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For the Year Ended

31st December 2017

ANNUAL REPORT

LEAMINGTON & COUNTY

GOLF CLUB

Golf Lane, Whitnash

Leamington Spa

Warwickshire CV31 2QA

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To accompany its submission of the ASSURED ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31st

December 2017 and the minutes of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of 29th March

2017 and of the SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING of 29th November 2017, the Board of

Directors presents the following Annual Report.

Contents

Officers Serving in 2017

Changes in Membership

Club Officials

Course Report

House & Social Report

Ladies Report

Juniors Report

Grey Nags Report

Golf Development Report

Competition & Handicaps Report

PGA Professional Services Report

Chair of the Board’s Report

Club Captain’s Report

Competitions 2017

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OFFICERS SERVING IN 2017

President: Mrs. C. Lees Club Captain: Mr. R. Scott

President-Elect: Mr. G. Williamson Club Captain-Elect: Mr. M. Cook

OBITUARY

The board of directors records with great regret the passing of John Burnell, Peter Easterlow, Frank Greenhill, Mrs Vera Leeke, Mrs Pamela Lyons, Peter Plowman, Alan Smith & Kenneth Smith.

CHANGES IN MEMBERSHIP

Gentlemen: Full Playing Rights: from 406 to 408

Weekday Playing Rights: from 39 to 45 Flexible Playing Rights: from 31 to 40

Ladies: Full Playing Rights: from 57 to 51

Weekday Playing Rights: from 30 to 27 Flexible Playing Rights: from 23 to 28

Juniors: From 38 to 46 Social: Remained at 86

CLUB OFFICIALS

On behalf of the Club, the board of directors recognises and congratulates those members and staff who held official positions for all or part of the year-ended 31st December 2017.

Members’ Operating Committee House & Social Committee

Mr. R. Broady Mrs. L. Bennison Mr. G. Dorgan Mrs. H. Callow Mrs. J. Ford Mr. M. Cook Mr. B. Frazer Mr. A. Ford Mrs. C. Lees Mr. B. Frazer Mr. D. Keogh Mrs. E. O’Kelly Mr. G. Robbins Mr. J. O’Kelly Mr. I. Salmon Mrs. T. Partridge Mrs. E. Scott Mr. R. Scott & Mrs. W. Scott Mr. R. Scott Course Management Committee

Mr. J. Cooper Mr. G. Dorgan Mr. B. Frazer Mr. P. Hancock Mr. C. Thornton

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COURSE REPORT Inevitably the prevailing weather conditions can have a significant impact on the curation and presentation of the course. The unseasonably low temperatures in April created problems with the early year hollow coring and over seeding, which delayed the second part of the process. Lessons were learned and over seeding will take place slightly later in future years. This cold weather was followed by correspondingly higher than normal temperatures in May which created problems with the ridge and furrow aspects of several of the fairways and resulted in the need for mobile watering systems. Following comments in 2016 about the firmness of the greens, a conscious effort was made to improve the receptiveness of the greens and, while not universally popular, most members welcomed the slightly softer nature of the putting surfaces. As with many golf courses, the inconsistent nature of the bunkers also received criticism. After experimentation with varying depths of raking a happy medium was found and members certainly found the bunkers more acceptable in the second half of the season. The Club has continued to invest in greens drainage with the installation of PC Drainage on the 12th and 15th greens following the successful installation the previous autumn on the 13th green. There is no question that keeping 18 good greens in play is a critical part to the development of an excellent golf course and the Course Management Committee (CMC) plans to continue this investment as funds permit. As promised, when the current course routing was opened in May 2016, a survey of members’ opinions on the course layout was undertaken in October. During 2017, Head Greenkeeper, Jason Cooper, integrated an additional experienced team member and the whole greens team has worked hard to earn the many accolades recorded from members and visitors alike. In taking over from the previous Greens Committee much of the work led by the CMC has been driven by the excellent inherited 5 Year Plan. A great golf course is the key to every golf club’s success and the pursuit of this drives the team forward. There are times when members’ support is needed and the team’s thanks go to all those members that have helped during the year. Bryan Frazer Chair of the Course Management Committee

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HOUSE & SOCIAL REPORT

It continues to be challenging to offer and to promote social events that will inspire the participation of our diverse membership as 2017 has shown, with a number of events having been cancelled through lack of support. Nevertheless, the committee continued to deliver a variety of events throughout the year. The traditional events presented by the House and Social Committee continue, as ever, to be successful. The monthly Captain’s Draw Night and Monthly Quizzes attract many members into the clubhouse. The former being highlighted by the ever popular “Play Your Cards Right” hosted on most occasions by former Captain Ian Salmon. The Christmas Carols, Christmas Party and New Year’s Eve events as always were well supported. The entertainer at the Christmas Party, Carl Sinclair, has been described by many as the best entertainer seen at the club in many years. Praise indeed, and the reason why he has been re-booked for the Captains Farewell Dinner. The second Curry and Comedy Night again proved a hit with the members as did “Thornton’s Big Bash” - a long-drive and nearest the pin contest held in the main clubhouse. However, the revenue from events and the day-to-day use of the bar declined again in 2017. The clubhouse is an integral and important members’ amenity and the Committee readily accepts members’ suggestions and ideas to expand its use. Grateful thanks are due to all those who give their time to this Committee. House & Social Committee

LADIES’ SECTION REPORT The Ladies’ Section, under the guidance of Captain, Julie Ford, and the committee enjoyed a good year with some outstanding results and achievements. Notable amongst these was the contribution made to a Charitable Trust working to raise awareness of Prostate Cancer. This fund was raised in a variety of ways, including a very well-supported fashion show and a “Fizz and Fun” shopping event. On the golfing front, the Club hosted, with the Ladies’ participation, two Warwickshire Ladies’ County Golf Association events. Duties included a number of volunteer tasks ranging from starting and marshalling through to ball spotting and providing half-way house refreshments. In September, the ladies hosted the Inter-club Team Championship with 120 players taking part. The L&CGC team members competing were Tina Bruder, Jane Dennick, Kath Howell, Ali McLean and Diana Phillips who won the Daisy Hartill Trophy for the best net score. The County Junior Championship was also played at our Club in October with our ladies again supporting the county with various volunteer duties. Teams also took part in other Warwickshire events including Interclub League, 9 Hole League, Interclub Bronze Team Championship & Silver Division Foursomes. The club was also represented in the Inter county scratch league playing five matches, achieving joint third place in division 6. Ladies friendly matches were enjoyed throughout the season as were the mixed matches. Many individuals achieved success during the season, as can be seen in the competition results later in this report. Within the clubhouse, major alterations began within the changing rooms with replacement wooden lockers already in place and further improvements continuing into 2018. Ladies’ Section Committee

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JUNIORS

Our Club continues to encourage youngsters to enjoy and take up the great game of golf but the complement of junior members can swing wildly in number from one year to the next. Happily, we had a number of keen and competitive members in 2017 and a successful season too. L&CGC’s Juniors finished runners-up in the South-Warwickshire Junior Golf League and also won the annual Par 3 competition at Nailcote Hall. This was a great performance by all but it seems appropriate at the year’s end to single out Chanon James. Chanon, aged 11, took his handicap down to 6 and won the Junior Club Championship. The Club would like to encourage all members to find a way to support young people to take up golf in 2018 and beyond. Ian Salmon – Junior Organiser

GREY NAGS

The Grey Nags are delighted to report on yet another brilliant year of social and competitive golf. Formed in 1970, our group currently comprises more than seventy members of varying (mostly higher) handicaps, many of whom meet every Thursday to both play and to enjoy the company of like-minded characters in the clubhouse thereafter. There is an emphasis on the social side in everything that the Grey Nags do; for example, we play with different partners each week in 4Balls established by a starter as members arrive in the clubhouse.

This year, we have welcomed several new members to L&CGC who, having joined the Grey Nags, have found it a good way of getting to play regular golf and to meet other members. During the year, 90th birthdays were celebrated by long standing Grey Nags, Ken Robertson and Alan Upwood, testament surely to the benefits of good company, regular golf and, maybe, just possibly, the odd glass of claret which often follows. Nevertheless, there has been plenty of competitive golf in 2017 with 17 competitions organised, 16 trophies presented, 21 matches played against other clubs and two away days enjoyed at Northampton and Nailcote Hall. Amongst everything else going on, the Grey Nags also took great pleasure in pooling their resources to raise £725 in aid of the joint captains’ charities and to donate and plant water lilies to cheer up the pond on the 7th fairway. A warm invitation to join the Grey Nags and participate in regular senior golf is extended to everyone at L&CGC who has been fortunate enough to celebrate a 60th birthday! Malcolm Dineley – Captain Grey Nags

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GOLF DEVELOPMENT

“Golf Development” first began in 2007, greatly assisted by Club Captain Chris Noonan who printed the leaflets about golf coaching at the Club. Initially the sessions were developed for ladies but quickly spread to include men and then juniors. Ten years later in 2017, there are three or four 1 hour sessions on Monday mornings, one on Tuesday evening and one or two on Saturday afternoon all with head PGA Pro, Chris Thornton. On Saturday mornings, Sam Stuart, our PGA pro for juniors, runs 5 hours of junior coaching. A pathway has been evolved to take golfers from absolute beginner through Apprentice and/or Age Category membership to, more recently, Flexible and Cadet memberships. This assures a steady stream of members with good conversion rates. With accompanied play and rule & etiquette lessons, these people have made a positive impact on this Club. Three have become Lady Captains, one has won the Town Bowl and a number have joined the Grey Nags. Many have become members of the Ladies’ Section. In all, Golf Development has generated more than 70 memberships. Of 24 taking Monday lessons, 19 have taken on a Club membership. 2017 saw a number of, competitive but fun, events. Using our practice field there was a Par 3 Junior + Parent Foursomes competition. On the course, 16 juniors, accompanied by a parent or relative, played on handicap a 9 Hole Greensomes competition. In October, the Warwickshire County Girls played one of their 9 hole Stableford competitions on our course; it was won by one of seven L&CGC girls who took part. On Saturday afternoons, Gerry Robbins organises junior Cadets to play better ball matches accompanied by Pro, Sam Stuart, and other adult volunteers. More events are planned for 2018. Golf Development coaching and activities add great value to the Club’s offering and appeal and I encourage all members to support and recommend participation to family and friends. Junior coaching can be followed on Facebook: Leamington golf coaching Angela Eadon – Director

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COMPETITIONS & HANDICAPS Sincere thanks are offered to members Phil Halford, Ian Salmon, Roy Broady & to Pro Chris Thornton who have invisibly maintained the statistics, held the reviews, published the start sheets and results and kept the members honest and well-informed on CONGU rules and handicaps. The new competition handicap categories for 2018 have been prepared and, under their guidance, proposed new Rules of Golf will be tested. We have a number of members, for example Gill Thorpe, who dedicate their time to interpreting the directions of CONGU and the R&A to ensure that our course is compliant and that our members are too. Major competition results can be found at the end of this Annual Report.

Bryan Frazer – Club Manager

PGA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 2017 was another busy and active year for our PGA Pro, Chris Thornton, his assistants and service provider, Union Golf. Chris conducted more than 600 half-hour and over 300 full hour one-to-one coaching sessions. In addition to this, he led 120 practice sessions and 230 “get into golf” group sessions. Meantime, assistant, Sam Stuart, ran classes at Briar Hill and St. Margarets schools in addition to his junior Golf Development work while both also ran disability coaching for Round Oak School. Chris continues to pursue his voluntary work with the “Battle Back Programme - Golf4heroes”. Our Pro Shop was open and staffed for 362 days of 2017 and Chris averaged 30 hours per week behind the counter to offer a warm welcome to members and visitors alike. The autumn of 2017 saw a shop refit, for which thanks are also due to members Neil Garner and Denis Keogh, providing a lighter and more attractive environment and a good Pro’s-eye view of the 1st and 10th tees. Four custom fitting evenings were run in the academy and Chris hopes to increase this to a monthly event in 2018 by opening up two bays, each quipped with launch monitors and projector screens. In terms of competitive golf, 15 weekend Pro-Stablefords were run to which Chris plans to add a mid-week medal in 2018 with an order of merit, while the Pro staff also support Club competitions. Another successful series of Winter Opens was hosted. Chris is a member of the Competitions and Course Management Committees to which he brings highly valuable knowledge and experience. While devoted to helping members, Chris was able to represent L&CGC in seven Midland Pro-Ams in 2017 as well as in the Lombard Trophy accompanying a qualifying Club member. Notwithstanding his busy schedule, Chris will always find time to offer support and advice to any Club member and is happiest when he is helping members achieve their aims and ambitions. Bryan Frazer – Club Manager

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CHAIR OF BOARD’S REPORT

Ever since its origins in the Scotland of the 1500s, the modern game of golf has seemed destined for perpetuity. That men and women would continue to test themselves, in the game’s purist form, against 18 challenging holes of golf has seemed an unassailable truth. However, following the dramatic growth in golf course numbers during the previous 50 years, the new millennium presents a somewhat less certain picture. While there seems still little doubt about the survival of the sport, the survival of many golf clubs is certainly threatened. In today’s high pressure and fast moving digital age, fewer people are taking up golf and fewer seem able to commit their time. While the governing bodies trial short-form variants and make changes to speed up play, the environment within which private members’ clubs must operate becomes increasingly competitive. Under such pressure, L&CGC has, for example, been obliged to follow the Kenilworth and Coventry clubs in suspending entrance fees and also to find new means and membership offers to attract new joiners. This pressure also reveals itself in the financial results for 2017. The Club has been able to maintain its membership establishment but the mix of memberships has not yielded revenue growth. While it is pleasing to see increasing green fee and visitor income, utilisation of the hospitality facilities has fallen further. It is the principal responsibility of the board of directors to manage and protect the financial health of the Club. For many years this duty has been relatively straightforward to discharge but, in today’s environment, it brings with it obligations not only closely to manage expenditure, but also to establish more forward-looking strategies that will underpin the Club’s long-term security. It seems certain that the private members’ clubs most likely to survive and to prosper will be those that present consistently and clearly the leading golf courses in their region and this must surely be a prime objective for L&CGC. To attract young new starters to golf will always be pursued but it is perhaps the many who take up the game as they approach retirement from employment or from other active sports that are the most valuable targets. Persuading existing golfers to switch their club allegiance must also be considered. In the new subscription year, the board has called upon members to pay a £45 levy to underpin essential maintenance investment. During the coming weeks and months, the board and the Members’ Operating Committee will be presenting to and consulting with all members on strategies to realise further funds from existing assets to be re-invested in the development of the Club’s course and facilities. I would encourage all members fully to engage and to participate in these consultations. A successful golf club relies to a greater or lesser extent on the contribution of time, experience and effort of its volunteer members. As a number of board members stand down at the upcoming AGM, I would like sincerely to thank and to recognise, on the Club’s and my own behalf, the service of David Chamley, Angela Eadon, Tony Jones and John O’Kelly; all of whom have given selflessly of their time not only on the board but also in many other ways and will doubtless continue to do so. Notwithstanding significant reliance on volunteers, the position of Club Manager was created early in 2014 in a move to upgrade the professionalism of the day-to-day management. I take this opportunity to congratulate and to thank Bryan Frazer on another successful year of team leadership and achievements. We are fortunate at L&CGC to have a manager who, while also enjoying the game of golf, is so well connected within the golf industry and who makes such significant effort to be current with industry trends and initiatives. My thanks, through him, extend to the whole full-time team that ensure the smooth running and maintenance of both facilities and course. 2017 has been a challenging year and 2018 will present no less challenge. However, I believe it can be a year in which the Club will make significant progress towards a secure future. Malcolm Lines – Chair of Board

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CLUB CAPTAIN’S REPORT

May I start by saying that I have very much enjoyed my term as Club Captain and hope this has been a good year for the Club, for, if indeed it has, then no small part of this is due to you, the members, for being both complimentary and supportive throughout. There have been a number of personal highlights but prime amongst these was my enjoyment to be amongst you, the members, as your Captain for the year. Whether presenting at competitions, representing the members at committee meetings, attending Club functions or simply in your company at Captain’s Draw Nights, I enjoyed it all. Others of my year’s highlights include Captain’s Fun Night, Captains Day and the year’s charity events which, although challenging, proved to be very successful and gratifying. In addition, Phil Compton’s charity donation from the sale of tomato plants and Ken Robertson’s hole-in-one, at 90 years, stand out in my mind; the manner in which the membership supported the Club’s charities and the way Ken’s feat was applauded was heart-warming to say the least. To me, this is what golf club membership is all about…as well as playing golf of course! I really could not have completed this year in office without the support of my wife, Wendy, who has worked tirelessly throughout, in organising the many events held for both Club and charity. Often these were with contributions of her own design and out of her own pocket. I really cannot thank her enough! Please forgive me if I do not mention all by name, but my thanks also go to the many that gave of their time and effort in supporting the Club and the Club Captain. I would, however, in particular like to mention Club Manager, Bryan Frazer, for the many and varied ways he supported and advised me, Andrea and Jenny, for their very valuable office support; Jason and the Greens staff, for providing an excellent course for us to play on, Chris and David in the Pro Shop for ‘being there’ and putting up with a hacker for a Captain, Tracey and Andy and their respective staff for keeping us well watered and fed at our many functions, Junior Captain Niall Salmon for a job well done and, of course, Ladies’ Captain, Lizzie Scott for her valuable support and being such a pleasure to work with. Representatives of the Club’s chosen charities will be present to receive their cheques during next month’s April Captain’s Draw Night. Both of these charities are very close to my heart, with the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Service coming to my rescue when breaking a leg and the Warwickshire and Solihull Blood Bikes Service giving of their time and riding skills to support the NHS, often working in synergy with the Air Ambulance Service. On behalf of the members may I thank Roy Broady & Ian Salmon for providing the membership with the opportunity to play in the many varied competitions they administer throughout the golfing year, on which subject, may I again congratulate all who have competed and all who have won in last year’s competitions, especially, Ian Jones who again is our Club Champion and Jamie Pollock, winner of the Town Bowl. I see a very bright future for the Leamington & County G.C. With the good guidance of our various committees and excellent plans they have in place, I believe we are well on the way to being one of Warwickshire’s premier golf clubs. I now join my predecessors in the corner and look forward to playing a bit more golf! My best wishes to you all. Roy Scott – Club Captain

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COMPETITIONS 2017

GENTLEMEN

WINNER RUNNER-UP Club Championship Ian Jones

Golf Foundation Jamie Pollock Richard Spring

Griffin Bowl & Galloway Cup Josh Cole Rob Cook

Gaydon Trophy Michael Ellis Tom Lawrence

Town Bowl:

Round One Mark Limage John Abbott

Round Two Mark Rowland Martin Connor

Overall Jamie Pollock Mark Rowland

Centenary Salver Gary Rafferty Garry Wright

Charity Shield Robbie Cook Richard Langston

Captain’s Day Badger Trophy Dennis Kilbee Pete Forrest

President’s Vase Roger Smith Carl Norton

Magrath Cup

Round One Luke Cole Simon Atkin

Round Two Jamie Pollock James Young

Overall Jamie Pollock Luke Cole

Warwick Vase Ben Pottage Liam McCarthy

Rabbits Cup & Manor House Trophy Nick Oates David McLoughlin

Bland Cup Chris Bartlett Allan Murdoch

Coronation Cup Rory Dorgan

Winter League` Bill Watts & Mike Clements

Men’s Pairs Ian Morris & Dan Waite

MIXED

Dunmow Cup Ali & Stuart McLean

Beaumont Trophy Tracey Livingstone & Jane Dennick &

David Livingstone Tony Charles

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COMPETITIONS 2017

LADIES WINNER RUNNER-UP Watson Trophy Deb Nicholls

Batchelor Cup Deb Nicholls Margaret Sheepy

Lucas Gold Medal Diana Phillips Ali McLean

McDonald Final Medal Trophy Gill Thorpe Rosie Skilbeck

Dick Cunyngham Candlesticks Gill Thorpe Hilary Rhead

Lyons Salver Margaret Wilson Philippa Wilson

Morris Trophy Tracey Livingstone Diana Phillips

Silver Division Plate Jane Dennick

Bronze Division Bowl Sally Gascoyne

9 Hole Trophy Kath Chapman Gill Tibbatts

Golf Foundation Fiona Salmon

Gaydon Trophy Deb Nicholls

Centenary Salver Julie Ford

Captain’s Day Badger Trophy Ann Evans

President’s Vase Margaret Morris

9 Hole President’s Vase Gill Tibbatts

Grandmother’s Trophy Gill Thorpe Ali McLean

Solitaire Trophy Jane Dennick Diana Phillips

Wise Cup Carolyn Talbot Fiona Salmon

MacMillan Spoons Ali McLean

Birdie Tree Jane Dennick

Par Tree Kath Howell

Fourball Betterball Nancy Williamson & Liz Munton &

Hilary Rhead Rosie Skilbeck

Ping Tracy Atkin & Margaret Sheepy &

Lesley Bennison Chris Lees

Summer Eclectic

Silver Jane Dennick

Bronze Kath Howell

Copper Judith Coote

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GREY NAGS WINNER RUNNER-UP Sidney Grimwood Salver Bill Watts Roland Oliver

Vic Styles Trophy Gerry Robbins Paul Watts

Ralph Richey Putter George Haynes John Hollis

Alan Righton Bowl Bill Watts Andy Burlace

Grey Nags Cup Clive Wells Bill Hedley

Harrier Trophy Tony Hudson George Haynes

TEAM MATCHPLAY

GREY NAGS The Grey Nags played 21 matches against other clubs:

WIN: 7 HALF: 4 LOSS: 10

L&CGC Ladies won the annual match. “B” TEAM The B Team took on 11 local club teams:

Home Away

W/L/H Score W/L/H Score

Coventry H 3:3 W 6:0 Coventry Hearsall W 5:1 - - Fulford Heath W 3.5:2.5 L 2.5:3.5 Kenilworth H 3.5:3.5 L 0.5:6.5 Lutterworth H 3:3 L 2:4 Maxstoke Park W 3.5:2.5 - - Northampton - - L 1:5 Stratford - - L 1.5:4.5 Stratford Oaks W 5:1 - - The Warwickshire H 3:3 L 1.5:4.5 The Welcombe L 2:3 L 2:4