LBGC Centenary Book - Flipbook - Page 45
Langland Centenary Book
15/2/05
6:12 pm
Page 45
consecutive years. His dedication to Club affairs could not be
faulted and he left them in good order. Finances were sound,
membership full and plans for the future bright. For business
and health reasons, John Roger Jones resigned from the Board
and apart from his golfing prowess was missed for his
knowledge in all aspects of the game.
There was a delay in the arrival of the new Steward, Mr. Bryant,
and his wife to take up their position. Ray Bicknell stood in and
with Beryl did a fine job for the Club.
It was decided to make an offer to the Tucker Brothers and the
Vivian Estate for the land leases on the Course. Following a
check on the Right of Way at the rear of the Clubhouse, it was
proposed that a one way road system be adopted. In at the
front and out at the back. Our loan from Welsh Brewers was
increased to £40,000 over a period of ten years.The
Secretary’s work load had by now increased to such an extent
that it became necessary to take on an assistant for nine hours
a week and as a cover for holidays.With all the ongoing
discussion about possible future developments it became
essential to set up a sub-committee to cover this important
aspect.The building of the new Beer Cellar began with in
addition some alterations to the kitchen and the drainage
system, all at a cost of around £16,000.
Membership lists for men were closed with those waiting, a
staggering one hundred and ninety. Hard to believe but true.
The only applicants considered were those with low handicaps
or close family ties. For example, siblings or wife of an existing
member.The current lists showed five hundred full playing Men,
thirty, five day Men, one hundred Ladies and fifty Juniors. It was
calculated that about forty thousand rounds of Golf were being
played on the Course in a year and to allow more in would be
detrimental. Another sub-committee was formed, this time to
organise Open Week and also the Bob Pressdee Tournament.
The latter being sponsored in 1991 by Welsh Brewers. It was
also on the agenda for discussion by the Welsh Golfing Union
with regard to future venues for the event. Now with a full
membership and the popularity of competitions and so on, our
Professional Tom Lynch found it imperative to employ a fully
qualified assistant to cover the extra workload.
The Greens staff were active during the year on several
projects. Construction of a spillway from the pond was
completed and a suspected leak investigated, tees were given a
great deal of attention to improve their size and quality, a
pathway on the first hole finished and work continued on the
new 18th Green. It was hoped, all being well, that the new
Green would take some limited play in 1992 and come into full
use by 1993.The Greens Committee authorised the building of
new shelters on the 10th, 13th and 7-15th holes if planning
permission was granted.They also began thinking about two
more ponds, these to be sited between the 1st and 2nd holes.
Water, water, everywhere at the start and finish of your round
but more of this later.
Mrs Bryant, the newly appointed Stewardess, used her contacts
to obtain Laura Ashley material for curtains in the Function
room and Lounge.When hung they looked good and brought a
touch of class to the areas. New furniture was obtained for the
Lounge and Men’s Bar and a spike proof carpet fitted in the
Men’s changing room. By necessity, new uPVC guttering was
fitted all around the Clubhouse.The Social side of the Club was
flourishing with many more attending Monthly Draw evenings.
The St. David’s Day Concert was up to its usual high standard
and there were better than average numbers at the Club
Dinner Dance in the Pier Hotel. Children crowded in for their
Christmas Party with presents for all and Father Christmas in
person. Members commented on the exceptional display of
flowers both inside and outside the Clubhouse both thanks to
the talents of Rosemary Beer and Margaret Algar.
The year ended on a high note with a profit recorded of
£35,172, this largely due to the increase in subs plus good
management. Frank Parker the retiring Chairman of the Board
was given Honorary Life Membership at the AGM and
deservedly so. Compliments were paid to the Steward and his
wife for the high standard of catering and service being
provided. The House Chairman and his Committee spent a lot
of time with their fingers crossed. Would they stay?
It was rather pleasing to see Colin Hughes win the Club
Championship in 1991, this after previously winning in 1974,
well worth waiting for! Our First team won the League, with
their last success being in 1986. Mark Portsmouth was the team
Captain and Peter Gorvett the Manager. Simon Edwards of
Wrexham, with a score of 141, was the Bob Pressdee winner.
At the first Board Meeting of 1992, Derek Greaves was duly
elected as Chairman. With a strong Committee in support he
hoped that progress could be made in all sections of the Club.
It was the decision of the Finance and General Purpose
Committee that Five Day membership would remain for the
present but come forward for discussion in the future.The
Club Newsletter had never got off the ground so it was agreed
that it should be produced each month in the Summer and
every other month in the Winter. At all times Members must
be informed about what’s on or what is going on.The current
Captain Graham Jones proposed that next year a date be set
aside for a Charity Day.This to be a team competition with
members of the teams paying an entry fee for the Captain’s
chosen Charity.
After some debate the Board made the decision to dispense
with the Club Diary and replace it with a fixture card.
Although not to everyone’s satisfaction at least the costs were
covered by sponsors. Following a number of short notice
cancellations, Societies in future had to pay a deposit of £50.
Nature reared its head again on the 3rd Green with our
friendly nocturnal badgers returning to do considerable
damage. An electric fence was put in place to keep them at bay
and away from the hallowed turf. This proved to be successful
and solved the problem for the time being. Work continued on
the bunkers with experiments carried out using different
grades of sand. The best solution, no doubt, was to keep out of
them as far as possible. Sketch plans were prepared for the
proposed new shelters on the Course and it was confirmed,
with a round of applause from members, that the stone pillars
on the 15th hole would be removed. Talks continued on the
possibility of two more ponds and also ways of tidying up the
pathway on the 1st hole.The Greens Committee announced
that the new 18th Green would come fully into play in Spring
1993 and that the old 18th Green become a practice putting
green. Complaints flowed in about sub-standard tees with no
real signs of progress.
At a Presentation and Dinner evening for Frank Parker’s
retirement, he indicated that it was his wish to “record in some
small way” the years of service he had given and the
honorarium he had received. It was decided in due course to
fit a suitable clock above the Professional’s shop. And there it
stands today as a memory to Frank.
Arrangements were made to decorate the Men’s Locker room
as soon as possible and then to fit new carpeting. New carpet
was also fitted to the Ladies lounge. It became necessary to
purchase a new cooker for the kitchen but unfortunately this
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