Hello Members and welcome to our first club edition of These Moving Times.

The name for our new Club Newsletter has been chosen quite fittingly because, what a changing/moving time we are experiencing within the economy as a whole and in particular the local golf club sector

As mentioned in my recent email, one of my priorities is existing members and improving membership experience. Hopefully These Moving Times is one medium that will help towards this Goal.

I hope you enjoy and benefit from having our own club newsletter, thank you in advance for taking the time to read this

David Lynch - Director of Golf

Again, I’m delighted and honoured to be your Club Captain for the coming year. My priority is the future of Whitburn G C. I believe good communication as well as hard work, trust and loyalty should certanly lead to success.

We plan to have at least 3 open and frank meetings with our members this year.We must bring the whole club together, thats all the members, the green staff, pro and bar staff.

We have a wonderfull golf club, Lets make it even better.

As our course improves and becomes more popular, we will reap the benefits.I know it will not be easy, but every decision we make will be for the benefit of WGC.

I would like to wish everyone an enjoyable season. I would also like to wish our team the best of luck in the season ahead.

Finally, if we “all” look after the course the course will look after us.

Les Beveridge - Captain

Welcome Captains Column

Whitburn Golf Club

April 2016 Issue 1

HLA serviceLimited

Corporate Partners

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These Moving Times

Mizuno Performance Fitting Centre

Whitburn Golf Club are a Mizuno Performance Fitting Centre.

Contact our Club Professional Neil Whinham for more info

FANS Museum

Howdens Joinery Co, Consett

Claro Creative

CONSETT

Im pleased to announce that this years Team Squad will be made up of the following players:

Chris HartEddie CuthbertJosh HussainIan McConnellAndy McConnellGeoff Wilkinson Ritchie BarrowDaniel PykeAnthony JaggersPeter ShawDanny CoffeyGavin Harrison

However I’d like members to note, the team is not a closed shop, I look at players Hcaps / Scores on a weekly basis, I will ask players to come along and see what happens on a Tuesday and see the standards required. (Very high these days!) For example Ritchie Barrow, Daniel Pyke who have been asked to represent the club only recently due to good form and recent matchplay records in Club knockouts.

I’m again privileged to be the team manager for the forthcoming season, the team management requires a lot of commitment but is a very rewarding experience.

Chris Hart - Team Manager

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These Moving Times Issue 1

This with good planning, setting objectives and achievable tasks will help to promote and produce Whitburn GC course as a place where all members, visitors and guests can have a very enjoyable game on a course that will provide them with a equally fulfilling experience.

Course UpdateSince the turn of the year I along with the Greens Sub-Committee have worked closely with the HGK and his team. This close co-operation and transparency will help to promote a good working relationship which will benefit the course and the club.Let us not forget that the new drainage system fitted to the 1st, 3rd and 6th greens resulted in the staff losing time from their winter program. This was based upon the HGK wanting to ensure that the removal of the turf and works fell in line with what he deemed to be correct for the club.

We have set out what we believe are achievable targets with a view to expanding as the season progresses. The tasks are part of a rolling 4 month programme of works and this is the platform to which we will build upon.Part of the extensive works to date have included; replaced gravel to paths, Repaired damaged fence to 14th boundary, Bunkers – spade edged (completion end of April), (Gravel pathway) - Artificial turf laid on worn areas on route to 6th, 15th & 18th tee boxes and other parts of the course.

Over seeding of worn areas. New chain link and posts to be installed on entry to 1st tee, and exit from 18th green.

ForwardMain points; the greens have started to be top dressed, sorrel rolling – will be undertaken on a weekly basis – and then continuous throughout the season – this will mean a huge reduction in the tining of the greens. Greens to be rolled and fertilized (awaiting improvement in ground temperature), T Bag and thatch eater to be applied in April. Green surrounds to be scarified, greens aprons to be fertilized and mowed.

We have introduced the use of 3 of the holes on the large practice putting area, where players can also to practice their chipping; this is to be done within a marked area. The large practice area running between the 11th & 12th fairways has had new flags erected for members to use. A notice will be displayed to show all yardages. A new bunker will be created at the end of the season to allow for varied practice play.

The small practice area will undergo improvement at the end of the year with 2 new bunkers being created, for shorter varied practice shots to the existing practice greens.

TreesSince the turn of the year and up to the end of March we will have planted nearly 400 trees on the course. We have planned and agreed new plantations to be created on the course and will plant more trees towards the end of the year. Over a period of time this will enhance the aesthetic appeal of the course, define its character and encourage wildlife.

Jim Simpson - Greens ChairmanIn my first year as the new Greens Chairman it is my intention to galvanise both the green keepers team and new greens committee.

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Mission planOur vision is for the course to be set up to look aesthetically pleasing to all golfers who play. A manicured course will help to sell itself and those playing can then become confident that we are working to deliver what our golfers can enjoy.

The reputation of the club can be spread as we drive forward to promote ourselves as a golf club to be visited, enjoyed and a course that holds itself against that of others.

Golf Membership (etiquette)I would ask all members to help by applying golf etiquette by repairing any damage to the fairways or greens. By placing all their own broken tees, litter and fruit peel in the bins provided. We do not employ a course cleaner and ask you to respect others expectations.

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James Wins Facebook Competition Congratulations to James Thompson whom was one of many members to post a personal photograph of the course whilst out during a round.

The competition was designed to build on our recent efforts to raise the profile of our clubs Facebook page....with a bit of fun between members at the same time

Our winning entry from James A Thompson shows a picture of the 14th Tee with a ship in the background just about to cross the North Sea.

Well done James whom collects his sleeve of Pro V1 golf balls.

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Final Word From Our Chairman

I am privileged to take on the role of Chairman for this historic club and will work closely with the members of the Committee to ensure that the Club moves forward in a positive manner. May I take this opportunity to express my thanks to George Elsom for the time and effort he put into his role as Chairman albeit disappointing that things did not work out as he had hoped.

We must be under no illusion about the difficulties that golf clubs such as WGC face but with a fully committed Committee which has a good spread of experience and skills we will deliver on the key issues. The need to continually improve the Course is crucial as is the retention of existing members and ensuring we do everything we can to attract new members.

The Course is already looking better and it will continue to improve as the Green Staff are determined to get the Course back to the standard that the members have enjoyed not too long ago. Eddie and his team are fully committed with Jim Simpson as Chairman of the Greens Sub Committee maintaining a close working relationship and putting in significant hours on behalf of the Club.

The Director of Golf has attracted much debate but already we are seeing David producing exactly what we want - new members and new corporate sponsorship with much needed additional income for the Club.

Bob Button and Ian McConnell as usual put in significant hours every week in their respective roles and we are indeed lucky to have such members whose only interest is that of the continued success of WGC - many thanks to Bob and Ian.

The Club also boasts excellent catering and our thanks for this goes to Karen and her excellent staff who always offer a welcoming smile.

Our thanks also to Neil and Stevie for looking after the members and just as important the visitors to our Club with more Visiting Parties booked this year.

The position of Chairman is a key role in the structure of the Club and subject to the full support of my fellow Committee members and of course the membership I will be putting myself forward next January to continue in the role. I believe we need a period of continuity and stability in this role which I am prepared to bring although should another more suitable candidate step forward then I will not stand in his/her way.

Finally the Club is holding a Members Meeting on Friday 29th April at 7.30 pm in the Clubhouse and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible so the Committee can answer / clarify any issues you wish to raise.

Bill Wright - Chairmanwgcchairman@outlook.com