LBGC Centenary Book - Flipbook - Page 50
Langland Centenary Book
15/2/05
6:12 pm
Page 50
McGowan was included in the Welsh Under 16 squad and
Becky Last a regular member of the Ladies First Team and
County squad. We were informed that John Roger Jones, now
residing in North Wales, had been appointed as President of
the Welsh Golfing Union, a great honour indeed.
an estimated cost of £24,000. Vertical blinds were fitted in the
Function room, Lounge and Men’s bar.
The Steward, John Weekes, informed the Board that due to his
wife’s illness he would have to resign his position.They had
been with us for three years and members were genuinely
sorry to see them go. Their overall performance had brought
some stability and quality to the catering side. A couple who
had spent some time at Clyne Golf Club impressed the
interview panel and were appointed to take over in April. Phil
and Susan Jones knew their way around a Golf Club, taking
little time to acclimatise, and were soon giving a better than
average account of themselves in every way. We were all
optimistic for the future.
John Pickard, Captain for the year, was fully involved with the
Kinsale visitors and having to wear two hats, one for the Club
and one for Mumbles Community Council. It was good to
report that the visit turned out to be a complete success.
Likewise the Club Dinner Dance, at Ty Llen for the second year
running, was well attended and enjoyed by all.
Rebecca Last - Welsh Girls International 1999
Twenty eight teams entered the Pro Am Tournament held for
the retiring Tom Lynch’s Benefit Fund. Proceeds from this event
plus members donations, monies from a raffle and a top up
amount from the Club were presented to him.The Board also
decided to make Tom an Honorary Member this fully deserved
after thirty-nine years at the Club. It became necessary to
update our computer system and a new one, plus the required
trunking, was purchased at a cost of £3,000. A decision was
made to sell the house we owned in Overland Road as soon as
possible. Badgers continued to cause trouble on the 3rd Green
and the Course Manager devised several ways of resolving the
problem by fixing suitable fencing at the back of the Green.
The Badger Society were informed before any such work was
carried out.
Peter Gee informed the Greens Committee that in future he
would be servicing all the machinery and giving tuition to his
staff to do the same.This would make considerable savings for
the Club. A selection of trees was available for planting
between the 9th and 10th fairways. Unfortunately there were
still signs of a leak in the pond next to the 18th Green but it
was not causing a major problem.The irrigation system and
water supply from the borehole were operating efficiently and
the Course was showing a continual improvement under the
steady hand of the Course Manager. There were the usual valid
complaints about tees and bunkers. Perhaps one day!
Derek Stevens was elected as Chairman of the Board for 1998
and at the first meeting of the year announced that profits for
the previous twelve months was £5529. This reduced figure
was the result of extra advertising for the several staff changes
that took place, increased salaries and above average overtime.
The house in Overland Road was finally sold for £69,000. In
the Clubhouse new tills were fitted and all members issued
with swipe cards for access to the Clubhouse and bar
purchases with a 10% discount. At that time food could not be
purchased using the card. After an assessment of the
membership situation it was decided to take in twenty five full
playing males immediately. All members’ loans, totalling £8,000,
were repaid to clear the books and thanks were given to those
members who had helped the Club in time of need.The
Chairman reported that Capital Expenditure was necessary for
a new roof on the Flat (old Clubhouse building), central heating
in the Flat and new equipment to update the kitchen. All this at
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There was good news for Open Week with sponsorship
obtained at £120 per day for each day. Profits of about £7,000
were recorded but the sub-committee in charge considered
there was still room for improvement. Particularly with regard
to the level of prizes.
A survey of the Waiting List situation was undertaken with
twelve new male members admitted and twenty six put on the
waiting list. It was noted that the average age of Lady members
was forty three and there was a need to attract some younger
golfers. In future all Ladies applying for membership with a
handicap of 18 or less would be placed on the waiting list
ahead of other applicants.This figure was previously 15 or less.
Slow play continued to be a problem with the Men, and serious
thought was given to handing out some kind of penalty. The
Club Champion was Lee Thomas for the second year running.
Our First team played well and were promoted but the Second
team fell from grace and were relegated. Richard Evans was
selected and played for the County team and young Rebecca
Last became the Ladies Section Golfer of the Year.
In spite of inclement weather the Course was reported to be
in a good state, that is apart from some grumbles about the
height of the rough in some areas.Tree planting continued with
some two thousand trees and shrubs paid for by the Forestry
Commission and Woodland Grant Scheme. A John Deere
Machine for fairway cutting was purchased at a cost of
£24,500.The Greens Staff began the task of renovating the 14th
Green with the additional plan to top some of the trees at the
rear and side in order to allow in more light. New sand was
delivered and introduced to all bunkers.
The Development Committee continued with its domestic
meetings and those with the Design Team headed by Huw
Griffiths.The total cost of the proposed plans was £627,354,
well beyond our means, and unless Sportlot were prepared to
partially fund the project, much pruning would have to be
looked at.The Board decided to hold a referendum on the
matter with voting forms sent out to all full members.The
proposal for development was turned down by members and
the project abandoned. At the same time Sportlot rejected
our request for funding and later in the year also rejected an
appeal. So after much hard work and good intention, that was
that for the present.
Subscription levels for 1998/1999 were published with about a
4% increase across the board. Full playing Men went up to
£420, Ladies to £355 , Joint to £700 and Juniors to £90.