ROMILEY GOLF CLUB
April 2017 Newsletter
Birchwood G.C. v Romiley G.C., Saturday, 1st April, 2017
Dunham Forest Trophy
Mike Hanson and your editor raced
over to Birchwood to support the
team. We wandered around looking
for someone; anyone!! Was this the
Marie Celeste of golf? Was it the right
course? Yes! It was! Where was
everybody. And so, as intrepid
explorers, we set off to search for the
players. We found them on a separate
loop about a 1000 yards from the
closed clubhouse.
What a relief. As we watched each
pair pass the 12th green it was
obviously a very tight match. The
overall match was all square at 3
games each with just one match
incomplete. Matt Murray was level
after 18 holes but in this trophy every
match must be either a win or a loss.
No halves here. The team were
thrilled that Matt won on the 20th.
Your editor asked Matt why he thought he managed to prevail. Typically
modest, Matt thought that, as his opponent was giving him about 50 years,
tiredness was the key!! And so, it was a famous victory by 4 to 3.
Alex White and caddy, Harry Doyle John Allman with his opponent
Alex was as relaxed as he looked!
Singles Stableford, Saturday, 1st April, 2017
1st Vinnie Walker 35 2nd Ryan Yates 35 3rd Conrad Tipping 34
Vinnie had 3 birdies and 2 pars.
Handicap Cup, Round One, Wednesday, 5th April, 2017
1st Brooke Snape 75-10c=65 2nd Bradley Snape 79-13c=66 3rd Matt Reid 72-5c=67
Brooke had a front 9 of 40 and then a flawless back 9 of 35 to beat his brother,
Bradley, by one shot. Matt also had a great round with a gross 72 but.... not
good enough on the day.
Doris Mary Traynor, 1st October 1931—20th March, 2017
Doris was born in Stalybridge and stayed in the area all her life. She left school at 14,
as did everyone else then, and worked in the cotton mill and then the family ice cream
business. She was very proud of her father, William Booth, who received a DCM
during the First World War, and his name still appears on a commemorative plaque
on the front of Stalybridge Town Hall.
At the dance hall in Ashton Doris met Len who owned an engineering business. They
were married in 1952, but, sadly, Len died several years ago. They had two children,
David and Karen, with whom she was very close.
She had a love of sport, played lots of tennis and joined Romiley Golf Club in 1979.
Doris organised the Bell Cup team for many years, including taking the team to the
finals. Latterly she played in the 9 hole competitions and regularly won the annual 9
hole trophy.
Joyce Bayley paid a lovely tribute to her good friend and travelling companion of 20
years. They both loved their many holidays together and their bridge and bowling.
Doris was always active. Last year she enrolled in a night school class for German,
worked as a volunteer in the café at Stepping Hill Hospital until six months ago and
hosted a bridge evening just a couple of weeks before her death.
“She was a role model and inspiration,” were the final words of the celebrant’s
address, and no-one can argue with that.
Doris with Lady Captain Pauline Whitehead on her 80th birthday
Ladies’ Singles 18 hole Stableford, Thursday, 6th April, 2017
1st Janet Worthington 37 pts 2nd Angela Slate 36 pts 3rd Irene Barrow 32 pts
Ladies’ Singles 9 hole Stableford, Thursday, 6th April, 2017
1st Liz Boycott 15 pts 2nd Beryl Reade 15 pts 3rd Sylvia Hall 12 pts
Bramall Park Seniors v Romiley Vets, Friday, 7th April, 2017
The photo above counts as the before, as in before the work started. Bramall
are having a lot of ambitious work done on the clubhouse (see below for the
during). For the after, we’ll need to wait ‘til next year.
After a consistently wet and squelchy start
to the year, the Romiley Vets were able to
enjoy clearer skies and firmer ground un-
derfoot as they kicked off the season under
the leadership of new Chairman, Harvey
Purcer. As usual, the beneficiaries of the
visitors’ slow reversion to playing off an
alien, for several months, at least, grassy
surface were Bramall Park.
Harvey Purcer,
new Chairman,
ready for the
Ray Hayes, a
self-confessed
Vets’ virgin
The match of which your correspondent has personal experience settled
quickly into a depressing rhythm, both Romiley drives being far beyond those
of the home players, but then myself and vice-captain Glyn Roberts found a
variety of creative ways of messing-up the hole. We were 3 down after 4, and
despite a brief rally, subsided to an early 4 & 3 defeat as the home side’s high-
handicapper hit peak form.
Elsewhere, things were not faring well
for the visitors. Harvey & Bill Barrow,
in the first match, kept in touch
throughout, but slipped behind over
the final holes. In the second, Derek
Young and Graham Evans were in
with a chance of success until the last,
where the home team’s birdie
snatched victory.
Andy Reed and Dave Bowden secured
our only win. It fell to Harvey to give
the match result...............
6.5 to 1.5 “Nosher” Reed Keith Selby
Author
Monthly Medal, Saturday, 8th April, 2017
Division One
1st Simon Hebden 74-2=72 2nd Brooke Snape 81-9=72 3rd Mike Murray 82-9=73
Simon had one birdie and 13 pars, beating off the challenge from young Brooke with his best –
ever gross score. However, with his practising, he will just continue to improve.
Division Two
1st Mike Clarke 78-13=65 2nd Bradley Snape 81-12= 69 3rd Al Martin 82-13=69
Great score by Mike with one birdie and 8 pars. Another astonishing score from Bradley, just
pipping Big Al. How did Al do it? He was carted off to hospital from the golf course the previous
day having been violently sick!! A man of iron!
Division Three
1st Keith Selby 92-20=72 2nd Steve Cleary 103-28= 75 3rd Alan Walker 94-19=75
Steady golf from Keith was his route to success with his round including 4 pars. Great to see
Steve on the leader board!
Picture taken 25th February, 2017 with Billy Whittaker as the odd man out!
Al Martin 3rd Bradley Snape 2nd Mike Clarke 1st
Our Past Captains and the Alzheimer’s Society
Last year’s captains, Irene Barrow and Gary Williams, worked tirelessly
raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society, a cause close to their hearts. This
Society puts money into research, campaigning and support services to help
both the sufferers and the carers. The three key words are care, cure and
prevention. Last year the Government finally agreed to put £100 million into
the many facets of Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Society and another charity,
Alzheimer’s Research, have agreed to match this funding with £50 million each,
to be raised in the next ten years.
On Wednesday, 12th April, Irene and Gary met with Steph Larkin, community
fundraiser for the Greater Manchester area for the Alzheimer’s Society, at our
club. There they proudly presented a cheque for the sum of five thousand, four
hundred and seventy seven pounds 28p raised during their year in office.
Steph was, naturally, thrilled. Over dinner she outlined the many different
causes of dementia and the many ways the Society helps people living with
dementia. With our increasingly ageing population it is a charity which
demands all our support. Both Gary and Irene would like to thank all those
inside and outside our club. who helped to raise this sum.
Gary Williams Steph Larkin Irene Barrow
Holes in One!! Saturday, 8th April, 2017
Monday, 10th April, 2017
And so it was Paul Trafford versus
Barry Logan in the Vets’ Singles
K.O. On the 11th hole Barry took
out his red driver and mishit the
shot. Nevertheless, it snaked
towards the green and seemed to
slither into the hole. A hole in
one!!.
Paul Trafford could not emulate
this feat so was one down. In fact,
after 6 holes Barry was dormie
three. Paul is made of stern stuff
and won the next three holes and
they had to go down the 10th.....
again.
Barry was the victor. Imagine if he
had lost having had a hole-in-one!!
Barry Logan looking particularly smug
after his victory and having enjoyed some
of the whiskey he placed on the bar.
Dave Smith
Dave hit a fierce 5 iron into the wind
at the 11th. “Oh dear!” he said, as he
approached the green, “it’s run
through!”
His playing partner, Steve Baldwin,
thought not. “Look at the pitch mark!
It’s just a foot beyond the hole. That
could be in if it’s spun back.” And,
dear reader, it had. When one
considers that Dave and Steve had
considered going in after 10 holes
because they were playing so badly.
The gods were obviously smiling on
Dave as he had Sergio Garcia in the
sweepstake. Add to this his Hugo Boss
watch and entry into the Howdidido
Hole-in-one-Club and it made a most
worthwhile weekend!
The Hewitt’s, Monday, 10th April, 2017
Your Hon. Sec., Charles Haworth, alerted your editor to a strange sighting in
the dining room: a trio of Hewitts. The normal Spotted Hewitt (Nick) and the
Lesser Spotted Hewitt (Aaron) were either side of the Greater Spotted Hewitt
(Rolly).
Your editor did not ask who won this meeting of the three ages of the Hewitt
family; Rolly’s smirk said it all!
Nick Rolly Aaron
A 74 year old who watches 6 hours of TV a day,
plays golf and is always on holiday is called a
pensioner........
not a president!
Ladies’ Peugeot Coronation Foursomes, Thursday, 13th April, 2017
1st Denise Booth and Debs Kershaw 35
2nd Anne Harrison and
Janet Worthington 34 3rd Hilary Craven and
Sally Hebden 33
Looking down the 15th, Friday, 28th April, 2017
A motley collection of
those enjoying the “Fish
and Steak Night” on
Good Friday, 14th April,
2017.
A motley collection of
those enjoying the “Fish
and Steak Night” on
Good Friday, 14th April,
2017.
Hudson Cup, Saturday, 15th April, 2017
1st Billy Whittaker 3 up 2nd Gary Evans 2 up 3rd Nick Gorman 2 up
And here are just a few of our other new members:-
John
Pinchin
New members
As your President and editor were strolling
round the course he looked up to the 14th tee to
see our chairman with two new members. He
recognised Alan Smith as he is a regular visitor
to our social events. The other???? Yes! It had to
be one of the best amateur goal keepers with
whom I have played. The one and only John
Pinchin who played with me at Stockport Geor-
gians back in the 60’s and 70’s. One thing John
and your editor agreed on; the older we get the
better we were.
Lee Hopkins Mark James Tommy McGinchey Alan Smith
( returning Junior)
Ladies versus Bolton Old Links G.C., Sunday, 16th April, 2017
Barbara Leith Pauline Walker Karen Stewart Carol Helme
L.C., RGC Team captain LC., BOLGC Team captain
Romiley ladies were drawn at home in the Bell Cup against Bolton Old Links with the
match taking place on Easter Sunday. Despite a promising start to the day, the
forecast was for drizzle all day and that was exactly what we got. The team consisted
of Denise Booth, Diane Houghton, Pauline Walker, Linda Moore, Heather Denton,
Past Lady Captain Irene Barrow and Liz Wilde.
Bolton Old Links had a few very strong players, handicaps ranging from 5 - 15, with
a few County players amongst them. The good news was that we were all receiving
shots which is always an advantage when playing on our own course. After 6 matches
had been completed, the score was 3 - 3 so both teams had to wait anxiously in the
clubhouse for the final match to come in. There was much celebration by the Romiley
ladies when we realised we had won. Well done ladies - it was a close but fabulous and
quite unexpected result.
Match organiser, Pauline Walker
Ladies v Vets, Tuesday, 18th April, 2017
After two postponements, the Ladies v Vets match got under way on a rather
chilly April morning, which gave way to a beautiful day as the games
progressed.
In the Lady Captain and Lady Vice Captain versus the Vets’ Chair and Vice
Chair, some good golf was played with Alison Reed getting a 3 for 4 on the 2nd
hole to match Bill Barrow's chip in for 2 (for 4).
Lady Captain Barbara also had 4 points when she parred the 6th hole. Geoff
Higgins birdied the 12th for 4 points to record another notable score.
As the results came in the Vets took a 3-1 lead, with 6 more points overall. The
next result in was a 32-22 win for Audrey Jones and Pam Cunnington, to make
the result go to the last match with the Ladies 4 points in the lead.
With the last match to finish, come in Bob Simpson, who on the 9th (their last
of the 14 hole match) chipped in for a 4 for 4 points and evened the scores at
166 points for both teams.
Overall in matches the Vets beat the Ladies by 4 matches to 2, to reverse the
2016 result.
Harvey Purcer
Lady Captain, Barbara Leith, presenting Vets’
Chairman Harvey Purcer with the coveted trophy
April Monthly Medal, 22nd April, 2017
Division One
Division Two
Division Three
1st Mark Worsley 69-3=66 2nd Mark Jones 72-2=70 3rd Nick Madden, 73-2=71
1st: Michael Goodwin 85-18=67 2nd Mark James 81-10=72 Paul Mellor 81=10=71
Steve Cleary 100-28=72 Bob Simpson, 92-19=73 3rd Tony Gallagher 94-21=73
Ladies’ Medal, Thursday, 20th April, 2017
Alison Reed, 111-36=75 Gill Walker, 99-24=75 Heather Denton, 95-19=76
Lottery, 18th March 2017
1st: Brent Shore, £99 2nd Ken Turney, £59.40
3rd Pam Turney, £39.60
Lottery, 15th April, 2017
1st Neil McRoberts £99 2nd Andrew Martin 3rd Peter Mount, MBE
“Can I take your photo
with Pam, please,
Ken?” asked your
editor. “What for?”
replied Ken. “You won
on the lottery.” was the
response. “What!! Pam
told me that she had got
second and third prize
in the lottery. The little
madam!”
Looking back down the 10th, Friday, 28th April, 2017
Lady Captain’s Sunday Driver, Oulton Hall, 23th/24th April, 2017
It was that time of year again when a golfing venue and hotel didn’t know what had
hit them when 27 ladies arrived for our annual trip away. We had five new attendees
this year – welcome to Angela Slate, Gill Thompson, Isabel Wright, Joan Mellor and
Rachel Broster.
This year was Oulton Hall near Leeds, which is a 27-hole course. We played holes 1 –
18 on both days and there were plenty of positive and complimentary comments
about the course and its condition, although not so many about the staff in the
clubhouse! We had lovely weather on the Sunday. Monday began a bit showery but it
stopped raining within an hour and then we had alternating sun, cloud and strong
breezes for the rest of the day.
Thank you to Lady Captain Barbara, who not only treated us all to a goody bag each
but she also very generously supplied many bottles of wine and Prosecco with nibbles
for our pre-dinner soiree (27 ladies crammed into an average size twin room!!).
Sunday: Winning Team – Pauline Walker, Diane Houghton, Jackie
Monday: Winning Team – Alison Reed (Lady Vice-Captain), Val Bonser,
Lynn Schofield and Glynis Hunt with 111 points
Sunday: Individual Winner – Angela Slate
with 35 points (on a cpo with yours truly!)
Sunday: Nearest the Pin in 2 was not
achieved by anyone (very tricky hole!!)
so we awarded the best back 9 score to
Anne Harrison who had 19 points
Sunday: Longest Drive, Hilary Craven
Monday: Individual Winner,
Glynis Hunt with an incredible 41
points
Monday: Nearest the Pin
was won by Audrey Jones
Monday: Longest Drive winner
and winner of Annette’s Trophy
A good weekend was had by all, with a lot of laughs between us, and I hope we
can all do the same again next year.
Pauline Walker
Romiley Vets v Bramhall Seniors, 21st April, 2017
There Ain’t No Cure for the Springtime Blues!
In the Spring a livelier iris changes on the burnish'd dove;
In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of........
Well, we all know what young
men’s fancies turn to, those of us
who can remember, but, for those
of more mature years, thoughts turned more to how many layers would be needed
to help protect against the persistent cold wind, present from the start of the match
and freshening during the day.
The home team were keen to erase the memory of the
recent heavy defeat at Bramhall Park by achieving
victory over
their neighbours. Chairman Harvey Purcer, in tandem
with Ian Bainbridge, set the tone by racing into a clear
lead with pars at the first three holes. They extended the
lead to 5, and, although their opponents rallied for a
while, were able to claim a very early victory.
Elsewhere, things were not going so well. Joergen
Frederiksen strove manfully against inspired
opponents, despite being handicapped by being
paired with myself, suffering yet another fully-
merited dip in confidence. It seemed that a half
might be achieved here until one of the visitors
drilled his second about 190 yards through the
strong wind to the heart of the 18th green before two
putting for the decisive win. Home wins were hard to
find elsewhere as well as the visitors appeared to
solve the mysteries of the sanded greens better than
the Romiley players.
As each group reached the clubhouse it became apparent that this year’s vets’ team
is still ‘A Work in Progress’, although the progress was marked by a slight
improvement from losing 4½ v 1½ to going down by 5½ to 2½.
Proceedings were concluded by a few well-chosen words from Chairman Harvey
and Bramhall’s Captain. Let’s hope for even more improvement in next week’s
match at home to Ashton.
Keith Selby
Ladies “Get into Golf” Pizza and Prosecco Evening
Thursday, 20th April, 2017
The photos say it all, a lively evening of fun and laughter with a touch of
competitive spirit or should that be prosecco? Alex, Graham and Matt set up
three challenging games in the clubhouse.
Anne Harrison, Pam Cunnington and Carolyn Brinsley, Membership Committee
Pauline Whitehead proved to be the
window-smashing champ in the studio.
Angela Roberts won the “mouse hole”
putting competition
The target golf was won by Ros
Hale. Ros beat Carolyn Brinsley
in a nail-biting play off.
Ken did us proud with his speciality pizzas,
knocking spots off Domino’s.
All “new to golf” ladies are invited to free
taster sessions on Wednesday, 3rd and
Sunday, 7th May from 12 pm until 1 pm.
Please spread the word. The sessions are
completely free and open to any ladies keen
to give golf a try or looking to return to the
sport. Further details are available from the
Professional. Congratulations to all our
winners and thanks to everyone who came
along to support the event.
Handicap Cup, Round 2, Wednesday, 26th April, 2017
1st Steve Sheils 84-20 2nd Steve Kidd 82-16= 66 3rd Paul Quinn 93-24= 69
Wonderful round from Steve who had 7 pars going out in 44 and back in 40
Ladies’ Stroke Play, Thursday, 27th April, 2017
1st Linda Moore 88-17=71 2nd Karen Hooley 102-29=73 3rd Gill Walker 100-24= 76
Linda won going out in 44 coming back in 44 with 6 pars .
Victory Cup, Saturday, 29th April, 2017
1st Conrad Tipping 41 pts 2nd Colin Davies 40 pts 3rd Andrew Wisedale 36 pts
What a win for Conrad who had 6 pars to boost his score. Colin must have
thought he had won the Victory Cup again having been the victor in 2014.
If you looks VERY carefully you can see a mandarin duck swimming away. It
is the same little duck pictured on the left in the corner but it is not of good
enough quality to stand on its own. Hence, proper picture on the right. Rolly
Hewitt assures your editor that this will be the third year that there has been a
breeding pair of mandarin ducks on this pond.
Vets’ Spring Dinner, Friday, 28th April, 2017
All in the April evening Romiley vets were abroad. However, nearly fifty
managed to make it to the Vets’ Spring dinner making it a good turn out.
Harvey Purcer, the Vets’ chairman, had done his homework on who was
attending as he reeled through the list of ALL the dignitaries present for this
lovely occasion. Harvey thanked our caterers, Pam and Ken Turney, for a most
tasty meal and, in particular, he thanked Mike Wilson for his immaculate
organisation. As chairman he has managed to play with about 30 of the vets so
far; only 50 to go!
He made mention of the narrow, sneaky win in the match against the Ladies
but was very conscious that the Vets have lost both matches against other golf
club seniors. Harvey feels he has to get a result next or it could be a case of
“Purcer out!”.
He gently poked fun at his own golfing ability (or lack of it) with some dry wit
and humour. Harvey wished everyone a good Bank Holiday but, as he pointed
out, for the vets it’s a Bank Holiday every day!
Harvey Purcer, Vets’ Chairman Irene and Bill Barrow Joan Mellor
Andrew and Alison Reed Mike and Gillian Wilson
Our organiser with his amanuensis
President’s Ponderings
We live in interesting times: Donald Trump, Brexit, North Korea, Isis. But
these pale into insignificance when we look closer to home to Romiley Golf
Club. For our Club it is a time to secure our future. What an outstanding
presentation we received from Steve Hogg and his Futures Committee. The
support for the proposals was overwhelming. We await developments.
Meanwhile, our Club must still keep working hard to attract new members.
The Taster Scheme, introduced by Mike Cope some years ago, has been a life
saver for the Club. The latest initiative of offering 50% reductions to
newcomers introduced by existing members and then 50% off for that member
if his/her introductory friend stays on for the next year, is proving very
successful. It has also been pleasing to see former members returning. The
Ladies’ Pizza and Prosecco evening was another great venture.
Communication is something that is vital for any organisation. I thought I was
pretty good at it in my former life as a head teacher until my staff were asked to
name my biggest weakness. You guessed it. Communication. As G.B. Shaw
said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has
taken place.” Andrew Reed is leading the effort to keep our membership
informed but it does need YOU to read it! Our website is developing to become
more interactive. How many of you are aware that there is a complete diary of
events so you know what is happening at our Club? All our emails to the
membership are “branded”. You can now access the newsletter, Facebook,
members’ competition booking and members’ tee times all with just one click.
One thing is for sure; I was NOT invited to be President because of my golfing
ability, as anyone at the Captains’ Drive In will testify.
John Glynn, El Presidente (Pretentious? Moi?)
Editorial Team
John Glynn Audrey Jones Phil Roberts