WERNETH WEDGE No. 80 Captain: David Whittingham April 2008

DRIVE-IN - A TALE OF TWO HALVES.

Thankfully recovered from the trauma of a second armed hold-up at his Middleton office within a few weeks, Captain David Whittingam kept his nerve to drive in the new season with a solid shot down the fairway just short of the left-hand bunker.

Before doing so, he wished the assembled members a successful season and urged them to support the competitions and social events. He also had a warning for professional James Matterson who, according to custom, places the ball on the tee for the Captain.

Last year, he surprised the previous Captain, Paul Higgins, with an exploding ball. David made it clear than a similar trick played on him would result in an exploding ball for the pro!

As a result of this year's crazy weather, the day became a tale of two halves - the 8-45am competitors in the shot-gun start enjoying fine, sunny, weather and the 1-30pm players enduring a continuous downpour. Not everyone, particularly the non-swimmers, completed their afternoon rounds on the sodden course.

The prizewinners of the better-ball Stableford event - both pairs enjoying a morning start - were Mark Wareing and Mark Lord, who carded 44pts, with Gary Riley and Tony Roddy one point adrift in second place.

The Captain, whose Nationwide agency was held-up by a gunman, as reported in the last Wedge, suffered a second raid by three masked men armed with machetes. One threw a concrete block through the glass screen, causing serious facial injuries to the front-office assistant, Mrs Lorna Gillibrand, and grabbed about £1,300 from the till, while another ran into David's rear office and ordered him to open the safe. But, before he could do so, the third man - who had been manning the door and threatening onlookers if they tried to intervene - shouted to the others to get out. Their getaway car was later found abandoned in Blackley and they are known to have escaped on motor cycles. No arrests havc been made in either case.

Lady Captain Brenda Jarvis, whose drive-in took place in fine weather the previous day, found the ceremony a little nerve-wracking and her ball travelled rather less distance than David's.

The Spring meeting which followed comprised a three-ball Alliance played over twelve holes. This was won by Eileen Fallows, Brenda Martin, and Marian Pickford with 26pts. Runners-up were Sheila Whittingham, Pauline Day, and Lily Bevins with 25pts.

CENTENARY TERRACE FAST TAKING SHAPE.

The new terrace overlooking the 18th hole - the club's major centenary project - is nearing completion and should be open by the end of May. And it is costing the club nothing other than the price of the building materials, thanks to the generosity of builder Pete Griffin and a host of volunteers.

In many ways, it is a family event - it was designed by Peter's brother-in-law, David Griffiths, who is an architectural technician, the outer brickwork was laid by David's son-in-law, Ian Gillies, a contracts manager who served his time as a bricklayer, with sandwiches and drinks provided for everyone involved by Madge Griffiths, who is David's wife and Pete's sister. Other life-saving refreshments have been provided by Carol and Sue from inside the club.

The weather has been dreadful but this has failed to daunt volunteers who have been keen to help, including the Captain and two former Captains, Sean Rattigan (hod carrier), and John Yemm (bricklayer and provider of an invaluable stacker truck to lift 33 heavy beams).

Among other helpers (and apologies to anyone the editor has missed out), have been Gary Riley (another bricklayer), Tommy Dwayre, Paul Rowbotham, John Stockley, Danny Wilkinson, John Suttie, Curt Helme, Rick Riley, Steve McNamara, and Johnny Wilde. Bob Barrington has also played a prominent part by negotiating a very good discount for all materials Said Pete Griffin: "The response has been magnificent, with no fewer than twelve good lads turning out on Good Friday to help lay the floor in two and a half hours." The rest of us owe all those helping out a huge debt of gratitude.

ADRIAN BRIERLEY - KING OF THE CUE.

By David Bielby.

This year's snooker final between the holder of the title, Geoff Dawson, and Adrian Brierley, got off to a slow start with both men sizing each other up like a pair of boxers. Adrian, who had a 12-handicap advantage, made the first move with two eight breaks, followed by another of 14. Geoff then took the stage with a break of 16 and eventually got within 11 points of his opponent. In the end, with only the pink and black remaining, Geoff needed both balls to win, but Adrian potted the black to take the first frame 73-51.

Geoff got off to a good start in the second frame with a break of 23 and laid a few snookers in the hope of taking the match to a deciding frame. But Adrian began to pick off some blacks and eventually triumphed by 71-60 in a hard fought, tactical game enjoyed by all.

DEATH OF KEN MEREDITH.

The club has lost another popular member with the death of Ken Meredith at the age of 76. A former superintendent at Castleton baths, Rochdale, he joined the club in 1982 following his marriage to Betty, who remains a member. Ken had to give up golf eight years ago following painful hardening of the arteries in his legs, and suffered a broken hip in a fall a couple of years later which left him with severe walking difficulties. But he remained a social member, enjoying a game of cards and a flutter on the horses.

OVERFLOW CAR PARK RENEWED.

Thanks to a social chat between head greenkeeper Colin Worthington and an official of Oldham Town FC, whose ground adjoins the course, extra car parking is now available when required. A deal was struck when we were getting rid of some lounge furniture at the same time as the football club was looking for extra seating. As a result, the gate into the Oldham Town's spare ground, near the greenkeepers' hut, will be opened as and when necessary - with no money changing hands.

SUTTIE IS NEW JUNIOR CAPTAIN.

Fifteen year old Jack Suttie, who plays off a handicap of six, has been appointed as the club's new junior captain. Jack, a pupil at North Chadderton Comprehensive School, has twice represented Lancashire's under 15 team, and was a member of the club's team which won the Tameside and District Junior League title in 2006 when he was only 13.

YOUR CHANCE TO NAME A HOLE.

As part of the centenary celebrations, members are invited to enter a competition to name every hole on the course. Entrants can name all, or only one, of the holes and the council will consider every suggestion before announcing a final decision. Entry forms are available from the pro's shop or from behind the bar.

TWO REMINDERS.

A rules night will be held at 8pm on Thursday,April 10, with the Pro and Adrian Brierley, and some tee times are still available for the club's seniors' open on Wednesday May 14.