Worfield Golf Club (1989 – 2000)

By John Clarke, First Captain

This is my account of the early years of WORFIELD GOLF CLUB.

THE CLUB HOUSE 1997

1 The original idea of building a golf course came from Trevor Williams and Derek Watson. I have known Trevor for many years, having played both cricket and golf together. A group of us were members of Telford Golf Club and when not playing in competitions we would play friendly golf amongst ourselves. As is the way with golfers, in the bar afterwards, we would talk about many things, including building our own golf course. Being the only businessman in the group Trevor’s name (jokingly) would be mentioned. Little did we realize what was going to happen in the near future?

In 1989 Trevor and Derek started talking to other business contacts who were interested in a golf club project. On Tuesday June 27th 1989 at the Punch Bowl Inn, 137 acres of farm land at Worfield, was being sold off by auction. Trevor and the other six bought the land for about £150,000 and so Worfield Golf Club was born.

The original seven directors of Worfield were, Trevor Williams, David Askin, Roy Sneade, Karan Campion, David Gough, Brian Teece and Derek Watson.

Profile of the Directors

Trevor was a director of a Wood and Building Supply Firm in Telford. He was also a keen sportsman and this gave him contact with some of the other directors. David was a solicitor and played cricket with Trevor. Roy owned a firm in Telford and played golf with Trevor. Karan was the wife of an accountant and was a friend of Trevor’s. David was a farmer and landscape gardener and played cricket with Trevor. Brian was managing director of a firm in Telford and played golf with Trevor. Derek was a builder and played golf with Trevor. As you can see Trevor was the kingpin in the setting up of the golf course project.

After buying the land in June 1989, the directors still farmed it for another year while the plans went before Bridgnorth Council for land change use.

2

The 10th Hole

13th Tee towards the 10th Green

From The 10th Tee towards the 16th Fairway

3 In 1990 the plans for the golf course and the entrance to it were submitted to the Bridgnorth Council. These plans did not pass, as the Council were unhappy with the two storey clubhouse, which they said could been seen from the main road, and the entrance. The plan was for the entrance to be off the Rougton Road but the Council wanted it off the Claverley Road. For the next few months, the plans were going backwards and forwards and eventually the Council passed them. They agreed to the Rougton Road entrance as long as the road layout changed and the clubhouse had to be a single storey building.

In September 1990 work started on constructing the golf course. The second green was the first to be started, due to the hard rock under ground. All the tees and greens were laid by Christmas. Later on, due to heavy rain-washing away the thirteenth green, it had to be seeded again. The only quantity of soil moved during construction was from the fairway in front of the first green and from the fairway in front of the twelfth green. At this time, Derek Watson, had no more contact with the golf club, but remained as a director. The course architects were two of the directors, Trevor Williams and David Gough and they were greatly helped by Ray Baldwin. Ray was secretary and treasurer of The Midland Golf Union. He was also The Midland Course Development Officer and for the great help he gave to the course design, he was made the first Honorary Member of Worfield Golf Club.

David Gough’s firm also did all the construction work on the golf course. Even whilst the course 4 was being constructed, the directors were showing around potential members using a tractor and trailer.

Gate Entrance and Driveway

5

6

From the 5th Green

The 4th Fairway

7 1991

In March the initial groundwork was finished and then 18,000 trees were planted to define the fairways. The golf club was told by the forestry commission what type of trees had to be planted. After twelve years it had been estimated that there was a tree loss of 10 %.

About this time another key member of the management team was getting involved, Will Weaver. Trevor asked him if he would help out in a part time Honorary Secretary role, because Will had already got a full time job at Shukers of Bridgnorth. Again Trevor got to know Will though playing golf together. Other members of the team also started, Head Greenkeeper Martin Griffiths, assistant Greenkeeper Mike Fowkes and three assistants.

In May, David Thorp became the golf clubs first Professional. With the course being under construction, David had some input into where the bunkers should be.

Worfield Golf Club became affiliated to the Shropshire and Hereford Union of Golf Clubs. Trevor and Will represented the club at the County Golf Club Meetings.

Initially, there were three ways you could become a member of the golf club, you could become one of the thirty Gold Members, for £6,000, which would give you a locker, a car parking space and you only paid half the annual fee, £250. You could become a Debenture Holder, £1,500 for the Debenture, £500 joining fee and £500 annual fee. There was also a Corporate Membership.

Before the opening of the golf course Fred Sullivan, Terry Sweeney and myself, measured the course and made a course planner.

Measurement to centre of green

8

The original time for the opening of the golf course was to be April 1992. As there was very little soil movement during construction, the fairways were good enough to play on earlier. So the official opening of Worfield Golf Club was on Sunday, September 7th 1991, with Chairman, Trevor Williams driving in. The grass on the tees and greens were left very long, so on the opening day the greens were very slow and there was placing on the fairways. Then there was also a small problem of stones on the fairways, especially on the 11th hole but after two years of hard work by the ground staff the fairways were clear of the stones. A portacabin was used as a changing room and a marquee for the food and drinks. The Inaugural Medal was played on the opening day, with about 50 golfers taking part and it was very warm and sunny. The winners were – Men - David Timmington; Ladies - Jean Worrall and Juniors - David Timmington (Jnr).

Trevor’s Drive In

9

This is the first scorecard for the opening of the golf club.

10 The first 6 weeks with no clubhouse facilities, only a cabin for changing shoes, we would go to the Folly Pub for food and drink after we played golf. In October the temporary clubhouse, ‘The Shed’, was opened, we had changing rooms with showers toilets, a bar and bar room, an office and a pro shop. The clubs first steward was Doug Russell and his wife, Ann, did the catering. She had a small room at the back of ‘The Shed’ to prepare her lovely food for the members and guests.

THE SHED

In the early months the golf club had no elected committee, so some of the members helped to run the matches and competitions. A few of us had been members at Telford Golf Club and so being a new golf club we picked the good ideas from there and tried them. We decided that we would run a Medal and Stableford every month and that members would be drawn out whom they played with. Being a new golf club, this was one way everybody got to know other members and to this day we still have a draw for competitions. In October, a Winter Eclectic Competition was started with 26 members taking part. The golf club held its first invitation on 19th October. The competition was one member and three guests with Alan Simpson’s team winning.

In November, Steve Russell became the attached Professional at Worfield. The golf clubs first friendly was in October at Sapey. Sapey, like Worfield was also a new golf club and looking for friendly matches, so a match was arranged and we still play them home and away to this day. 11

TEAM

Mike Fowkes 3 and Clive Barnfield 22 Won, John Clarke 10 and Brian Teece 27 Lost, Neil Stones 11 and Alan Simpson 24 Halve, Terry Sweeney 14 and Roy Sneade 20 Won, John Sneade 14 and Alan Johnston 20 Won, John Littleford 15 and John Clegg 19 Lost, Mickey Tough 16 and David Gough 23 Won Mike Edwards 18 and Jim Fletcher 19 Won.

Result. Worfield Won, FIVE and HALVE TWO and HALVE.

The first friendly at Worfield was in December 1991, against Telford and Patshull. This was the start of the Triangular Matches, which each golf club plays on their own course against the other two in a year. Worfield won the first match.

From the 1st Tee 1991

12 13

1992 On February 8th, the first Dinner Dance was held at the Park House Hotel, Shifnal. The golf club held a number of functions at the Park House Hotel over the next two years and it also played a part when the new clubhouse was opened. I will tell you that story later on. Worfield Golf Clubs first annual general meeting was held in ‘The Shed’ on Monday March 2nd. A committee was formed with no voting, as only 5 members names were put forward for the 8 vacancies. The first committee, Trevor Williams, Chairman, Roy Sneade, Director, Will Weaver, Secretary and Treasurer, John Clarke, John Clegg, Graham Hosker, Alan Simpson and Terry Sweeney. To start with the Ladies Section had no committee but was greatly helped by Ann Russell, who was a past Captain of Bridgnorth Golf Club and also a Shropshire County player. With so few lady members, they were allowed to play in the men’s competitions. It was decided that the committee would meet on the first Monday of every month. At the first meeting it was discussed and decided which jobs we were going to do.

Competitions: - John Clarke and Terry Sweeney. Handicaps: - Will Weaver and John Clarke. In June Ernie Bailey. Socials: - Graham Hosker, John Clegg and Alan Simpson. Juniors: - Trevor Williams.

At the March meeting after we had discussed all the issues that had been brought up, Trevor brought up the subject of the captaincy. The five of us all looked at one another. None of us had even thought about the captaincy as we only joined the committee to help the golf club get off the ground. After a brief discussion when the other four said they were unable to become captain it finally came to me. I had no excuses not to become captain, so I said I would go home and discuss it with Anne, my wife, and tell them at the next meeting. After a discussion with Anne, who was just as shocked as I was, we decided that I should accept the offer to be captain. At the April committee meeting I told them, that with great honor I accept being the first Captain of Worfield Golf Club. This led to a discussion on what colour the Captains Jacket should be. Trevor suggested green and after a brief discussion, we unanimously agreed that it should be Masters Green. At the same meeting Graham Hosker became my vice captain and Trevor announced that Will Weaver had become full time General Manager and Secretary. Trevor also said that he would be junior organizer for the first year.

The first Wednesday night Stableford started on April 1st.

Winter Eclectic results- 1st John Clarke £30, 2nd Terry Sweeney £15, 3rd Mickey Tough £15.

14 Worfield’s first Handicap League Match was at Kington on April 11th. The team was,

John Clarke: Fred Sullivan Mike Walker: John Clegg Mickey Tough: Mike Edwards Terry Sweeney: Mike Cates Graham Hosker: Jim Fletcher Will Weaver: Trevor Williams

Result 3 – 3

Other teams in the mini league were Lilleshall and Sapey. Although Worfield won the league, we lost to Hawkstone Park in the semi final.

Worfield’s first Scratch League Match was at Bridgnorth on April 21st. The team was Mike Fowkes, Stuart Groves, Will Weaver and Graham Hosker.

Result 2 – 2.

Other teams in the mini league were Kington and Church Stretton. Although Worfield won the league, we lost to Hill Valley in the semi final. I had to play in the match against Hill Valley due to Mike Fowkes treading on a nail at work so he could not walk. I played against one of the top amateurs in Shropshire, Michael Walsh and lost by 10 holes.

Worfield’s first Junior League Match was away at Telford in April, the result was 0 – 6. A club member, Kelvin Bailey, sponsored the Juniors with Worfield sweaters.

15

16

In April the golf club was broken into. Money from the Wednesday night stableford, the mixed open, the April medal and the Masters sweep was stolen. In April, I collected my captain’s jacket from Parker Taylor of Bridgnorth and it cost £115. They still supply the captain’s jacket to this day. On May 3rd before the Monthly Medal, I had my Captains Drive-in. About fifty members were present, but the pictures that were taken were not good enough to go into the paper.

So in July, I had another drive in, but those pictures were no good either, so I never had my drive in, in the paper. Also on May 3rd we held a Barbecue at night and raised £450, which was for golf club funds. Before the Barbecue, we held a golf challenge match, between the Captains and Vice Captains teams. The challenge was for each team to play 18 holes of golf in the fastest time and the Captains team won with a time of 31minutes. This was the one and only time that this challenge was done, due to golfers running all over the course, so we did not want anybody to have a heart attack.

On Tuesday 5th May, Trevor held the first charity day at the golf club.

My first official presentation night as Captain was on Friday 8th May. It was the clubs first Pro – Am competition. Joe Higgins won with a score of 73, but the Pro’s were not happy with the course. They said that it was too hard and bumpy and so they cancelled the next competition. In 1993 the Pro’s came back to the club and apologized for the way they had treated us and asked if they could have other competitions.

Steve Russell, the clubs attached Professional, qualified for a P.G.A. tournament at Wentworth in May. All the Club Captains of the qualifiers were invited by the P.G.A. to a day out at Wentworth. So on May 23rd I travelled down with Telford’s Captain, Berry Beddow, who was also invited 17 because his Pro, Graham Farr had also qualified. In the morning we followed Steve and in the afternoon we followed Graham, but sadly they both missed the half way cut. In June, due to ill health, Anne Russell resigned as caterer. For the next two months we had a couple of different caterers. In August the Good Food Factory, run by John and Jean, took over the catering. Doug Russell continued being bar steward. On Saturday 20th June the first Shropshire County match was played at the golf club. Shropshire Juniors played Staffordshire Juniors and won the match. On Sunday 21st June the first Club and Handicap Championships were held. A marquee was hired for the day, which cost the club £60. It was used to have a dinner and the presentations at night. Club Champion was Stuart Groves 78-73. Handicap Champion was Neal Walker 65-68. Junior Champion was Neal Walker 65. Ladies Champion was Jean Worrall 70. On Sunday 5th July the club played a golf and cricket match against Claverly Cricket Club. Golf was played in the morning at Worfield and then cricket was played in the afternoon. The club won the golf but lost the cricket by 74 runs. At the July committee meeting we had a discussion about the trophies for the major competitions. Trevor said he would buy the trophy for the Club Champion, Roy Sneade said he would buy the trophy for the singles K/O competition, and I would buy the trophy for the Handicap Champion. At that time all the other trophies the committee bought, although at a later date other trophies were supplied by other sponsors, On Saturday 8th August we should have played against Hawkstone in the semi final of the handicap league. We had to postpone the match due to very heavy morning rain that left two greens completely flooded. This was the very first time that the golf course had to be closed, due to the weather, since it was opened. On Sunday 16th August the first Captains day was held and the weather was sunny all day. In the morning there was an 18-hole stableford. Ernie Bailey won the first division with 46 pts. Mark Williams won the second division with 42 pts. Ron McKittrick won the third division with 49 pts. In the afternoon there was a 9-hole Texas scramble and the winners were John Lill, Mark Williams, Clive Barnfield and John Cook. As Captain, in the morning with the help from my wife Anne and friends, we supplied the golfers with drinks and also took a video of them. In the afternoon I played in the Texas scramble with three friends. After golf we all retired to ‘The Shed’ for some food and drink. I also presented the winners of the day with their prizes, which was cut glass for the morning winners and bottles of whisky for the afternoon winners. Of the day, it was great and I will always remember it.

On Saturday 22nd August the club played in the Cognac Cup at Kington. The team was Captain John Clarke, Vice-captain Graham Hosker, Junior Captain Mark Williams and committee member Terry Sweeney. The team scored 65,and although we did not win, we won a bottle of brandy for the best back nine. On Thursday 27th August the club played in the Shropshire Star Team Competition at Bridgnorth. The team was Captain John Clarke, Will Weaver, Alan Simpson and Phil Rudge and we finished third out of 20 teams. On Monday 31st August the club played a cricket and golf match against Worfield Cricket Club. In the morning we played golf, which the golf club won, and in the afternoon we played cricket, which the golf club also won. 18 On Friday 18th September the first Anniversary Dinner was held at the Park House Shifnal, which 114 attended. On the night, the winners of the year’s major competitions were presented with their trophies.

The First Presentation Dinner

On Thursday 29th October, the County Junior Organizers Competition should have taken place at the Wrekin Golf Club, but due to two days heavy rain the Wrekin was closed. So then the County asked Worfield if we could hold the competition. Within 24hrs the competition was organized and everything went very well. Trevor could not play that day so I took his place and the County thanked Worfield very much for the use of the course. On November 6th the professional, David Thorp left the club. Mike Philips took over running the golf shop and Steve Russell became teaching Pro. On Saturday November 7th the club held a bonfire night with a pig roast and fireworks for the members and their families. On Thursday November 12th the club held a Sportsman’s Night at the Park House, Shifnal, with Basil D’Olivera as guest speaker. Being Captain, I had the great privilege of sitting next to Basil and what a wonderful night it was.

19

On Wednesday November 25th the club held a race night in (The Shed), which raised about £180 for club funds.

At the committee meeting in December we had a discussion on changing the golf course around. We held a vote and it was carried to change it around. This could not be done right away, for we had a stock of scorecards and it would take time to change the tee markers around. As you know this never took place, because the following year the new clubhouse was started and from it there was a better view of the 18th green. My personal opinion was and still is that the golf course should be the other way round.

On December 20th the first children’s Christmas party was held, with John Orpe as Farther Christmas.

All through the year the committee were trying to make money for the club funds, by raffles after every competition and holding social events, as well as holding Open competitions to promote the golf course. These are the golf clubs that we played friendlies against in 1992, Sapey, Market Drayton, Church Stretton and Telford. As to the golf course in 1992, there was only improvement. The greens had plenty of grass on them, so they were slow and there was still placing on the fairways. More trees had been planted and bulrushes had been put in the two lakes.

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1993

From the 13th Tee

At the January committee meeting an analysis of all of the scorecards for the Medal and Stableford competitions (474 cards) was performed. This was used to calculate new Stroke Indexes

As you can see from the above table the April stroke index is not the same as the actual stroke 21 index because we kept the front 9 as the odd numbers and the back 9 as the even numbers. After a few years the stroke index was changed on 7 holes after another analysis of the cards but also to come in line with the E.G.U. that you cannot, on any 9 holes, start and end with a low stroke index.

In February, director Derek Watson, who had little contact with the Club over the previous couple of years, left Worfield and Roy Aston took his place on the board. On Monday 22nd February the second Annual General meeting was held with about 70 in attendance. The last thing I did as captain was to hand over the captaincy to my vice captain Graham. I also handed my captains jacket to him because he was late ordering his and it had not arrived. Due to personal reasons, John Clegg resigned from the committee. Voted on to the committee were, Alan Jones, Mike Walker and Ernie Bailey. Also in February Dave Wallace, who draws the captain’s caricatures, was asked to design a club badge with Worfield village church as the center piece. After looking at the design, the committee decided to send it to the manufactures, Gould’s. At the May committee meeting the sample ties and badge were shown and it was decided to have two types of ties, Green / Gold, Red / Grey. The ties and badges were eventually ordered in January 1994. In March Malcolm Williams, who was not even on the committee, took over from Trevor as Junior Organizer. This is what it was like in the early years, with new members willing to help the golf club in anyway they could.

Back Row M. J. Williams (Junior Organizer), J. Cook, M. Williams, S. Williams, M. Philips, P. Cates, J. Sweeney (Assistant Organizer), G. Hosker (Captain) Front Row A. Bailey, C. Hornsey, A. Harland, N. Walker. 22

In April I resigned from the selection committee of the handicap team due to criticism on the way we had selected the first team. On April 20th at Worfield, the Seniors played their first match against Swindon. In June the first mixed match was held at home against the Wrekin. Also in June, Terry Sweeney resigned from the committee.

In August the building of the new club house started and the contractor was a gold member of the club, Kelvin Bailey. Director Brian Teece and his wife Gill had overall charge of the interior design of the club house.

The Footings

On September 5th the first Inaugural medal competition was held and won by one of the juniors, Chris Burton with a net 60. This led to a bit of a discussion among the older members who thought it a bit unfair that they had to compete against the juniors with their handicaps. This was brought to the committee’s attention and so we decided that some competitions would be separated into men’s and junior sections. It was also decided that the juniors would be allowed to play in all of the men’s competitions and to this day they still do. On October 8th the clubs presentation dinner was held at The Court House Hotel, Madeley with about 100 members and guests attending. In November the first bonfire night was held for the members and their families and for the food we had a pig roast. Also in November the lady members formed their own committee and the first ladies competition was on Sunday 5th December. Until then they had been allowed to play in the men’s competitions. 23

In December the first issue of Worfield’s Golf Club newsletter was printed.

24 On December 27th the first Worfield Masters was held, this being another idea we got from Telford.The theme for the day was old time golfers and all the ladies and about 20 men dressed up. 17 teams competed and they were playing for individual and team prizes and John Sweeney became the first Masters Champion with 37 points and was presented with the green jacket. At Telford there were two organizers and presenters, Docker Pugh and Alan Jones and with Alan joining Worfield he carried on organizing and presenting with help from four of us. The Worfield Masters was started as a fun day, with 18 holes of golf and a two hour presentation, which includes entertainment and is still going strong today.

The Foundations

The club was still holding a lot of Opens though out the year. These are the golf clubs that we played friendlies against. Men’s, Sapey, Lilleshall, Church Stretton, Market Drayton, Telford, Kington, Muxton and Belmont. Seniors, Swindon and Arscot. Mixed, the Wrekin and Muxton. As of the course in 1993, it was still improving and with the greens being mowed shorter they were getting faster, but there was still placing on the fairways. Most of the trees on the course had stakes, so you still had to drop away from them. New ladies tees came into play during the year, making it a shorter course for them. There were extensions to the 10th green, 6th green, 1st green, 18th tee and 1st tee.

25 1994

On February 25th the club held its Annual Dinner Dance at Madeley Court House, with 100 attending. On February 28th at the Annual General Meeting Chris Robey, Malcolm Williams and Adrian Worrall were voted on to the committee. At the meeting it was decided that every male member should pay £5 a year for a Captains levy. The purpose of this levy was for the Captain to use when entertaining other golf clubs and so money would be no reason for anybody not to become Captain. On Monday 7th March at the committee meeting Will Weaver resigned as the club treasurer and I took over from him. In March, Gill Teace took office as the First Lady Captain of Worfield Golf Club. With the new club house built it was decided to hold the last social night in (The Shed) on Saturday 26th March. It was also the night that Doug Russell resigned as bar steward. On Sunday 27th March the new club house opened with John, from The Good Food Factory, becoming bar steward and still doing the catering. On Tuesday 12th April the first committee meeting was held in the new club house. A friendly was held against Lilleshall at home on Saturday 16th April and the dinner afterwards was the first in the new club house. The official opening of the new club house was on Monday 2nd May, by Stuart Cookson, President of the English Golf Union. The day started with a buffet lunch for members and guests, 18 holes of golf for the Directors Cup, and a three course dinner at night with a dance after. Golf winners on the day were Graham Barefoot 42pts, Gill Teece 30pts and Gavin Beddows 44pts.

The New Club House

26 In May the Gold Membership for the club was closed. Also in May, after a great deal of debate about which side they should go on the tees, the slate tee markers where put in place. In June, after bravely fighting her illness, Ann Russell died. This was a very sad time for me and my wife Anne as we knew Ann very well, for when I became Captain she helped me a great deal. On Tuesday 14th June, John and Jean of The Good Food Factory left the golf club. Doug Russell again became bar steward and this is how The Park House became indirectly involved with the club, as two of the chefs that worked there came to work at the golf club. They were Richard Wise-Ford and Ian Thompson, with Richard’s wife Jane working behind the bar. In July, Paul Thompson became restaurant manager and stayed with the club for 10 years before he left for pastures new. Paul became very good at his job and with his staff, he helped make the very good reputation of the restaurent.Also making the reputation of course was the two chefs, Richard and Ian, with their wonderful food and they are still with the club today. As captain of the club, I was able to join the Captains Society. This Society is for current Captains and past Captains of all the clubs in the Shropshire and Hereford Union. We play against other Captains Societies and the first one I played in was against Worchester at Patsall in July. In memory of his wife Ann, Doug Russell put two trophies up for a men’s and ladies club competition. So the first Ann Russell day competition was held on Sunday 16th October, with Santoc Minhas winning the men’s and Sue Askin winning the ladies.

In November, Graham Hosker and myself at a meeting about next years vice-captain decided that we would not seek re-election to the committee next year. This would allow for more new members to be voted on to the committee. On December 31st the club held the first New Years Eve Dinner Dance in the new club house.

These are the golf clubs we played against in friendlies. Men, Muxton, Telford, Sapey, Lilleshall, Market Drayton, Church Stretton, Kington and Belmont. Seniors, Swindon, Hagley, Arscott, Cleobury Mortimer, Barlaston and Telford. Ladies and Mixed, Muxton, the Wrekin, Lilleshall, Bridgnorth and Telford. Most of these friendlies were home and away so you can see that other golf clubs wanted friendlies with Worfield especially the Seniors. As of the course in 1994, although the fairways were maturing we still had placing on them. The overhead cable line which ran across the course between the 7th green to the 14th green was put underground. There was an extension to the 6th green, the 17th tee was moved to the right and the bunker in front of the 5th green was reduced in height. The putting green in front of the new club house was opened in September and the drive way was tarmaced in November.

27 1995

The year started with the golf course closed for a few days, due to snow. At the January committee meeting the Captains car parking spaces in the new car park was discussed. In February, Graham Hosker and I attended our last committee meeting. In February my wife Anne made a decision which changed my whole out look on golf. And that decision, she would like to start playing golf. This was a surprise for me, because although she had supported me in my sporting life, she had never been interested in playing any sport. So over the next few months I played more golf with Anne and less golf supporting the club. When the club first started we had so few members you had to play in everything to support the club but now with more new members joining, I could afford this time. On February 27th the first Annual General Meeting took place in the new club house. I did my first presentation of the golf club accounts and Mike Edwards and Ron Mckittrick were voted on to the committee.

In March the club had its first win of a County Competition, The Hargrove Plate, when we beat Patsall in the final 4-2. The team was Simon Walker, Will Weaver, Mike Philips, Graham Hosker, Mark Philips and Mike Walker. Nick Doody also played but is missing from the photo.

In May, Steve Russell took over running the golf shop as well as still being the teaching Pro. Later in the year Mike Philips, who was working in the golf shop, left the club for another job.

28 In June on Captains Day the Codgers presented the Club with the first bench for the course.

The Captain with the presentation party

In August, about a dozen members of the club went to Woburn to watch the Wheatabix Ladies Open.

On Sunday 8th October the first Chairman’s Weekend was held at St Pierre, Chepstow. When we arrived we found that the course was water logged and closed. So the Chairman, Trevor, and the secretary, Will, set about finding another course for us and with in a couple of hours we were playing at Dewston golf course. After the game we went back to the Hotel at St Pierre and had dinner and stayed the night. The next day even though the course was still wet, it was open, so we played. The overall winner over the two days and the first winner of the Chairman’s Trophy was Neil Hodson with scores of 31pts and 70 net. Sadly Neil could not defend his trophy because he died early in 1996.

In October and November, Quiz nights were held at the club house. There were 4 Quiz nights with different subjects each night, with winners each night and a winning team overall. On Saturday 11th November a Charity Challenge took place between the Captains Team and The Old Codgers Team, with the Captains Team winning 5 and a half to 2 and a half and £250 was 29 raised.

On Christmas Eve we had a ladies choir at the club for a carols night.

Through the year the club still played friendlies, with the Seniors playing more matches. As of the course in 1995, the fairways were getting better and so there was no placing from May. The two tiered 6th green was leveled out, the 7th tee was extended and the bunker on the left of the 17teenth fairway was taken out and two new ones were put in on the right hand side.

1996 Again in January the course was closed for 2 days due to snow. Also in February the course was closed for 4 days due to snow. At the Annual General Meeting on February 26th Ernie Bailey was re-elected, Bob Elcock and Terry Sweeney were elected onto the committee. In March the club got to the Hargrove final, but lost to Shrewbury 4-2. Although this year the golf club held 8 Shropshire and Hereford County matches which included Men’s, Ladies and Junior teams. This showed that the golf course was maturing very well, for the County to keep coming back. The golf club though the year carried on running, Medals, Stablefords, Friendlies and Opens. Again the Senior frendlies were becoming more popular, with 20 matches. The restaurant was very popular, with the Sunday dinners always fully booked. The membership was increasing each year, due to the dry condition of the golf course, which very rarely closed and always played on the tees and greens. As of the course in 1996, there were extensions to the 2nd, 9th, 13teenth and the 16teenth Tees.

30

The 3rd Green

The 7th Fairway Bunkers 1997

Again the year started with the golf course being closed by snow for 14 days. In February the clubs Annual Dinner was held at our own club house for the first time. A marquee was erected by the side of the restaurant and used for a sit down meal. The restaurant then became the dance floor. About 120 attended and it was a very successful night. At the Annual General Meeting, I resigned as the clubs treasurer and Ron Evers was appointed. Bill Hogg and John Sweeney were elected on to the committee. Malcolm Williams resigned as Junior organizer because he was club Captain. Bill Hogg took over and having helped Malcolm for a couple of years I carried on helping Bill. This year Peter Blankstone became a director of the golf club. Sadly Peter died soon after so his wife Margaret became a director.

As of the course in 1997 there were extensions to the 11th and 14teenth Tees. The 8th green was also extended and the 7th would have been but Bridgnorth Council stopped it because they said that the club did not have planning permission.

31

The Club House from the 9th Fairway

1998

The year again started with the golf course closed for 5 days but this time due to being waterlogged. At the Annual General Meeting, John Sweeney resigned from the committee and Chris Partridge, Rob Walton and Tony Clements were voted on. In February a past member of the Ladies committee, Erica Schoiber sadly died. As of the course, at last the 7th green was extended and a new right hand green side bunker put in. Also on the 7th, the two fairway bunkers were taken out and three new ones put in on the right hand side.

The 3rd green was extended and the left hand front bunker was also extended and the right hand one taken out.

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There were extensions to the 6th tee and the Ladies 1st tee. There were major changes to the 16teenth hole with the tee being moved forward about 50 yards and a lake put in front of the green. There was a greenside bunker put in and also a bunker put in front of the lake. This work was carried out for safety reasons, due to when you drove off and you went left you could not see the golfers playing on the 12th fairway. While the work was being carried out a temporary a green was used.

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December. Re-opening of the 16th Green. 34

1999

At least at the start of this year the golf course was not closed due to the weather. In January Ernie Bailey, who had just retired from work, became a director of the golf club. At the Annual General Meeting, Tony McGlue, Clive Barnfield and Graham Barefoot were voted on to the committee. On Sunday 28th March the new putting green in front of the new club house was opened by Ray Baldwin and Dawn Barnham. Dawn was a member of Worfield and a very good golfer but sadly died later in the year.

On Thursday 17th June the first Friendship Cup competition was held at the club. This was organised by Wolfgang Schoiber and Margaret Blankstone in memory of their partners who had both died. Later on they married. In September Peter Kay became a director of the golf club. In November due to ill health, Head Greenkeeper Martin Griffiths resigned from his job. Mike Fowkes officially became Head Greenkeeper in December. Mike had been at the club since it opened and while working there he went to college to get a degree. He was also a fine golfer with a handicap of 3 and so he new the practical and theory of the job. As of the course it was really maturing, with a spring in the fairways when you walked on them. This year 20 big trees were planted on holes 2,4,6,10,14 and 16. New entrance gates were fitted.

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In February at the Annual General Meeting, Ron Raison and Derek Nock were voted onto the committee. In July the first Worfield Past Captains Competition was held at our own club. All the past captains played plus invited guests Trevor and Will. Ernie Bailey won with 45pts and all the wives joined us at night for a meal. In November the golf course was the wettest I had seen it. There was water running across the 2nd fairway, there was a stream across the 8th green and ponds along side the 7th fairway. The golf course did not close but all buggies were banned.

As of the course a new tee was laid by the side of the 16th tee. The fairway bunker on the 9th fairway was reshaped and made smaller. A new 6th tee was used between the yellow and white tees. The big front bunker on the 3rd was split into three. To make the ladies golf course longer some of the tees were moved, with the 1st, 8th, 14th and 18th moved back to the men’s tees.

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