WERNETH WEDGE No. 85 Captain: David Whittingham October 2008

OWZAT? 'KEEPER PARKER GRABS TITLE

Former Werneth CC wicketkeeper Arnold Parker has finally managed to get his name on the club's honours board with a winning score in the Grasshopper Trophy - the last major of the season.

But Arnold, 75 not out, had to beat off stiff challenges from a couple of other pensioners, John Suttie and Les Lawton.

An 18-handicapper, he carded a net 65 to defeat John (12) by one shot, and Les (7) by two - with several other seniors not far behind.

Said a delighted Arnold: "I've been a bridesmaid in majors in the past but never managed to clinch a title before."

Finals day was, for once, blessed with fine weather and, perhaps inevitably, the Challenge Trophy went to Paul Rowbotham, playing off a handicap of one, who beat James Buckley by one up in a hard fought final - he also won trophy in 1999.

But Captain David Whittingham and Vice-Captain Dave Whaley beat Paul and John Armstrong in the foursomes by a similar margin. However, you can't keep these Rowbothams quiet all the time - Paul's wife Gail, partnered by Nigel Wareing, beat the father and daughter duo of Cliff and Jane Fletcher by 3 and 2 in the Mixed Foursomes.

Cliff, who celebrated his 76th birthday this month, and who still plays off 12, was far from downhearted about the defeat. Nor should he be - the couple have won the title three times since 1987 and, more remarkably, have now been prizewinners in the event in three decades.

Nigel Wareing was a double winner when he and JohnYemm, triumphed 1-up over Howard Travis and Mark Abbott in the Hetherington. And Chris Cordwell romped home with a 5 and 4 victory over Paul Williams in the Mellor Cup.

SUDDEN DEATH OF TERRY MARNER.

Members were shocked by the sudden death of Terry Marner a few hours after collapsing unconscious on the eighteenth fairway. Still recovering from an operation to install a pacemaker in his chest, he had walked the course while Brian Donnelly played a solo round.

Players just going out to play in the Seniors' Chairman's Day event heard Brian's calls for help and rushed to help. Paramedics were quickly on the scene and worked on Terry where he lay before taking him to hospital.

He died, aged 72, early the following morning without regaining consciousness. Terry, a stylish 10-handicapper, was non-playing captain of the Werneth A team which won the Oldham and District League's knock-out cup in 2002.

A near-daily visitor to the club, he had also helped out in professional James Matterson's shop in recent months.

TILLY OGDEN - "A LOVELY LADY"

The death of Tilly Ogden, a former Lady Captain of the club, and a life member, has also occurred at the age of 97. Formerly of Southway, she had moved to a residential home after suffering a stroke.

Winner of both the Lady Captain's and the Vice-Captain's prizes in her golfing days, her daughter has donated two of her other trophies to the ladies' section. Her late husband, Jack, was also a member.

Said section secretary Nadine McNamara: "She was a lovely lady, always smiling."

SENIORS SECTION WEBB WINS ON CHAIRMAN'S DAY.

The Terry Marner drama marred Chairman Malcolm Jee's Day but, with many of the field already spread around the course, it was decided to continue the event. Eric Webb, with a splendid total of 40 Stableford points, was presented with his prize at the evening dinner, with Jack Cain in second place with 38 pts, following a card play-off with five others.

The over 70s prize went to Arnold Parker, also with 38 pts. The Chairman was unable to attend due to illness and sent a message to the Annual Meeting which followed that he wished to resign.Bill Waterhouse was elected as his successor. Treasurer Ian Coakley reported that the section had £636 in funds and it was agreed to maintain the £5 annual subscription,

The new chairman announced that two other clubs also celebrating their centenaries next year - Mold and Runcorn - had intimated they would like to arrange some joint events and consideration was now being given to a triangular tournament, with 24 players from each club, during the year.

Tributes were paid to Albert Kingham, joint organiser with Peter Lomas of the Seniors' Open and the Lawrence Batley teams, who said he would prefer to step down. He agreed to stay on until a successor could be found. Any volunteers?

WEATHER RELENTS FOR INVITATION DAY.

Postponed due to monsoon conditions, the Autumn Invitation Day finally took place five weeks later. Dave Rhodes, partnered by Howard Crowther (Manchester GC), took first prize with 45pts. Second, following a countback, were Ken Baker and Damien Park, who also amassed 45pts. Lawrence Dawson and former member Nick Fallows (North Manchester), were third one shot adrift. The next three prizewinning pairs all carded 43pts but, based on their back nine scores, Albert Park and Steve Bithell (Saddleworth), took fourth place, with Tommy Dwayre and Dave Park (Saddleworth), fifth and John Booth and Alan (Big Al) McQuaid sixth.

SURPRISES GALORE FOR COUNCIL.

It was a day of surprises for the council and ex-Captains when they visited Oswestry Golf Club for their annual outing. It was known before they set out that the clubhouse had been demolished to make for a new one but it was a bit of a shock to find there were no showers or hot water in the temporary accommodation. It also transpired that the club was also hosting its own Past Captain's dinner on the same evening. As a result, our men ate a hurried meal soon after finishing their rounds and were back at Werneth a couple of hours earlier than expected, despite their coach driver getting lost on the way home.

The next surprise was when Vice-Captain Dave Whaley announced that he was unable to announce the name of his chosen successor, as is traditional on this day, because the man in question had been forced to change his mind due to personal problems. But all agreed the Oswestry Course was worth all the hassle.

MONTHLY MEDAL RESULTS.

Ian Richardson (73-10-63), took the Div.1 honours in the October monthly medal, with Brian Taylor (75-11-64), in second place. The Div. 2 winner was Tony McNamara (77-17-60), who beat Les Smith (81-21-60), on a card play-off. The September medals went to Mark Wareing (72-11-61) in Div. 1 and Les Smith (84-23-61) in Div.2 The respective runners-up were Andy Barlow (70-8-62), and Geoff Park (86-22-64)

For the record, the Fairway Cup was won by Dave Griffiths with a score of 76-11-65. Runner-up was 19 handicapper John Mellors.

LADIES SECTION.

LADY CAPTAIN'S SUCCESS IN GRANDMOTHERS COMP.

Lady Captain Brenda Jarvis won the Grandmothers Comp. with 34pts, one more than Sheila Whittingham. The George and Betty Nash Greensome went to Jane Fletcher and Gail Rowbotham with a score of 87-16.2-70.8. Runners-up were Joan Swindells and Eileen Fallows (95-21-74).

The closing day 3-ball Alliance went to Nadine McNamara, Stephanie Banks and Joan Swindells with 29pts. A couple of Stableford comps. were won by Karen McCormick, with 28pts, and Christine Moon (30pts).