ROMILEY GOLF CLUB

August, 2016

Newsletter

Andrew Reed Sharon Dineen Dave Heyward (President)

Winners of President’s Day Sunday, 28th August, 2016

President’s Day / Weekend, 27th/28th August, 2016

All the President’s Juniors plus a few professionals

1st Bradley Snape 84-15=69 2nd Alex Jones 90-20=70 3rd Brooke Snape 84-13=71

Brooke Bradley Alex

Snape Jones

The President’s Junior Prize, Sunday, 28th August, 2016

Sunday 28th August was a lovely day to play golf, with the sun

shining down. The course was in pristine condition ready for the

lady and gentlemen members to do their best to win this coveted

trophy. As we approached the 10th tee we saw the President,

along with Mike Bury, waiting to welcome us with a glass of

bubbly, a photo shoot and various freebies for our golf bag.

Then.........we teed off! Unfortunately, I couldn’t hit a ball to save

my life and so we’ll move swiftly on to the other events of this

amazing day!

Once the main event

finished came the golf

demo with Waggy,

Alex, Matt, Nick

Madden and Kitsch, er sorry, Kitch. The

normally reserved and

tactful Mr Ian Smith,

MC and bar, was

strangely out of character and took over the whole event with his wit and

charm, showering the contestants with compliments. Keeping score was our

resident maths expert, Graham, with his boss, Alex, sorting out the highly

technical equipment used to measure the shots. This, unfortunately, gave up

the ghost half-way through the contest.

The winner by a large margin on a show of hands from the audience was the

extraordinarily flexible Matt Murray, who managed to hit better drives than

mine while swinging backwards on a wobbly board!

An announcement was made - the

barbecue was ready! A stampede

down the stairs saw a large queue

appear in seconds with several fights

breaking out as people tried to push

in front (only kidding). The smell was

glorious and plates were soon

overflowing with a selection of

charred meats and salad (the salad

wasn’t charred, only the meat), with

yet another glass of bubbly

accompanying the feast. Once the

meals had been consumed, the Pres

and his henchmen took over

proceedings to announce the winners

of the various competitions.

Unfortunately, there was no prize for

the highest net score which I was

certain my partner and I would have

won easily.

Ken Turney enjoying life as a halo

spreads across his head.

President’s Mens’ Foursomes, Saturday, 27th August, 2016

1st Mark Smith & Brooke Snape 64 CPO

2nd Ryan Yates & Mike Goodwin 64

In finishing, I would like to say what an absolutely fabulous day this was and

my thanks go to all those who put in so much hard work to make it possible:

Pam and Ken for the wonderful food; all those behind the bar who worked

their socks off but remained so helpful, so cheerful and so efficient; and those

members of the various committees whose work behind the scenes make

everything run smoothly. We must not take for granted the many hours they

put in on our behalf. Thank you to them all.

Chris Broster, author

3rd

Andrew Wisedale

& Anthony Cocks

65

President’s Day, Mixed Greensome, Sunday, 28th August, 2016

1st Sharon Dineen and Andy Reed 70.2

To say they were delighted was understatement but it was a particularly

poignant event for Sharon whose late father, Terry Wright, had been President

of RGC in 1968.

Second were Mark Worsley and

Sandra Hayes on a CPO. Mark

had driven back from his

family holiday in Abersoch to

play in the tournament and

driven straight back. Well done

that man.

In third place were Malcolm Conway

and Jacqui Purcer with 70.4. So tight

at the top.

And so ended an exceptional weekend.

Congratulations to Mr President for all

the care and thought that went into the

weekend.

Ladies’ Rose Bowl, Thursday, 4th August, 2016

Winner: Denise Booth—86-10=76

2nd: Lady Captain Irene Barrow

Score: 96-19=77

3rd Astrid Ceelen,

Score: 90-13=77

For the coveted Rose Bowl, the last Major competition of the season for the ladies, the

morning players suffered the worst of the weather with very heavy showers for the

whole of the 18 holes. It wasn’t easy for the evening players either, as was reflected in

the scratch for the day of 76, a non-qualifier for handicap. Well done to Denise who

was the clear winner but well done also to the four ladies with a score of nett 77, Lady

Captain, Astrid, Gill Walker and Sally Hebden.

The evening presentation was the highlight of the day with special guests Alex and

his wife Nickie, plus, star of the show, extremely well behaved and contented

baby, Charley. The ladies were in their element with a baby in their midst,

including Pam Turney who whisked Charley away to do his first stint behind the

bar whilst the proud parents ate their meal.

After the presentation of the prizes for the ladies’ competitions in the previous

weeks, and the Rose Bowl, baby Charley did his first presentation on behalf of his

dad of the Pro’s prizes, much to the amusement of the audience.

Winner of the Pro’s prize:

Pam Santopaolo, 35 points

2nd: Gill Walker, 33 points

And while the ladies were enduring the weather for the Rose Bowl, the Brash

Lads were clearing out the ditch running alongside the 16th fairway. Quietly

and discretely, they crept away long before the ladies arrived. The photo was

taken by your editor on the following day when it was glorious.

Chairman’s Day, Friday, 5th August, 2016

Barry Johnson, the Vets’ Chairman, - “And all this is yours, my son!”

The Chairman congratulates the winner, Pete Drinkwater,

also pictured in the right with a winning smile. Prescient?

2nd Graham Evans

“We vets learn so many things from golf—how to suffer, for instance.”

What a day for our genial Chairman, Barry Johnson! The vets turned out in force to

celebrate. Just look at the picture on the right. Barry tells your editor that he is proud of

the support. Your editor kept it to himself that the offer of free tea, coffee and toasted tea

cakes on a glorious summer’s day also have a similar effect.

The day was a joy for all and kept to the vets’ theme of fellowship and friendship.

Everyone enjoyed Barry’s little extras to the competition.

Chairman’s Day, Friday, 5th August, 2016

2nd Graham Evans 3rd Alan Parkey

Mike Hanson

Winner of the Putting

“We vets learn so many things from golf—how to suffer, for instance.”

Fish and Steak Night, 5th August, 2016

Pam and David Cunnington with

their family, daughter, Joanne and

grandson, Alex (who is having

summer lessons with our Alex)

and son, Stuart, and daughter-in-

law, Antonella, visiting from their

home in Italy.

Lady Captain and Bill with

Mike and June Bury. Good

to see June back on the

course.

If you look closely you can

see Lady Captain’s bed in

the corner!

Andy and Alison Reed

with Richard and Ros

Hale and Ros’s dad, John,

together with Robin and

Maria Bennett and

daughter, Sarah.

Mike and Gillian Wilson Alan and Pauline Whitehead

Just a few of the many happy diners.

Monthly Medal, August 6th, 2016

Division 1

1st Ian Smith 77-7=70 2nd John Allman 71-0=71 3rd Nick Madden 74-2=72

Division 2

1st Brian Taylor 91-21=70 2nd Mike Cope 93-20=73 3rd Steve Sheils 92-19=73

1st Colin Hall 83-17=66 2nd Tom Swarbrick 86-18=68 3rd John Ratledge 83-14=69

Mavis Priestnall, 80th birthday, 4th August, 2016

Mavis didn’t take up golf until 1998, at the age of 62, and was surprised as a new

lady in the locker room to hear a stern voice saying, “I don’t know you. Where

have you come from?” It was Margaret Booth and those words, though sounding

harsh at the time, began a long friendship, both on and off the course. Mavis

regularly played 18 holes and enjoyed the friendly matches. Her handicap went

down into the 20s and she was delighted to win two majors competitions. She still

plays regularly but these days only 9 holes, and lunches with the ladies most weeks.

To celebrate her birthday Mavis was whisked away to a hotel in Yorkshire for a

long weekend and she had the biggest shock as her two great grandchildren,

holding birthday cards, approached her across the lounge of the hotel on the Friday

night. Her husband, Gordon, had arranged for Mavis’s three children, three

grandchildren and two great grandchildren to join them for the weekend and it

turned out to be a three day long and very enjoyable party. These octogenarians,

where do they get their energy from?

Mavis and Gordon celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary in September so

Gordon had better put his thinking cap on and find something to equal that

surprise. We look forward to hearing the result!

Lady Captain and Mavis with her birthday card and flowers from the ladies

The ladies ventured into the Derbyshire hills for this year’s Exchange Day at

Chapel-en-le-Frith. Traffic problems with roadworks in Disley threatened to

scupper a prompt start but, fortunately, the bacon sandwiches were wrapped

and ready to go for those on the last minute and all the ladies made their tee

times.

It was a challenge with water crossing everywhere but the fairways were wide

and in great condition. The greens were very tricky with so much borrow

everywhere but that didn’t bother the winning team. The format was best

two scores on each hole, all to count on the 18th, a par 5 with a stream just in

front of the elevated green, and Louise, Janet and Lesley scored a creditable

73 points, 6 points clear of the rest of the field. Carolyn Brinsley won NTP at

just over 4 ft, and Lady Captain scored the only 2, awarding herself three

balls.

At the halfway house was a welcome choice of biscuits, thanks to the ladies of

Chapel. Many thanks also to Glynis, Chef Simon’s mum, for a lovely meal,

especially the trio of divine deserts, and a special thank you to the staff for

rearranging the table settings at the very last minute so that teams could sit

together!

Day out in Derbyshire, Wednesday, 10th August, 2016

The winners with 73 points: Louise Meeks, Janet McRoberts and Lesley

Williams

2nd: Francine Walburn, Teresa

Hogg and Sharon Dineen, 65 pts 3rd: Pam Santopaolo, Marcia

Conway and Sandra Hayes, 67 pts

Colourful Chapel en le Frith Ladies Visiting Romiley

The Lady Captain of Chapel chose the fancy dress theme for their Exchange Day

with Romiley— floral. The Romiley ladies deep down were hoping that any fancy

dress would be within the dress code for golf, and of course they were, with just a

little licence.

Lady Captain’s husband, Bill, did the judging, secretly enjoying every minute of

it! And what was the prize? You’ve guessed it—a bunch of flowers!

It turned out that the flowers were well watered on the course but the ladies still

had a fabulous day and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Winners of the Fancy Dress

competition These ladies “bagged” 2nd place

Just missing out on the prizes were these Hawaiian

ladies. Tough choice there for Bill.

Handicap Cup, Round 6, Wednesday, 10th August, 2016

1st John Morris 90-22=68 2nd Derek Young 84-14=70 3rd Bradley Snape 86-15=71

Vets’ Centenary Cup, Friday, 12th August, 2016

1st Harry Parker 58

2nd Bill Barrow 58 3rd Eric Jones 60

The Victory Medal, Saturday, 13th August,

1st Mark Jones 70-1=69 2nd Phil Cody 88-18=70 3rd Ollie Shore 82-11=71

The Battle against Floating Pennywort continues, Thursday, 18th August, 2016

Andrew Reed and Duncan

Challen are using safety ropes

held by Eric Jones and Mike

Wilson.

As Duncan neared the middle so

he slowly submerged deeper and

deeper into the mud. His

gleaming dome could be seen

providing guidance to the rescue

team.

This massive American

Crayfish, an invasive

species, provided a

welcome addition to the

Brash Lads’ BBQ at

dinnertime!

Bunty Booth, Thursday, 18th August, 2016

1st: Jackie Purcer,

109-36=73

2nd: Janet McRoberts

103-26=77

3rd: Lady Captain

Irene Barrow.

96-19=77

Sweeping views up the 7th

Lottery Draw, Saturday, 20th August, 2016

Winner: Peter Mount, £92.25

2nd: Lady Vice Captain,

Barbara Leith. £55.35 3rd: Audrey Jones, £36.90

Men’s Stableford, Saturday, 20th August, 2016

1st Simon Hebden 39 pts 2nd Tony Jones 36 pts 3rd Eddie Howson 35 pts

Corporate Sponsors’ Day, Tuesday, 16th August, 2016

Twenty two teams gathered for this annual event which is now in its sixth year.

It is our Club’s chance to thank our sponsors for their continued support.

The weather was perfect and the course was in excellent condition. It was good

to be able to welcome all new sponsors: Panama Communications, Oaklands

Masonic Hall and Oaklands Club. As usual, Mike Bury and Mike Cope

ensured smooth progress off the tee.

The winners, with 47 points, were BK Executive Cars, a first for them. Second

were previous winners, The Foresters, just beaten by one point with their score

of 46. In third place were last year’s winners, The Lodge Boarding Kennels and

Cattery, scoring 42 points.

.

Peter Howcroft, RGC Chairman, presents

the trophy to Mike Kasiuk and Gary Hall,

representing BK Executive Cars

The longest drive for the men

was won by Mark Kitchen, of

the Foresters, and the longest

drive for the women was won

by Janet McRoberts, playing

for Moorcroft 2.

John Moody, TFO Tax and

David Mason, our “clock

man,” were both winners of

“Nearest the Pin” (on

different holes, naturally!)

There were several 2’s and

and NTP and 2s winners each

took home a bottle of

champagne and 3 RGC golf

balls.

Murray Padkin, (pictured

on the right) the superb

organiser of this event,

went the extra mile and

delivered the trophy to

Denis Waterhouse, the

p r o p r i e t o r o f B K

Executive Cars, for

safekeeping for the year.

The company can now

showcase its success.

Evening Mixed, 20th August, 2016

The final Saturday Evening ‘9 and Dine’ event took place amid cool conditions

with several showers but this did not dampen the spirits of the competing

teams. In fact, Steve Harrison commented that the competition was played out

on a balmy (or barmy) summer's evening with the latter being the more

accurate summary.

How does the rolling of a dice impact on a game of golf? After all four players

drove off, a dice was thrown to determine which player’s drive had to be taken,

regardless of where it landed, numbers 1, 2, 3 or 4 representing player 1, 2, 3 or

4 and numbers 5 or 6 being a ‘free drive’ pick. All team players then took their

second shots from where the ball from the mandatory drive landed and then

completed the hole normally under Stableford rules with the best two scores

counting on each hole.

40 players teed off and I am pleased to report that all 40 players completed the

comp (in near darkness for the later tee times). There was a slight incident

whereby I nearly ‘took out’ Jacqui Purcer and Anne Harrison as they left the

ladies 7th tee, just as my second shot to the 6th green somehow flew off my

clubface to the left towards them at a fair lick accompanied by cries of ‘Fore’. I

don’t think that either of them were too pleased with me because, as I

apologised, they both denied any knowledge whatsoever of seeing where my

‘stand out in the dark’ bright yellow ball had landed! For your information the

ball went Out Of Bounds - never to be seen again.

Once again Mr Vice, Steve Harrison, got the presentation under way following

another enjoyable evening meal (44 covers), and after the usual pleasantries

and “thank-yous” announced that in third place with 40 points were Jacqui/

Harvey Purcer and Anne and himself.

Steve & Anne Mr. President Jacqui & Harvey

Harrison Purcer

In second place with 43 points was the ‘D’ Team consisting of Sharon/John

Dineen and Heather and myself, with thanks to our fifth man—our magic dice

that landed on either number 5 or 6 on five occasions, giving us 5 free picks of

the drives. Lucky indeed.

With a noteworthy 44 points, the winners were Gill Walker/Phil Normanton

and Teresa/Steve Hogg, the highlight of the round being Teresa’s chip in for a

birdie 4 for 4 points on the 9th. What a way to finish.

As this is an Olympic year and in recognition of Team GB’s excellent results,

Mr Vice Captain (SH) invited Mr President to award the winning team

members with gold medals which was greeted by great applause.

Whilst this was the final Evening Mixed Competition of 2016 there will be a

further mixed event on the morning of Sunday, 11th September with tee times

to ensure that the finish will coincide with Sunday lunch. So

keep a watch on the notice board for final details and, as

always, guests are more than welcome to join in the fun.

Gill Walker Teresa Hogg Mr. President Steve Hogg Phil Normanton

Eating his

gold medal!

John & Sharon Dineen Heather & Steve Denton Mr. President

Author

Ladies Hole in 2 Final and Annette’s 9, Thursday, 25th August, 2016

1st: Janet McRoberts, 34 pts

& winner of Annette’s back 9 2nd: Heather Denton, 32 pts 3rd: Pauline Walker, 32 pts

Ladies Stableford, Thursday, 11th August, 2016

1st: Louise Meeks, 30 pts 2nd: Astrid Ceelen 28 pts 3rd: Heather Denton, 28 pts

Cheshire Interclub Shield Plate Team Quarter Final Winners

Monday, 22nd August, 2016

The weather couldn't have been much worse for this important game

against Ringway ladies on neutral ground at Birchwood. It’s a difficult

course at the best of times and this was the third day of rain with big

puddles everywhere but there was no mention of cancelling the competition.

Instead, the greens staff were dispatched with their squeegees to the worst

of the greens and off we went.

Ringway fielded a team with handicaps 15 to 20 so the Romiley ladies with

22 to 27 handicaps had lots of shots, which were definitely needed.

The matches were all close with second match out, Janet Godfrey, going

down the 19th, a result is needed at this level of the competition. It was a

nail biting finish with three wins and three losses and both teams waited on

the patio to see the final pair coming down the 18th. A huge cheer went up

from the Romiley ladies as Audrey did a celebratory dance with arms

waving in the air coming off the 18th green. Thankfully, Audrey didn’t

know the position before the last chip!

Well done, Romiley ladies, and good luck in the semi final on Monday, 5th

September, against Prestbury at Davenport.

Spectators are welcome. Come and support your ladies’ team! Noon start.

Players: Anne Harrison, Janet McRoberts, Gill Walker, Francine

Walburn, Jill Woolstencroft, Audrey Jones and Team Captain

Janet Godfrey, with caddies Janet Worthington and Teresa Hogg

Davenport Seniors v Romiley Vets … 26.08.16

After the gold rush of Rio, it was time for silver to rise to the top …and there were

many silver tops on display (from those who had any at all of which to boast) as the

teams of Davenport and Romiley gathered, the latter having negotiated the unusual

variety of traffic conundrums posed by reaching Higher Poynton with the road

through Norbury Hollow out of commission.

The teams warmed up in pleasant, late summer sunshine – a relief after the heavy

rainfall of the previous night, ample evidence of which was to be seen around the

course.

In the absence of Chairman, Barry Johnson (do

you think he really rates the delights of Lake

Garda above those of Davenport?), it was time for

Vice Chair, Harvey Purcer, to lead the team.

Partnering your correspondent, he was involved

in a tight match against two of Davenport’s

hardened regulars.

He must’ve (Specsavers haven’t copyrighted

this one … yet ) been in a good mood, as

generous concessions on holes 17 and 18

ensured that the match ended all-square. He

was right to do so, however, as neither team

had done enough to deserve to win … indeed,

his partner’s putter was so cold that he

would’ve (copyright?) been third favourite in a

putting competition with Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder.

There were close matches everywhere. Derek Young and Graham

Evans showed loads of never-say-die spirit in recovering from 3 down

to force a half. Joergen Frederiksen had an incident-packed foray up

the par 5 fifth. His first ball struck the outside of a tree and

disappeared. Joergen then played a provisional and managed a direct

hit on a nearby buggy! Luckily, his first was discovered in the clear (and no-one was

injured), so he was able to continue the hole.

At the end of it all, it fell to Harvey to give the result – a

genuine “honourable draw”, 3 v 3 with 2 halved. This was

reported to the players after a meal which all who enjoyed

claimed to be excellent … chicken valentine followed by

tiramisu. Personally, I missed it, having to rush off to a

barbecue, but never mind – that was excellent too.

* “I wasn’t worried.”

Harvey on the 17th fairway

“Jeg manglede at't bekymret,” says Joergen *

Mark Jones 73 - 2c = 71 1.2 Lowest Gross

M J Reid 77 - 5c = 72 4.6

G. J. Evans 77 - 5c = 72 4.9

The Brash Lads, after several sessions working on the 14th pond can finally

start to see real progress. Two of the carp can be seen at the top of the picture.

Diane Houghton 34c 12.2

Angela Slate 33c 30.7

Louise Meeks 32c 17.5

This is the front cover ( size A4) of the Romiley Golf Club booklet from 1939. It

has 24 pages and contains advertisements, a history of the Club, a list of

officials since it had been formed, 5 pages of RGC rules for the men and just

one page for the lady members. The subscription for ladies over 25 was

£3.10s0d. 25 was also the age at which gentlemen could become full members at

a cost of £6 6s 0d.

There are a few interesting rules! For the ladies Rule 3 stated, “No caddies shall

enter the precincts of the Club House on any pretext whatsoever.” And how

about Rule 4? “No lady members shall be eligible for election to the General

Council or be eligible to attend the Annual or Special General Meetings.”

Also for the Ladies, Rule 5 states, “Any member having occasion to find fault

with the Refreshments or with the conduct of a servant shall make his (your

editor’s italics) complaint by letter........”

The President that year was JH Patterson and the Captain was A Bowker. The

Captain of the ladies’ Section was Mrs T Hague.

The widow of John Boydell, Edith, kindly gave me the booklet. It is now in the

Club archives.

On the 17th Green

On the 15th Green

View from the Club House

Pictures from the Booklet

On the 4th Green

Sunday, 11th September, 2016

Nine and Dine Mixed followed by Sunday lunch

This is also an opportunity for non players to enjoy Sunday lunch at the Club

Book with Ken and Pam Turney

Audrey Jones Phil Roberts John Glynn