Updated local rules

For those that may have missed Keith Melia’s email of 16 May, please click this link for an updated version of the course local rules issued by Clive Makin Chair of the Greens Committee.

Interclub Seniors match – Ringway – Wednesday 13 May (away)

Reporter: Grahame Brickell (Captain of the Day)

Well, the weather forecasters got it right; heavy showers and a chilling wind. Thankfully not that much rain had fallen overnight so the course started off ‘fit to play’ and so we donned our winter gear, got the big boy pants on and headed out!

Now without naming names… one group decided to call it a half on the 11th and headed in for T&C, but by that stage they had already fallen behind by 2 holes from the leading group!
“Was that thunder?” I shouted to their CoD when stood on the 15th tee at dormie 4 down, hoping for a quick exit / match abandoned. But he was having none of it!

So whilst we lost on 16, we did complete the 18, finishing in warm sunshine! The course as it always is was in great nick. One course gammon egg etc was great (note to self – no bacon on the return leg!). And the overall hospitality good.

Not sure how it took the last 2 groups nearly 5hours to get round! Overall result – win for Ringway 5-3, closer than it sounds as 2 matches were halved!

Interclub Seniors match – Huyton & Prescot – Monday 18 May (away)

Reporter: Richard Smyllie (Captain of the Day)

Sorry I have to report match result with H&P was a loss of 7.5 to 0.5. I was playing with Barrie Simpson in the first match which we halved. It was a great tussle. We were 2 down after the par 5 13th, so with 5 holes left something had to be done. We won 14, 16, 17 to put us dormie 1. We had putts of 5 to 6 foot on the last to tie the hole and win but alas we were not able to sink them. Other scores in match order: 4:3, 4:3, 1up, 6:5, 3:2, 5:3, 7:6. Lovely course, great company and shepherd’s pie in a pie which was very well received.

Some facts about the clock tower courtesy of Dave Craggs:

The “dangerous deer” incident

Probably the most repeated local tale involves deer donated by Lord Derby from the Knowsley estate. They wandered the grounds around Hurst Hall until, according to club history, one attacked a local golfing vicar. After that, Lord Derby was apparently asked to remove the animals. It’s one of those stories older members have retold for decades.

The AC/DC electricity feud

This is perhaps the most fascinating story tied to the mansion and tower. The Atherton brothers — wealthy industrialists linked to the British Insulated Wire Company — reportedly disagreed so strongly over electrical systems that one side of Hurst Hall used alternating current while the other used direct current. During 1961 refurbishment work, builders discovered both systems still existed in different parts of the house. It became a favourite local anecdote because it reflected the famous “War of Currents” happening worldwide at the time.

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Newsletter editor: Ian Goodman