Captain’s October 2019 Report
October 1st is a very significant date in our club’s year. It is the beginning of our new financial year and thus the end of our previous one.
On this date member’s shop voucher accounts should start again at zero unless an arrangement has been made with the Pro to carry money over.
It is also the date by which members have to decide where they would like their competition voucher earnings to go. That is, shop, 2021 membership or bar card.
The membership fees have already been set for next year. There are a number of options in terms of payment. Full details are available on our website but essentially members can pay early(by end of October) in full and receive up to £30 extra on their bar card. They can pay by 6 interest free instalments beginning on 10th October. Pay by 12 monthly instalments through Fairway Credit or pay in full by 31st January 2020.
We are almost at the end of our Summer Competition programme and Vice Captain Ian Baxter will be taking overall responsibility for competitions from this point.
This financial year we have run 101 mens and senior competitions and a massive thanks must go to the Competition Team of Ian Cassap, Bernie Munroe and John Walvin.
At this point I’d just like to highlight some recent events that illustrate the vibrant nature of our club.
In the last month we have hosted a successful Junior Patrons day. Hosted 8 teams for the NERGA league bringing £648 directly into club accounts for 2 hours of tee times. Held Ladies Club Champs and Lou Kelly on the same day. Congratulations to new Ladies Club Champion, Shelly Hogg. Hosted a very successful Clark Cup final, Durham County’s most prestigious knockout competition on Sunday 1st September. Congratulations to Heworth on beating Ineos on the day. Held a very successful and well run Sponsors Day on 4th September. Congratulations to organisers Bernie Munroe, Dave Hall and the army of volunteers who supported the day. Ran a successful Seniors Open on 5th September making £800 profit for the club. Congratulations to organisers John Cousins, John Burton and the volunteers who supported the day. Ran a successful Invitation Open on 7th September raising £300. A great turn out of volunteers on the day with the starting duties shared between John Walvin, John Ellison, Jack Ellison, Norman Baxter, Ian Baxter, and Dave Bryson. The desk was manned by Chris Coleman, Chris Bryson and Joan Brown with results by Ian Cassap and Bernie Munroe. A similar big squad for the Elliott Westland Houghton Feast Open on Saturday 12th October would be very much appreciated. Ran the internal Jim Stewart Mixed competition with 15 pairs taking part. A mixed survey and review will take place in October to ascertain the mixed patron’s preferences on format etc of current 5 mixed competitions. Hosted the North Durham Past Captains for the first time on Thursday 19th September and the field was a record for the competition with over 60 entries. Held the Club Knockout Finals Day on Saturday 28th September. On arriving at the club at about 8.30 am the prospect of play looked grim with some very flooded greens. However sterling work in brushing the greens by a small band of volunteers consisting of male and female captains and vice captains saved the day. Well done to all players who reached the finals and congratulations to the winners.
Weather permitting it is our intention to continue to play handicap qualifiers off the white tees up to and including Sunday 20th October.
Finally as I mentioned earlier although my Captain’s year continues up until 31st December I have now handed over the competition responsibility to Vice Captain, Ian Baxter and would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our members who have supported the competitions this year and all the volunteers who have helped in running them and good luck to Ian for the next 12 months of competition.
Dave Bryson
Club Captain 2019