LBGC Centenary Book - Flipbook - Page 40
Langland Centenary Book
15/2/05
6:11 pm
Page 40
out, a new hot water/central heating system was urgently
required (£4,000 being quoted), there were leaks in the main
roof and the car park was in need of resurfacing. On top of all
this potential but necessary expense, a fire in the Men’s locker
room caused damage to twenty lockers, with clubs inside, at a
cost of some £10,500.The cause of the fire was found to be
faulty wiring.
Dancing. More plans were presented for an extension to the
Clubhouse building but with the road system status quo.The
Board conceded that much needed to be done to the existing
building with the exterior windows in a poor condition. During
the first part of the year the TV room leading off from the
Men’s Bar was completed, this being predominantly a male
domain but also useful for meetings and as an overflow for
catering if the Function room was full or otherwise engaged.
The Board decided to resurrect the monthly Newsletter to
keep members informed about current and future activity. A
report on the electrics in the Clubhouse made grim reading
with the recommendation for urgent re-wiring. Quotes to be
obtained as soon as possible.
At the Men’s Dinner in the Caswell Bay Hotel, Mr. Clive
Norling the well known Rugby referee, was the main speaker
to a full house.
Bob Pressdee’s family wished to dedicate a trophy in his
memory and the Handicaps Committee was given the task of
deciding the type of competition most suitable. One suggestion
was an annual Stroke Play Competition for 18 to 25 years old.
John Roger Jones won the Welsh Amateur Title for the second
year in succession and the Club presented him with a shooting
stick and binoculars for this achievement. Hugh Evans and John
Roger won their Welsh Caps and Hugh was Club Champion.
Glamorgan Ladies’ County Shield 1983
The subject of appointing a fully qualified Course Manager was
on the agenda once again but no decision taken. Other items of
interest reported at the time were the need to plant more
trees, plan the repositioning of the 18th tee, improve the 8th
fairway, after consultation with the Beaufort Estate, and to take
action to stop foxes and or badgers damaging the 3rd green.
Future intentions to obtain the Freehold reversion of the
Clubhouse, 3rd, 4th and 18th holes were well advanced and
also negotiations were proceeding for the purchase of Caswell
Field or the 12th and 13th holes.The Board agreed that all
leases should be looked at. A new retaining wall was built at
the Club’s house in 68 Overland Road and in addition the
Board agreed to pay £1150 for the purchase of the freehold of
the property. Membership at the end of the year totalled 886,
the same as for the previous year.
Colin Campbell, the Secretary, was awarded Honorary Life
Membership after forty six years as a member. Preparations
were in hand for a presentation evening to Tom Lynch who had
served the Club as our Professional for twenty five years.
The year ended on a sad note with the death of Bob Pressdee,
a member who had given so much to the Club in every way
and whose reputation in both Welsh and International Golfing
circles was second to none.
Early in 1984 the Board decided that £500 be given to the
House Committee each year to help promote social events
which in turn would tempt members to Clubhouse functions.
Arrangements were finally made for Tom Lynch’s ‘bit of a do’,
this incorporating a Testimonial and an evening of Cabaret and
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The Greens Committee continued to push for improvements
to areas of the Course requiring attention. A new first tee was
planned at an estimated cost of £796 and a scheme prepared
for posts and chains to run parallel to the road and the 18th
fairway. Discussion commenced on the subject of pop-up
sprinklers which, in the opinion of the Greens Committee, the
Course badly needed. Early estimates of the cost for such a
system was about £25,000.The car park was in a bad state
with resurfacing urgently required but a cost of £30,000 was
beyond our means. Our saviour in this matter was Ken Phillips
who promised to plan and complete the job for much less if no
questions were asked. Say no more.
At the AGM profits for the year were reported as £12,559, the
best ever and complimentary to the efforts of the Board and
the Treasurer David Billings.The Club was able to set aside
monies for the purchase of certain parts of the Course.The
Caswell Field or 12th and 13th holes for £10,000 was the first
target with the 3rd, 4th, 18th and Clubhouse next in priority. A
figure of £50,000 was offered to the Vivian Estate for the latter
but it was turned down and any back rent paid.
The year 1985 was to be the last year for the day tents just off
the 17th hole, a feature of the Course and Langland Bay itself
for many years.The decision was taken due to a decrease in
use by members, families had more sophisticated ways of taking
their leisure, and the urgent need for more space for members
to practice.The question of appointing a fully qualified Course
Manager was again discussed by the Greens Committee and
again held pending further enquiry. A figure of £22,000 was
quoted for the replacement of essential machinery for the
Course and, by necessity, the Hire Purchase route had to be
taken. In general terms the Course looked to be in good
condition throughout the season with any new equipment,
when purchased, sure to help even more.The Summer turned
out to be relatively wet but this helped the Greens to look
immaculate and play well. Plans for a bridge over the ditch on
the 1st hole were prepared by Ken Phillips and Gilbert Mellors.
The car park was completely resurfaced before the Season
commenced at a cost of £15,000. Ken Phillips was thanked by
the Board for his efforts, with no questions asked. Rain