Mr. Captain Lady Captain Mr. President

Derek Worthington, Francine Walburn, Roger Whalley

New Year’s Eve 2012

Romiley Golf Club

December 2012 / January 2013

New Year’s Eve 2012 – Romiley Golf Club

Well, it seemed only hours before

that we had all been celebrating

Christmas Day and here we were on

New Year’s Eve, ready to celebrate

the advent of 2013. On arrival we

were greeted by the Captain and

Janet and presented with a glass of

champagne. Everyone wandered

around chatted to one another, lo-

cated their tables and visited the bar.

The Captain asked us all to take our

seats and moments later we all stood

again while the President said grace.

Then we were served a delicious bowl

of soup before we were directed to the snooker room where a palatial spread awaited us. As

usual my eyes were bigger than my tummy and I came out with a plate piled so high that I

was invisible to those sitting opposite me!! Even so I was not going to miss the dessert – fresh

fruit cocktail with cream and ice cream.

The Captain stood up and thanked all those involved in

making the night possible including Heather and her

staff, both in the kitchen and behind the bar.

The D.J. now began to encourage us on to the dance

floor. We didn’t need much persuasion and soon the

floor was full of us “Dad dancers” showing off our spe-

cial moves. What a display! Eat your heart out

“Strictly”!!!

Almost everyone got up on to the dance floor at some

time during the night and some dancers were there

from the start to the bitter end, leaving only to refresh

themselves with a drink or two from the bar.

Eventually the midnight hour arrived and after joining

in the traditional New Year’s Eve songs quite a lot of

people went out onto the balcony to watch the Chair-

man’s firework display next door.

To end the night, tatties, neeps and haggis

were served along with a wee dram. Lots of

kissing and handshakes took place as every-

one wished each other a Happy New Year.

Taxis began to arrive and members and

guests took their leave until only the usual

suspects remained (names available).

All in all another super night. If you missed it,

don’t worry we’ll be doing it all again same

time, same place later this year.

Chris Broster

Bill and Irene Barrow

Fran and Colin Davies flank

Tony Fitzpatrick

Linda Howarth, a guest of Roger Walburn

Steve and Anne Harrison Mr. President and Kate Whalley

Rio Bound

Ollie Shore, having finished at university, stepped into

the breech at our club as one of the Greens’ Staff.

What an acquisition he proved! Thursday 20th Decem-

ber, 2012 was his last working day before he sets off to

South America in the New Year with Rio de Janeiro his

first port of call. Here he poses in his Incan headgear

bought specially for his visit to Macchu Picchu

New Member of the Greens Staff

Brendan Hardman, new greenkeeper at RGC,

pledges his allegiance to our club.

Well, actually, he is trying to hide his Heaton Moor

Golf Club logo! May he really enjoy working at

RGC. We wish him well.

Car Park

Do you recognise this car park? Do you recognise this path?

Yes! It is our golf club’s car park. And the path might not be ours but you can get to the first

tee without squelching.

Spotless! Spludge free!

Thanks to the efforts of the chaps pictured!

Peter Milnes Alan Whitehead Eric Jones John Glynn Keith Selby Mike Moore

Colin McManus Steve Clarke Martin Thompson

Vets’ Christmas Dinner and AGM, Friday 21st December 2012

Derek Young, with a proud daughter, Verity

70 plus vets poured into the club from

midday onwards like a stream of

laughing schoolboys let out early, joy-

ful that for another year they had

made it to the Xmas dinner. How

much more poignant it was when the

newly elected chairman, Derek Young,

proposed a toast to missing friends.

There was over 5000 years of experi-

ence at the dinner and all that experi-

ence tells us that golf’s a hard game to

figure. One day you'll go out and slice

it and shank it, hit into all the bunkers

and miss every green. The next day

you go out and for no reason at all

you’re really poor!!

Derek Young Mike Wilson Derek Worthington Roger Whalley

Incoming Chairman Outgoing Chairman Captain President

Pictured from left to right—

Keith Selby, Jack Badrock

and Murray Padkin

Buyers from

Naff Ties R’Us

Left to right :-

Sarah Smith

Rose Pleszak

Hollie Jones

Charlotte

Whitton

Verity Young

Boxing Day 3-Club Challenge, Wednesday 26th December 2012

Who could believe it? A dry morning! Sunshine beaming down! Father Christmas had an-

swered the prayers of those optimistic golfers who had actually dared put their names down

for this annual competition. When your editor questioned the players he found that, like

himself, they rarely use more than 3 clubs anyway. Shaun Slate proved the master of the day

with a winning score of 21 pts and so was able to stride to the prize table and have first

choice. And so, in order of merit, everyone strode to the prize table and took a present. It’s

good to be a winner and on Boxing Day everyone was!!

Alison and Andy Reed with the winner, Shaun Slate Tony and Glenys Hunt with daughter, Tracy

Gill Walker with the Phils, Normanton and Roberts Mike Wilson Mr. Captain and Janet, Andrew Cainen

Anne Harrison laughing at the puny

efforts of her playing partners who will

remain anonymous unless you have ex-

cellent eyesight Grant Caldwell, Chris Byle, Bill and Irene Barrow

Men’s 4BBB Stableford, Saturday 29th December 2012

Possibly a new alternative to St. Swithin’s Day

Winners: Mike Murray and Richard Senogles 35 pts

2nd John Allman and Gary Williams 33 pts

3rd Glyn Roberts and Mark Jones 33 pts

Apologies to Glyn who was placed in a

previous event but PHIL Roberts took the

glory.

Derek Worthington, as he came off the 9th green, was heard to say “Didn’t realise I would be

captain of a sailing club.”

“What competition is it?” your editor asked Mike Wilson at the Half Way House . “Donald

Duck Open,” he responded, “And Alex White is doing a nice line in flippers.”

Who would be on the Greens Committee or Handicap Committee? Saints??

What a re-leaf!

Yet another transformation achieved by the Vets!

Vets’ Stableford Holes 10 – 18, Friday 4th January 2013

Winner: Harry Parker 21 pts 2nd Kevin Ogden 20 pts 3rd Peter Howcroft 19 pts

Men’s 2 ball Texas Scramble, Saturday, 5th January 2013

Winners: Roly Hewitt Nick Madden 45.2

Men’s 2 ball Texas Scramble, Saturday, 5th January 2013

2nd Paul Wagstaff & Nick Gorman 45.6 3rd Simon Hebden & Rod Highton 45.8

Ladies’ 14 hole Stableford, Thursday 3rd January 2013

Division One

Division Two

Winner Teresa Hogg 31 2nd Audrey Jones 30 Lesley Williams 28

Winner Diane Houghton 28 2nd Irene Barrow 27 3rd Anne Ludford 26

Luca Knowles

Youngest member at Romiley Golf Club

Sheer, unadulterated joy radiates from Luca

as he wears his first medal

awarded to him by Bob Blundell in the De-

cember 2012 Junior Competition.

Well done, Luca. May it be the first of many.

Ladies 9 hole Team Event Thursday 10th January 2013

Winners Irene Barrow & Val Bonser & Sandy Davison 46 pts

2nd Marjorie Healey & Liz Wilde & June Levy 46 pts

Men’s Romiley Foursomes, Saturday 12th January 2013

Winners Alan Walker & Jim Reid 40 pts

2nd Wayne Andrew & Simon Barker 38 pts 3rd Phil Barwick & Bob Simpson 38 pts

Decent weather for the 2-man Texas Scramble, January 2013

“I can’t believe we won!”

says an excited, jaw-

dropped Alan

“Oh yes!” responds a more

phlegmatic Jim.

Quiz Night, Friday 18th January 2013

Keith (Torquemada) and Sue Selby

Keith Selby, the quiz interrogator, was cursing

his luck as the snow fell but nine teams braved

the elements to be on the receiving end of the

questions.

Selby has a wide-ranging knowledge of his own

and it showed in a clever, witty and challenging

quiz. Most felt it was more a return of the inqui-

sition than a gentle stroll through easy questions.

Fortunately, Sue Selby kept a firm hand on pro-

ceedings and was an excellent “Samantha”. (A

reference to “I’m sorry I haven’t a clue.”).

Skill prevailed and the Captain’s Select team

were comfortable winners with Mr. Captain

making gloating references to the success (or

lack of) of the previous captain.

The Winning Team—Captain’s Select

Glenn Casely—content, assured, con-

fident

Janet Worthington—modest

Derek Worthington—gleeful!

In second place—Hods and Hows

Peter and Judi Howcroft

And their friends

Sue and Ken Hodder

In 3rd place “Better Late Than Never”

Simon and Sally Hebden Andrew Cainen Carolyn Brinsley

Sam Booth – 90 years celebrated

The 14 members of the Poachers’ Golf Society monthly winter dinner on Tuesday, 5th Feb-

ruary, 2013, dedicated the evening to one of its founder members, Sam Booth, who was cele-

brating his 90th birthday.

Sam was one of the 8 founder members of the society in 1978 and in 1981 was the first Cap-

tain. He presented a Cup to the society which has been played for annually at Seacroft Golf

Course (better part of Skegness). The member gave Sam a bottle of brandy and Sam recipro-

cated with champagne with which we all toasted his health. Fire extinguishers were at the

ready to deal with the conflagration on the cake.

Peter Cooke, author

From the Greens Shed (taken from the email sent to all members)

I was quite pleased to see the course in such a dry state when I played last Saturday, 12th

January, 2013. Of course we have many hot spots when it comes to drainage and a start has

been made to eradicate (we hope) several of these problem areas.

During the next two months, weather permitting, Martin and his team will be tackling areas

including the 13th,17th and 16th holes. The area in front of the 9th tee will be looked at once the

conditions become more favourable.

The six bunkers filled in last year will be top dressed and seeded once the warmer weather is

with us, a far more cost effective approach rather than re turfing. The remainder of the fair-

way bunkers will be given similar treatment to last year’s greenside bunkers and hopefully

will have a more aesthetic look and far better playing qualities once complete.

The work to remove the material on the land above the 14th will commence on the 4th

February and hopefully will be concluded that week. The Environmental Agency plus others

are keen to see this work concluded to everyone’s satisfaction.

The vets continue into the New Year with renewed vigour. Most of their efforts will be fo-

cused in clearing up and burning timber/branches throughout the course (they have unbe-

lievable skills in fire lighting).

Martin Thompson is only too happy to make time and take small parties of members around

the course. Why not give him a call on 07919216385 to arrange a meet.

Peter Milnes, Greens Chairman

Searching through our club archives

Martyn Wilson came across a picture of

one of our older members enjoying a

pint at the Jigger Inn at St. Andrews.

This was taken in 1921 which was the

year Jock Hutchinson won the Open

Championship.

Does anyone recognise this older

member?

Martyn would love to hear from you.

New Committee formed to organise Visiting Societies and Visitor Green Fees

Phil Cody (Chairman) Tommy Ormrod Colin Hall Paul Wagstaff

Phil Cody has accepted an invitation to be the first Chairman of the newly

formed “Visitors’ Income Committee”. Phil and his new Committee have

been asked to take on the challenging task of trying to increase Visitors In-

come, which is the Club’s third largest income stream.

They have begun by sending out the Club’s new Golf Society Leaflet (see be-

low) to the 75 Visiting Societies, who have visited the Club from 2010 – 2012,

and they are hopeful of a positive response. Your help to locate Societies

would be very welcome. If you are a member or know of any Societies please

give that information to one of the Committee Members. This is a marvellous

opportunity for every member to help to create income for the Club.

The Committee will review schemes to encourage 2013 bookings, develop

mailing lists and email addresses. This will be helped by the introduction of a

new booking system with Alex White, our Golf Professional, for future visi-

tors to the Club. The current successful ‘Meet and Greet Service’, organised

by Mike Cope, will continue in 2013 with the much appreciated support of

Past Captains / Past Presidents.

Our Society Leaflet

Thanks to our Captain and Vice Captain, Derek Worthington and Simon Hebden

for the design and printing of the leaflet.

Concentration on recruiting new members to the Club commenced in March 2012 with the

introduction of the Taster Course. Currently 5 new members have been converted to Mem-

bership with a high possibility of a further 6 new members by April 2013. Based on our ex-

perience gained on the 2012 Taster Course we are launching our 2013 Taster Course for a

limited period from March –May 2013 [inclusive]. Leaflets will be available in the Club from

February 2013. A proof of the leaflet is illustrated and members who propose family, rela-

tives, friends and neighbours and become converted to Membership will have £50 put on

their loyalty cards.

ROMILEY GOLF CLUB

Taster Membership for 3 month period [March-May 2013]

Membership

£99

INCLUDING 4 LESSONS +GROUP

PLAYING LESSON ON THE COURSE

Romiley Golf Club is expanding and is offering to all a

special Taster course including 4 lessons and a group playing

lesson on the course with our Golf Professional, Alex White.

Golf clubs will be made available if required.

The offer is open to new potential members, even those who

have not played golf before or not played for a significant

period of time, and includes full access to the course and the

practice area, not forgetting the many and varied social

activities in the clubhouse. Each month a taster members Fun

Stableford Competition will be arranged by the Professional,

who will play 2-3 holes with each group.

The Taster member will not be a shareholder, will not be

required to pay the land levy and cannot play in any Club

competition during the Taster membership. This offer is only

open to New Taster Members.

Come and enjoy our beautiful course. You’ll be made to feel

very welcome.

Contact Gill or Tom in the office: 0161 430 2392

or E-mail office@romileygolfclub.org

Editorial Team

John Glynn Phil Roberts Audrey Jones Martyn Wilson Chris Broster

We start the 2013 Golf Season with over 50 Members involved in the running of the Club in

addition to the volunteers from the Vets’ Section helping the Greens’ Staff on the Course

and the many members who help in the running of the Am-Am, Open Days and the many

Social Events.

So, if you wish to help the Club by volunteering then approach any of the Committee Chair-

men listed in the 2013 Club Diary and you will receive a warm response. We look forward to

the 2013 Golf Season with great optimism for the future of Romiley Golf Club.

Mike Cope (Membership Chairman)