The 2018 golfing year almost upon us and I would like to wish our members both old and new all the very best for a successful and enjoyable season.

The winter weather has certainly taken its toll this year; it is probably the worst we have had for 4 or 5 years in relation to the course being available for playing golf. Nevertheless as always we can rely on our greens staff to get the course into excellent condition come the start of the playing season.

There are a number of items of information I wish to bring to your attention.

Following our recent Annual General Meeting where we only had two elected board members, I am pleased to confirm that three members have come forward to join the board: Barbara Healy, Mark Taylor (also our JLO) and Howard Rutherford.  These members have been co-opted to the board for the forthcoming year and I thank them for their commitment to our club.

We have now confirmed the catering replacement for Jimmy and Joyce.  John Sonntag, who lives in Ryton, has accepted our invitation to take up the role and will start on the 26th February.  Please give him a warm welcome and your support in this venture.  I would like to thank Jimmy and Joyce once again for their efforts and support for our club over the years. You will still see plenty of them over the summer as they are retaining the occupancy of the flat and both will be helping in the bar and elsewhere.

On a sad note, I have to inform the members that Dave Wilson, our treasurer, has decided to formally retire and devote more time to his increasing family (grandchildren).  Dave has been with the club for over 10 years and has been the backbone of our financial programmes over that time.  I cannot thank Dave enough for his efforts, commitment and professionalism.  I will personally find Dave a big miss and I wish him well for the future on behalf of all the members.  We have acted quickly to secure the services of Gill Millington as our new treasurer.  Gill has over 40 years’ experience within the Lloyds Banking Group and we believe she has all the attributes and skills to take on the role.  Gill will join us at the end of February and work with Dave until the beginning of April.

You should all have received either an email or letter in relation to membership subscription renewals for the 2018 season.  If for whatever reason you have not already received this communication, could you please inform the office at your earliest opportunity as we have identified a number of incorrect email addresses and we need to update our records to rectify this.  The early payment of your subscriptions would be very much appreciated by the club.  A number of members have already paid their `subs` early and I thank them for this support.  Can I remind you all at this point, that to ensure entry into club competitions in April, your subscriptions are paid-up by the 31st March or, in the case of anyone using the finance option, that the signed paperwork is in place by this date?  Should you wish to take up the finance option and are having difficulty using the website please contact the office for assistance.  Please see the members area (members' noticeboard) of the website for additional information.

I would like to wish John Haddock, Club Captain; Kevin Rook, Seniors Captain; and Sarah Bendelow,  Ladies Captain all the very best for the coming year.

We are still in discussions with the Council and our contractors in relation to work on the 4th hole and I will keep you advised on what progress and plans are decided.

I would like to thank you all for your continued support of Ryton Golf Club.