin, who had transferred to Saddleworth, was killed in a car crash near Warrington. Aged only 40, he leaves a widow, and two children. Our condolences to both families.HARRY GREEN’S TRAGIC ACCIDENT.
Harry Green, best known to members as the man who built our new bridges, is recovering in hospital following an horrific accident while working on a building in Wrexham. He fell about three metres, head first, through an aperture in the floor damaging his face, breaking his back and ribs, and puncturing a lung. He has since been transferred to a spinal unit in Sheffield. He has emerged from a drug-induced coma and is talking lucidly, but it is not yet known the full extent of his spinal injury. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.DAVE ROYLE WINS VETERANS’ TROPHY.
Big-hitting Dave Royle (15) won the Veterans’ Trophy with a net 64. On President’s Day, Bill Waterhouse was the winner with 43 pts, two better than John Littleford. The over 70s prize went to Ray Edwards.TIGER WINS AT WERNETH!
Paired with Tiger Woods on the last day of the Open, Ken Baker won the annual Pro-Am with a difference, with Andrew Green and Geoff Ogilvy in second place. The accompanying medal round was won by Green (73-14-59), with Kevin Clarke (75-14-61) the runner-up.