Romiley Golf Club

November / December 2012

Francine Walburn

Lady Captain Romiley Golf Club

2012 / 2013

Dear Members and Friends,

As the new Lady Captain for 2012/13, I thought I would briefly introduce myself. For many years I

have been an actress and singer working all over the UK and Europe, meeting and working with a

whole host of celebrities. In the early days I sang at the famous Star Club in Hamburg where the

Beatles came to fame and at Granada TV as a session singer where I met my husband, Roger a

musician. Career highlights include appearing at St James’ Palace for Prince Charles and Camilla,

singing with The New Seekers at the Royal Albert Hall and also appearing with Roger on The

Generation Game for BBC TV to a nationwide audience of 26 million; pretty amazing. Later I

attended Manchester Poly gaining a Degree in Drama in 1980 and went on to tread the boards at

many famous theatres including The Albery London, The Lowry Salford and The Palace

Manchester.

I’ve always enjoyed watching sporting activities and major golfing championships, but in 1995 I

decided to actually play a sport, eventually joining Romiley Golf Club in 1996. I’ve enjoyed the

genuine friendliness of everyone, the camaraderie and the planning and scheming to hold all the

events. I enjoy the golf too, when I’m playing well, and have won quite a few competitions along the

way, believe it or not.

Last year Audrey, our past Lady Captain, invited me to become her Vice Captain and I was

honoured to accept. I’m looking forward to taking the ladies section forward with brave new ideas

but still wish to hold on to the prestigious reputation of our lovely Club.

Now that I am almost retired it will be great to play more golf without the fear and guilt at letting

people down at the last minute when a job or audition comes along. Now I don’t have to sit in a hotel

room just longing to be on our beautiful fairways, I can actually go out and play.

I’m looking forward to my year in office and hope to meet as many members as possible along the

way.

Yours sincerely,

Francine Walburn

Lady Captain

Ladies Stableford 8

th November 2012

Div 1

Winner: Sandra Hewitt 30 pts cpo 2nd

Kathryn Pendleton 30 pts cpo 3rd

Anne Ludford 30 pts

Div 2

Winner: Val McKinnon 33pts 2nd

Val Bonser 32 pts 3rd

Audrey Jones 30 pts

Men’s Team Event (2 from 4) Saturday, 10th

November, 2012

Winners: Andy Reed, Phil Ankers, Shaun Slate and Gordon Harman 90 pts

2

nd: Peter Royle, Ken Jackson and Dave Smith and Bob Blundell 89 pts cpo

Dave found the course a bit mountainous

3

rd: Phil Roberts, Barry Leech, Peter Wagstaff and David Cole 89 pts

FAMOUS DRIVING INSTRUCTOR GETS TROLLIED AND ENDS UP IN POND!

Jim Millington and his “Trophy”

On the 3rd

November I was about to play a wedge to the

temporary green on the 14th

hole, when I noticed Jim

Millington had left his trolley by the edge of the pond

while he went to look for his ball. Unfortunately he

must have caught the stop/go button as he was walking

away, because next minute the trolley began to roll

slowly towards the water. Despite my shout of “Jim”

which was probably audible in Marple, he was too far

away to stop it and in a matter of seconds it had

disappeared beneath the waters like a mini Titanic.

Myself, Fitzy, Jimmy and Tony Hunt then attempted to

salvage it . We got the trolley and bag out quite quickly,

but the battery took a bit longer to locate and rescue, by

which time the riff-raff (names available from author)

on the tee behind us were shouting obscenities, probably

thinking we were looking for a ball!

Unfortunately I didn’t have my camera with me and despite several requests Jim has refused

point blank to stage an action replay for the newsletter.

Later when we were comfortably ensconced in the bar with a pint, Nick Gorman presented Jim

with a trophy in celebration of his achievement (see photo). The usual sympathy and

understanding was shown by fellow members who asked Jim how many balls he had in his bag

at the time, as he would need to put the same number of pound coins in the jar on the bar and

did he know there was a penalty for grounding his club(s) in a hazard.

Chris Broster

Turkey Trot Stableford 15th

November 2012

Div 1

Winner: Jill Woolstencroft 26 pts 2nd

Anne Ludford 25 pts cpo 3rd

Liz Wilde 25 pts

Div 2

Winner: Lesley Williams 29 pts 2nd

Maureen Marsden 28 pts 3rd

Sylvia Hall 27 pts

Men’s 4BBB Stableford, Saturday, 17th

November, 2012

Winners: John Gordon 2nd

John Wallworth 3rd

Dave Bowden

& Andrew Cainen 39 pts cpo & Phil Cody 39 pts cpo & Charles Bennett 39 pts

Ladies Stableford Waltz, Thursday 22

nd November 2012

Winners: Audrey Jones & Gillian Walker & Alison Cooke 50 pts

2nd

: Lesley Williams & Val McKinnon & Liz Wilde cpo 45 pts

3rd

: Irene Barrow & Val Bonser & Sandra Davison 45 pts

GL: Where do you live?

AJ: I live in Romiley fortunately just a few minutes

from the course.

GL: What do you do for a living?

AJ: I was a stenographer (verbatim reporter) working

mainly in Crown Courts but covering meetings of all

descriptions all over the country.

GL: How many years have you been a member of

Romiley?

AJ: After 18 months on the waiting list for membership

I joined in 1996 in time for the club’s Centenary

Celebrations the following year.

GL: What is your current handicap?

AJ: It’s 29 but I am working on it very hard. Last

winter I had both group and individual lessons from our

new pro, Alex White, and all the practice is paying off at

last. I’m determined to reduce my handicap next year!

GL: What has been your lowest handicap?

AJ: I had a purple patch, won two big competitions and

came down to 25 but I was soon on the way up again. On

the grapevine I heard that I was considered a good

match player when I played for the Business Ladies’

matches. I am hoping that will continue with the

daytime matches

GL: Apart from Romiley what is your favourite other course?

AJ: I love elevated tees and greens, lots of parkland up and downs, so I’d say that after Romiley Mellor

is my favourite course. Deep down my all time favourite is Mijas in Spain because that was my first

taste of golf in the sun.

GL: What is your favourite hole at Romiley?

AJ: My favourite gas to be the 16th

, the most elevated tee at Romiley.

GL: How often do you play?

AJ: Last winter I managed twice a week in all weathers but in the summer I played at least 3 or 4

times a week in the Interclub and RGC matches, ladies’ Opens, Opens at other clubs, mixed

competitions and the weekly handicap Thursday Ladies’ comps.

GL: What are your other hobbies/

AJ: I’ve tried lots of things like dancing and sewing but now I am retired I only have time for cooking

and golf and a bit of Sudoku.

GL: What’s your chosen charity for the year?

AJ: Guide dogs for the Blind. I think they are wonderful.

GL: If you had to pick out one personal golf highlight what would it be?

AJ: Most prominent in my memory right now is Captain’s Drive In this year when I managed to hit

the ball under so much pressure and then the Captain and i went on to win the competition.

GL: If you could play 18 holes in a fourball with anyone else who would it be?

AJ: First in my dream 4 ball would be Lee Westwood, my hero and a lad whose fame and wealth

doesn’t appear to have gone to his head. Annika Sorenstam, such a fabulous golfer – I was very sad

when she retired because she was brilliant to watch. And... Kevin Costner, just because I like him. I

know he is older now but so am I!!

.

Contributed by

Paul Chappell

Local Golfer

www.golferslocal.co.uk

Vets’ Stableford, Friday, 23rd

November 2012

Graham Evans 19pts cpo Nigel Ingle 19 pts cpo John Knighton 19 pts

Ladies’ Texas Scramble, Thursday, 29th

November, 2012

Winners: Lynn Schofield & Angela Slate, Lady Captain & Barbara Leith 31.5

2nd

Karen Hooley & Audrey Jones & Pam Cunnington 33.5

Karen’s genuine Alaskan coat and hat were the prelude to her Eskimo Nell impression.

Men’s Better Ball Stableford, Saturday 1st December 2012

Winners: Roly Hewitt and Nick Madden 39 pts

2nd

Steve Kershaw and Graeme Nuttall 37 pts

Ladies’ Yellow Ball, Thursday, 6th

December, 2012

Winners: Diane Houghton & Maureen Marsden & Kathryn Pendleton 48 pts

2nd

Audrey Jones & Edith Clarke &Val McKinnon 45 pts

3rd

Lesley Williams & Gillian Walker & Sandra Davison 44 pts

Children’s Christmas Party

Close to 60 children laughed and danced, and had

chance to whisper their wish list to Santa, at the

annual Christmas party.

Amazing Stephen, new to RGC, was a brilliant

entertainer. The children’s smiles began as soon as

they entered the room when Stephen mingled with

his little guests and joined in with the balloon fun.

A miniature Rudolf then joined in the fun, much to

the children’s delight, and Stephen soon built up a

relationship with both Rudolf and the staring,

giggly faces, with the giggles not subsiding at all

when Rudolf lost his famous nose.

A miniature Santa then arrived and was

equally well received. Magic followed with one

gorgeous little girl assistant, a natural and

definitely heading for the big time soon,

colouring in a whole book with the stroke of

her brush.

No party is complete without a visit from a

proper Santa, and the big man didn’t

disappoint this year. It was a bit drizzly

outside but that didn’t stop him arriving in

some style and handing out all his gifts.

Many thanks to all the very well-behaved

children, their parents, the ladies, who

contributed the food and their time, including

Heather, and a special thank you to Father

Christmas.

Men’s Better Ball Bogey, Saturday, 8th

December, 2012

Winners: Dave Ball & Josh Knowles 6 2nd

Dave Bowden and Gary Drabble 5 cpo

3rd

Garry Hall and Nick

Gorman 5

Past Lady Captains Celebrate

Christmas is a time to gather with friends and the Past Lady Captains of RGC did not waste an opportunity to

meet and eat, drink and chat at the club. 15 ladies attended, from Mary Walker, the eldest at 91, to Diane

Houghton the youngest by quite a bit, and excellent turkey and all the trimmings were provided by Heather, the

first turkey of the season for many.

Audrey Jones, newly qualified to join this elite band, was delighted to attend her first Past Lady Captains’

function and looks forward to many more, and Viv Lowis was quick to accept her invitation to renew old

acquaintances. Viv may not play any longer but being Lady Captain forges friendships that will always be

remembered.

Joan Badrock devised a so-called simple quiz with answers relating to chocolate, a popular subject which most

PLCs confessed they had studied for years. However, it may have been easy for Joan, who knew the answers,

but it baffled most of the other ladies - and nothing to do with the wine of course - because the very worthy

winner, Karen Hooley, only scored 9 with a three way tie for second with 6.

Thanks go to Karen for donating the first prize for the winner of the quiz (herself!), and Anne Eddleston for

donating the other prizes. Thanks to Karen also for organising the event.

Joan Kelly, this year’s President of

the Past Lady Captains Association,

and Karen Hooley

Viv Lowis, Audrey Jones, Diane Houghton

and Maureen Marsden

Joan Badrock, Val MacKinnon, Pam

Cunnington and Pauline Whitehead

Mary Walker MBE, Lady Captain in

1992/93, and The President.

Ladies Bonanza Shotgun, Thursday, 13th

December 2012

Winner: Francine Walburn 23 pts 2nd

Beryl Reade 20 pts 3rd

June Levy 19 pts

Romiley Golf Club Christmas Cheer Evening – Friday December 14th

2012

The Captain began the evening by explaining how it would run: there were two quiz sheets on each

table to be completed during the evening and there would be a further two rounds of questions in

between the carol singing.

Mulled wine and mince pies were served before John Glynn took over and announced the names of the

band members from the Werneth Concert Band. Then without further ado, the carol singing began.

Initially everyone seemed rather self conscious, but as the evening progressed and we all became more

relaxed the numbers taking part increased. It seems that those of us who can’t sing a note (your

reporter included), love nothing more than belting out a good rendition of “Hark the Herald Angels

Sing” and tonight was no exception. Let’s just say the enthusiasm outweighed the skill by some margin.

The Captain now began his quiz. He and Janet had put together four rounds of extremely difficult

questions. Finally all sheets were collected and after more carol singing, the results were read out. To

our astonishment our table had won!! Four boxes of chocolates were our prizes. Thank you Mr.

Captain.

Finally more carol singing brought the proceedings to a close. A big thank you to John Glynn and the

band and to Heather and her staff for a most enjoyable evening.

Rachel and Chris Broster and Colin and Fran Davies

Winners of a fiendishly difficult quiz!

“Never mind the chocolates,” says Rachel, “What is in this drink?”

Men’s Better Ball Stableford, Saturday, 15th

December, 2012

2nd

Andy Reed & Gordon Harman 39 pts 3rd

Roly Hewitt & Nick Madden 38 pts

Steve Shiels and Keith

Selby, winners with 40

pts. Steve tells me that

Keith appeared all at sea

at first but soon settled

down. They dovetailed

beautifully

The Christmas Draw 9 hole Shotgun

A delighted Lady Captain, Francine Chris Byle and Peter Whitney

Walburn and Mr. Captain, Derek Winners of the Front 9

Worthington, winners of the back 9.

Derek gave credit for the win to

Francine and commented,” Francine

kept pulling me out again and again!”

Foursomes Stableford Saturday 24th

November 2012

Winners: Brian Van-Holsbeke & Tony Gallacher 41 pts

2nd

Doug Mills & Steve Kershaw

3rd

John Beaver & Richard Senogles

007 and HRH the Queen visit Romiley GC!!

The ladies’ party guests were staggered when, shortly after the telltale helicopter music - and an aircraft in the

sky - who should walk down the 10th path but James Bond escorting Her Majesty the Queen (together with

Corgi) who formally opened the ladies Christmas Party Olympic Games.

The fun then commenced, beginning in the Aquatics centre with very skilful “fishing” for beautiful tropical

varieties, followed by Athletics in the form of Christmas discus, disastrous javelin paper aeroplanes which all

crash landed shortly after takeoff, and various other events organised by Audrey Jones, Frances West and Lynn

Schofield. The large bauble and small spoon relay race was won in a new Olympic record time by the hockey

players and the tightrope walking turned out to be best performed by the “youngsters.” There had to be a

synchronised something or other, which in this instance was an alternative Hokey Cokey. As with any tour,

other happenings on the night will just have to be remembered and shouldn’t be written down anywhere! Less

said the better.

Contenders for the fancy dress, Pam Cunnington

Irene Barrow and the Olympic torch Val Bonser

The red, white and blue

trifle could have been a

contender for a prize!

The beach volley ball team couldn’t

attend but synchronised swimmers

Frances West and Lynn Nuttall were

able to make it and were worthy

winners of the fancy dress

Unmistakeable Boris Johnson kindly attended to hand over to Rio and present the prizes to

Janet Worthington, Elsie Heyward, Rebecca Byle and Denise Booth, gold medal winners.

Hilda Thomas, Lynn Nuttall,Deb Kershaw, and June Levy, silver medallists,

posing with Her Majesty and Boris.

Liz Boycott, Janet Godfrey, Alison Cooke and Marjorie Chandler, bronze medallists.

Many thanks to all who dressed for the occasion; thanks to Heather for entering into the spirit of it and thanks to

Daniel and the Queen for their fabulous entrance. Brilliant night of fun.

“Must go. Ma’am. New assignment!”

Anne Harrison and Simon Hebden

Organisers of the Christmas draw and the Shotgun Competition

(with a little help from Julie Smith and Sally Hebden.)

Bill and Irene Barrow Darrell Parker Astrid Ceelen on the finishing hole for

the Christmas Draw Shotgun. Darrell and Astrid came 2nd

on the Back 9

An interesting thing about golf is that no matter how badly you play

it is always possible to get worse!

The Bell

Look carefully at the picture of

the bell. It hangs just behind

the Captain’s Table; a symbol

of power calling deaf and

recalcitrant golfers to order. It

will be much easier now

because it finally has a tassel

thanks to Francine Walburn. It

can now be swirled and twirled

to create a vibrant ringing

sound rather than the dull thud

of yore.

Francine Walburn

Lady Captain

View from the back tee on the 18th

Two of Santa’s little helpers, known as subordinate clauses.

Alex White and Graham Drabble, our pro and his assistant

showing off the latest range of winter outfits.

Editorial Team

John Glynn Phil Roberts Audrey Jones Martyn Wilson Chris Broster