CCOGS HISTORY
A HISTORY OF CCOGS - The 90's

Although the threatened further reorganisation was not to become a reality for Cheshire until April 1998, substantial internal change was taking place within the County Council. This was due to many factors including, the tightening financial scenario, competitive tendering, pressure to do more with less resources as well as many years of preparation for the 1998 reorganisation. It may be symptomatic of many things, but the inter-departmental activity of the 1970's and 1980's in social and sporting pursuits had all but disappeared in the early 1990's. Perhaps this was because people no longer looked to their employer for out of work activities, but sadly inter-departmental football, cricket, snooker, hockey etc., not forgetting the NALGO Sports comprising two evenings of athletics, fell by the wayside. For some reason this demise did not impact on CCOGS and therefore golf remained for some years as the only inter-departmental activity. However the age profile of the Society is increasing and despite the recent addition of a few younger members, many more are needed if we are to avoid being totally dominated by 'pensioners'.

There are however some good signs. Throughout its 50 years, CCOGS has had some good golfers who have produced some very good scores. But in its 40th year one of the newer and 'younger' members, Rob Brooks, Cheshire Highways, recorded the best ever gross score when he went round Oswestry in a remarkable gross score of 67 (3 under par)

Reference was made earlier to the discontinuation of the Women's competitions. CCOGS does still have a few, very welcome, women members, but this number will need to increase significantly if we are to see the resurrection of their competitions and the appointment of a new Women's Captain.

Up until 1999 only one 'hole-in-one' had been recorded in a CCOGS competition. This happened at Delamere Golf Club in the mid 1970's when Bill Banner and his playing companions thought he had lost his ball at the short 16th after it had disappeared from view over a greenside mound. Bill, who died some years ago, was not a very accomplished golfer hence the search was taking place behind the green. It therefore came as a great surprise to all involved when his ball was eventually found - in the hole!

The next hole-in-one came in 1999 and in contrast was achieved by one of CCOGS most accomplished golfers. Ken Mullineux, Architects Department had joined CCOGS in the mid 1960's and had been Captain in 1998. During that time he had won seven major trophies from a single figure handicap. Due to back problems Ken had not played any serious golf for a couple of years but on the occasion of the Captain's Trophy in the 40th year, decided to give it one more go. To everyone's great delight Ken holed in one with a 4 iron at the 161 yard 8th hole at Vicars Cross Golf Club. Regrettably his bad back did not allow him to complete the full round and at that point he decided to end his golfing career. What a wonderful note to go out on.

However this was not to be the last hole-in-one in 1999. In the final competition of the season, President's Day at Frodsham Golf Club, Brian Neilson was to become the third CCOGS member to achieve this rare feat at the 188 yard 14th hole. Like Ken he also used a 4 iron. This was Brian's first hole-in-one and was celebrated in the usual manner.

CCOGS prides itself on being very much a 'classless' Society; this of course being in the sense of hierarchy and not behaviour. It was decided in 1989 to award just one more life membership. Prior to this life members had been Sir Herbert and Lady Dewes. Tom Carey, A C Hetherington and Jack Hickson all of whom are now deceased. Sir John Boynton was awarded life membership following his retirement from the County Council in 1979. However the life membership awarded in 1989 was unique in that it was not given to a golfer. In recognition of over thirty years support to the President, and the way he had looked after members of CCOGS on President's Day, particularly in the early years at Conwy, Derek Marsh, the Chauffeur (and part-time barman) was awarded CCOGS last life membership in the 80's.

There are many stories that could be told about 50 years of golf enjoyed by members of CCOGS. Characters are too numerous to mention. Our history is important but the future and continuation of CCOGS is more important. However, one bit of CCOGS history which came to light in a fortuitous way concerned President's Day at Conwy. After buying an old 8mm film projector at Heyes Auction Room in Chester, a former County Council employee (not a golfer or member of CCOGS) was looking at some old film which came with the projector. He recognised Sir John Boynton and Ian Ramsay and, after a few telephone calls and a viewing, it transpired that this must have been the property of a founder member and for many years Secretary, Jack Hickson. The film included footage taken at the President's Day picnic, probably in 1971. CCOGS therefore, has some genuine film (which has now been put onto video) featuring glimpses of a number of original members as well as the man who started it all, Sir Herbert Dewes. This therefore is a valuable, if unintentional, legacy from Jack Hickson.