Fellow Members,

As we approach the end of the golfing season, September proved to be an extremely busy month for the Club with a host of finals and other competitions being played.

Firstly, congratulations to our new Club Champions Paddy Smiley (1st time) and Roz Purdom (12th time, a fantastic achievement!)

Many congratulations too to our other winning finalists, Ethan McMurdo (Junior Champion), Alistair Belford (Gents Senior Champion), Kenny McAlpine (Jubilee Bowl), Steve Holdsworth & John Stobie (Summer Fourballs) and David Clelland (Coila Cup).

Special mention and congratulations to our Junior team on beating Troon Welbeck to clinch the Ayrshire Under 16 Championship at the weekend; a tremendous achievement.

Our Ladies Greenlees team also played at the weekend and managed to win a crunch game against Belleisle in order to retain their place in the first division for next season; well done ladies.

This year’s Arrol Cup was won by Harvey Broadfoot from Royal Troon with an aggregate score over the two rounds of 133; great scoring. Our own Dylan Cairns and Alistair Belford played extremely well to finish 2nd and 4th respectively; well done gents.

On a less positive note, the St Nicholas team lost a members inter-club match against Barassie, at home, 0-5, and we also lost out in the hard-fought Prestwick Rosebowl, winning against St. Cuthbert but getting pipped by Prestwick GC meaning Prestwick retain the Rosebowl for a second straight year. The only good news here is that VC David Coid managed to unearth a mini-Rosebowl that, in years past, got presented to the runners-up. Finding it again meant that at least we didn’t go away empty handed from this event which is specifically intended to foster good relations between the three Prestwick Clubs; something it does very successfully.

We finally managed to hold the Gents Member & Guest day last Saturday, after it had been rained off in August; the winning nett better-ball score a mere 54!

Everyone I spoke to at these events, without exception, was highly complementary about the course and the Club in general. Special mention, therefore, must go to Davie Wade and his team for the course presentation, Grant Hood and his team for the exceptional catering and bar arrangements, Gordon McKinlay and Jim McNairney for their wonderful dedication to the cause and all the other helpers, assistants and organisers too numerous to mention; these events could not happen without you. My sincere gratitude to everyone involved.

Links
A draft winter programme was prepared last month by Davie Wade and overseen by John MacLachlan and Links Convenor Stephen King before being submitted to the Links Sub-Committee and then the main Committee for approval at our end of September meeting. Some specific details require to be finalised before this will be published and available for members to view and, whilst not being as wide-ranging as in some previous years due to John’s absence, it is a considered and pragmatic approach to the works necessary to keep our course in top condition and ready to face the rigours of next season. Particular areas that are being targeted are gorse management, some more eco-bunkers, improvements to paths/walk-off areas and additional steps into some of the deeper bunkers. Keep an eye out for the finalised programme being posted on our website and the notice board shortly.

All best wishes to John MacLachlan as he goes in for his stem-cell treatment towards the middle of October. We’re all looking forward to having you back in the fold soon John.

Committee
As well as the links winter programme, Committee engaged in a lengthy discussion on the Club’s failing IT system. This was led by Raymund Bush in a departure from his usual Match & Handicap role. Due to his expertise in IT matters, Raymund had previously volunteered (or was he press-ganged?) to assist Managing Secretary Graham in getting to grips with our ageing system that had evolved in a piecemeal manner over a good number of years. The intention now is to transition, as economically as possible, to a bespoke system that is fit for purpose, protected from viruses and would-be hackers and fully backed-up to the cloud (whatever that is!). This is no simple matter and I am most grateful to Raymund for ‘stepping up to the plate’ to help out in what will be a time consuming process.

Also discussed, was the proposed solution to the problems with the John Gray conservatory and windows in the Charlie Hunter bar, as flagged-up last month. Quotations are being sought for the necessary remedial works and a notional start-date set for February next year in order to minimise disruption to our Christmas and New Year social events.

Our gas supply has been renewed on a fixed rate for a further three years at a better rate than we currently enjoy. My thanks to Sustainability Convenor Jim Paterson and Managing Secretary Graham for negotiating this new deal.

Whilst not specifically discussed at this meeting, I am often being asked what is happening with the Council’s cycle path/walkway proposal alongside our 6th hole. The answer is, I don’t know! There has been no word from nor engagement with the Council since we last met circa 18 months ago when they set out to produce a detailed feasibility study on an alternative route to the shore side of the Doctor’s house. As soon as there is anything of substance to report, be assured, you’ll be informed.

Ladies Section
I was delighted to be asked to attend a Ladies information evening on 19th September at the request of Captain of the Ladies Section, Sandra Carruthers. This had been arranged in an attempt to allay concerns expressed by some Lady members over the move of some of their competitions to Saturdays. The meeting was held in the Tom Morris Room and enjoyed a good turnout of both Ordinary and Associate members of the Ladies Section. A full and frank exchange of views was facilitated, giving Sandra and the Ladies Committee plenty to discuss at their next meeting.

Social
October heralds the Annual Dinners and Prizegivings for both the Ladies and Gents Sections; the Gents on Friday 18th and the Ladies on Friday 25th. All prize winners are encouraged to attend, if for no other reason than to be formally presented with your trophy and have your picture taken with it before it is returned to the display cabinet for another 12 months. As per usual, I will not be collecting any trophy this year but I am looking forward to basking in the reflected glory of the actual prize winners and sipping from the winner-filled cups and quaichs as the evening progresses!

The principal speaker at the Gents’ event is ex-touring professional Alastair Forsyth. Expect many (tall) tales of his time playing on the European circuit and in some of the Majors. A good evening is assured. Reserve your place on the night by completing the form at the Bar.

That’s all for now folks. I’m off shortly to enjoy a few days golf in the Algarve with some old school pals but I look forward to seeing many of you at the Prizegiving on the 18th.

Tony Greig
Captain