Festive Thistle. NEWSLETTER Spring 16. ISocial

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1 Festive Thistle NEWSLETTER Spring 16 Past Captains Words of Wisdom The Thistle look forward to 2016 having enjoyed a very successful 2015 Can I start off by thanking the committee and members of Leven Thistle Golf Club for giving me the opportunity to lead this great and prestige golf club for the past 2 years? It has been a privilege and an honour. I have met so many people in the world of golf who I now regard as friends. There is an air of enthusiasm within Leven Thistle Golf Club right now and it is down to the hard work from Ian Murray and Denise Boath and their respective staff. They have taken the level of customer care to a level not seen at this club for many a year. And let us not forget our secretary, Andrew Traill, he has got the business side of the golf club running like a swiss watch. My list of Captains memories include, winning the Lindsay Shield, 1908 trophy and the Belhaven Cup Leven Links Joint Committee brought Leven Links golf course into the 21st century by installing Eric Walker as our resident professional. The hard work done by previous Leven Thistle Captains and committees cannot go unrecognised and they have to be thanked for all their efforts and input in getting the process started in the first place. My last task as captain will be a very pleasing one; at the annual general meeting on Saturday 27th February I will be handing over the Captaincy to my Vice Captain and friend Alan Lee. I am in no doubt with his new team around him Leven Thistle Golf Club will continue to prosper. Gouff Dings Aw ISocial Saturday 5 th March Annual Captain v Vice Captain match followed by Karaoke by Caroline 6pm 9 pm Saturday 26th Mar Gavin Patrick Saturday 30th Apr Guitar / Vocalist Degsy Saturday 28th May New to the Thistle Hunky Dorey We would be interested to hear any Social suggestions. please contact us These are exciting times at Leven Thistle and we had 3Spaces on committee at the AGM.2 spaces were filled by Andy Burns and Edgar Rankine If you would like to join us and take up the Final space and make a contribution to the running of the Club please contact Secretary Andrew Traill or Alan Lee Captain to discuss.

2 Financial We are delighted to report the continued upturn in bar income, mainly around the Denise Boath resurgence in catering and Function Hall bookings. The refurbishment of the lounge turned out fantastically well. Our uptake of new members continues and is more than 15% up on last year where we achieved a total of over 400 by year end. We are in the fortunate position that our subscriptions allow Leven Thistle to operate as a value for money All Year Round Golfing Experience. For every 10 new members there will be a draw between the Proposers for a 150 voucher. There are Special offers open to New Members See Website Subscriptions till 31/12/2016 New Full Member 460 Age 21 to Age 19 to Age 16 to Senior Member New Country Member 370 between Forth & Tay Bridges West of M8 Junior Under 16 Free *New member Adult fee with Free Junior Easy Payment Scheme available You the Members as ambassadors of the club are our 1st line salesmen to work on increasing our membership, this introduction of New members is healthy for the clubs future prosperity. Particularly as other clubs struggle. Catering Denise has raised the standard of cuisine at the Thistle Restaurant where positive comments have become common place. Social memberships are available for 30 so encourage friends and relatives to join us. Treat family and friends Friday, Saturday & Sunday in the Dining room. Booking advisable. Call Denise to Book, or Call on your way down to have Breakfast and Tea or coffee waiting on your arrival. Our Function Suite continues to secure advance bookings for Special occasions, catering for up to 120 people. Great value as our Bar prices are much lower than Hotels etc. The Restaurant and the Upstairs Function Suite are Free to members, family & friends for Parties etc. They are there to be used please contact Ian & Denise to check availability, discuss your needs and confirm Booking. Sports As the 2016 Season approaches let s remember our 2015 Champions Baird Cup Club Champion Calum McAndrew defeated Mark Anderson Patrick Cup Hcp Barry O Sullivan defeated Gordon Moreland Silverburn Cup Seniors Chris McAllister defeated Bill Dorrell Dave Walker Cup Juniors Scratch Liam Ratcliffe defeated Grant Cunningham Other Highlights from a memorable season ; The Thistle had 2 excellent Victories against our Auld foes from St Andrews and Carnoustie 26 1/2-23 1/2 to come out victorious in the Lindsay Shield for the 8 th time in our history. The atmosphere in the club as we celebrated was 2 nd to none. Great win in 2015 and we look forward to defending our title with an even stronger pool of players.

3 Congratulations to Davie Swann who won the Links Championship defeating Calum McAndrew in the Final. Lowest Scratch Qualifier was Jim Lind with a 70 Congratulations to Tam Hastie who won the Handicap Championship defeating Willie Hunter in the Final. Lowest Handicap Qualifier was Andy Burns with a 69 If you have any comments or suggestions on current competitions or observations the Sports committee would be interested in hearing from you. Out on the Course The new tank installed in the summer at the Shepherds Knowe gives us a vastly improved irrigation facility allowing better management of the Greens and fairways. The fact it has rained since we installed it is neither here nor there as it is and will be a major asset to the course condition in years ahead. COURSE CONDITION - GREENS, Performed well last season. Smooth texture and running true. However Pitch marks always remain a concern. APRONS, Performed well and the smoothness is getting better. TEES, Overall condition remains good. Some autumn feeding was applied in the form of a organic based fertiliser. FAIRWAYS, Grass cover last year was quite good (although not always the desired species, something we need to work on ). Aeration works continue, to allow root development to strengthen the plant. Trial areas at holes 1,6,10, and 18 have been extremely successful in improving turf health and vigor. BUNKERS, Some of our more contentious Bunkers have been dug out and remodeled from the base up. RABBITS Our rabbit controllers hope to have removed over 300 rabbits by the end of They are reporting that the rabbits have become skittish. The increased number of Dog walkers is detrimental as it chases the Rabbits underground. S.T.R.I. - Bi annual visit took place on Thursday 24th September. See the report in the lounge. Our new agronomist Ian Craig was reasonably pleased with the greens and noted on the day that with just a little bit more rolling we would have entered the Championship target area for smoothness/trueness. Winter Programme Routine works to all areas will remain primary focus. These include cutting, switching, rolling, raking, aeration, topdressing, spraying works, divotting, machinery maintenance, and course set up. Renovation works will take place to worn areas by re seeding, returfing, and top dressing. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER New Yellow play tee formed at hole 4 to allow a better view of the fairway. - A new set off tees will be placed at rear of current ladies tee, to be used in noncompetitive matches for shorter hitters. - New Blue tee to be formed at hole 16. This tee will be surrounded by astro turf pathing. - The Area to left of 9th Tee to be rejuvenated with new steps to tee, bushes cleared to view 9th green. - Access to 11th tees will be changed to make area safer. JANUARY/FEBRUARY New astro turf path works at holes 4, 5,6,7,8,12,15,16, and 18 as time and weather permits - Bunker works throughout the course shall take place to redesign shaping so the ball runs into the Middle, provide firmer

4 bases with approx 3" of sand, trim any grass. - Practice ground to be re designed to encourage a short game theme. - New non-competitive tee markers to be trialled at holes 3,4,and 13 to allow choice of tee shot for players who may not carry existing rough. These markers will be placed to the rear of ladies tees. - The carry at hole 13 will be widened to allow a better view of fairway to the left to aid ball spotting / speed of play. ALL ABOVE WORKS MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER/STAFFING ISSUES The voluntary workers from Leven Thistle led by Dave Hogg have tackled works such as gorse/whin clearance, rabbit hole filling, and possibly some painting works over these winter months. The BRS Electronic Booking System allows members total visibility of available tee times. If you have any comments or are experiencing difficulties please contact us We would be interested to hear your constructive comments on the course please contact us Please do not discuss or raise issues with the Green keeping staff, they are under instruction from from the Head Green keeper & The Links Committee. Address comments through the Secretary. On the Tee the On line booking agency have us in 3 rd place for Fife bookings Introduce friends & workmates to a game on Leven Links where we enjoy good summer s golf with the bonus of winter s golf mostly playing on big greens all year. The course continues to play well however members need to continue helping as Pitch Marks are a problem like all courses. However it is down to us golfer s to mitigate the biggest threat to smooth and true greens. Reciprocal agreement s have been made with Auchterarder Aberdour, Balbirnie, Balwearie, Burntisland, Canmore, Crieff, Downfield, Dunfermline, Elmwood, Kinross,Pitreavie and Thornton where members can enjoy at Guest rates subject to availability and terms. Seniors The seniors have a series of 17 Matches during the Season which can be found on the Website. We offer Great value to New Senior Member s with Annual Fees of 360 for new members. The Seniors Won a recent match against the Juniors 4-2 Juniors The Winter Junior Golf Lessons last year were successful in teaching our young uns which is noticeable in their enthusiasm, performances and handicap reductions this season. Our juniors had a terrific 2-2 Draw at Carnoustie. A recent defeat to a more experienced Lundin Team is good experience and should not dampen there spirits. Well done lads, its all part of the learning process. We along with Club Golf provided an introduction to Kids from local Primary Schools through a series of coaching evening classes throughout the summer. Club Merchandise See the 2015 Autumn Catalogue now posted in the Lounge and on the Website. Our Glenmuir Merchandise is at vastly reduced prices compared to other retail outlets for men and women alike. Check the Bargains in the Lounge cabinet. Orders are now being taken through Leven Links Pro Eric Walker at competitive prices. Monthly orders placed, normally on 7 10 day turnaround.

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