On trial for 43 years!

Jan 19 2008 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

OF those who have been the professional at Meltham, Charles H Watts fills a special part in the club’s history.

He followed Jas Stewart (1910-1911), A Moulden (1915, who then went off the Great War) and Bert Nurse (1919-26).

Watts was given a trial and was still on trial when he retired after 43 years service. He received a £10 honorarium for his extra work during the Second World War and was created a life member in 1966 on his 70th birthday. A trophy in his name was also created. He died in 1977 aged 81.

Watts had left an assistant’s job at Aldeburgh in his native Suffolk to move to Keighley, then was pro at Branshaw.

Remembered as an outstanding teacher of golf, his starting wage at Meltham was 2/6d, rising to 5/- in the second year and eventually to 9/-.