WERNETH WEDGE No. 83 Captain: David Whittingham July 2008

RECORDS GALORE FOR PAUL ROWBOTHAM

Paul Rowbottom, the club's premier golfer with a handicap of just one, has enjoyed an incredibly successful month which included: HIS fifth successive club championship, and his seventh in ten years;

THREE competition wins in four days - the Championship, the Monthly Medal, and a Single Stableford; GROSS scores of 59 and 62 - 9 and 6 respectively below par for the course - with neither counting as a course record. The Championship finally hinged on a battle of the titans - between Paul and three-handicapper Les Dooley, who has twice won the title in four successive years (1990-93 and 1995-98), with just a single shot separating them at the end of the 36-hole competition, played in glorious sunshine.

Surprisingly, neither of these fine players led the field in either round. In the morning, Paul was lying seventh with a one-under-par 67 (net 66), with Les ninth three shots adrift with a 70 (net 67) And in the afternoon, Les lay fifth with a level par 68, with Paul nineteenth with a 70.

But, in finality, Paul took the title with a 36-hole total of 137 compared with Les's 138. However, Les can take some comfort from the fact that he has won the Championship on thirteen occasions, more than any other player and six more than Paul. Leader after the first round was Nigel Wareing (69-6-63) with Gareth Hey (74-10-64), in second place.

Paul's youngest son, eighteen-year-old Adam, sparkled in the afternoon to lead with a fine score of 65-4-61, with Aidie Buckley (67-6-61), losing out on a card play-off. But Aidie, with net scores of 67-61-128 had the best net score score overall.

The day after his Championship success, Paul won the first division monthly medal with a magnificent score of 62-1-61. Second was Karl Johnson (70-7-63), on a CPO from youngsters Liam Dwayre and Jack Suttie.

The second division was won by Ron Bowden (79-15-64), with David Bielby in second place (80-14-66), with Ken Baker losing out due to an inferior back nine.

A couple of days later, Paul won a single Stableford with 41pts, defeating Danny Wilkinson by one, to complete a memorable four days. Paul carded his amazing 59 - probably the best score ever in our 99 year history - as part of a four-man team on the club's successful Corporate Day. Though this was two shots better than the course record set by his eldest son Lee in 2003 it did not qualify because the competition was played off the yellow tee markers.

Winners on the day Dave Rhodes, Dave Sarsfield, Ian Sutton, and Tony McNamara, who just edged out the quartet of Pete Griffin, David Griffiths, Dale Hobson, and Pete Davies.

Adam Rowbotham took the longest drive prize with a shot onto the putting surface of the 326-yard 18th Dave Rhodes also went home with the top raffle prize - a remote controlled electric golf trolley.

DUNHAM FOREST TEAM IN LAST EIGHT.

The club's Dunham Forest team eased into the quarter finals of this prestigious competition with a storming 6-1 home win over Astbury GC, near Conglelton - our best performance in the past thirty years. They have drawn Northenden (away), in the next round

ARMSTRONG WINS WATERHOUSE TROPHY

John Armstrong, with a score of 75-13-62, won a place on the honours board with a victory in the James Waterhouse competition. Second was Gary Riley (89-26-63), who edged out Mark Abbot despite a sub-par round of 66-3-63.

DELAYED DOUBLE FOR STOCKLEY.

Partnered by Brian Donnelly, John Stockley won the annual Werneth Spoon event - 29 years after his first success. The pair carded 80pts, with Adrian Brierley and Tim Joyce in second place with 79pts.

LADIES SECTION.

JANE FLETCHER WINS LADY CAPTAIN'S PRIZE.

Jane Fletcher, who recently returned to club after a spell elsewhere, proved she still knows the way round her local course by winning Lady Captain Brenda Jarvis's prize.

In the 36-hole event, played over two days, she had scores of 72-5-67 and 78-5-73 (net 140) defeating Lisa Hall (99-31-68 and 102-28-74) by two net points.

The first day's first division prize went to Sheila Waterhouse with a net 73, with Gail Rowbotham the Div. 2 winner with a net 74. On the second day, Sylvia Haq (net 74), took the Div.1 honours with a net 74, with Brenda Martin (net 71), the Div. 2 winner.

The Handley Memorial Trophy - a board comp. - resulted in a tie after 18 holes between Fiona Dooley and Christine Moon, who both had net rounds of 71. Fiona won the eventual play-off. A foursomes medal was won by Sylvia Haq and Joan Swindells with a score of 89-17.5-71.5

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO WOO NEW MEMBERS.

With the club short of around 25 members, the council is to offer financial incentives to current members to boost a recruitment drive. Anyone who successfully introduces a new member from now until the end of the 2009 season (with pro-rata deals throughout 2008), will get a reduction of £50 in their 2009 subscription for each one - once the applicants have paid full fees.

In addition, those who successfully woo a new member will receive conditional entry into a free draw. If the club can achieve a male membership of 285 by the end of November, 2009, a prize of one free membership will be up for grabs at the Centenary Dinner in that month. The council is keen to promote the fact that the club currently has not only the LOWEST golf fees of any of the local clubs (£560 for full male members), but also some of the best playing conditions in the area.

A healthy increase in membership would help to keep subscription increases to an absolute minimum at a time when other clubs are considering hefty rises. It's up to you to use your persuasive skills if you want to continue enjoying golf at an economical price while allowing the council to go ahead with improvement projects.

FANCY A NINE-HOLE SUNDAY COMPETITION?

The club is planning to hold a series of 9-hole competitions on Sundays to see if they are welcomed by members. The shortened format has been introduced successfully at several clubs in the south of England to cater for who find it difficult to commit to four hours-plus on Sundays - particularly those with young families who are at work all week.

The first trial competition was held on August 3 and two more are planned for September 7 and 14 Those wishing to play further holes after completing the first nine will be free to do so - but only the first nine holes will count.

RODDY, NIELD WIN MEDAL COMPS.

Tony Roddy, with a score of 70-9-61 won a medal round in late June, with Paul Egan (68-5-63), the runner-up. Dave Nield (74-12-62), won a similar event, with Andy Hey (75-12-63), in second place, thanks to a better back nine than young Stefan Whaley. Michael Farrimond and Jack Suttie won a fourball better ball aggregate with 66pts, four better than Joe Cassidy and Adam Rowbotham

GREENS AND BUNKERS - PLEASE REPAIR.

Despite playing on some of the best greens in the area, some members are still guilty of failing to repair pitch marks. Though free rakes are supplied, many bunkers are also left in poor condition.