New Mills Golf Club

Report from General Committee Meeting in June 2011

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Trolley Shed

The shed has been cleared and tidied up.

Lockers

There are some empty lockers which don’t seem to being used. If you no longer need a locker please inform a member of the committee.

Shoe Cleaners

Some gentlemen members have been cleaning shoes and equipment in locker room sinks! Please do not do this. The provision of shoe cleaners is currently being investigated.

Steps leading to the 16th tee

The dangerous nature of the steps is currently being investigated both in terms of providing a handrail and a non slip surface.

Golf Development Partnership

The professional, David Hibbert (Juniors Section) ) and Management Committee have met with a representative from the Golf Development Partnership with regard to obtaining funding aimed at promoting junior membership and obtaining Golf Mark status in particular.

DGLCA

DGLCA would like to hold some of their meetings in 2013/14 at New Mills. This would be very prestigious for the club.

Premises Licence

An application for a revised premises licence has been made. There now has to be a 28 day period for consideration of any objections.

Buggies

The insurance issue relating to buggies has been resolved. Terry Johnson has helped draw up a plan showing the safest route around the course for buggies. Laminated copies have been placed in all buggies and signs erected around the course.

House

The Treasurer and Steward have met with representatives of ‘Robinson’s ‘regarding the provision of beer and lager to the club. The committee approved unanimously this initiative as it potentially offers the club considerable savings. Some matters still need to be resolved before this can be finalised.

The bar takings have increased considerably since the new Steward and Stewardess were appointed. Please continue to offer your support to the club by using the club house facilities.

Liz has plans to open up Half-way house for bigger competitions.
When we have visiting societies, members may find that bar food may be limited due to the extra pressure on the catering team.

Greens

There has been concern expressed by a number of members about  the state of the course regarding the increased areas of ‘rough’ which has increased the difficulty of some parts of the course when balls are no longer on the fairway and which has also led to criticism about the cosmetic appearance of the course. It was stressed that the course is a moorland course and that straying off the fairways should result in golfers being penalised. Furthermore the reduction in green’s staff and the state of the machinery were factors which needed to be taken into account when deciding which areas to mow and how frequently. However, it was felt important that the committee should address members’ concerns and so it was agreed that the Green’s committee would walk the course the with the Head Green keeper and look at the issues relating to each hole in turn and identify what needed to be done. Members who have concerns about the course are asked to raise these with members of the Green’s committee.
There is currently a vacancy for a part-time green keeper (3 days per week plus occasional weekends). Applications have been received and interviews will take place in the near future.

Open Day

Advertising for this event is well advanced. Adverts have been placed in the Buxton Advertiser, High Peak Courier and posters distributed to shops, pubs, information centres, libraries and schools in New Mills, Whaley Bridge, Hayfield, Furness Vale, Disley, Chinley, Buxworth, Chapel-en-le-Frith etc. A banner has been placed in a strategic position near the Co-op in New Mills and a large laminated poster outside the club.

The event has been advertised in a range of local newspapers and information has been placed on the club’s website. Information for members will be posted in the clubhouse and on the website.

Members will be asked to support the event by encouraging friends, relatives etc to attend and by helping on the day and providing tombola prizes.

Membership on Hold

Any requests of this nature will be considered on a strictly individual basis by the Committee.

Equalities law

A small subcommittee has been formed to address this.

Life Membership

Congratulations to Clifford Ardern, who has just become an octogenarian and is now eligible for life membership. This will be put forward at the next AGM in 2012.