WERNETH WEDGE No. 88 Captain: David Whaley February

2009 CENTENARY: CAPTAIN WANTS FUN, FUN, FUN.

Taking office as the Centenary Captain at the 100th annual general meeting, David Whaley expressed the hope that the year would be celebrated with "fun, fun, fun."

Speaking on behalf of the whole council, he said: "We want it to be a real celebration of a milestone year for 'little Werneth.' "Small in acreage we may be but we punch well above our weight". While building a fine reputation for the standard of the course, due in no small measure to the efforts of head greenkeeper Colin Worthington and current greens' secretary Steve McNamara, he said the club also had an outstanding and much-envied reputation for its hospitality - and there would be many more functions this year than usual.

The main focus will be on the Centenary Week (Sunday to Saturday. June 21-27), followed by a Pro-Am on the following Monday, and culminating in a black-tie dinner at the renowned White Hart restaurant, Lydgate, on Saturday, November 14 (tickets £37.50 per head).

He paid tribute to the retiring Captain, David Whittingham, with whom he won the Foursomes major - and who helped keep the dreaded Wooden Spoon at bay - and said he was looking forward to playing golf with Hilda Garner and Betty Keating, both of whom will be Lady Captains during his year of office.

And he thanked Derek Ashford, the club auditor, for agreeing to be his Vice-Captain. Thanking everyone for giving him the opportunity to be the Centenary Year Captain, he promised he would do everything he could to uphold the good name of the club and to promote fair play and competition in equal doses. His one plea: "Uphold the highest possible standards both on and off the course. We don't want to be sticklers for the rules, but without rules you have no standards at all."

And he closed with a surprise - the presentation of a large copy of a photograph of the club's old Grasshopper tractor, after which, he said, the Grasshopper Trophy, which dates back to 1938, is named.

Retiring Captain David Whittingham said it had been a fantastic year for both himself and his family he now looked forward to an equally enjoyable Centenary Year - a time to think of all those who had played an important part in the creation and wellbeing of the club. "We are in difficult times, but we are in a good position to go forward," he said.

He thanked the club's "unsung heroes" like steward Carol, chef Sue, organisers of the social events, and all those who gave their time to build the Centenary patio - particularly Pete Griffin, Dave Griffiths, and Ian Gillies. The 100 Club, conceived by Bill Waterhouse, chairman of the Centenary Committee, had raised £13,000, and he said our Professional, James Matterson, had proved to be dead keen and a great ambassador for the club.

Mr Whittingham thanked the former Lady Captain, Brenda Jarvis, for her help and support and wished the current incumbent, Hilda Garner, every success. Finally, he advised the new Captain: "Don't drive, and enjoy the wine at all the events you will attend."

The new Vice-Captain, Derek Ashford, said he was surprised, honoured, and privileged to have been invited to serve.

£12,475 DEFICIT BUT NO PANIC.

Presenting the annual statement of accounts, treasurer Lee Rowbotham reported a deficit on the year of £12,475, compared with last year's loss of £14,094. But there were no questions from the 100 members who attended, many of whom had sacrificed the opportunity to watch Manchester United play Inter Milan on TV. Nevertheless, council member Kevin Roberts, an accountant by profession, warned: "We cannot continue to sustain such losses." The club currently has around 250 full members, fifteen below the budget number, and 35 fewer than the ideal target. Mr Rowbotham reminded members that cash prizes were on offer for those who successfully recommended new members.

NO CHANGES ON COUNCIL.

Ex-Captains Bill Waterhouse and Kevin Roberts won another three-year term on the council, along with Mrs Pat Grant, the first woman in 100 years to sit on the policy-making body, who was elected for an initial one-year term last year.

CENTENARY STONE NEARING COMPLETION.

A substantial piece of Yorkshire stone, suitably engraved to mark the club's centenary, has been purchased and is now being finalised by a Saddleworth stonemason. Measuring 6ft in length, and standing 3ft high, it will be positioned soon near the putting green, facing the car park. Centenary secretary Bill Waterhouse said: "I was originally quoted £2,850 but, after a thorough search, I managed obtain a suitable piece for a fraction of that price."

SHOCK, HORROR - JEANS IN CLUBHOUSE!

In a bid to attract more people into the club on Friday nights, council has decided to abandon tradition and allow the wearing of fashion jeans for a two-month experimental period in March and April. Smart jeans - definitely NOT ripped or work-soiled jeans - will be allowed along with a collared casual shirt or polo shirt. But the ban on T-shirts and trainers will be maintained. It is stressed that this relaxation of the dress code will apply on Friday nights only in the clubhouse, but not on the golf course.

Following a lengthy discussion, council issued a notice accepting that this was a big step for the club. "Some will see it as finally starting to move with the times. Others will see it as a step backwards," it conceded. But increased use of the club's facilities, plus increased bar revenue, was important if the club is to function successfully. On all other days of the week, and at presentation ceremonies and functions, the current dress code will be enforced. Members and guests who do not adhere will be asked to change their attire or leave

TERRY'S TERRIBLE TROLLEY TROUBLE.

Terry Wroe was clearly proud of his new, expensive, all-singing, all-dancing electric trolley as he wheeled it to the first tee for a social game with his friend, Ian Grant.

Others were on hand to hear him explain that, by pressing a certain button, he could make it move unsupervised for a distances of between ten and thirty yards. The only problem was that he couldn't get it started. He reasoned that there must be a loose connection somewhere or that the battery charger had malfunctioned. So he set off down the first fairway, physically pushing the trolley, and the rather large bag of clubs it was carrying.

By the time he got half way up the fifth, sweating profusely, he admitted defeat and told Ian was taking the trolley back to his car and would carry his clubs. On the following day, he turned up on the first wreathed in smiles but looking a little shamefaced, having to admit that he had not read the instruction book thoroughly and had failed to press the start button correctly on his inaugural outing. Terry is a former engineering foreman currently engaged on checking electrical circuits!

IT'S LIFE FOR TWINKLETOES.

Ex-butcher Joe Swindells, who shares his leisure time between playing golf and ballroom dancing, has been awarded life membership to mark his fifty years of membership. He is currently president of the seniors' section.

TWO SHARE ORDER OF MERIT.

Terry Melia and John Martin tied for first place in the final table of the Pro's winter order of merit, with 28pts each, and will share the £150 prize.