CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – DECEMBER 2019

Well, this is the last report for 2019, and as I write this it is still raining and the course has recently been closed for 2 days! The ground everywhere is absolutely sodden and does not look like drying up in the near future. We have even had to postpone the Christmas Am-Am competition and the Christmas Draw until 5^th January and can only hope that the course will be dryer then. 

CHRISTMAS EVENTS

But it is not all bad news! We have had a number of successful Christmas events throughout December. There has been the Ladies and Seniors Christmas competition and dinner, an 18^th birthday party, Probus Christmas lunches and evening parties, other Christmas parties, and finally the main Christmas party night on 20^th. We have also had several smaller groups in for Christmas dinners. The staff have coped with all this admirably and done us all proud.

GENERAL MEETING FRIDAY 6^TH DECEMBER 2019 

One of the bits of business at this meeting was to elect the next round of Officers. The following were duly elected:

Chairman – Veronica Lyon

Finance Officer – Barry Robson

Course Officer – John Homer

Club Captain – Tony Shillcock

Club Vice-Captain – Garry Asbery

Lady Captain – not filled

Lady Vice Captain – not filled

Seniors Captain – Phil Churchward

Junior Organiser – Sam Beckett

Handicap Organiser – Martin Camp

The Management Council at the moment comprises Chairman, Finance Officer, Course Manager, Membership and Marketing Manager, Premises Manager and Club Captain. The President has an open invitation to these meetings and usually attends.

This structure was devised about 20 years ago in order to create some continuity within the management of the Club.

At the General Meeting we presented a proposal of a new Business Structure that will be more fit for the present purpose now that we employ so many more staff. We have got to ensure that employment legislation and health and safety legislation is current and relevant. The feeling of the members present at the meeting was that they would like more details of the logistics of this new structure before voting on it.

We are therefore creating job descriptions of the 3 new major posts and these will be published to members in the new year. An EGM will be called – probably in March/April - to look at this new structure further.

Please note - there will always be a dichotomy between the paid staff of the Club and those who do their jobs for no remuneration.

MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING

These will be available in the new year to read in the folder in the clubhouse and will also be posted on the website. I would ask you all to read these minutes – they give an account of the business and the golf for the year with reports from the President, the Chairman, and the Club Captain as well as a quick update from the Finance Officer.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

One thing we have created is a new tri-fold leaflet for all visitors to read before playing on our course. This outlines some of the peculiarities of our course, such as the use of bells, the shared fairways and greens, and the steps, slopes and bridges around the course.

I would urge you all to click the link below and take a few minutes to read this leaflet in order to ensure you are fully aware of any risks or hazards on the course.healthsafetyleafletrev9.pdf

CHRISTMAS DRAW AND 100 CLUB DRAW

As I have mentioned in the opening paragraph these have been postponed to Sunday 5^th January when we hope to play the Christmas Am-Am competition and get a good crowd of members in the clubhouse. 

NEXT SUNDAY LUNCH

This will also be Sunday 5^th January and we hope that as many people as possible will stay after the competition and the draw to eat a lovely Sunday lunch. If you book before 31st December you will receive a 25% early bird discount off your meal.

FINAL MESSAGE FOR 2019

Thank you all for the support you have given me during the last 3 years – here’s to the next 3! Thanks again to all the willing volunteers who help to run this fabulous Club.

I would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and hope you all get some great golf in 2020. Keep happy and healthy and support the Club in as many ways as you can please.

Veronica Lyon

Chairman Oundle Golf Club