26/04/12:
Presidents Report - April 2012
Hi Everyone
The Golfing season is now in full Swing as our Captain David G Williams will testify. Three rounds of the Mail on Sunday are now complete and we are still in the competition! Burns Night was brilliant with a record attendance and great speeches from George and Bob. Cross Country and Night golf were two very different competitions which I know you all enjoyed? Also well supported were the Captains Inaugural Dinner and the Captains Drive in. A big thank you for supporting these and other events but also a big round of applause to David and Margret for the hard work that they put into these events which make them such special occasions.
I was delighted to see such a large number of new members joining the club during February and March especially the increased number of lady members who came through their coaching programme unscathed! Ladies coaching schemes are very active at Bishopswood so if you have a friend or colleague, male or female who is looking to take up golf let Steve or I know and we will organise their passport to golf.
Whilst on the subject of membership may I remind you that you can be awarded with up to £200 for introducing a new member? Pays for more than just a few beers!
Now that the winter is over I think you will agree we came through this period very well. The course is looking great with the new bunkers are now open on the 5th and the newly laid grass around the 1st and 9th holes is now in play. Remember to play from the drop zones if you end up in the planted areas and there is no penalty unless you are in the pond!
Lee and Pete were praying for some rain given the dry winter period and it looks like their wishes have come true. April so far has seen tons of the wet stuff.
The 200 club is now launched and some good cash prizes have been won. Do please support this initiative as it does help us manage the club affairs. Details are on the website.
Future social events include a “Smithy” Quiz night on the 2nd May. They say I make the odd mistake on how words are pronounced and giving the answer before I have asked the question. It is of course deliberate ……trust me? Also look out for the forties night on the 25th May. Ration books, 40s music …………..Britain needs YOU!!
It is great to see Ross joining Steve as the assistant Professional. No excuse not to play well as he is available for coaching as well as Steve. Please say hello to Ross and by the way he has just become a Dad of a baby girl of 7lb. I didn’t ask the name?
That’s my lot for now. Happy golfing and see you all on the course
Cheers
Martin
President
31/01/12:
Bishopswood Membership & Renewal Fees
Dear Member
As we are now fast approaching the time to renew our membership at “Bishopswood” for the forthcoming year,
both I and the Committee felt it would be useful to provide you with a summary of our thoughts,
prior to the formal invitations to renew being issued during February.
Over the recent weeks, the Committee have been in detailed discussions with David Penson
(Bishopswood LLP partner) and Kevin Pickett (General Manager),
and are now in a position to publish the new tariffs for the year ending March 2013.
Please see attached for details of these tariffs.
Firstly, as a club, we have increased the administration fee by £3.
There has been no increase for four years despite rises in Golf Union fees in excess of the £3. This increase,
together with an agreement from Bishopswood LLP to provide an additional payment of £50 to the club for every new
membership introduction, will undoubtedly help our financial affairs.
With regards to course fees, there have been the expected and inevitable increases in all categories of membership,
with the exception of our juniors, where the fee level has been reduced!
These increases must be considered and viewed in line with inflation over the last three years.
More importantly with the alterations to the clubhouse together with the many improvements to the golf course,
golf at “Bishopswood” is still less than £700 a year.
It is worth mentioning at this time that,
with the course improvements to date and the ongoing programme of works planned for the course,
we are becoming the envy of our more established contemparies.
However, whilst we would all agree that any increases are painful,
the Committee’s collective view is that these increases are actually fair and justified,
and trust your views are the same.
You will also note that the levy has been increased by an additional
£25 per year. Please remember this levy is your money.
The levy is a feature of most golf clubs and is one used to entice its members to use the facilities.
Bishopswood is no exception. Please use the facilities as much as possible and support your club,
even a cup of coffee and a bar of chocolate once a week from the Pro shop would do the trick.
It is very encouraging to see that the cost of golf for those members aged between 20 and 23 has come down.
The aim is to hopefully retain these members and to encourage new golfers to join as members.
I am also very pleased and delighted that the juniors are recognised as the life blood of the club,
this is an area we need to continue to develop.
I very much look forward to you all rejoining for the 2012/13 season, and your continued support for the club.
Kind regards
Martin
Link to New Annual Fees 2012:
- Click Here -
President
19/10/11:
Spring Bulb Appeal
Hi, Everyone
I think most of us will agree that the work on the course is great to see and well beyond our expectations
As a small token of our appreciation I am asking you all to donate a small bag of spring flowering bulbs to be planted in the woods around the pathway area running from the 7th green to the 8th tee.
I hope you agree this is a lovely idea suggested by one of our members.
Over the next two weeks I would like you to deliver your bag of bulbs to the club and deposit them in a collection bin that will be located under the cover area near the pro shop.
Would you please try and choose bulbs that like wooded areas.
Under the supervision of Lee, a number of members have agreed to help with the planting. If that includes you then please let me know as we would like to complete the planting during the first week of November.
We can than all appreciate our endeavours early next year.
I look forward to your support.
Martin
President
30/08/11:
Presidents Report
Its late August already and the golfing calendar is in full swing.
My warmest thanks to everyone who supported “Seve Day” by participating in the National Golf Challenge held at Bishopswood in August. It was great fun and we raised £300 in support of the Seve Ballesteros foundation which finances research into brain cancer. Seve caught the imagination of many of us with his swash buckling golf and gave our professionals self belief when competing against the mighty Americans in the Ryder Cup. He will be dearly missed.
You may have noticed two new picture frames located alongside our Captain at the top of the staircase leading to the bar. Within these frames are two newly awarded certificates to Bishopswood called Golfmark and Clubmark. It has taken us fourteen months to obtain this accreditation so therefore I hope you agree worthy of mention. Golfmark is a national scheme that identifies and recognises junior and beginner friendly golf facilities. The Club had to be assessed on coaching and playing, club environment, child protection and duty of care in respect of our junior members. Clubmark is an accreditation given by Sport England. It is a national standard for quality sports clubs recognised across the country, who have junior sections.
These awards show you and potential new members that we are doing our best to look after and develop children from the surrounding areas and show them how much fun golf can be. Special thanks go to Jeanie Mc Mullin our Welfare Officer and Kevin Pickett our General Manager in helping to achieve this award.
What a great event “Captain’s Day” was, which was fully supported and went on until late in the evening. Keith is still recovering from the hangover!
The next big event is “Charity Day” on the 17th September. Food all day plus a disco. Even a game of golf with a few side events thrown in. The entry sheet is in the bar so please put your name down. We will find you a team if you need one, just bring a few extra pennies to throw in the sin bin and support the Captain’s charities.
Work on the course continues with new paths being built which is a priority before winter appears. The greens are being given a lot of TLC by Kevin and his green staff. This is a long term programme on what have been neglected greens so please bear with him as we are clearly making progress towards a fantastic golf course.
Finally, look out for “Smithy Quiz Nights” which are being planned for next month.
That’s my lot for now………..have fun
Cheers
Martin