LBGC Centenary Book - Flipbook - Page 38
Langland Centenary Book
15/2/05
6:11 pm
Page 38
The History of the Club
Chapter 4: The Eighties
European Amateur Golf Team Championship - St. Andrews 1981
In 1980 the standard of golf being played by Hugh Evans and
John Roger Jones ensured their selection for the Welsh team,
with Bob Pressdee as Non-playing Captain. John Roger was
Club Champion and with him in the County team were Phil
Balfry, Phil Cobley, Hugh Evans and David Stroud.The First
team were runners-up in the County League.
In the club house alterations to the kitchen were completed
and the catering side was more settled with members
reasonably satisfied. Complaints were received about the poor
state of the locker rooms and shower areas for both Men and
Ladies. Likewise the Junior room was in need of decorating and
repair, although much of this was self-inflicted. Planned
improvements to the Men’s Bar were presented to the Board
with high hopes of some urgent action.The vexed question of
Squash Courts was still on the agenda but with little
enthusiasm from the Board. Leaks in the Club house roof led
to the ingress of rainwater but the specific points of entry
proved difficult to find and thus repair. Once again the subject
of dress in the Clubhouse came to the fore but with no
changes made at this time.
Out on the Course it was decided to fill in the ditch between
the 1st and 2nd holes.There was criticism yet again about the
poor quality of Winter Tees and also the type of sand in
bunkers. Members were extremely unhappy about the length of
the rough on certain holes with too many balls and time lost.
In spite of much publicity; pitch marks were not being repaired,
with some greens suffering badly.
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Although not setting the world alight, our financial situation
over the year was satisfactory under the tight control of the
new Chairman, Frank Parker.The year ended on a sad note
with the death of Frank Venn, a wonderful servant to the Club
both as Greenkeeper and Steward over many years.
John Roger Jones and Hugh Evans won the Victory Shield
Foursomes in 1981 for the third time in four years and the
Club Champion was Phil Balfry. Our First team played well to
retain their position in the top division of the League and Paul
Webborn reached the final of the Welsh Boys Championship.
It was the decision of the Board to relax the dress regulations
in the Clubhouse for the period May to September to
encourage members to utilise the facilities provided. Estimates
were received for refurbishing the Men’s Bar Counter area at
around £7000 and the Mixed Bar at £360.The work to be
carried out and completed by the end of April.The sound
system was not working efficiently and required a complete
overhaul or replacement. Believe it or not the subject of
Squash Courts would not go away and still rumbled around at
Board meetings.
As at all Clubs in the area there was no waiting list and new
members were welcomed, after vetting of course. A new
innovation was developed during the year with members being
offered the facility of Direct Debiting for their subscriptions by
payment on a monthly basis. A majority of members took up
the offer, which spread the load of ever increasing annual subs.