13/08/13

Another interesting Board Meeting last night. We made some important decisions and I woud ask you all yet again to read the minutes when they are posted.

Making difficult and sometimes contraversial decisions, I guess, comes with the role. It becomes clear as the months pass that it is impossible to please everyboby. Our intention, obviously, is always to please the majority of our members. I am pleased that members take the time to voice their opinions and either discuss matters or send letters in to the Board with their observations. Thank you!

07/08/13

57 today! HB to me! Its gonna be a good day!

2nd reserve at Close House tonight for the last HL match of the season. 

06/08/13

Statement from Sec/Man on Club Finances

As we fast approach the end of the financial year it is perhaps sensible to give an early picture as to where we are as of 31st July 2013. The bank balance is healthy with £75k in credit, this compares to £47k this time last year. In simple terms it is our intention to keep at least £20k ahead of the previous year and therefore remove the need for an overdraft. It is also prudent to have funds on hand in case of unforeseen events, for example we are currently having to carry out necessary repairs to the heating system and replacement of the chest freezer.

We are however increasing the spend on the course, which we hope is noticed with the quality of the Golf Course.  Additional fertiliser, new tee markers, larger quantities of divot mix for both the fairways and tee's, new tee box on 14th. Based on the financial results at end of September we will be planning a winter works programme for the course, any suggestions please feel free to contact me.

We are on target for a profitable financial year once again and more importantly a much improved Golf Course and Clubhouse.

Being more specific, finances as at 31st July 2013. Membership up by £15k, Greenfees and Visiting Parties up by £30k, Bar up £12k, other sources of income which show big improvements are Buggy Hire & Coffee Machine. On the other side of the coin, course expenditure is up by £5k, staff and greens wages by £12k, advertising/promotions up £4k. 

Overall, a healthy picture thus far with hopefully not too many unexpected costs over the next 8 weeks. We trust you find this information helpful.

03/08/13

Just back from caddying for Shaun Embleton who represented the county (and the club) fantastically well yet again. Having lost the morning foresomes it was important that he got something out of his singles match in the afternoon, which he did winning 2&1 against Lancashire. Well done young un!

02/08/13

July has come and gone. What a great month it was! The sun shone in so many ways at the club. Its been busy, busy, busy both on and off the course and thats the way we like it.

The Ladies Section have had a fabulous season and are presently in the last 16 in the country in the Mail on Sunday Competition. It looks like they stand a very good chance of winning the "Anderson League" having completed all their fixtures. Watch this space as other teams have yet to complete their fixtures! I foresee an end of season party!!!!!

We have completed the "Shoe Cleaner" at last and it is now a beautiful feature of the club. I would like to offer my congratulations to all concerned in the completion of this task. Well done!

We have a new winter tee box on the 14th. The aim is for members to have a decent surface to hit of during the "short course" months. Pop and the crew have yet again pulled out all the stops to create another feature.

Its the little touches that make the difference I think! Flower tubs and "trains" on tees all go to make the place different and these features are commented on by visitors and members alike.

The course has gone from strength to strength. We have made and intend to make a few more "tweaks" to the course with the intention of making it more playable and not upsetting the aesthetics in any way. Our intention is simply to make it look more beautiful (if that is possible) and to help people to score well. Many visitors state that they really enjoy playing Ryton GC and how the course is in great condition but very few of them talk of good scores. A conundrum!

I wonder what August will bring. Exciting times ahead before the the winter months set in. Yes the nights are unfortunately drawing in but we have a lot to look forward to.