Rules Quiz

The early history of Lymm Golf Club

Author: J M Goodier 26/2/2003

Although Lymm Golf Club opened in 1907, the history goes back before then, and is closely tied up with the building of the Manchester Ship Canal and the opening of the railway through Lymm.

The Manchester Ship Canal Company owned the land on either side of the present course of the canal and used part of this for depositing the spoil from the digging of the waterway. This accounts for the elevated land which houses holes 3 to 10. The construction of the canal also involved diverting the course of the River Mersey by building a short canal called Butchersfield to join two parts of the river together to the north of the land fill site across from the 6th green. Previously, the river had flowed behind the sixth green, alongside the ninth hole and in front of the clubhouse. It had then meandered round the practice ground, along the 11th fairway and in front of the 12th tee to eventually pass behind the 5th green where part of it can be seen to this day. The Ship Canal was opened in 1894.

The coming of the railway through Lymm opened up the village to Manchester businessmen who could commute each day and yet be able to live in a pleasant country village. One of these was Mr Alfred Watkin who lived at Dane Bank House. Morning conversations took place between these businessmen on the train and the idea of a golf club was formulated. Mr Watkin worked for the Ship Canal Company and in fact later became its Chairman. No doubt he was influential in the spoil heap being made available for construction of a nine-hole golf course. Mr Watkin was the first President of the club and, of course, has given his name to one of the major club competitions The Watkin Cup.

The first captain was Mr Boumphrey who lived at another large Lymm house Baycliffe, on the shores of Lymm Dam. It is very probable that virtually the entire early membership comprised of people of this sort. Very few ordinary people could play golf in those days. The course continued as 9 holes with a clubhouse where the present greenstaff sheds are now, until the early seventies, when, as a result of a freak accident on the level crossing to a farmer, the club was able to purchase the lower land and extend the course to 18 holes.

from John’s book “The First 100 Years at Lymm Golf Club”, copies available from the Club’s Office.

Winter League – Round 7

Reporter: Paul Foster

Another thoroughly miserable day, with heavy conditions testing both patience and perseverance. A slightly better day though than the previous two Fridays. A number of the more intelligent players wisely decided to remove their names from the play list, opting for warmth and comfort over a battle with the elements. For those who did tee up, play was slow and extremely hard work. The saturated fairways offered little run, and scoring reflected the tough conditions. Just five players from the field managed to score under par, a commendable effort given the circumstances. All in all, a day to forget, as far as I’m concerned. Let’s hope for better weather – and better golf – next time.

Competitors on the day – a new low of 29, 16 from the 1^st division and 13 from the 2^nd division.

Two 2s scored today, Koos Alders and Dave Meir.

Two incorrect handicaps entered from the 1^st division, and one from the 2^nd division.

Please check your seniors handicap (see link below).

Results

Division 1

Division 2

The winter league tables are starting to take shape now we have five rounds entered. Steve Gosling leads the 1^st division followed by Mike Pigott, John White and Paddy Moran. Mervyn Roberts leads the 2^nd division, followed by Paul Keenan, Bob Ellison and Alan Ranscombe. Game on….

Seniors’ handicaps

Leader Boards

Happy Mondays Report – 23 February

Reporter: Steve Bird

Today’s weather word is “gloopy”, which means ‘semi fluid in consistency’ i.e. muddy. It can also mean ‘overly sentimental’, a term with which I’m sure our happy band are familiar with, particularly after one too many.

Ten holes open with a temporary green on hole 7. Sixteen players today with two teams of four, two of three and one of two. 

The winners were Pete Broady, John Mather and Steve Bird with an average, bang on par, score of 20. Steve top scored for the day with 22.

Runners up were Steve Gosling, Steve Rowley, Tony Dixon and Ken Pearce with an average of 18.5.

Tee booking schedule for tomorrow Thursday 26 February

Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 1 March

Rules Quiz answer

Answer 3 is correct. See Definition of Lost. A ball does not become lost as a result of the player declaring it to be lost. A ball is lost only when it has not been found within three minutes after the player or their caddie (or partner) begin to search for it.

Newsletter editor: Ian Goodman

Rules Quiz

Did you know?

The 18th green at Lymm once sat on the ‘wrong side’ of the road. Before the major course redesign in the 1970s, golfers had to cross Whitbarrow Road mid‑round to play several holes. It was charming… and mildly hazardous. The modern layout was created specifically to bring all 18 holes onto the clubhouse side, giving Lymm its current, much safer flow.

Winter League – Round 6

Nothing to report as unfortunately the course was closed for the second Friday running (see photograph immediately above). Standings and handicaps remain as before.

Seniors’ handicaps

Leader Boards

Happy Mondays Report – 16 February

Reporter: Steve Bird

At 8 a.m. in steady rain I drove the few hundred yards from my home to the club not expecting to see anyone waiting to play but, lo and behold, there were about half a dozen hardy souls, brollies up, about to start the 8 holes that were open for play.

Whilst my clubs were in the car I was struggling to summon up the enthusiasm to get muddy and wet and justify this to Mrs B. So, I ducked (geddit?) out and returned to the warmth of home. 

I guess I’m just a soft southerner and it’s right what they say about those tough guys ‘oop north’, but today I just wasn’t up for it – along with many others I hasten to add. 

So, I have to apologise and say that I don’t know whether or not there was a competition but if there was, congratulations to everyone who took part just for turning up!

Tee booking schedule for tomorrow Thursday 19 February

Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 22 February

Rules Quiz answer

Answer 2 is correct. See Rule 18.2a. The player’s ball is lost because the three-minute search time has passed and they did not identify their ball in a reasonable time.

Newsletter editor: Ian Goodman

Rules Quiz

Backdrop to our 3rd and 5th

Author: The Editor

Winter League – Round 5 (not played)

Reporter: Paul Foster

Friday’s golf conditions could have been best described as orthopedically unsound. A relentless combination of rain, wind, and a general murkiness that transformed the course into something resembling a hippopotamus spa, rather than a place to swing a club. The fairways I believe were fully saturated having finally accepted that drainage is more of a suggestion than a rule. Greens would have been technically present, though indistinguishable from the surrounding countryside and well struck putts would have moved at a lightning pace of approximately zero. Any ball landing anywhere would have plugged so deeply it probably would have had to apply for planning permission. In a rare display of mercy and common sense, thankfully the golf course was closed, saving golfers from sodden shoes, muddy socks, total despair and the need to explain to loved ones why their trousers weighed six kilos. All in all, an excellent day for not playing golf. No shots docked (damn!), no balls lost or drowned and no seniors gone missing in the pond-like bunkers.

In summary: Wind: ‘aggressive’. Rain: ‘unrelenting’. Visibility: ‘optional’. Course status: ‘wisely closed’. Golfers: ‘dry, smug and alive’.

We’ll regroup when the course returns to being grass instead of soup.

Seniors’ handicaps

Leader Boards

Happy Mondays Report – 9 February

Reporter: Steve Bird

The weather greeting us this morning was described by one of my teammates as ‘benign’ and whilst I would normally relate this word to a harmless disease, it also can mean ‘gentle and kindly’ which is exactly how I would describe the 14 souls, comprising 2 teams of 4 and 2 teams of 3, taking part. The course had taken a battering at the end of last week and was still drying out although the upper land was, as always, in good condition. 

The winning team with an average score of 25.5 were Messrs Chisnall, Lawless, Bocquet and Rowley with Kevin top scoring for the day with an impressive 29.

Runners up were Messrs Broady, Pickles, Mather and John Bramhall (not to be confused with Steve Bramall) with an average of 22.5.

Tee booking schedule for tomorrow Thursday 12 February

Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 15 February

Rules Quiz answer

Answer 2 is correct. See Definition of Boundary Object. Any gate, steps, bridge or similar construction used for getting over or through a boundary wall or fence are not part of the boundary object.

Rules Quiz

Find the Fact – Duncan Clarke

Only one of the following statements about Duncan is correct. The other two are false. How well do you know your fellow senior?

1 In the sort of miscasting never seen in Hollywood, Duncan played Brutus in a school performance of ‘Julius Caesar ‘

2. Whilst Duncan’s Company was working at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, Duncan was introduced to the Prince of Wales (now King Charles) 

3. Duncan and his wife Jan once had dinner with Luciano Pavarotti

Answer below

A personal request from Paul Collins

Author: The Editor

Winter League – Round 4

Reporter: Paul Foster

A grey, cold and damp day greeted the golfers, with testing conditions making scoring difficult throughout the field. The course played long and heavy, and opportunities were few and far between. Only one 2 was recorded, underlining how tough conditions were. Unfortunately, 4 cards were handed in with incorrect handicaps, and one card with no name on it…took me a while Mr Hughes! A reminder to all players to please check cards carefully before submission ensuring name, seniors handicap and gross score are completed correctly. Round of the day goes to Mike Pigott, an almost perfect round, Mike bogeyed the first, then proceeded to par the remaining eleven holes. A super round from Ken Pearce, who didn’t miss a fairway all day, and a very warm welcome to the top three podium for Les ‘c’mon you reds’ Williams. Also observed today, a lesson in bunker play from Paul Keenan who ‘sand saved’ three holes. Once again Edgar & Allan Crow were nowhere to be seen at the 10^th green. We will close this issue now with our feathered friends, as it looks likely they have flown to fairways new and given up on pilfering treats from seniors’ bags.

Competitors on the day – 39, 23 from the 1^st division and 16 from the 2^nd division.

Just one 2 scored today, Alister Cook at the 9th.

Results

Division 1

Division 2

Seniors’ handicaps

Leader Boards

Happy Mondays Report – 2 February

Reporter: Steve Bird

We were greeted with drizzle which was not forecast, so umbrellas were at the ready. But the brollies were not required and very soon after, the weather settled down leaving us with a cloudy but pleasant morning.

A good turnout of 19 players comprising six teams. The winners were Steve Bird, Paul Foster, Trevor Williamson and Tony ‘hot putter’ Lambert with an average score of 25.5.

Runners up were Steve Rowley (who top scored for the day with 29 points), John White and Charlie Hill with an average score of 24.

Point of admin – At present we have about 15 to 20 Happy Monday regulars with many additional ‘as and when’ players who just wish to play the odd game. In future, I will roster in groups of three and can I ask any ‘as and when’ players to add themselves in as no. 4 in any group. 

Tee booking schedule for tomorrow Thursday 5 February

Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 8 February

Rules Quiz answer

Answer c is correct. You may drop a ball back-on-line outside the bunker but this would be for a cost of one penalty stroke. You could also drop a ball in the bunker, no nearer the hole, without penalty. See Rules on Relief from Abnormal Course Conditions (Including Immovable Obstructions).

Find the Fact answer

Answer 3 is correct. Duncan and Jan did indeed have dinner with the great Luciano Pavarotti after he performed at a gala concert at the Manchester Arena in the late nineties.