Club Newsletter: August 2024

Update From The Board

Directors Half Year Report

Now the summer is finally here we forget how difficult the conditions were for our club in the first three months of this year. Conditions were unseasonably wet indeed 129% of the 1990 – 2020 average according to the met office. The many course closures during this period affected our Q1 income and expenditure. Q2 has therefore been a case of catchup on our annual budget 

The following bullet points represent Initiatives the board planned for this year with results so far   – successes in Blue and goals still to be achieved in Red.

1. Golf Course Income

• To match last year’s Green fee revenue with less footfall – Green fees 82k to date, in line with budget with less visitors than last year. 
• Increase membership subscriptions – 4.5k behind budget

2. Clubhouse Revenue 

• Increase Function room hire income – in line with budget.
• Improve on Bar profit – currently 9.6k behind budget… but… expect to catch up after staff re structure in June and improved facilities.
• The Restaurant to be self-financing – 3.5k behind budget… but… since 1^st June results are improving.

3. Clubhouse Improvements

• Create bigger bar area by utilising part of function room for members use – Works completed, new lighting, Bi fold patio doors and members area created by installing a solid sliding wall system.
• Install an all-weather pergola on the Balcony – Pergola installed… but…Glass side screens outstanding due in August.
• Purchase soft furnishings – Delivered.
• Upgrade heating system – New boilers installed to clubhouse and changing rooms.

4. Course Improvements

• Driving range – completed with grant funding.
• Purchase machinery to progress pathways and drainage – deal negotiated.
• Complete pathways on holes 1 to 3 – grant funded works ongoing expected completion Nov 24.
• Winter Mats for every hole – grant funded works ongoing expected completion Nov 24.
• Install Wi-Fi irrigation system – working and fully operational.
• Purchase new and second hand Mowers  – purchased.
• Improve Floral displays around the course – works in progress.

Conclusion

The board feels we are well on track to achieving it’s 2024 objectives, as laid out in our 5year Strategic plan. On the course we are contractually obliged to prioritise Grant works this winter, however we are planning to commence bunker renovation work (long term project) and carry out much needed drainage improvements on a rolling programme next year.

From Our Captains

From Our Mens’ Captain

Dear Members,

We are now in the height of our Golf season and July has been a very busy month too.

I represented St Mellons Golf Club at the Gwent Captains meeting at Pontnewydd GC on 14^th of July and at Llanwern GC on 28^th July both were very well attended meetings and enjoyable events in perfect weather. I look forward to go to two more Gwent Captains meeting in August on Sunday the 11^th at Newport GC and Saturday the 24^th of August at Brynmeadows GC.

We had our Mens Open Day on Friday the 26^th of July. Once again we were very lucky with the weather. I would like to thank IPC Mr Robert Cook , Vice Captain Mr Phillip Crean and  Past Captains Mr Steve Macdonald, Mr Micahel Buckland and Mr Steve Brockway for doing the meet and greet and registration duties. I would also like to thank Past Captain  and  Past President Mr Ron Boyce for doing the starters duties from 7.45 am tilL 10am and I took over from him from 10am until the last tee off group at 1.30pm. We had 100 golfers and a very competitive day. I would also like to thank all the in house team at our club to make it a great experience for all the guests and the members.

Our Summer Party was a very successful event. It was very nice to see so many members and  their guests. The entertainment was well received and would like to thank the members for their support. Thank you the Social Committee for their hard work to put the event together.

Our competitions are running well with a good mix of Medals Stablefords, Better Balls and the golf course has been very well presented by James our head green keeper and his team. Congratulations to our first team who have been undefeated this season and have been promoted this season. I wish the Captain Ben Thomas and the Match Captain Colin Dawes all the best for the Welsh Team championship final to be held at Morlais Castle GC  from 9^th of August. Our second team has held its position well. We have not had a third team for 4 years this year they have done so well and been promoted as well.Congratulations to third team Captain Mr Richard Hughes and his team. Wayfarers with their Captain Mr Andrew Thomas and Hallet with their Captain Kevin Purse have been well supported and doing well.

As it is our 60^th anniversary of the club the Captain’s Committee unanimously decided to give something back to the course in this our very special year and decided to build a stone bridge on the the second hole When I have the final quotation and design details I will share it with the membership. On Friday the 2^nd of August we had Captains project fund raiser day. We had thirteen teams making it 52 player .Every one who supported the event had a great day. I would like to thank Steve Jones for running the putting competition and John Rivers for general help and selling the raffle tickets. I am most grateful for members donating raffle prizes. A very special thanks to Mr Simon Dibley director on the BOM for sponsoring the trophies much appreciated by every one. For the special auction held on the day one of our member Mr Mervy Harris  offered his luxury villa in Playa  Blanca Lanzarote for 2 weeks for the Captains fund raising event .I am most grateful to Mr Mervyn Harris for his most generous offer for fund raising

We raised funds as follows

Putting competition     £92.00

Raffle                         £380.00

Golf event                £1170.00

Stay in villa auction £1050.00

Total raised              £2692.00

I am very grateful to all the bidders in the auction and the best bid we had was from Mr Tony Regan £1050.00 thank very much and enjoy the villa.

The winning team was Sally Madsen, Keith Madsen, Andy Pleace, Les Macgregor 96 pts

Runners up were Rob cook, Steve Borja, Andy Thomas and Gareth Thomas 94pts

Spot Prizes

Nearest the Pin  Jimmy Campbell

Nearest the Pin in Two Keith Madsen

Beer Challenge  Steve Borja

Longest Drive Men Sam Pleace

Longest Drive Ladies S Madsen

I would humbly request the members to support the fund raising events for the Captain’s project as it is for the good of our great course.

I am looking forward to our Club finals day on 7^th of September one of our show case events. Please make a note in your diaries I would like to see members and  and their families, guests, Juniors children to create a great family atmosphere to support our finalists on the day.

I wish all the members and their families on holidays all the best and enjoy the summer as it has just arrived!

Thank you

Gurnam S Bhogal

From Our Ladies’ Captain

Dear Members

Since my last report I really feel that summer has arrived! The good weather has enabled us to get through our calendar of events and matches without any disruption. Hurray!

The Cupid Cup on Sunday 7^th July was very well attended and won by Roseanne & Andrew Walters. The mixed event that ran alongside was won by mother and son duo Linda & Richard Hughes. Well done. There was a great atmosphere in the club and the meal afterwards was excellent.

The Anniversary Summer Party to my eyes was a resounding success. Great food, great entertainment and great atmosphere again with 140 people attending. Well done the social committee and helpers for making it happen.

The ladies held a 9 hole Texas Scramble the following day with the aim to help and integrate new members. Six new members teamed up with twelve other ladies to form teams of three. Great enjoyment was had and well done to the winning team of Susan Parker, Ann Booth and Lynys McGeever. Refreshments were enjoyed afterwards. Due to positive feedback another Texas Scramble is being held on Sunday 4th August.

Our weekly competitions and knock outs are going to schedule and we are at the semi final stage in all of them. In the County competitions Maria Woods,, Julia Dolby and Ann Booth will represent St Mellons in the All Wales finals for the Medal and Challenge Bowls on August 6^th at Cradoc. Good luck ladies. Linda Hughes and Julie Brown will represent us in the Dorothy Meacock semi finals, venue yet to be decided.

Finally to my Lady Captains Day that was held on Sunday 28^th. I feel it was very successful as I have had nothing but positive remarks from players and guests. The weather was great which really helped playing golf and enjoying a Pimms at the Halfway House! James Lewis our assistant pro volunteered to organise a putting competition…this raised £117 for Parkinson’s UK. He was also instrumental in helping set up competitions on the course with James our head green keeper. Thank you. A meal was enjoyed afterwards by players and guests that I had invited who, as past members, had been influential in my earlier golf life at St Mellons. A big raffle was held and we hit our target of £1000 on my Just Giving page. All for Parkinson’s UK. Thank you everyone for your generosity.

As August approaches we look forward to more good golf and continued support for our club from our members.

Gill Rees