------------ UPCOMING EVENTS -----------Subs - Don t forget subscriptions are due 1st April. New 2017 stickers and fixtures books will be issued upon receipt of subs. Website & Facebook: Don t forget you can follow club news, results and upcoming events at: Top Prize Winners: 1st Jenny Lewis 2nd Lorna Snedden Mens Winners Winter League - Mr Ian Nichols Gross Eclectic Percy Haynes Nett Eclectic Barrie Pritchard facebook.com/brecongolfclub or brecongolfclub.org.uk Regular Events: Fun Golf - Wednesday nights. Open Mic Night - last Friday of every month. Please support the artists. It's free, enjoyed in a Club with a good pint. Members and non members all welcome. Lottery - The pot is over 950.00. This is a weekly draw and at present takes place on Sundays. 50% of the ticket sales will go to the out-right winner (all 4 numbers) and 50% towards the Club's Fund. Also every week a 10 prize is awarded where there is not an overall winner. Please support the lottery it's only 1. Seniors The Senior Section had a fairly good Winter period with not too much rain on a Tuesday. A couple of times they had to play on temporary greens due to frost and also a few Tuesdays with no buggies due to a wet course, but otherwise it was fairly mild and good for winter golf. ---------- WINTER GOLF RESULTS --------- Over the Winter we played Stableford Competitions and Winter League, the results as follows:- Ladies Winners Winter League: 1st - Liz Bush 2nd Dorothy Whittle Winter League: 1st Richie W. Price 2nd Gwyn Jones
Stableford Winners: Oct 4 P. Turner Oct 18 P. Haynes Nov 1 M. Coombs Nov 15 J.W. Jones Dec 6 C. Mason Dec 20 G. Lloyd Jan 3 P. Haynes Jan 17 R.W. Price Feb 7 G. Jones Feb 21 D. Powell Mar 7 R. Keddle Mar 21 T. Forbes --------------- CLUB NEWS ------------------- Welcome to the start of the year and wishing you all a good golfing year. The Honorary Secretary would like to thank all those who turned up for the Annual General Meeting on Friday 3rd March 2017, and to those who had the kindness to offer their apologies. It was a small turnout overall, although the business of Brecon Golf Club went ahead without a hitch. For your general information the following were voted in to serve on your behalf for the coming year: President - Mr Anthony Ballance (TBC) Captain - Mr Graham Price Vice Captain - To Be Confirmed Ladies Captain - Mrs Lorna Snedden Ladies Vice Captain - Mrs Sarah Pritchard Seniors Captain - Mr Arthur Haynes (as proxy) Honorary Secretary - Mr George Leadbitter Honorary Treasurer - Mr Stephen Morris Chair of Greens - Mr Richard Keddle Competitions Secretary Mr Andrew Burton Chair of House - Mr Jamie Norbury (As designated Licensee) General Committee: Mr Peris Hughes (Competitions) Mr Jon Morris Mr Aneurin Harley Mrs Lorna Snedden (House) Mr Mark Donoghue Mr Martin Parry Mrs Heather Hughes Mr Clive Davies (Greens) Mr Bob Williams Mrs Sarah Pritchard Mr Arthur Haynes Thanks to Martin Higgins for his valuable service as Competition Secretary for the last few years. Congratulations and thanks to Andrew Burton on taking on this job, with the support of his new sub committee, as well as mentorship from some old hands. Any issues/concerns regarding Brecon GC, please address them to the Secretary or a Committee Member. Club Captain Firstly, I would like to introduce myself, Graham Price, and the ladies captain Lorna Snedden, it is with great honour and privilege to captain our club this year and I can assure all members that I will give 110 percent to keep the club going forward and follow on all the good work carried out by Peris and Heather last year. At the moment, it is early days having only held one meeting but I can assure you we are heading in the right direction. I have spoken to Richard and Stuart regarding the course and all seems well, the test on the greens were all positive and with the new watering system we hope we will see a big improvement. As
for the club house, I can assure you it is in safe hands with Jamie, he is working hard on bringing extra functions in other than golf which will benefit us all. In ending my first letter I would like to wish all members a prosperous and happy year ahead. Please check the captains notice boards for club matches as we need all the support we can get! Trolley Shed The long-awaited Trolley Shed is now in operation, having been fitted out by our Greens staff over the Winter months. This provides a place to leave a trolley and avoid having to transport it back and forth every time you play. There are notices in the club changing rooms providing details of this arrangement. Whilst trolleys are left at their owner's risk, it is felt the facility provides a benefit for members and is very reasonable at only 12 per year. Money Talks As this newsletter is being written we have just had our Annual General Meeting where a surplus of 10,000 for the year 2016 was reported, although it was emphasised that this was a misleading figure as the club was in receipt of a sum of 15,000 in the year being settlement of the long running dispute over VAT on Green Fees. Thus, without this sum, a deficit would have been the outcome. Regular reports to the General Committee through the year have indicated the club will remain in a tight financial position but should be alright thanks mainly to a healthy membership, efficiently managed competitions and a well run house and bar. All of these are helped by a Course that continues to deliver enjoyment and challenge in equal measure. In cash terms it has been a tight year with money being drawn from the bar and other reserves to ensure we remain in the black. This is mainly due to one-off purchases that have been made to benefit the club including: - Two mowers to cover our needs for Greens and Tees and should stand us in good stead for some time. - Various pieces of grounds equipment. - Replacement of 3 Windows at the rear of the Clubhouse, with a further stage of this project under consideration for 2017. - A new course watering system, installed in late 2016 by contractors, with the Head Greenkeeper monitoring and mapping the installation. As well as these purchases, the area to the rear of the clubhouse has been cleared, both to give access to the Window Fitters, as well as a Structural Engineer to inspect the condition of the walls. This area will have a path in 2017 for future use and the rest of the area will initially be barked and an extension to the current hedge planted. We are still looking for a sensible and beneficial use for this area and any reasonable suggestions are welcome. Member participation is key to our survival and it is hoped you will all feel able to offer something to the club in the coming year.
Transportation Policy After reviewing the previous policy which covered the use of Golf Buggies at Brecon Golf Club, the Committee found that it was not up to date with current legislation regarding Equality and the ability of individuals with a disability to play golf. A full review was undertaken, including reference to Welsh and English Golf Associations, as well as several Welsh Golf Clubs, and after much work by the Committee a revised policy was drawn up and agreed for implementation. This is on display on notice boards in the clubhouse, and has been circulated to individual members on the club email list and is now in operation. Whilst it is more comprehensive than previously, running to 7 pages before appendices, it was felt necessary to ensure the club was compliant with requirements whilst still offering members and visitors a fair and safe access to buggy use on our course. The new policy requires evidence of insurance cover. It also introduces a small charge ( 2/month) for the ability to leave a buggy within the Club buggy area, which is in line with the current practice for Lockers and Trolleys. This policy, like all others of the Club, will be routinely reviewed and any suggestions from members can be considered. Please address any comments in writing to the Secretary. Club Hubbub Whilst the main reason most of us join the club is a pleasant round on our wonderful course, the Clubhouse remains the hub of the club and it was wonderful to see the place buzzing for two recent events. An overnight rally for Brecon Motor Club was held recently (March 4/5th), starting and finishing at Brecon Golf Club. A large number of drivers, navigators and marshals attended and enjoyed the hospitality of the clubhouse, including a cooked breakfast in the early hours, after a hard night on the Eppynt. Committee members and other volunteers provided an all night service to the crowds and it was well received by the Motor Club who may well visit us again. An open darts competition was run on Saturday, March 11th and again the club house was full of eager entrants and supporters. With two competition boards in action, as well as a third practice board, the competition ran from lunchtime to early evening with food and drink-a-plenty supplied by Jamie and his willing band of helpers. These two events show what can be achieved and ideas are requested for events that could be held that could attract golfers and non-golfers alike to enjoy the facilities available at our club. Any ideas for activities ~ please pass on to Jamie Norbury or any members of the House Committee. Golf Insurance Q: Are you covered on the golf course and at other golf courses through our membership fees. A: Whilst playing at Brecon you are covered for a "Hole in One" etc but you are not covered if you cause damage to anything and anyone and they decide to sue you. Therefore please ensure you have adequate insurance for playing at Brecon and other golf courses. There are various insurance policies on the market such as
Golf Plan and Golf Care and leaflets are in the clubhouse. Plans start from as little as 24.49. If you require further clarification please do not hesitate to speak to George our Secretary. Captains Charity During Peris and Heather s year, their captaincy funds raised 540 for Wales Air Ambulance. Well done all! SENIORS COMPETITIONS SECRETARY & SECRETARY Terry Barnes Final Note: Members this is your Club and your newsletter and if you want to include anything, please let a Committee member know. ---------- 19 th HOLE HUMOUR ------------- This year s captains charity will be Ty Hafan. The Association of James Braid Courses Members in the Association can enjoy preferential green fees at theses courses by booking in advance. A map of all courses and more information can be found on our website: brecongolfclub.org.uk Senior Captaincy Due to no captain, members of the seniors will be standing for a month as follows: HAPPY GOLFING EVERYONE October to December - Arthur Haynes January - Ken Price February - Arthur Haynes March - Peter Sweet April - Gwyn Jones May - David Morris June - Andrew Burton July - Eddie Price August - Cyd Loveday September - Brian Davies