John’s play-off glory

GOLF: 

JOHN Yemm ended an 18-year quest for a major singles title when he won the Captain’s Day prize at Werneth with some drama.

Yemm scored a six under par total of 130 with rounds of 64 and 65 in the second group of the day - then saw that total equalled by Nathan Tosumovic with two 65s. Two 59s had been recorded in the first round, but Jonathan Wilde and Peter Wright both fell back to settle for first-round divisional prizes.

It was left to John (handicap 10) and Nathan (13) to fight out a six-hole play-off.

Birdies on the third and fifth holes proved decisive, before Yemm holed a short putt on the last for a single-shot victory after Tosumovic had made a fantastic up-and-down par from the wrong side of the trees. “My knees were certainly knocking on the last putt,” said Yemm.

Captain John Suttie was delighted to see his long-time weekend playing partner Yemm win his 36-hole prize. Second-round prizes went to Paul Rowbotham (66-2-64) and vice-captain John Mellors (82-16-66), while Lee Rowbotham took best gross (69+68=137).



PAUL Finigan shot nett 72 and 66 for a two-round score of 138 to win the Captain’s Day prize at Crompton and Royton.

Next was David Whitworth (67+74=141), ahead of Mel Simms (67+74=141). Gary Melling returned the lowest gross score with 74 and 72 for 146.

The first round prize went to David Bacon with a score of 82-13-69, beating Ray Anchor (88-19-69) on countback. Second-round honours were secured by Mike Shaw (71-3-68) from David Banton (78-9-69 CPO). James Booth (80-11-69) was third.



LEE Rowbotham fired eight birdies in a brilliant gross 60 to win Werneth’s midweek Stableford with 45 points. He had no dropped shots and made birdies at the fifth, seventh, eighth, ninth, 11th, 12th, 14th and 18th holes in a round containing only 23 putts.

Rowbotham holds the amateur record of 61 at the Garden Suburb club, but his 60 didn’t beat it because it was played off the yellow, rather than the white, tees. Pete Cameron was second in the event with 44 points.



FOUR Saddleworth golfers played four rounds in one day on their home course to raise more than £1,500 for MacMillan Cancer Support.

Challenge leader Andy Thornton, John Nuttall, Nigel Broomhead and Jamie Heywood took part in the heroic effort. The challenge has been running for a number of years with great success, and as a result of this latest effort have asked to be involved next year.



HOME-COURSE members Dawn White and Ann Fitton teamed up with visitors Sylvia Haq and Eileen Moores to score 88 Stableford points and win Saddleworth’s Invitation Day competition.

Runners-up on 87 were Saddleworth’s Hazel Rogerson and Julie Ward, and visitors Jean Clarke and Elaine Sanderson.



OLDHAM played for Lady-president Janet Kershaw’s prize and the winner with 39 Stableford points was Karen Phanco. Sheila Antrobus was second with 38.



ANDREA Lowe won the Marks Cup at Crompton and Royton with a score of 96-24-72. Second, following a card play-off, was Audrey Whittaker (101-26-75).



STEVE Mills successfully defended his Oldham Gems’ Prime of Life Cup. The Stableford competition proved to be a tight affair with three players locked on 16 points alongside Steve. The play-off went in his favour, ahead of John Smith, Geoff Beard and Ken Lunn.

The team aggregate prize was won by Harold McGuinness, John Smith and Charlie Middlewood with 44 points.