David’s delight at cup success

Chronicle Cup winner David Whittingham (right) with Brookdale captain Lewis Marland.

DAVID Whittingham’s win in the men’s Chronicle Cup at Brookdale came as a complete surprise.

The 48-year-old, who was last year’s captain at Werneth, had no inkling he had shot a remarkable seven-under-par nett 61.

Whittingham, who triumphed by an emphatic four-shot margin, explained: “I am not one of those players who calculates my score as I am going round.

“I knew I was going well on the back nine having not dropped many shots and having posted birdies at the 13th and 17th, where I chipped in from off the green.

“It was only at the last that my playing partner revealed I had shot 61, which was lower than I thought.”

In fact it was one of Whittingham’s best-ever rounds as he claimed one of the area’s biggest prizes. The only other major he has ever won was Vice-Captain’s Prize at his home club.

“I have probably matched that score once or twice at Werneth, but never away in a competitive match,” revealed the financial advisor, who is an appointed agent for the Nationwide Building Society at Middleton Gardens.

Late-starter Whittingham’s joy meant disappointment for Brookdale’s Mark Riley who had been the clubhouse leader from lunchtime until early evening.

Riley, who had the worst of the inclement morning weather, shot a remarkable two-under-par gross 66 for a nett 65 and runners-up spot.

Whittingham’s success completed a coveted double for Werneth in their centenary year as Sheila Waterhouse won the women’s Chronicle Cup.

It is also the first time in 10 years that Werneth have lifted the men’s Chronicle Cup. Ironically, the previous time was at Brookdale where Peter Haq triumphed in 1999.

Brookdale’s Peter Buckley won the prize for best gross with a 69 (off 1).

Gary McHugh (Crompton & Royton) shot 77-10-67 to take the first division prize, ahead of Werneth’s Adam Rowbotham (74-4-69), while second-division honours went to Brookdale’s Brian King (84-15-69), from Ian Whittaker (C&R) with 87-17-70.