Romiley Golf Club

Newsletter September 2015

Ladies’ East Cheshire Interclub B winning team

Romiley Golf Club Ladies

Ladies Cheshire B Team Semi Finals

Our semi final at Sandiway had to be our most exciting match to date and one would

have thought that members would fall over themselves to play at Sandiway on a beautiful

morning to represent their Club; not so!

Of the seven who gallantly stepped forward, bearing in mind they were facing

Tytherington, one found an excuse and one was stranded in Spain, so, at 8.30 am on the

morning of the match, (with no reserves) of the three kind ladies who had offered to

caddy, Sandra with a bad knee, Jill Woolstencroft and Audrey Jones, the latter two were

asked to play on the team and, like the troopers they are, they took the challenge and

contributed to our win - a bit like winning the war.

When Sally reached the eighteenth, the match was all square so they had to play on to get

a result. Unbeknown to Sally and her opponent, the scores of the teams behind were three

wins and three losses but Sally clinched it and won her match on the 22nd hole.

It was a great performance from both teams and, as we say, having our tea in shock and

excitement, only nine of us there, “Ladies of England now abed shall think themselves

accursed they were not there,” sprang to mind.

At the final, Bramhall v Romiley at Alsager, another super course, alas heavy rain was the

order of the day Hats off to the greens staff who gallantly swished the greens which were

sodden after overnight rain, which continued all morning. They could not do enough for

us and saved the day.

Sally, three down at the turn, Hilary and Rebecca even, Angela playing every fairway but

her own, someone else six down and only Denise looking quietly confident, I was

understandably worried, but the first four won the day and the rest conceded for another

4/3 win. Ain’t life grand?

Semi Finals team: Hilary Craven, Rebecca Byle, Audrey Jones,

Heather Denton, Match Organiser, Elsie Heyward, Jill Woolstencroft,

Irene Barrow and Sally Hebden

The final’s winning team: Heather Denton, Angela Wheeler, Rebecca Byle,

Denise Booth, Sally Hebden, Hilary Craven and Lady Vice Captain, Irene Barrow,

with their caddies and Marion Scowcroft, Chair of Cheshire County Ladies.

This is the fifth time we have won the East Cheshire Interclub Shield: 1963, 1970, 1971,

1977 and 2015, so 38 years ago.

As stated in the previous Newsletter, Romiley were honoured to be asked to host the East

v West Cheshire finals, never dreaming that we would be the winning B Team

representing the East. The organisers had to find a neutral course for us.

Thanks to our caddies and supporters in the Final match. They

were needed and appreciated for travelling all that way in such

weather, and there were two gentlemen amongst them. By the way,

what happened to those two guys?

The morning after the night before I walked into the Club dining

room and stopped to show our Tuesday ladies the Shield and was

greeted with claps and cheers. Everyone was so happy for our

team. I wish the team had all been there to hear it. I also realised

in a flash, that’s where I should have looked for a team. They

would have been fighting to play. They were probably part of the

1977 team! Never mind, “All’s well that ends well,” to quote the

Bard one more time.

Thanks to all who participated in this victory.

A very proud and pleased Elsie Heyward

Romiley Young Farmers’ Show, Sunday, 6th September, 2015

I have already written to each volunteer but here give a big THANKS to all who

came along and gave of their time (especially those who had qualified for Rd. 2

of the Centenary Cup that weekend).

This is the 4th year we have provided the site for the Show and car parking,

which is our responsibility on the day, and I think we exceeded records in the

number of vehicles accommodated – over 1,250 during the day, helped by

favourable weather conditions and despite the attraction of a T20 Cricket finals

day at the club down the road.

Our day was a long one starting around 8.00 am and continuing until nearly

4.00 pm so the numbers who helped were required to maintain the flow of

visitors.

In addition to Mike, Steve, Brendan and Tom from the Greens staff who were

there all day, we had Andy Reed, Denis Hall, Mr. President, Harry Parker,

Mike Wilson, Peter Milnes, Jimmy and Barbara Leith, Dave Bowden, and

Duncan Challen. Your reporter stayed late to count the money and assess the

level of success, which was a handsome profit.

I calculate that these worthy volunteers provided in the region of 43 on site man

hours between them and that sort of commitment is just what I referred to in

one of my President’s Ponderings last year.

Well done and thank you.

David Mason

Ladies B Team: Cheshire East v West. 22nd September 2015

Playing at ROMILEY:

A Team: Prestbury v Delamere Delamere. WON

Plate Team: Tytherington v Royal Liverpool Tytherington WON

Playing at HAZEL GROVE:

B Team: Romiley v Delamere Delamere WON

Our match was very close, 3 wins, 3 losses, beaten 4/3 on the eighteenth green, and it has to

be noted our Ladies were giving 51 shots between them! SO is it any wonder? Win or lose

they are the magnificent seven.

Plus, we get by with a little help from our friends - thanks to every one of you who has

played in the B and Plate team matches. Even if it's just the once, it counts!

Handicap Cup, Final Round, Wednesday, 2nd September, 2015

1st Ken Fendall 92-19-73 2nd Derek Young 86-13= 73 3rd Ian Smith 82-8=74

Bramall Park v Romiley, Wednesday, 2nd September, 2015

After the home tie had been washed-out at the last minute in May, we managed

a) to get a full team of 12, and b) to play the away leg on September 2nd

although the weather did threaten after lunch to spoil the occasion. We were

able, eventually, to raise the 12 players required and many thanks to those who

rallied round at the last minute to represent RGC. This time the opponents

were one short! It was my lot, along with Mr Chairman, to lead our squad but

my choice of pairings, low with high handicap, may not have been the correct

choice and gave me a new experience in that for the first time competitively I

was the low man of our 4 ball, giving shots all round. In the end we went down

4 – 2 although all the matches were very closely contested.

Our hosts exceeded their responsibilities by not allowing us to pay for an

excellent meal which fact must be remembered when we, hopefully, stage the

home fixture next year.

It was an extremely pleasant social

evening and exactly what these events

should be; an opportunity to play a

different course with good company and

a meal, all at a minimum cost, and a bit

of competition thrown in for good

measure to add some spice to the

occasion. Long may this continue, and

those, who, for whatever reason, were

unable to play, can join those who did,

as LOSERS!!

David Mason Mr. Chairman

A trio of Breaston Highlanders Daniel Hill Hayley Spurr Luke Bignall

Jack Burton with his magnificent steam roller

Paul Race with his

Romanesque caravan

Our own Ellie Davidson,

a rosette for 1st prize in the

in-hand cob

The Trials and Tribulations of a Car Park Attendant

On Sunday, September 6th, along with other Romiley members, I assisted on

the Romiley Young Farmers’ Show acting as a car park attendant directing

members of the public, exhibitors and pedestrians to their different areas.

Around 11.30 am traffic was hectic with cars queuing to get in to park. A

vehicle pulled across the entrance and the following conversation took place.

Driver- "What’s going on here?"

Wilson- "This is the car park for Romiley Show. £2 to park."

Driver- "Well, let me see the programme of events before I decide."

Wilson-" I’m sorry, this is the car park, we have nothing to do with the show,

you can buy a programme at the entrance."

While this conversation is taking place the traffic had come to a halt both ways.

Driver- "Well! What am I likely to see?"

Wilson-"It’s Romiley Young Farmers’ Show. I suspect farm animals! Can you

please come in as you are blocking the entrance."

Driver- "What animals?"

Wilson- losing the plot “It’s a country fair event, horse jumping, trade stalls,

vintage tractors and numerous other stalls.

What do you expect? A zoo?” Driver- "I don’t think I’ll bother then." Reverses and drives off.

Fortunately, he was a one-off.

Mike Wilson

Mike at the

gate to RYF.

Centenary Cup, Round One, Saturday, 5th September, 2015

1st David Ogden 76-9=67 2nd Doug Mills 75-8=67 3rd Steve Kershaw 93-71=72

Centenary Cup, Round Two, Sunday, 6th September, 2015

1st Mike Hanson 81-11=70 3rd Tony Gallagher 91-19=72 2nd Gary Evans 77-6=71

Centenary Cup, 2015

1st Doug Mills 2nd Mike Hanson 3rd Gary Evans

67+75= 142 77+70=147 76+71-147

Ladies return to Nelson Golf Club

Luckily the sun shone, again, for the ladies’ visit to the “hills are alive” country and Nelson.

Richard, the course manager, greeted us with his welcome talk and said he remembered our

arrival last time because of the number of empty bottles we gave to him when we left the

coach! He’d picked the winners for the day, and would have won, again, had he actually put

some cash on one that he chose, Sandra Hayes. He also devised a competition to guess what

£411.23 represented. It turned out to be the amount we put over the bar in 2013 and he

hoped we would beat it.

The caterer, Paul, deserves a special mention for his wonderful seafood salad and his

understanding that ladies can change their minds from fruit salad once the apple crumble

and custard appears. That man will go far.

It was a bit windy but that’s to be expected in that location. The course was great and a

good time was had by all. As you can see from the photos below, we beat last year’s bar bill.

Format: Team of 3, best

2 scores to count.

Winners with 75 points:

Sandra Hayes,

Marcia Conway and

Ann Jackson,

being presented with

their prize by

Lady Vice Captain,

Irene Barrow

2nd (bridesmaids again, as

last year) with 72 points

Audrey Jones, Lynn Nuttall

and Pam Cunnington

Nearest the pins were won

by

Edith Clarke and

Elsie Heyward

September Monthly Medal, Saturday, 12th September, 2015

Division 1

1st Peter Milnes 74-6c=68 2nd Nick Bailey 75-6c=69 3rd Paul Wagstaff 73-3c=70

Division 2

1st Paul Mellor 83-13c=70 2nd Alexander Ehegartner 84-13c=71 3rd James Millington 88-16c=72

Division 3

1st Aaron McRoberts 90-23c=67 2nd Alan Walker 88-20c=683rd Conrad Tipping 100-26c=74

Alex shares his joy with Riley (2 1/2 and Hayden, 11 months)

Obviously, both are future members!

Seniors’ Trophy, Saturday, 12th September, 2015

Peter Milnes 74-6c=68

Lottery Winners, September, 2015

1st Peter Cooke 2nd Phil Sproson 3rd Bernie Wilkinson

£82 £48 £28

In it to win it!!

And you will all see the benefit of the Lottery when the new chairs and blinds

arrive!!

The Tractor Trophy, 15th September 2015

This is always a fun event with lots of banter and good humoured complaints about

handicapping, and this year was no exception.

The competition was an individual Stableford with all the scores for each side added

together, eight players on each side, but each four all had their own private match. The

greens staff have very suspect handicaps and claim to play a couple of times each year, but

two of them, Steve and Danny, playing off 28 (I don’t think so!) scored 78 points between

them! They made so many 4 for 4s their playing partners, Elsie and Barbara, didn’t stand a

chance. Lady Vice Captain and I managed to beat Big Al and Mike, (yessss) and Lady

Captain and Anne Harrison were only beaten by 3 points. The first match out, Gill and

Sandra against Brendon and David Mason, ended with the gentlemen victorious, making the

final tally 199 to the ladies and a massive 243 to the greens. The Tractor Trophy remains in

the hands of the Greens’ Staff for another year.

Next year is going to be different –

and that’s official, decided and

announced to all by Greens Director,

Peter: the men will be docked three

shots each and the ladies will have

three extra shots each. Splendid idea

Peter. Looking forward to next year.

Audrey Jones

Young moorhen

Thursday evening, 17th September, 2015

Photographer: Mark Jones

Taken at the pond on the second hole, mid September, 2015

Pickerel rush

Water Lily

Young female mallard

Vets’ Autumn Trophy, 14 hole Stableford, Friday, 18th September, 2015

1st Mike Andrew 27 pts 2nd Bob Simpson 24 pts 3rd Peter Drinkwater 24 pts

Jubilee Trophy, Saturday, 19th September, 2015

1st Aaron McRoberts 43c 2nd Mark Kitchen 37c 3rd Dave Ball 37c

Ruby Wedding, 20th September, 2015

Friends and relatives gathered at Oaklands Hall, Hyde, to celebrate the ruby

wedding of Audrey and David Jones. The food was superb and the wine flowed.

Glasses were raised (many times) to toast the happy couple.

It was Audrey who made the main speech; erudite,

thoughtful and amusing. Everyone agreed that the

photo of Audrey on the front of the menu, taken on

her wedding day, left no doubt as to the fact that

she hardly seems to have changed!!

However, most of

us puzzled as to

who she was

actually marrying?

Was it Cliff

Michelmore? Elton

John? Peters, from

Peters and Lee?

No. It really was David. It was the smile that

finally convinced everyone.

Par Competition, 3rd September, 2015

1st: Hilary Craven, Level

2nd: Karen Hooley, -2 3rd: Sally Hebden, -3

Disley Seniors v Romiley Vets: 15th September 2015

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

Time of the year when days turn damp and drizzly,…

Here we go again; no-one noticed the poet, Keats, teeing-

up at Disley on this mid-September Tuesday, but had he

been there, it would have done his poetic heart good to

witness the prevailing conditions as Romiley set off to play

Disley in the year’s penultimate match. The fog, which had

been wispy in Romiley and Marple, had congealed into a

thick wall as the pairs set off, but the promise was for

brighter conditions later.

Unfortunately for the visitors, several of the close matches ended with the Disley team

edging home. After a very good meal of chicken and ham pie followed by jam roly-poly

and custard, the result of a close match was announced – Disley 4½ v 3½ Romiley. Let’s

hope we can finish on a high in the final home match against Hazel Grove.

Keith Selby

Anyone there?

Indeed, the Romiley team had done well to arrive

in time for an 8.45 start.

Traffic conditions on all approaches were such

that more than one of the team needed to drive

over Mill Brow and into New Mills in order to

reach Disley.

The promised improvement in the weather did

arrive by mid morning, however, and the matches

progressed in fine conditions. The course was in

good shape, but the Romiley team found the speed

of the slick home greens hard to judge.

In the lead match,

Chairman, Keith

Selby and Ken Wykes

enjoyed a tight contest

against Alan Buckley

and John Collier (the

window to watch, for

older readers!). The

scores were level on

the 12th tee, but then

Ken and Keith hit a

run of form and took

the next 4 holes,

closing-out the tie on

the 15th green

Aggregate Stableford, Saturday, 26th September, 2015

1st Angela and Rhys Wheeler 66

2nd Greg Giles & Nick Bailey 65 3rd Ian Smith & Geoff Ellam 62 Apologies to Ian who looks as though he is

sleepwalking to 3rd place with Geoff.

Men’s Singles K.O. Final, Sunday, 27th September, 201

Nick Madden Second! Greg Giles Winner

On a sunny Sunday afternoon Greg

Giles and Nick Madden set out to

become the next name to be added to

the illustrious winners' board. Nick

Madden won the toss and chose to

drive off first, sending the ball

crashing towards the 150-yard

marker and beyond with Greg

slightly behind (just the 50 yards).

Both players missing the middle of

the green, they walked off with a half

as Nick got a four and Greg a five.

All square through four meant

another half with the fifth waiting

and a shot for Greg. Both players

missed the green but chipped close to

the hole. With nerves still present

both missed par putts but both were

in for bogey. Greg one up for the first

time in the match meant the tee was

his (but not for long).

Greg taking four shots to reach the green meant Nick rolled up for an easy three with

Greg conceding the hole to save anymore time (and frustration).

The seventh proved a real mess of a hole for both players but Greg won the hole with a

bogey nett par. The eighth was conceded by Greg after sending two balls OOB. Nick made

the ninth look very easy—who said it was the hardest hole on the course? However, Greg

halved it.

Holes ten and twelve provided halves with Greg taking the win on eleven. Hole thirteen

was the turning point in the match. Both players sent the ball to the left hand side of the

fairway with only a punch shot under the trees a viable option to get onto the green in

regulation. Greg succeeded; Nick didn't. Nick again conceded the hole with another

difficult putt to ensue for Greg.

Greg won the 14th. With three up and four to play the nerves were present as both players

clubbed down for the par three fifteenth hole. Greg knocked his tee shot to within two feet

of the pin. However, he missed his birdie and had to be satisfied with a half.

So, Greg was three up with 3 to play. Nick missed a birdie putt chance but returned a

brilliant downhill putt for the par, meaning Greg needed to make his six foot downhill putt

for a half to avoid the match continuing any further. The ball hit the back of the cup and

the supporters began the clapping/hugs and celebrations. In true sportsmanship, the first

person to congratulate Greg was Nick. All in all a great game played in great spirit on a

beautiful afternoon.

Greg Giles

17th September, 2015, Ladies’ Medal

Stableford, 24th September 2015

1st Hilary Craven,

82-13=69

2nd Val McKinnon

100-27=73

3rd: Irene Barrow,

95-19=76

1st: Liz Wilde, 38 pts 2nd: Edith Clarke, 33 pts 3rd Audrey Jones, 32 pts cpo

Thursday, 24th September, 2015 at 07.00 hrs

The Juniors in September 2015

Centenary Cup – Medal: This is the only “Board Competition” for the Junior Section and

consequently it is the Competition that every member wants to win. This years Competition was

held on Sunday 6th September, the weather was lovely and the competition as expected was keen.

Congratulations to Aaron Chesworth on a fine win. He shot a superb 67, followed in second

place by Matt Murray with a commendable 69. In third place was Brook Snape with a 70.

The McRoberts’ Junior Cup – Medal was held on 13th September. This competition is

kindly sponsored by Neil McRoberts who generously provides prizes for all who play. Again

we enjoyed great weather and the competition was won by Brooke Snape with an excellent

68. In second place, on a CPO, was Alex Jones with a very good 69 and in third place, also

with 69, was Aaron Chesworth.

A 9 hole competition was held in conjunction with the

McRoberts’ Cup and this was won by Luca Knowles. Luca is

pictured on the right in his other sport of tennis!

The handicaps of all these juniors have dropped significantly

during the year and it is very pleasing to see that those who

practice most also feature most often on these pages.

Bob Blundell

Aaron Chesworth Matt Murray Brooke Snape

Brooke Snape Alex Jones Aaron Chesworth

And whilst the Brash Lads worked hard your editor was also busy searching

the immediate area for wild life and fungi.

The highly toxic fly agaric is on the right but your editor has been unable to

identify the caterpillar on the left. Can you?

The one on the left is a puff ball but what is this delightful spiked fungi on the right?

President’s Ponderings

Golf must be the best sport of all to take advantage of the fantastic Indian

Summer we are experiencing. We put up with all sorts of mixed and foul

weather in pursuit of this noble art but nothing is better than the sun shining

throughout a round of golf followed by a drink on the balcony for a real feel

good factor.

Another ingredient to the pleasures of golf is the friendship and camaraderie

which is more intrinsic being a member of a golf club. We can all enjoy a

game of golf but the ongoing rapport and crack can only happen when

surrounded by many friends and acquaintances in a club environment and

being President has emphasised this to me even more.

September still has its fair share of events and I have enjoyed being involved

with the St. Anne's Old Links return match, now in its 36th year, where

Romiley was the overall victor. The ongoing competitive spirit and the post

dinner rivalry and fun has long been entrenched as part of Romiley's

calendar year and long may it continue.

Another great and highly successful event in which I played was the joint

Captains’ Charity fund raiser when 24 teams of 4 participated in a shotgun

competition to raise funds for The Teenage Cancer Trust and the Neonatal

Unit at Wythenshawe Hospital. This was great fun followed by lunch and

prize giving with fantastic support.

Finally, my congratulations to

the Ladies Handicap B team

winning the East Cheshire

Shield, an absolute major

victory, and it is always

brilliant to put Romiley Golf

Club on the map.

Peter Wagstaff

President

CHARITY DAY

First and foremost, we would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the members

(and their guests) who both took part and also donated prizes to the charity day.

As you will by now be aware, our chosen charities for this year are the Teenage

Cancer Trust and the Neo-Natal Unit of the University Hospital, South Manchester.

They are both fantastic causes and the money that you have helped us to raise during

this year (and indeed until the end of our year as Captains) will hopefully help to

make a difference.

With the sun shining down on us all on the day, there were some great prizes to be

won in the raffle, including; Round of Golf at Ellesmere, Oulton Hall, Bramhall and

Denton, RayBan sunglasses, a lesson with the Pro, champagne, wine and much, much

more.

With nearest the pin prizes won by Steve Hogg and Peter Milnes (the latter putting

his tee shot at the second to a distance on 2ft 5 inches – but don’t ask him why he

wasn’t on the list of the two’s winners), the runners up in the 18 hole competition

were Lady Vice Captain, Bill Barrow, Pam Cunnington & Peter Milnes.

Taking first prize in the golf, by some distance were :-

Adam Quiligotti, Rob McGuiness. Rick and John Parke.

The overall winners on the day however were the two charities, with a fwonderful

£675 raised on the day which will be added to the contributions raised throughout the

year.

Once again, our thanks are extended to everyone who assisted in the running of the

day, and to everyone who took part either by playing in the event, donating prizes or

indeed purchasing raffle tickets. Your contributions are very much appreciated!!

Lady Captain (Janet) & Mr Captain (Neil)

Romiley vs St Anne’s Old Links

After our trip over to St Anne’s in May, where Romiley were completely

trounced (6.5 – 2.5), we were delighted to welcome our visitors to a sun-kissed

Romiley for the home leg. Unfortunately, due to a major competition taking

place on the same day over in St Anne’s, our opponents were somewhat short

on numbers, leading to us “lending” them some Romiley members for the day

to try and make up the shortfall.

This annual match is one of the highlights in the calendar from a Romiley

perspective, as the day is all about great banter, great company and even the

occasional playing of great golf.

Our Vice Captain and I were, as tradition dictates, paired once more against

the Captain and Vice Captain of SAOL, and we were looking for revenge after

being beaten in our match in May! We received a welcome boost on the 1st tee

when Colin (Captain of SAOL) advised us his handicap had been reduced from

the 20 which he held during the first match. However, he then advised us it had

only been reduced to 19, which meant that with his partner (Phil – Mr Vice

SAOL) playing off 2, he still received a crazy amount of shots!

With some good luck, and also some good golf, Mr Vice and I (having managed

to lose £5 in the morning friendly 9 holes) managed to record a victory against

Colin and Phil, and this seemed to set the tone for the rest of the matches.

As is traditional, the results were revealed one by one following our evening

meal, with each 4 ball recounting their match and just generally taking the

mickey out of each other. This is something that I learned during my year as

Vice Captain, and so I spent a good few minutes light-heartedly teasing the

members of SAOL; advising them that we had offered buggies to their

dignitaries (as opposed to caddies) as buggies cannot count, criticise or laugh;

and advising everybody that the Captain of SAOL had struggled so much this

year that he had recently sent his ball retriever in for a re-grip!! As part of the

formalities, the Captain was duly presented with a Romiley Golf Club tie as a

memento of the annual match.

Messrs. Captains and Vices

St. Anne’s Old Links Romiley

LADY CAPTAIN’S CORNER - SEPTEMBER 2015

As always life at the Worthington house has been hectic. Derek and I

managed two nights away together in early September at Beaulieu; what a

fantastic hotel and place to visit. Only one drawback; could have done with a

little more time as it was a long way to travel for such a short time.

Golf for me has been extremely busy. I’ve made it into the semi final in three

knockouts but, unfortunately, was knocked out of the ladies’ doubles by

Denise Booth and Debs Kershaw. I am through to the ladies’ singles final for

the third time – I am hoping third time lucky. I am also through to the mixed

doubles final with Mr Captain. By the time you read this I will have played

my two knockouts. Derek is also through to the Men’s Foursomes Finals.

The Ladies’ Handicap B team reached the final of the East Cheshire

Interclub Shield which was played at Alsager on Monday, 21st September,

2015. Romiley ladies won the Shield. Congratulations to all the team. You

were fantastic.

The Ladies’ section played the Greens’ Staff for the Tractor Trophy on 15th

September, 2015. This was a resounding win for the

Greens’ Staff. I conveniently can’t remember the actual

score. Peter says there will be a new handicap system

next year!

Captains’ Charity Day was held on 27th September,

2015. The weather was good but, alas, my golf wasn’t. I

would like to thank you for all your donations and

participation in the day and thanks to Irene for all her

help.

Janet

Lady Captain

Overall, I was delighted to learn that Romiley managed to record a home

victory (7–1), which resulted in the cumulative scores from both matches

meaning in St Anne’s Old Links were once more on the losing end of the annual

event.

Gratitude on the day was extended to both Colin Davies and John Murray

(SAOL) as the organisers of this great fixture, along with everyone who took

part from both Romiley and SAOL. Long may this fixture continue, and

good luck to Mr Vice for 2016 in keeping up the recent run of victories for

Romiley.

Neil Brindley

Captain

Mr Captain’s Corner

As the golfing season begins to wind down (but with the highly competitive, yet fun,

Top Dog competition just around the corner), the schedule of events for September

was certainly less hectic that previous months.

During September, Lady Captain and I were bidding to reach the final of the mixed

knockout. I am delighted that Janet and I successfully navigated our way to the final

after a great match against Val and Tony Bonser. This is my first ever outing in a

knockout final and we look forward to putting up a good fight against Mark Worsley

and Angela Wheeler.

Our Pro made reference during one of his brilliant weekly emails to Paul Mellor and

Kevin Jones standing in at the last minute for a Captain and Pro match due to a

calendar mix-up by our intended opponents (who shall remain nameless). All I can

say is that both Alex and I truly enjoyed an evening of great fun, with Paul and Kev

certainly on form from a comedic point of view. Unfortunately for them, their golf on

the night in question did not quite prevent them from being defeated. Never have I

heard opponents state on each par 3 that they might as well just give us the hole before

anyone has even teed off. Conversely, Paul did mention, after I had missed a very

short putt on the 16th to seal the match and was then faced with a longer one for half,

that he had never heard a Captain, before taking a putt, mumble that “if this misses –

you had better duck!” A really good social game of golf, and once again, thank you

both Paul and Kev!

Separate articles cover both the St Anne’s match

and the Charity Day, and, whilst there is also an

article on the highly successful Romiley Young

Farmers’ Show, my personal thanks on behalf of

the Club are extended to David Mason and his team

of helpers, along with Graham and Nicola for the

great job they did representing Romiley Golf Club.

Despite living in Romiley until the age of about 24,

this was the first time I had ever actually attended

the Show (with our son, Oliver), and it truly was a

great day, with one of the highlights being that

Oliver’s goldfish (“Squibby”, named after the

motorbike stunt act) is miraculously still with us!

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – Friday 19th February is the date

for the Gent’s Dinner 2016. We have secured the services of

a great speaker/comedian, and I look forward to seeing as

many of you there as possible.

Yours in Golf

Neil

Mr Captain

Squibby lives!