Romiley Golf Club

Newsletter December 2013

Our PGA Head Professional, Alex White, has had the good news that

he has been asked to represent Foremost and RGC in next year’s

editions of the National Club Golfer magazine. In this he will offer

tips and advice on how to improve their readers’ golf in their tuition

section. Alex will fly off to Spain for 5 days in February for a

photoshoot where all the pictures will be done for the year’s editorial

content. It is a great honour to have been picked from within the

group’s 1000 or so professionals. It is also a great opportunity for our

club to get our name out and about to a wider audience.

Alex White

Vets’ 9 hole Stableford Competition, Friday 6th December 2013

Winner: Paul Trafford 19 pts 2nd Bill Swindells 16 pts cpo 3rd Keith Selby 16 pts

Texas Scramble, Team of 2, Saturday, 7th December 2013

Winners: Mark Kitchen & Mark Stopford 48.2

2nd John Allman & Roly Hewitt 48.4 3rd Daniel Pearson & Graeme Nuttall 49.0

Jack Thomasson - Superstar!

Earlier this year your editor was intrigued by a little note by someone called Jack

Thomasson on the Vets’ Notice Board asking if any vets could play with a newcomer. There

was, however, a problem. He could not speak! I got the address from the office to find that

Jack lived on the same estate as myself. Off I went and met Jack and he joined our table for

the Vet’s Dinner last July.

“How did you lose your voice, Jack?” I asked. “A stroke in October 2009,” wrote Jack. “So

what did you do?” I continued. And Jack scribbled on his ever-present pad “I was a

professional singer!”

I must admit that I was stopped in my tracks and our

whole table fell silent. Jack grinned and scrawled, “Don’t

worry. Used to it now.”

And so Jack’s story came out. He was a Tom Jones - style

singer; big and raunchy, starting out in 1964. He has sung

all over the world - UK, Spain, Portugal, Gambia to name

a few.

He spent 7 years on the I.O.M. with the Ivy Benson Band.

Jack has been in shows with Shirley Bassey, Tommy

Cooper, Anne Shelton, Lisa Rosa and Matt Munro. I am

sure that many of you will have seen Jack as a compere at

many night clubs; Dino’s, Mr. Smith’s Cabaret Club,

Poco-a-Poco and the Offerton Palace.

Jack’s indomitable spirit has shone through as he joined

our club’s Taster sessions (thanks to Steve Shiels) in an

effort to get fit by walking. So Jack gets the bus or walks

to the club and getting a locker has made life a lot easier.

Jack is off 28 but..... watch out. He is playing really well.

Jack Thomasson

RGC Children’s Christmas Party – Saturday 7th December 2013

The pitter patter of tiny (and not so tiny ) feet was heard when our children and

grandchildren arrived for the Christmas Party at RGC . Initially they were

given lots of balloons with which they proceeded to batter each other as well as

anyone or anything else in range. Then to our rescue came the “Amazing

Stephen” who proceeded to keep them entertained for the next hour or so with

hilarious stories, jokes, games and a very rude reindeer who had us all in fits of

laughter.

Now it was time for the star of the show. The lights were turned down and

everyone gathered at the windows to watch. Suddenly there was a cry... “I can

see him!” and yes, faintly at first, but soon as bright as day, the lights on his

sleigh appeared. “It’s Father Christmas!” shouted one young lady, and of

course, it was. Within minutes Santa had mounted the stairs and made his way

to the special chair, where he was surrounded by a horde of excited children.

One by one, as their names were called the children approached him with

expectation and joy in their eyes to receive their gift. But soon the excitement

faded and tiredness began to show with yawning mouths and blinking eyes as

the children tried their best to fight it off. Mums and Dads began to dress their

sons and daughters ready for the drive home.

“Good-bye, Santa,” they said, “don’t forget to visit us soon” and off they went,

tired but happy after another wonderful Romiley Golf Club Christmas Party.

And Santa

disappeared

in a flash of light.

Opens Committee

Our Chairman, Neil McRoberts, is pleased to announce that a new Opens

Committee has now been formed.

Mike Bury, Chairman

Geoff Fisher Andrew Reed Pam Cunnington

Am-Am Men’s Senior Opens Ladies Team Open

Janet Worthington Paul Wagstaff Janet McRoberts

Mixed Opens Kinsey Salver Men’s Singles Open Ladies’ Singles Open

The main objective of the Committee is firstly to ensure that all our visitors enjoy

their day at Romiley Golf Club and secondly, if possible, increase the very important

income streams of our Opens and our Am-Am.

Past Lady Captains’ Christmas Lunch, Tuesday, 9th December 2013

Karen Hooley, this year’s President of the Past Lady Captains, invited all Past

Lady Captains to Christmas lunch at the Club on Tuesday, 9th December.

Turkey and all the trimmings, pudding, crackers, wine - the complete works,

and very good it was too, thanks to Heather.

It wasn’t Christmassy outside, no snow yet, but the spirit inside was certainly

festive with lots of toasts to Christmas, absent friends, good health, RGC, this

year, next year—any excuse that could be concocted. A good time was had by

all!

All the Past Lady Captains above (except the one taking the photograph and contributor i.e.

Audrey Jones). To the front, this year’s President, Karen Hooley, and next year’s President,

Pam Cunnington.

Winter Work on the Course

An amazing amount of wood,

brash, tree limbs and trees has

accumulated over the last few

months. Rather than moving it all

to one place and setting it on fire

(your editor’s option of choice!) a

chipper was hired for a week and a

small band of vets joined the green

keepers in doing the work. By the

end of mid week most had been

done and several areas benefited

from the chippings.

Ladies 14 Hole Stableford, Thursday 12th December, 2013 First Division

Winner: Irene Barrow 22 pts 2nd Anne Ludford 18 pts 3rd Rebecca Byle 17 pts

Second Division

Winner: Anne Harrison 23 pts 2nd Jacquie Purcer 13 pts 3rd Glynis Hunt 12 pts

Incoming Chairman and Vice Chairman of The Vets’ Section 2013 / 2014

Peter Howcroft - Chairman Keith Selby - Vice Chairman

Christmas Cheer Friday 13th December 2013 Christmas Cheer Friday 13th December 2013

Gordon Harman on trombone and his

friend, Ian Warrington on keyboard,

provided a delightful mix of Christmas

songs, traditional carols and some real

classics. Gordon’s rendition of that

favourite Xmas song “Summertime”

received rapturous applause. Fortunately

for Gordon and Ian they could not hear

the singing which has been better. Very

few were keen to have the microphone

hover near them in an effort to find a

voice. Your editor is certainly no Gareth

Malone

A very happy Mr. Captain with Sally Chris and Rachel Broster, as

organisers, were pleased with the

superb and warm ambience of the

event. Their gentle quiz of 20 questions

was just right. Chris could not have

foreseen that the tiebreaker question

took longer than all the questions

together. Jan Harman, Tricia Warrington

and Alison Reed on the front row as

cheer leaders for the dynamic duo.

Jack and Joan Badrock, June and Mike

Bury and Val McKinnock, supported by

Alex Burgess, were the most enthusiastic

singers in the room.

The truth of the

matter is that

Gordon and Ian

e n j o y e d t h e

evening more

than anyone!

The Christmas Draw & 9 hole Competition Sunday 15th December 2013

On a grey Sunday morning we assembled in the car park, waiting until all our team

members arrived. Got the card from the assistant pro, checked he’d put the correct

handicaps on it and began to make our way to the prescribed tee. In our case this was the

14th which was pretty good as finishing on the 13th wasn’t quite the hike we had last year

when we finished on the 12th!! While waiting for the horn to blow we chatted aimlessly about

where we’d been the night before and how many tickets we’d bought for the draw etc......

Riveting!! Eventually the sound of the horn reached us and off we went. 9 holes later,

finishing with a total blob on the 13th, we wandered back to the clubhouse where I realised

I’d scored the card starting from the 10th and had to borrow a biro from behind the bar to re

-write it. As usual we were last in and the gannets were already gathering outside the door to

the downstairs lounge where the brunch was to be served. We found a table hidden away in a

corner, ordered some drinks and staggered down the stairs to collect our rations. After

successfully locating our table again, we settled down and began to eat.

First up was the prize giving for the winners of the front and back nines. The winners were

Carl Pannett’s team with 50 points on the front nine. Yes. I did say 50 points, and that was

a cpo.

While on the back nine with an amazing 48 points were the Vice Captain and Alison with

Barbara Leith and Al Martin. Then came the Christmas draw.

Forty two tickets Rachel and I had between us and did we win anything? Not a sausage. Not

that I’m bitter. Good luck and well done to all the prize winners especially June Bury who

won the top prize of a brand new Motocaddy, which Mike immediately claimed. Sorry, give

me a minute while I prise my teeth apart with a crowbar.

After the draw the usual formalities took place, thanking all those who organised the day

and those who had sold and bought tickets, the providers of food and drink and everyone

who had turned up to make it a really pleasant and successful day.

When I got in, I checked our lottery ticket from the night before. We hadn’t won that either.

Chris Broster

Al Martin had to

nip off after the

game!

Old Time Music Hall comes to Romiley

For the Christmas party this year the ladies’ of RGC stepped back in time to the Victorian

era and Old Time Music Hall days, complete with compere Leonard Sachs (aka June Levy).

The costumes were wonderful. The ladies are so talented and looked amazing. The hats of

all shapes and sizes were superb and bustles abounded.

Not only did the ladies dress for the occasion but many trod the boards (front of the

fireplace) and entertained the audience with various antics, including a black and white

optical illusion dance which had to be seen to be believed (Irene Barrow, Lady Captain,

Lynn Schofield, Lynn Nuttall, Audrey

Jones, Chris Holland, Frances West and

Glynis Hunt), Burlington Bertie (Liz

Wilde), Bustles at dawn (Audrey and

Chris), a rousing chorus of music hall

sing-along songs led by Janet Godfrey,

Liz Boycott, Alison Cooke and Marjorie

Chandler, an absolutely hilarious

rendition of Joyce Grenfell’s Stately as a

Galleon from Val McKinnon and a

fabulous performance of the Laughing

Policeman by Francine Walburn and

Jane Hawke where the audience nearly

laughed until they cried, never mind the

policeman. RGC ladies have so many

hidden talents.

Winner of the Best Hat

competition was Lady

Captain, who, despite

feeling unwell and

missing the food, stayed

until the end and literally

lit up the evening.

Don’t ask what’s going on, but I’m sure

alcohol played no small part!

Ladies’ Bonanza, 19th December, 2013

Lots of prizes on offer, plus a beautiful blue sky, brought 34 ladies out to play in the

Bonanza, the last competition of the year. Mulled wine and mince pies, plus turkey

muffins and chips, probably helped to entice the ladies onto the course, though some may

have regretted the decision when the sun hid behind the clouds and the temperature

plummeted for the last few holes. The format was a Stableford, draw for partners,

shotgun start and, thankfully, it was only 9 holes.

Pauline Whitehead and Anne Ludford modelled their Christmas jumpers, in Anne’s case

a hand knitted “designer” work of art which was worn proudly with her Christmas hat

for the presentation. And very nice they were too!

Winner, 17 points,

Janet McRoberts

2nd, cpo with 16 points,

Angela Slate

3rd with 16 points,

Anne Ludford

4th, cpo on 15 points,

Audrey Jones

Lady Captain, Anne Harrison, with 5th

prize winner, Beryl Reade., also on 15

There were 10 prizes and the other winners were:

6th Liz Wilde, 15; Val MacKinnon, 14; Debs Kershaw, 14; Gill Walker, 14; and

Angela Wheeler, 14.

Team of 4 Stableford Saturday 21st December 2013

Winners: Roly Hewitt , John Allman, Gary Williams, Graham Whitehead 76 pts

2nd: Al Martin, David Bailey, Colin Davies, Duncan Challen 75 pts

Grand Prize Draw - December

Winner: Sandra Hewitt 2nd: Dave Bowden 3rd: Alison Reed

The winners of the Grand Prize Draw for December with its extra money show their delight.

Faces suffused with the incandescent glow from the joy of winning. Congratulations. They

were winners and the club is a winner.

Boxing Day 9 Hole Comp & Prize Draw Thursday 26th December 2013

On Boxing Day, we all turned up, to meet our friends and play.

The air was clear, the wind was high and the mood was bright and gay.

With handsome men and gorgeous girls, the tee was like a fashion show

With all those jumpers, hats and stuff we really cut a dash ho ho!

So off we drove, balls everywhere, some even on the fairway.

It wasn’t long before I thought, “I ‘m having a bad hair day!!”

Nine holes later and ten balls lost, with clubs chucked in the locker,

We climbed the stairs and hit the bar which, by then, was chocker.

“Two Peroni’s and two wines,” I said and handed over a twenty.

“Is that enough?” I asked the lad. “Oh yes!” he said, “That’s plenty”

The winners were announced and in first place, was the lovely Audrey,

Who when it comes to playing golf could never be called tawdry.

In second place, Alex Barber Bennett and Glynis Hunt who both had the same score.

They must have had a super round of that you can be sure.

When all the scores had been read out and all the prizes taken,

We ate our meal of eggs and chips and lovely crispy bacon.

Another great day was had by all; another one to remember.

Come on you lot, let’s do it again, it’ll soon be next December!!!

Winner: Audrey Jones 2nd Alex Barber Bennett 3rd Glynis Hunt

Chris Broster

Poet Laureate

RGC

Men’s 4BBB Stableford 14 holes Saturday 28th December 2013

Winners: Steve Harrison & Alan Walker 35 pts

2nd Bob Simpson & Martin Clark 34 pts 3rd Colin Davies & Dave Bailey 34 pts

On that day, a rainbow.

Romiley Little Theatre presents

“A Night at the Theatre” At RGC

Saturday 22nd February 2014 Curtain up at 7.30 p.m.

Doors open from 6.30 p.m. £5 a ticket - available behind the bar!

Actors from Romiley Little Theatre will perform a varied selection of sketches, monologues and readings from well-known authors like Shakespeare, Alan Bennett, Joyce Grenfell and others. There will be a raffle and a new goods stall.

Proceeds to St. Anne’s Hospice and RLT.

Trolley Store Refurbishment

Ken Cooper, Director of House, has instituted

a refurbishment of the trolley store. As can be

seen from the photo, gear and equipment had

been strewn around causing damage to the

heating pump.

If you have a trolley in the store and have not

removed it you will find it at the Greens Shed.

The end product will ensure the safe storage

of members’ trolleys, protect our heating

system and provide a few more spaces.

New Year’s Eve 2013 – Romiley Golf Club

What a super night! One arrived to the sound of bottles of bubbly popping open and

the sight of beautiful ladies in beautiful dresses escorted by good looking guys in

dinner suits. Was I really at Romiley Golf Club? Tables dressed in blue and silver

with golden flames inside glass orbs. The lights turned down making the bar a

magical grotto with light reflecting from the myriad coloured bottles. Grace said and

dinner served, and what a dinner! Soon it was time for dessert and as we began to

sample the delights of the magical trio of sweets served up by Heather’s angels, our

guest began to sing. Just a minute, did we book Michael Buble? Soon everyone was

joining in, singing and swaying to the music. Then when all the dishes were

collected, he upped the tempo and the dance floor began to fill up and stayed full all

night long! Year’s end was counted down and everyone joined in to sing Robbie

Burns’ anthem. The dance floor continued to throb to the sound of soul music and

dancing, until the wee small hours. Thank you to all who came and to all those who

made such a memorable night happen.

Chris Broster

John Glynn Audrey Jones Martyn Wilson Chris Broster Phil Roberts

Editorial Team

Vets’ 9 Hole Stableford, Friday, 3rd January 2014

Winner: Keith Selby 20 pts 2nd Charles Bennett 18 pts 3rd Peter Drinkwater 18 pts