LBGC Centenary Book - Flipbook - Page 30
Langland Centenary Book
15/2/05
6:11 pm
Page 30
Arthur were towers of strength during the alterations and
Arthur was such a strong man that he used to carry barrels of
beer not roll them. He was often co-opted by the builders
when any demolition was required.
Congestion and poor etiquette had still been causing difficulties
and some danger on the course and in October 1959 a long
circular was sent to all members pointing out the dangers and
the etiquette required. “Quiz” evenings on both rules and
etiquette were held during the winter months, these would
now be called “teach-ins”, and whilst they were enjoyable
evenings it was a case of preaching to the converted.These
evenings were organised by the late Lee Taylor who was a
tremendous stickler for golf etiquette, although he had been
known to forget himself. For example, when a ball landed close
behind him driven by a player behind, Lee turned around and
hit the ball smartly back.
The first official mention of car parking difficulties is found in
the minutes of this period. A rather plaintive minute enjoins
the House Committee to “give urgent consideration to
car parking”.
The financial position was still far from rosy and for the first
time in many years it was decided to organise a raffle to
increase funds.There were mixed feelings about this. It was
again the regular users of the Club who bought most of the
tickets, whilst many members still used the course and locker
rooms, but did not want to contribute anything to the club,
other than their subscription.The raffles, organised by Colin
Campbell, were successful and the proceeds from the first one
over £200. Subsequent raffles over the next few years raised a
further £300 enabling the alterations to be paid for and the
men’s bar to be panelled which, although expensive at the time,
costing £280, has subsequently required little maintenance and
has in effect paid for itself.
Another method of fund raising was also in operation at this
time. During the winter seasons there was a weekly draw for a
half bottle of whisky, and if the winner was not present the
prize was carried forward to the following week. It did not
raise much money but it at least brought people to the Club
and improved the bar takings.When the “John Haig Cup” as it
was called, was discontinued there was a surplus of £26 which
was invested in Premium Bonds and later won two prizes of
£25 each.
Midway through the 1961 season Mr. and Mrs. Arthur had to
resign because of illness in their family and their places were
taken by Mr. and Mrs. Hughes who were to serve the Club for
some seven years.The Club also lost the services of the late
Dudley Moody who was Chairman of the Greens Committee
but who had to resign because of ill health. Dudley was at this
time the Borough Engineer and brought his engineering
expertise to the Club’s benefit. He was responsible for many
alterations which although minor in character, led to greater
efficiency in methods and thus enabled the course to be kept
in good order despite the limited number of staff and outdated
machinery. One of the Club’s more senior employees also
retired in 1961,Trevor Rogers having been with the Club for
more than thirty three years. He had never been really fit and
the nature of the job in all extremes of climate was taking an
increasing toll on his health.
Perhaps the most important event in 1961 was the
appointment of a new manager to the Lloyds Bank branch
where our account had been maintained for some fifty years.
The Club was at this time paying interest on a Building Society
mortgage for a house purchased for Tom Lynch, the
professional at the time, and interest on the debentures issued
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for the purchase of Stroud’s field.These items were making
serious inroads into the already small annual surplus the Club
made. Previous Bank Managers had offered very small facilities
which were of no real assistance in the overall long term plans
which the Board had. Improved borrowing facilities were
necessary, because even with a material increase in the still low
subscription level it would be a number of years before the
Club could amass sufficient reserves to go ahead. Fortunately
the new manager had more foresight than his predecessors and
granted the Club reasonable borrowing facilities which for the
first time allowed the Board to plan ahead for something more
than a pipe dream. Some Board members were still averse to
borrowing but the majority felt that it was sound policy to
borrow so that new members coming into the Club would, in
effect, have to contribute to the improvement they would find.
The Club still has a very good relationship with Lloyds Bank
who have been most helpful over the years, particularly over
what may be called the expansion decade of 1966 to 1976.We
can be sure that the old Board members who would not
countenance bank borrowing must be turning in their graves
but the facilities of the Club have improved enormously thanks
to the help given.
One of the first implementations of the new planning was the
setting up of a special sub-committee, “the adjoining lands
committee”, known to all as “TALC”. It was specifically
empowered to negotiate with owners or tenants of any
adjoining land and to plan for any further expansion that might
take place. Naturally, most of the negotiations were with Dick
Woolacott who farmed most of the adjoining lands and grazed
sheep on the clifflands. It was hoped that the Club would be
able to obtain playing rights over the land yet still enable the
majority to be farmed. Dick was of course the son of the Mr.
Woolacott mentioned in the 1901 minute referred to earlier.
After numerous meetings, and some tentative agreements, Dick
changed his mind, rescinded the tentative agreements and
ceased to be friendly with Club. “TALC” members were quite
certain that some members were anti-change had persuaded
Dick that the Club were endeavouring to cheat him, that he
should not allow any playing rights.With friends like these ,
who needs enemies?
Early in1962, before the “TALC” negotiations had broken
down, the Club learned of the death of the President, Greig
Simpson, who had been a tower of strength and inspiration for
so long. Further to this more bad news was on the way with
the death of Charles Mortimer, a Vice-President. C.E. Penn, the
senior Vice-President had died some years earlier so the Club
in losing its President and both Vice-Presidents had suffered a
grievous loss.
In recognition of his services as Honorary Secretary,Tom Evans
was nominated for election as President and was unanimously
elected at the Annual General Meeting of 1962.Tom made it
quite clear that he wished to remain as Honorary Secretary
and the Board and members were only too pleased for Tom to
continue doing for nothing what other Clubs were paying for.
He carried on doing that unpaid and unsung job, where he got
all the kicks, until ill health forced him to retire in 1974.
It was in 1962 that the Board allowed the installation of the
first “one armed bandit”. A minute of the time recording “that
the majority of the Board did not like such machines, but felt
that the Club could not afford to be without one”.The first
machine was originally hired, and subsequently purchased, giving
wonderful service until replaced in 1973.The rights and wrongs
of such machines can be argued ad nauseam, but there is no
doubt that the advent of this form of gambling has enabled not
only Langland Bay, but most Clubs to improve facilities
for members.
