General Club Noticeboard

Greens Newsletter April 2018

Well I didn't think the weather could get any worse! How wrong could I be. It seemed to have started raining at the end of July 2017and has hardly stopped since. I even got that wrong: it did stop when it started to snow. Not what we wanted. Snow is bad enough but it brings that pest known as the ‘sledger’. It leaves a mess and trashes the greens. The only pests that are worse are the moles and the dreaded non-bendy pitch mark leaver and divot ignorer.

Overall, Les, Jonathon and Nigel have done a sterling job considering the weather conditions.

I think salting the paths in a whiteout is above and beyond the call of duty. - See Pictures

We were actually getting ahead of the game for the start of the season. Paths have been repaired and new slate added. The bunkers had been filled with new sand just in time for storm Emma to blow it back out again.

Storm damage and debris has taken a lot of hours to tidy up and continues to be a time consuming action as well as post flooding which leaves an untidy tide mark.

The 5th/14th tee has been repaired and made safe at the rear.

I’ve had some complaints about the men's 3rd tee being affected by the tree in front of the left hand side so I had it trimmed by the weather! (I am sure other left-to-right hitters will appreciate this)

I hope to continue the course set up as it was last year as this seemed to be a good mix of tight fairways and rough deep enough to keep me happy. Any complaints, remember it could be worse.

Various drains have been repaired around the 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th and 7^th holes over the winter.

The drain in the car park has been cleared and should now be draining freely.

The ditch to the left hand side of the 3^rd has also been cleared.

Due to the severe weather we have seen over the last few months, the 5^th and 9^th greens have been wetter than usual. This is only a temporary issue and should soon return to normal. The 5^th is particularly prone to not drying out and we plan to trim the large trees behind the green that prevent sunlight getting to the green especially during the winter months.

The fairways have been divoted in preparation for the playing season proper. Which leads me to the tirade I know you have been waiting for……….

Replace your divots and repair your pitch marks!!!!!

It’s not difficult, I know some divots get picked out again by birds but I don’t think the birds throw them 15 feet towards the green. As for pitch marks, there is a reason I keep my hair short, it stops me pulling it out.

We also have a vacancy on the greens committee. The ideal candidate would be a Full AEGC member with a wide experience of golf who would be expected to attend Green’s meetings (about two a year for an hour or two) and a “walk the course”, due shortly. Anyone interested please contact the Office or myself.

I am sat here now praying for a bit of dry weather with a warm breeze to get our course back on track and a bit of growth as well. The greens have been slit where possible and dressed as well. Here’s hoping for some better weather and good golf throughout the year.

Finally, Les our Head Green keeper last year had been at the club in for 30 years and was presented with a personalised hip flask and bottle of very nice whisky. Picture shows myself and the then captain Bill Fisher. Thank you Les for you hard work and devotion over that time.

Good golfing to you all.

Gary Johnstone

Chairman of Greens

Betty Eland, Honorary AEGC Member, celebrated her 90th birthday with her friends, daughter and fellow members of Alderley Edge Golf Club.  Betty has played golf at AEGC since 1969 and over the years has represented AEGC, the North West and England during her prestigious career.  A special but small informal lunch with a presentation by Lady Captain, Mary O'Toole was held in the Edge View Suite on Betty's actual birthday.  We are delighted she chose to share her birthday with us. 

Treasurer Vacancy at A.E.G.C

Dear Members,

Having been the Treasurer at Alderley Edge Golf Club for almost 2 years I feel that it will be a good time for me to stand down at this year’s AGM and pass on the role to a “fresh pair of eyes”.

My involvement as Treasurer has been enjoyable and given me a much better understanding of the workings of the club and the challenges we face in the ever changing world around us.      

As Treasurer you will be elected as a Member of Council and will become a Director of the Club.  The Club has the services of an experienced bookkeeper and the support of our accountants so a financial background is not necessary for the role.

Responsibilities will include:-

• Preparation of annual budgets with input from House, Greens, etc.
• Presentation of monthly financial reports to Council.
• Overseeing financial systems and controls.
• Working closely with the Club Administrator and Bookkeeper to ensure the Club’s accounts are accurate and kept up to date
• Act as a signatory to the Club account and liaise with the Club’s bankers as required.
• Attendance at Council meetings held on the first Monday of each month.

This position is available to any Full Member of Alderley Edge Golf Club.

Should you be interested in this position, or need any further information, then please do not hesitate to give me a call, or have a chat when you see me at the Club

Alan Adams

Treasurer

07778 568688

14^th March 2018

Lady Captain for 2017 Yvonne Grundy was able to present to Amy from MacMillan a cheque for £1585.57 at the Opening Sides Lunch today.

Yvonne was so delighted with the amount she had been able to raise and thanked all the AEGC ladies for their contributions by way of cakes or raffle prizes to her charity. Amy from Macmillan said every little helped and how much she had enjoyed working alongside Yvonne during her year.

Exciting Vacancy at A.E.G.C. - Chair of House

Dear Members,

I have now been the Chair of House at Alderley Edge Golf Club for almost 3 years. This has been a particularly enjoyable and rewarding time for me as a Member of our great Club.

In December 2017 I was elected Men’s Vice-Captain, and it is my intention to step down as Chair of House in June 2018. I am therefore seeking a willing volunteer to ’take up the reins’. 

As Chair of House you will have the opportunity to ‘put something back’ into your Club, and to make a difference.

The post holder will be elected as a Member of Council and will become a Director of the Club.

Responsibilities will include:-

• Facilities management in relation to the Clubhouse
• Management of the Club Steward
• Working closely with the Club Administrator in relation to business matters and external contract provision
• Attendance at Council meetings held on the first Monday of each month
• Budget management

This position is available to any Full Member of Alderley Edge Golf Club.

Should you be interested in this position, or need any further information, then please do not hesitate to give me a call, or have a chat when you see me at the Club

Trevor Rathbone

Chairman of House/Vice Captain

07977013462

8^th March 2018