LBGC Centenary Book - Flipbook - Page 56
Langland Centenary Book
15/2/05
6:12 pm
Page 56
for Open Week in June. In view of the continued success of this
week and taking into consideration centenary year, it was
suggested that in 2004 we increase the week to include two
extra days or from Saturday to Saturday, eight days of
competitions. However after some discussion the Open Week
Committee decided on status quo.
During the year the death occurred of Tom Lynch. Professional
at the Club from 1958 until 1997. Tom is referred to earlier in
the book for all the good work he carried out with coaching
juniors and the service he gave to the Club in many ways.
Membership resignations were received during 2003 from past
chairman and Board member Derek Stevens due to ill health
and from two former junior internationals, Jayne Evans and
Rebecca Last (for personal reasons). All three of these, losses
to the Club in every way. In the House developments took
place, a decking patio area was built adjacent to the practice
putting green with suitable outdoor furniture. With the good
Summer weather this was most appreciated by members. On
the social side it proved to be a successful year for the Captain
John Morse with the emphasis on Buffet Dances, all of which
were fully subscribed. In addition the usuals, St. David’s Day
Poems and Pints,Test your Skills, Carol Night, Children’s
Christmas Party and New Years Eve celebration, were all well
attended.The Annual Dinner Dance was held at Ty Llen for the
first time since 1998 with a hundred attending.
A Rules of Golf Quiz took place prior to Captain’s Weekend
with Pennard the winners.There were murmurings about the
selection of the team for this event and changes were
recommended for 2004.The Captain’s Charity Day went very
well with, in due course, cheques for £5,500 presented to both
the Oakwood Ward in Morriston Hospital and the Gwalia
Housing Trust.
On the Golfing scene the Ladies First Team`won through two
rounds of the Mail on Sunday national competition and the
Millennium Trophy was played at Fairwood and won again by
the Gower Club. However the validity of team selection as per
the original formula was questioned.The Club Champion was
Richard Evans and under the management of Brian Nimmo the
Men’s First Team were promoted to the Premier Division of
the League, very apt for our centenary. For the first time in
many years all the Club Men’s Finals were completed on the
same day. Full marks to the Handicaps Committee, the weather
and somebody up there. Mention must be made about our
Junior Team who not only won their section in the West
Glamorgan League but also the prestigious Glamorgan title
against Creigiau at Royal Porthcawl. Well done boys and
compliments to Carroll Davies the Junior Leader.
Hugh Evans was selected to be elected as Captain and this was
duly endorsed by the membership at the annual Captain’s
Changeover. Peter Reeves was proposed and elected as his
Vice-Captain.This relatively young team ideal to take on the full
programme of events planned for the year ahead.
With an eye to the Centenary year, arrangements were made
to produce new scorecards incorporating the names of holes
as selected by Past Captains.The design of the new scorecards,
fixture cards, course planners and special letter headed paper
included the merging of a period photo with a present day
photo, both taken from the same position on the 17th tee. A
new Club tie and bow tie and a framed aerial photograph of
the course were also produced. Plans were well advanced for
the visit of our friends from Kinsale in Southern Ireland,
unfortunately the visit by the Rhode Island Golf Club, USA was
not possible. A programme of Golfing and Social events was
prepared for the Kinsale visit.
Under the chairmanship of Past Captain John Pickard, a subcommittee was formed to plan for the Centenary Ball, this to
be held at the Brangwyn Hall at the end of the Kinsale visit in
August. Meetings were held regularly to confirm the choice of
Menu, gifts for the Ladies, MC for the night and so on. The
Band of the Coldstream Guards was booked, tickets to go on
sale in the New Year. The Board decided that winners of Club
competitions in 2004 would receive commemorative trophies
and not vouchers and Monthly Medal winners would be
presented with a medallion and not vouchers.
Phil Mayhew was given the onerous task of revitalising the Club’s
honours boards, this in response to criticism of the varied size of
printing and the re-siting of the boards after completion of the
refurbishment.This to be completed before the A.G.M.
On the course much work was needed on certain bunkers and
the location of trees. Inspection of all fences carried out with the
necessary repairs undertaken. Decision taken to use centenary
funds for the building of a new starter’s hut near to the first tee.
On the Social side the month leading up to Christmas went
well with full houses for Dances, Children’s Party, Carol Night
and New Years Eve.
The planned refurbishment commenced on schedule in MidDecember with the object to make interference of the Club’s
events as little as possible.The Designers and Builders were
true to their word and everything went well. All those involved
couldn’t wait for 2004 to arrive and after the Captain had
welcomed in the New Year on January 1st we looked forward
to Centenary year with some excitement.
With the new greenkeeper planning for the future, it became
necessary to purchase a replacement Toro Sidewinder at a cost
of some £22,500.Tee markers with the Club logo and flags for
each hole to be purchased ahead of the centenary year. There
was some evidence of fairy rings and ryegrass on the greens
but heavy rainfall towards the end of the season proved to be
nature’s method for eradication of the former and verticutting
the latter. In general terms the Course was in good shape with
credit due to Jim Jenkins and his staff. Magpies were again
prominent all over the Course and we were advised to
purchase Larsen traps to thin out the population!
Discussions began with various craftsmen to redesign and
update the Honours boards in line with the refurbishment of
the three main rooms in the Clubhouse.
In December, as per tradition, the new Captain is elected into
office. However for our forthcoming Centenary year in 2004
56
56
Tom Lynch Professional 1958-1997