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.

Newsletter resent – note from the Editor

I have reformatted and resent this week’s newsletter. This should make it easier to read for those subscribers who view the newsletter on their mobile phones.

Rules Quiz

Find the Fact – Phil Perry

Can you find the Phil fact? One of the following statements is true, the other two are false.

1. Phil is one of three triplets (Phil, plus a brother and a sister)
2. Phil has had friendly chats with both Margaret Thatcher and Boris Johnson
3. During his time in the police service Phil was involved in the arrest of Peter Wyngarde (Jason King), who was later charged with and convicted for gross indecency

Answer below

Winter League – Round 3

Reporter: Paul Foster

A sharp winter chill greeted the field, but everyone arrived well wrapped and ready, layers zipped up, silly woolly hats pulled down low, and hands warmed in-between shots. Despite the cold, spirits stayed high and the course played beautifully, the crisp air making every strike feel extra satisfying. Edgar & Allan crow were nowhere to be seen, obviously a bit parky for the likes of our feathered friends, but not for our hardy seniors. Another bumper turnout of 43 players to brave the course. The outstanding score of the day, a quite extraordinary 32 points (8 under par) for Barrie Simpson. The moment of the day belonged to Martin Franks, who produced a superb hole-in-one. Sadly (and frustratingly), it came on a hole not included in the competition (the 13th), denying him official glory – but not the admiration of the seniors. It was still a shot to remember in an otherwise tough, cold-weather round. A winter’s day on the course, made memorable by one perfect swing. Round of the day goes to Mark Pickles, who finished 1 over par, including 3 birdies.

Competitors on the day – 43, 24 from the 1^st division and 19 from the 2^nd division.

Three 2s scored again today, Steve Bramall, Steve Gosling and Mike Bennett.

Eight cards were handed in with an incorrect handicap entered. Please check your up-to-date seniors handicap using the link below or from the banner on the senior’s website.

Results

Division 1

Division 2

Seniors’ handicaps

Leader Boards

Happy Mondays Report – 26 January

Reporter: Steve Bird

A cloudy morning with a temperature of 5 degrees greeted us along with a steady cold easterly breeze. On the plus side the course was relatively dry with 13 holes playable and no temporary greens. 

Three teams of four took part with the winners Messrs Gosling, Barlow, Dixon and Lambert on an average score of 25.5.

Joint runners up with an average of 23 were Messrs Broady, Willson, White and Hill along with the team of Bird, Chisnall, Bramall and Pearce. 

Tee booking schedule for tomorrow Thursday 29 January

Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 1 February

Rules Quiz answer

Answer b is correct. See Definition of Boundary Object Rule 8.1a and Rule 8.1c. A boundary object cannot be moved to improve the conditions affecting the stroke. However, the player can avoid the penalty by replacing the stake to eliminate any improvement and restore the original conditions.

Find the Fact answer

Answer 2 is correct. Phil has had friendly chats with both the Iron Lady and Boris Johnson. Phil will be happy to provide more detail when you next see him in the clubhouse or out on the course.

Rules Quiz

A player makes a practice swing and accidentally moves their ball on the fairway with the club. What is the ruling? a) There is no penalty, but the player must replace the ball. b) The player gets one penalty stroke and must replace the ball. c) There is no penalty, but the practice swing counts as a stroke and the ball must be played as it lies.

Answer is at the end of this newsletter

Winter League – Round 2

Reporter: Paul Foster

Winter sunshine sets the scene for a lively 12-hole competition. Golfers were treated to a super bright winter’s day as a bumper field turned out for the 2^nd round of the Winter League. Clear skies and crisp conditions made for an enjoyable round, with the course looking particularly inviting despite the winter chill. Pace of play was generally good, although a few competitors were clearly enjoying themselves so much that they became momentarily confused about how many holes they should play in a 12-hole competition, and sneakily played an extra hole. Sadly for them I spotted their Brucie bonus hole which didn’t count towards the final scores, but they did provide a few smiles and plenty of post-round banter. Adding to the entertainment, whilst John White’s attention was firmly on the 10^th green, two feathered opportunists (Edger & Allan Crow with a sharp eye for an unattended bag) launched a well-coordinated raid on John’s golf bag. Clearly convinced there was food inside, and absolutely unconcerned about etiquette, one crow acted as lookout while his partner went straight for the zip. Although no snacks were officially confirmed missing, the incident caused plenty of mirth and served as a timely reminder to guard your sandwiches as carefully as your card. Edgar & Allan were later spotted perching nearby, calmly waiting for the next 4-ball to arrive. All in all, a cracking winter’s outing, proving once again that sunshine, good company, and a little selective interpretation of the rules make for a memorable day at the course.

Competitors on the day – 41, 23 from the 1^st division and 18 from the 2^nd division.

Three 2s scored today, Mark Lyons, Martin Franks & Barry Smith.

Round of the day goes to Mike Pigott, who finished 2 over par.

Results

Division 1

Division 2

Seniors’ handicaps

Leader Boards

Happy Mondays Report – 19 January

Reporter: Peter Willson

Another dank, chilly and foggy start to the day, however the fog dispersed slowly and it turned out to be reasonable day for golf!

4 teams with 12 players.

Winners – Mike Bennett and Colin Crail  (on his 1st outing of the season) – 27 points per player.

Second – 2 teams – Tony Dixon and Charlie Hill plus Steve Barlow, Kevin Bocquet, Ian Goodman and Peter Willson – both teams had 25.5 per player.

High Score: 28 points – 2 players – Colin Crail and Steve Gosling.

Tee booking schedule for tomorrow Thursday 22 January

Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 25 January

Rules Quiz answer

Answer b. The player gets one penalty stroke and must replace the ball. See Rule 9.4b and Definition of Stroke. If a player causes their ball to move they get one penalty stroke and the ball must be replaced. As there was no intention to strike the ball, the practice swing does not count as a stroke.

Find the Fact answer

Answer 2 is correct. Koos (age 3) is pictured with his mother in the tulip fields that surrounded the house where he grew up. Koos’s father was a bulb grower. Koos didn’t take up golf until 2004, and he wasn’t allowed to vote in the Brexit referendum.

Rules Quiz

On the putting green, a player marks their ball. They do not remove the marker before hitting their putt. What is the ruling? a) There is no penalty. b) The player gets one penalty stroke. c) The player loses the hole

Answer is at the end of this newsletter

Winter League – Round 1

Reporter: Paul Foster

The first seniors’ round of the new year, and the start of the winter league, got underway with a lucky break from the weather. Storm Goretti skirted past the course, but the cold certainly didn’t, with temperatures staying bitingly cold all day. Winter greens were in full effect, a patchwork of problems, mottled and inconsistent, with bare patches and soft areas interrupting any sense of a consistent bounce, or true roll, putts wobbled and wandered, pulled off line by subtle dips and unexpected ridges. In contrast, the fairways echoed with well struck shots and the constant rustle of waterproofs, as everyone was layered up like mountaineers heading for base camp. Not pretty golf at times, (Colin Hughes ran out of trees to hit on the 8th) but gritty, determined, and a curiously satisfying way to start the year.

Competitors on the day – 28, 14 from the 1st division and 14 from the 2nd division.

Two 2s scored today, both from Paddy, at the second and the ninth.

Round of the day goes to Mike Pigott, who finished level par. (Uneven, sloping, mud-riddled, tiny winter greens don’t faze Mike)

Results

Division 1

Division 2

Seniors’ handicaps

Leader Boards

Happy Mondays Report – 12 January

Reporters: Peter Willson, Steve Bird (from Lanzarote) and the Editor

An overcast grey day with little wind and even less sun. The ground conditions were damp and little to no run on the ball, the greens were fluffy but still in good condition for the time of year considering the recent weather.

It has been difficult to piece this week’s results together as some teams went out early and their cards seem to have been ‘misplaced’. Most players also scarpered without handing over their hard-earned coin, so there doesn’t seem to be a prize fund to share out this week.

Our best efforts to agree an order of merit seem to indicate that the winners were Steve Gosling and Paul Foster. In second place was the team of Tony Lambert, Peter Willson and Barrie Simpson. In bronze medal position (and to be brutally honest, last place) were Messrs Broady, Bramall and Hill.

It would be vulgar to publish the contributions made by individuals to these team results (even if we knew what they were).

Tee booking schedule for tomorrow Thursday 15 January

Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 18 January

Rules Quiz answer

b) The player gets one penalty stroke. See Rule 14.1a. If a player makes a stroke with the ball-marker left in place they get one penalty stroke.

Handicaps for the Winter League

Author: Paul Foster

All members are to continue using their existing seniors’ handicaps into the coming Winter 2026 league. This includes members in both divisions 1 and 2.

Members on 19 or below will be in the 1st division. Members above this will be in the 2nd division. This ensures that (as in the Autumn League) no 1st division member has 2 shots on any hole. It also means that we should have a fairly equal number of active members competing in each division.

Your Seniors’ handicap is also used in the Happy Mondays competitions.

Should you wish to discuss the history / background to this decision made by the committee, then please feel free to have a word with our Handicap Secretary Paul Foster.

Please find a link to the latest Seniors’ handicaps here.

Rules Quiz

A player’s ball lies just off the putting green. There is sand on the putting green between the ball and the hole that the player wishes to remove. What is the ruling? a) As the ball is not on the green the player must not remove the sand. b) Sand is not a loose impediment and cannot be removed. c) The sand on the green may be removed by any means.

Answer is at the end of this newsletter

Happy Mondays Report – Monday 5 January

Sole entrant and winner of Monday’s comp. Seen here after celebrating by getting legless in the clubhouse.

Tee booking schedule for tomorrow Thursday 8 January

Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 11 January

Rules Quiz answer

C is correct. See Rule 13.1c. Sand and loose soil on the putting green may be removed without penalty.

Rules Quiz

In a match, a player’s ball is stuck in a bush. The bush itself is growing from an area of ground under repair, but the ball is hanging outside of the ground under repair. The player takes free relief using the spot on the ground directly under where the ball lies to measure out the relief area. The player drops the ball in the right way and plays their next stroke. What is the ruling? a) The player loses the hole for playing from the wrong place. b) There is no penalty. c) The player gets one penalty stroke for taking relief for an unplayable ball.

Answer is at the end of this newsletter

Looking back

Just a little reminder as we look forward to the New Year that this is also a good time to look back. For those of you who haven’t had chance, I would enthusiastically recommend that you take a little time to look at the excellent article created by Dave Craggs and Rob Taylor documenting the history of our Seniors’ Section. There is a link to the document in the banner on our homepage, or you can access it by clicking here.

Seniors’ Section newsletter in 2026

Author: The Editor

Thank you to those members of the Seniors who have made kind comments and offered words of encouragement since I took over the newsletter from the redoubtable Mr Pickles. It would be helpful to hear your comments on what you would like to see here as we move into the New Year. Please button-hole me in the clubhouse, send me a message on IG, or email me at ianrgoodman@outlook.com with your ideas on how the newsletter could be improved.

Happy Mondays Report – 29 December 2025

Reporter: Steve Bird

Excellent conditions for winter golf greeted us for the last Monday of 2025. No wind, no rain, not too cold and the course finally drying out following a few days of minimal rain.

Fifteen players took part, 3 teams of 4 plus one of 3. The winners with a below par average of 27 were Messrs Gosling, Lawless, Kendal and Bocquet. Tommy was also top scorer for the day with 31 points off his 10 handicap. Well done Mr Lawless.

Runners up with a score of 25.5 was the team of Foster, Rowley, Bennett and Lambert with Steve contributing 29.

Tee booking schedule for tomorrow Thursday 1 January

Happy Mondays tee-booking schedule for Sunday 4 January

Rules Quiz answer

b) is correct. There is no penalty. See Clarification Ground Under Repair/2