Headbutts and saucy texts at 19th hole

A story of sexual intrigue, gossip and professional backstabbing at a Berkshire golf club emerged today.

The former secretary of the Sands Martin club in Wokingham, Elizabeth Roginski, was sacked for allegedly undermining the managing director, an employment tribunal heard.

The club's problems had started when two senior members - referred to as Mr A and Mr B - became embroiled in a fight which led to one of them being headbutted.

Ms Roginski felt managing director Andrew Hall should have acted more forcefully by terminating Mr B's membership. The panel heard how Mr A had developed a reputation for "becoming rather friendly with lady members" - and rumours had linked the club secretary with him.

One member even showed a text message allegedly written by her to him "concerning oral sex". Matters were made worse when a female member of staff complained that Mr B had " sexually assaulted her" in the bar, causing the woman to launch a formal complaint with police.

However, Mr Hall claimed Ms Roginski put pressure on club chairman Edward Fox to make his position at the club untenable.

Later he was phoned by Ms Roginski's partner and club member Malcolm Booth.

Mr Hall said: "He was very angry about rumours that Mr A had been sleeping with Liz Roginski, his partner, and he had also heard that I had 'shagged' Liz.

"It was obviously rubbish, but he told me the best thing for me to do would be to pack my bags and leave the club."

Eventually, Mr Hall sacked Ms Roginksi. He said: "There is no dispute about her performance - Liz did work hard. However, she was very aggressive and could have an abrasive manner." Ms Roginski, of Lower Earley, claims unfair dismissal and sexual discrimination. The tribunal continues.