Leek Golf Club Captain's Charity Update
Leek Golf Club Captain Andrew Baxter finished off his year in style, by handing over a magnificent cheque for £2,001.48 to Robert Garland (area manager for Cancer Research UK), and Pam McFadden who is the manager of the Leek branch of this Charity.
It was quite poignant really, as Pam is the widow of Stuart McFadden, a well-known Leek member who died suddenly earlier this year from cancer. Andrew himself was a cancer victim in 2012, having been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, the resultant surgery for which proved effective. He is hoping to get the 'all clear' in March 2017.
This amount of money was raised from various activities during Andrew's captaincy year from various streams, including sponsorship for Captain's Charity day, quizzes, 'guess the weight of the leek', and the generous support of the Leek Golf Club members and players.
Altogether the charity fund raised £5,501.48, of which £3,500.00 has already been handed over in the form of a state-of-the art wheelchair to a young girl called Meghan (below) who resides at Horton Lodge Special School in the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Robert Garland outlined to Andrew the special work done by Cancer Research UK within the Christie's facility in Manchester, and it was agreed that the £2,001.48 be allocated to that area of research in the future.
Research at the CRUK Manchester Institute spans the whole spectrum of cancer research, from programmes investigating the molecular and cellular basis of cancer, to those focused on translational research and the development of novel therapeutic approaches. The Institute works in close collaboration with The Christie and is a partner in the Manchester Cancer Research Centre.
Their aim is to gain a greater understanding of the fundamental basis of how cancer develops, and apply that knowledge to develop new diagnostic tests, potential treatments and better ways to predict the outcomes. They have first class translational research facilities to support current activities and develop into new areas such as molecular pathology. Please support Leek Golf Club Captain's Charity Day. Any cash raised makes a difference!
Charity Cheque Presentation
During her year as Lady Captain 2016, Pat Beeson raised funds for her chosen charity, Ward 202 at the Cancer Centre, Royal Stoke University Hospital.
She arranged a salsa dance night, quiz night, charity golf day, sponsored walk around Tittesworth Reservoir and raffles to raise a total of £2000. "Everyone has been extremely generous and I cannot thank them enough for their support in helping to raise this money" said Pat.
Pictured is 2016 Lady Captain presenting a cheque to her daughter Melanie Hughes, Senior Sister on Ward 202.
Summary Of Annual General Meeting 8th December 2016
Quorum required = 20. Full members attending = 84 Attended (plus 33 by Proxy)
The President, Roy Emery, took the chair and welcomed all present to 125th Annual General Meeting of Leek Golf Club, Before proceeding with the business of the meeting the Chair asked the 'meeting' to stand and observe one minute silence for those who had passed away since the previous AGM: Stuart McFadden, Ethel Haynes, Ron Hollins, Pat Sampey, Len Geston and Nigel Wint. The Chair then asked for three volunteers from the floor to act as tellers, in the event that a ballot was required.
Mike Wootton, Susan Watson and Arthur Doherty were appointed as tellers.
Agenda:
To read the notice convening the meeting - Taken as read.(Following notification of a correction on page 3 of the notice, namely Mr J Smith resigned on 10th December 2015 and was not elected on that date.
To read the minutes of the previous A.G.M. - Taken as read.
To consider the Captain's Review - Taken as read.
To consider the Directors' report - Taken as read.
To consider the Accounts (herein) for the year ended 31st August 2015. The accounts were presented by Peter Grindey of Fearns Marriott Ltd., our club accountants following which the President invited questions:
In response to a question from member, Nick Damjanovic, Hon. Secretary confirmed that it was never his intention to give the impression that the buggy store project was fully funded by advanced payment of annual rental fees from members. However he accepted that his reference to self-funding, in the Committee's report to the AGM could be taken as such, albeit that all prior publicity relating to this matter made it clear that funding from members was a contribution. Hon. Secretary set out in detail Committee's approval process for this project and the financial benefits this facility offered to the club; not only as a future income stream but as an addition to our membership package for the recruitment and retention of members. Hon. Secretary confirmed that there was now sufficient demand from members to complete the project and agreed to publish details in due course.
In response to concerns raised by member, Stewart Townsend, Hon. Treasurer reported that Committee had not underestimated the seriousness of the financial position and strong measures were to be put in place to address the situation. It would be inappropriate to give further details at this time.
In response to concerns raised by member, Steve Longhorn, regarding the staffing costs of bar and catering, House Chair reported that a Committee meeting had been arranged for 4th January solely to address this issue.
In response to a question raised by member, Ken Hewitt, Hon. Treasurer confirmed that a realistic budget had been set to take account of already being 4 months into the current financial year.
Hon. Treasurer confirmed that cash at bank currently stood at £121,000 which included VAT rebate received in November. Hon. Secretary emphasised that the cash position at the end of the financial year with comparisons against the previous two years was stated in the Management Committee's Report to the AGM which was sent out to members with the Notice of the AGM.
There being no further questions, Proposed Captain, Seconded Hon. Treasurer that the accounts be accepted. Carried on a show of hands.
Proxy Voting - Before proceeding to Agenda Item 6 President invited Hon. Secretary to give a brief introduction to Proxy Voting. Hon. Secretary gave details and confirmed that 84 members entitled to vote were in attendance and 33 members had validly appointed a proxy.
SPECIAL BUSINESS ARTICLE 35
To consider and (if thought fit) approve the budget for 2016/2017 (subject to sufficient funds being available) - Proposed Finance Chair, Seconded Hon. Treasurer that the budget be accepted. Carried on a show of hands.
SPECIAL BUSINESS ARTICLE 35
To consider and (if thought fit) approve individual items of Capital or other expenditure in excess of £20,000 that are not included in the budget for the financial year 2015/2016 - President confirmed that no such items of expenditure were being proposed
SPECIAL BUSINESS
To confirm Subscription rates for 2017
MEN
Full membership - £814
Limited membership - £669
Long Distance - £300 + £10 on each occasion prior to play
LADIES
Full - £734
Limited - £669
Distance - £300 + £10 on each occasion prior to play
(Age reductions will apply, subject to qualification)
JUNIOR and INTERMEDIATE (male & female)
Junior (under 16years) - £110
Intermediate - 20% of full fee
HOUSE (male & female) - £40 (plus VAT)
Proposed Finance Chair, Seconded Hon Treasurer that the above subscriptions be approved. Carried on a show of hands.
To elect Officers and appoint Auditors and Solicitors - The following appointments were approved:
President - John Cooper
Senior Vice President - Dave Allen
Vice Presidents -, Brian Cockersole, Simon Nadin, Barry Hughes, Mike Wootton and AT Brindley. Captain - Phill Davies.
Vice Captain - John Pennington.
Hon. Secretary - Dave Brookhouse
Hon. Treasurer - Mick Moult.
Hon. Match Secretary - Mick Barker.
Hon. Solicitors - Messrs Bowcock & Pursaill
Auditors - Fearns Marriott Ltd
Committee - By ballot: Trevor Eccleston (3 years) Mike Wainwright (3 years) Ken Hollins (3 years) Jenny Cordon (1 year)
SPECIAL BUSINESS - SPECIAL RESOLUTION (75% majority required)
To extend term of office for Hon Treasurer and Hon. Match Secretary from one year to three years from AGM 2017. Proposed Hon. Secretary, Seconded Captain. In making the proposal, Hon. Secretary explained that Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Match Secretary have already been elected for next year and as a consequence of the order of business of this meeting if the proposition is carried it will only take effect from next year's AGM.
The Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Match Secretary are required to seek election annually albeit that they both regularly deal with issues that relate to matters that are to take effect beyond their one year term of office. The sole purpose of this proposal is to extend the current period of office of one year to three years. This will to bring the positions in line with Hon. Secretary and Elected Members of Committee who are elected for three year terms.
Committee feels that that this will improve continuity and facilitate succession planning by extending the opportunity for potential successors to shadow existing post holders.
Your Committee is confident that this change will improve future governance of the Company and I am pleased to put the proposal. Carried by show of hands.
12. SPECIAL BUSINESS - SPECIAL RESOLUTION (75% majority required)
To amend Company Articles to replace the current Long Distance Membership category with: "Distance Membership" - persons residing beyond a radius of 100 miles from the clubhouse for a continuous period of no less than 5 months annually. Such members shall be entitled to the same rights a on payment of an annual subscription and a concessionary green fee prior to each occasion of commencing play.
Proposed Mrs Jayne Baxter, Seconded Hon. Secretary. In making the proposal Mrs J Baxter stated that Committee believes that the current concession is too restrictive to meet modern requirements and does not serve our club's strategy for recruitment/retention of members. A common reason given for resignations is, "unable to justify subscription due to frequency of play". Committee is confident that this proposal takes account of this for "distance members" without being such as to undermine full membership levels. Should this proposal be carried it is proposed that the distance subscription for 2017 be: £300 annual fee plus £10 per round. (To illustrate - If such a member played once per week for the maximum 7 months (28 weeks) annual payment would be £580. If such a member played twice per week the annual payment would exceed the current full member subscription.) Carried by show of hands.
President gave the result of the elected members' ballot, congratulated the successful candidates and asked that members of 2017 committee meet in the Committee Room immediately following the meeting.
He thanked all for attending the meeting and wished everyone compliments of the season and a safe journey home.
Meeting Closed at 10:15pm.
Leek Golf Club Poppy Appeal 2016
We would like to thank all members and visitors who have contributed to this year's poppy appeal, we raised £72.50.
Captain's Drive In 2017
All members are invited to join Club Captain Phill Davies, Lady Captain Jenny Flower, Seniors Captain Alan Bonehill and Junior Captain Leann Nixon on New Year's Day for their drive in. The first drive will commence at 12 noon with a light buffet to follow, we would like as many of you as possible to come and join us drive in the new golfing year.
Practice Balls
If any member has any spare golf balls they wish to get rid of please could you drop them off at the pro-shop or by the bench on the practice area.
The practice ball bench now has a padlock again so anybody wishing to use the facility please remember to collect the key from the pro-shop before you go down to the practice area.
Pro's Sunday Comp - Sunday 11th December
1st Place - Mark Alcock, Lee Bowers, Brian Townsend and Gary Kimberley - 126 Points
2nd Place - Mick Jones, Leon Bagguley and Stewart Wardle - 125 Points
3rd Place - Andy Walker, Dave Robinson, Pete Nixon and Craig Stanier - 124 Points
Winter League (Week 6) Results - Sunday 11th December 2016
1st - Dave Robinson 42 Points - Back 9 - 22 (5 Points)
2nd - Chris Lilley 42 Points - Back 9 - 19 (4 Points)
3rd - Dennis Vincent 40 Points - Back 6 - 14 (3 Points)
4th - Mick Hughes 40 Points - Back 6 - 13 (2 Points)
5th - Craig Stanier 39 Points - Back 9 - 18 (1 Point)
New Handicaps
Dave Robinson 8
Chris Lilley 8
Dennis Vincent 4
Mick Hughes 14
