LBGC Centenary Book - Flipbook - Page 47
Langland Centenary Book
15/2/05
6:12 pm
Page 47
informed by the tax office that Green fees paid by nonmembers were in fact taxable. The Finance and General
Purpose Committee made a decision to start the financial year
on 1st October and finish on 31st September, commencing in
1993. Good news was received about the VAT rebate with the
Club due to get £76,795. Although some Clubs repaid the VAT
to members, the Board decided that it would be in the best
interests of the Club to use this large windfall for the purchase
of the freehold reversion from the Vivian Estate, estimated at
twenty three acres and to improve the sprinkler system on all
the Greens. It was announced at the AGM that profits for the
year reached a figure of £38,070. So the sky looked bright over
Langland moneywise with plaudits all round for our Treasurer
David Billings.
In the House a completely new sound system was installed
after faults were found in the wiring. The condition of our
property in Overland Road was good but some light repair
work had to be carried out. Some repairs were also required
on the Clubhouse roof yet again and the road into the car park
needed resurfacing.This to be completed before Open Week,
at a cost of £1,200, as was the the papering of the function
room. Unfortunately due to the Steward, Mr. Munslow’s, ill
health and his wife’s inability to cover the catering duties, they
resigned in September after two years in the job. Much work
was required to bring the Flat up to scratch before the new
Steward and his wife took up residence. In the intervening
period Mr. and Mrs. Carley and their son worked well as
locums until the newly appointed pair, John and Brenda
Weekes, began their duties towards the end of the year.
Geof Ellis was crowned as Club Champion and the First Team
tasted glory with promotion to the Premier Division of the
Glamorgan League.There was further success with the team
reaching the Final stages of the Mail on Sunday Foursomes
Competition held in France at Golf de Deauville and Golf du
Champ de Bataille.
Mail on Sunday Foursomes - Phil Balfry, Lee Thomas, Geoff Ellis,
David Jenkins and Mark Portsmouth
Douglas, Jones and Mercer agreed to sponsor the Fixture
Cards, which had proved to be popular after some initial
criticism. As indicated earlier our Professional Tom Lynch
needed a full time assistant and Neil Evans was taken on and did
well. Open week was again extremely popular in every way but
the controlling Committee was looking at possible
improvements for next year. ALCOA informed us that, for
various reasons, they would not be able to continue with their
Golf Day. This was a great disappointment for all those who
had played in the annual competition and eaten at the free
evening buffet which followed. After much searching and
questioning of past winners, the Langland Bowl could not be
found. It was eventually replaced through the generosity of
Harry Cass. Due to problems they experienced in raising teams,
Clyne withdrew from playing their friendly matches against
Langland, this a disappointment to many of our members.
Jayne Evans - Welsh Schools International 1995, Welsh Under 18’s
International 1994/95, Welsh Under 21’s International 1996
The Greens Committee announced that work on the two new
ponds situated to the right of the first hole would commence
in August. They also indicated that the 9th and 13th greens
would be extended and the 7th, 12th and 15th tees increased
in size. A grant was obtained from the Council for the
purchase and planting of more trees. It became evident that the
Greens Staff were in need of a new tractor, a vertidrainer and a
Greens mower, all at a cost of £52,000. A decision on
purchase to be made by the Board later. A base was laid to the
right of the first tee for the erection of a Starters Hut, this to
be partly funded by the Veterans Section. Notices were fixed in
several places on the Course stating that NO DOGS ARE
ALLOWED but still some members of the public chose to
ignore them.The Ladies were persistent in their request for a
toilet on the Course and arrangements were made for a
Portaloo to be sited near to their 12th tee, on a trial basis.
This proved to be unsatisfactory for several reasons and
removed.The matter to be reviewed at a later date. The
Starters Hut was completed and opened with much pomp and
circumstance.Would it be used, that was the question? The
bank around the number one pond was rotivated and seeded
with plants to be inserted later. The Greens staff and
Committee were complimented on the condition of the
Course throughout the Season.
Following serious consideration by the Board it was deemed
necessary to increase the hours worked by the Secretary John
Jenkins and his assistant Rosemary Beer. Over the past few
years the workload and the amount of paperwork generated in
the office had increased considerably.There was also the need
for a presence in the office in the afternoon.
Ken Phillips, a Board member for some thirty years, announced
his retirement and was thanked by all and sundry for the effort
he had put into the Club during his time in office.The many
years of service given to the Club in the position of Greens
Chairman was the least part of his contribution. His expertise
was exploited to the full when he took the role of “Clerk of
Works” during every modification and extension to the
Clubhouse, which was undertaken, during his membership. Add
to this his providing the concrete steps from the 5th and 17th
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