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Captain’s Newsletter 16th June 2016
Dear Member
It is with great pride that I issue my first communication as Captain. The AGM seems well in the past. I would like to make it clear to all members that my “drive into office” ball was found and not lost in the gorse close to the 4th fairway on the Silverburn course (a bit embarrassing to hit one of the wildest drives seen for a few years by an incoming Captain!).
It is hard to believe that my first month as Captain is now over and would like to update members on a few items.
1. Consultation process – Proposed Course changes in winter 2016
The Council and Green Committee members have been concentrating on the course(s) in particular the proposed changes and course playability aspects. We spent a day in May with Dr Hawtree to feedback comments on general playability of the 2nd /3rd holes and comments on plans for re-lay of 5th green and re-design of 13th green. We are currently waiting for further graphics and narratives which will be shared with members as part of the ongoing consultation process for proposed work in winter 2016. We expect this data to be available over the next few weeks and will share details with members and have data displayed within the Clubhouse.
The current plan for winter 2016 work is unaltered as per update from Mike Wilson dated 26th April 2016.
2. Consultation Process – Clubhouse Refurbishment
We will continue to frame up the scope of the interior design and costs for refurbishment of the toilet and showers areas. We expect firm proposals and material finish details to be available by 1st July 2016 and will share these plans with members and have data in displayed within the Clubhouse.
3. Update Course Conditions
We would like to explain to members the position regarding the current condition of the greens. The main issue to date has been the weather conditions (low temperature) which has prevented growth. The green-keeping team has taken appropriate action to address this and we hope all members will be patient and as we see the general weather conditions improve (temperature rises) the greens will be in great condition. Please see the link below for the Course Managers blog giving further details on this subject.
http://royalaberdeengolfclub.blogspot.nl/
This blog includes ongoing updates and pictures from Robert regarding both courses and we would encourage members to access the blog (on our web site) on a regular basis. We will also look at our web site design to see what enhancements can be made to get “Latest News” updates more visible to our members.
With regard to rough management plans we hope everyone can see that Robert and his team have been very active in cutting back the rough and will continue to maintain the “pinch points” and grading of rough throughout the course. It is great to see the wispy grass now coming through and is visually stunning to look at.
The main objective still remains the same, to get a course that members find challenging, but is both playable and enjoyable for all handicap levels.
We now have the 2nd, 13th and 16th tees in operation and we are getting positive feedback from members on the use of these tees.
4. Club Matches
Thank you to all members who participated in the J. Stewart Spence Trophy match with Deeside Golf Club on Saturday 28th May 2016. It was encouraging to see a total of twenty matches and a great mix of members participating. (Result RAGC 13 Deeside 7).
Our Pennant Teams have started the season well and it would be appreciated by the players to see more members turning up and supporting these teams. The Juniors Pennant team are through to the semi-final at Portlethen Golf Club on Sunday 19th June 2016 (start 1300 hrs) and we wish them success and progression to the final.
5. Competitions
Congratulations to the winners in the Spring Meeting, Nick Robson (Gross 74) in winning the 1st Scratch Prize HRH Leopold Cup and DA MacDonald 1st Handicap Silver Cross (Net 68). Both great scores in difficult and challenging weather conditions. Good luck to Tim Whittaker, Mark Selbie and Bryan Innes who will have a play-off for the 2nd Scratch Prize, the Johnston Cup.
Congratulations to Joyce and Peter Howarth on a memorable double win, the McDonald Foursomes with 39 Pts and 1st Round of the Archibald Foursomes with an incredible 46 Pts.
Well done to all players that have qualified for the Adam Cup and Davidson of Balnagask competitions. It was great to see some low scoring (both gross and nett) and a high turnout for these competitions.
Please provide any feedback on both the mixed medals and revised format for Adam Cup and Davidson of Balnagask competitions to our Club Secretary Ronnie MacAskill or our Match & Handicap Secretary Andrew Craig. We have already had some feedback that the Club Championship is too early in the season and should be scheduled for September when the course is at its best. The Council will review this for the 2017 season.
6. Waiting lists
Thank you again to members for nomination of new members to the Club. We can confirm that we have a healthy six day waiting list with over 25 names which provides us with a 1-2 years waiting list to become a six day member. We will look to maintain a healthy waiting list at this level.
7. Catering and Clubhouse Manager
We have now advertised the vacancies in local and national papers and have commenced vetting of candidates. We will start interviews shortly and will pursue all options available to ensure we attract suitable replacements for Pascal and Mathilde Le Cacheux.
8. Scottish Amateur Championship
This event will take place from 23 July 2016 to 31st July 2016. During the competition the Silverburn Course will be available to members to play and no special practice facilities (except what we have available) will be set-up for participants. Be aware that availability of parking at the Club will be limited in the early rounds. We will have a few members playing and we wish them success and it would be great to see another North East winner to match the achievements of Donald Jamieson in 1980.
9. AGM Questions - Minutes of Meeting
We can confirm following the AGM questions raised by members that:
- 2015/16 AGM minutes will be tabled for approval at May 2017 AGM and will be available from July to all members in the Admin office.
- Council Meeting Minutes will continue to be available to all members in the Admin office and not on display on notice boards
- Green Committee Minutes will be shared on web page, emailed to members and displayed in Members room noticeboard
We thank you for your ongoing support and let’s continue to enjoy playing our two great courses.
Iain Middleton
Captain