WERNETH WEDGE No. 73 Captain: Paul Higgins June 2007

LAST IS FIRST ON VICE-CAPTAIN'S DAY.

Diners were enjoying their post-prandial coffee and liqueurs when a tired Tony Dwayre, last man out on Vice-Captain David Whittingham's Day, finally trooped into the locker room. His late arrival meant the end of an agonisingly long wait for 5-handicapper James Buckley, who had headed the leader board in the 36-hole competition with a score of 129 - including a level par 68 gross in the second round - for much of the afternoon.

He then discovered he had been thwarted by Tony, whose two rounds of 78 and 76 off a handicap of 13 - a total of 128 - won him the top prize by the slimmest of margins. And what a prize it was - a flat screen digital television.

During the long day, when 48 hours of heavy rain finally relented, the Vice-Captain gave the competitors a taste of TV stardom. Armed with a digital camera, David took pictures of those driving off the first tee, withTommy Rowbotham similarly employed out on the course. With the help of Paul Egan, our resident computer expert, these were later transferred to the prize TV screen to show to the players when they returned to the club - a very popular innovation.

Apart from the top two there were some fine performances among the rest. Course record-holder Lee Rowbotham, playing off two, carded a gross 63 - five under par - in the afternoon and his dad, Paul, was one under par for the two rounds.

A mention, too, for Eric Smith who, at the ripe old age of 81, not only played the 36 holes, when many young enough to be his sons had decided to give the day a miss, but carded a net 67 in the afternoon when others were plainly flagging. Said the Vice-Captain: "I had a wonderful day and I would like to thank all those who helped out, particularly Brenda Jarvis, Noreen Butterworth, Sheila Whittingham, Hilda Garner, Jack Hulley, Terry Marner, John Suttie, and Tommy Rowbotham."

TWO MORE WERNETH ACES

Two more members have joined the growing list of players who have qualified for the hole-in-one club. Paul McGee led the way with an ace at the 10th during a singleball Stableford. Then Quentin Cartwright repeated the feat at the 15th on Vice-Captain's Day. Happily for Quentin he was required to provide only one bottle of whisky on one of the most popular days of the season.

JOE JOINS THE CRICKETERS.

Over the years, many cricketers who have played in the Central Lancashire League have tested their golfing skills on Werneth's undulating fairways and tricky greens - and some of them are still members.

The latest to play for Werneth CC is 16-year-old Joe Taylor, an all-rounder who played for the first team twice over a recent weekend. He is also a pretty mean golfer, a member of the team which won the Tameside Junior League last season for the first time in its 30-year history, and who now has a handicap of nine.

At the other end of the age scale is Arnold Parker who, as many members will have spotted, was the unnamed wicketkeeper for Werneth in the picture of West Indies' Joel Garner at the crease in an Oldham Chronicle "Memories" series in late June.

Sadly, another former cricketer. Walter Cottrill, who lived opposite our club in Southway, has died at the age of 95. A fine sportsman in his younger days, he played cricket for Werneth and Woodhouses, football for Oldham Athletic, and Rugby Union at a high level until his fifties. Amazingly, he was also officiating as an umpire in league cricket until his nineties. And he won our Veterans' Trophy as long ago as 1962 - 45 years ago. Quite a man.

JEE CELEBRATES NEW GRANDCHILD.

Two years ago, Malcolm Jee won the Veterans' Trophy three weeks after the birth of his first grandchild. This year, he won it again - three weeks after his first granddaughter, Isabelle Emily, joined the Jee clan.

Runner up was another former Vets' champion, Tom McNamara. Said Malcolm: "My son says his family stops at two. That's a shame because I was hoping for twins next time." When he won his first-ever competition, he spoke for a record 24 mins 15 secs at a Tuesday presentation ceremony. Happily, he has no intention of setting a new record when he receives his latest trophy at October's annual presentation night.

PRO. BIDS FOR OPEN GLORY.

Our popular professional, James Matterson, will play in a qualifier at Prestbury on July 4 in a bid to win a place in the Open, to be staged at Carnoustie later in the month.

COUNCIL PLEA ON BUNKERS AND DRESS.

Council has expressed concern about the failure of some members to rake bunkers, and has issued a reminder that those accepting prizes from the Captain on Tuesday presentation nights should wear a jacket and tie. There is an ample supply of free rakes in the locker room.

LOUNGE GIVEN A NEW LOOK.

Members will have noted that the lounge has been newly decorated, and the general opinion is that it looks brighter and more welcoming. Thanks are due to Sylvia Haq for selecting the colour scheme and the curtains

GUESTS DOMINATE IN HYDE'S OPEN.

Visitors occupied the top three places the Hyde's Brewery's annual Open Day. Tony Roddy, partnered by Crompton and Royton's Kevin Ward, kept the home flag flying by taking fourth place.

LADY VICE CAPTAIN'S DAY.

Sheila Waterhouse, with a net score of 69, won top prize on LadyVice-Captain Brenda Jarvis's big day, beating Jane Clark by four shots. Jane Fletcher, with 40pts, won the Marie Hufton Salver, and the Mrs Bottoms Cup went to Marilyn Griffin with a score of 93-23-70.