2011 Captains Report
Craigielaw Golf Club
CAPTAIN’S REPORT November 2011
For those who know me you will know that one of my great passions in life is golf. As my term of office comes to a close as Captain of Craigielaw Golf Club I would like to thank the Club for the privilege of Captaincy and making my journey as Captain a truly enjoyable and memorable one.
Incredibly Craigielaw Golf Club has continued to progress in hard economic times. The Club continues to look for new opportunities and has a number of exciting projects lined up for the future. The Craigielaw team exhibit an admirable skill set and continue with great foresight to advance the club and gain fine recognition that we can all be proud of.
Most notable memories.
Two years have past so quickly having hosted the Scottish Ladies Amateur Championship, twice the US KIDS European Championship, the Scottish Golf Union Boys Strokeplay Championship, the Callaway 36 Hole PGA Event and the World Hickory Open. Officials from each of the events have provided such glowing feedback with wonderful comments made about staff, the golf course, the friendly club atmosphere and all of this only encourages me to appreciate Craigielaw Golf Club even more.
I have also had the pleasure of witnessing some excellent golf having been involved with events and refereeing competition finals. My congratulations go to Greg Smail who won the Club Championship and David Gray who won the B Championship this summer.
One competition that has pleased and grown in stature is our Champion of Champions medal. Hosting the presentation of prizes for Craigielaw Golf Club has always been challenging to encourage a good number to turn out but now that we have connected this to a medal round of golf for prize winners, we achieved our largest turnout ever this year. Those collecting trophies can now appreciate more support and some good applause from the larger numbers present.
Finally, my most memorable experience must be the 10th Anniversary Celebrations in May, my sincere thanks to rob Steadman for all his work in organising the event, this year where we enjoyed good weather for both shotgun rounds played over Craigielaw and the visit to Gosford House to celebrate. The welcome made to over three hundred members, guests and staff before presenting the days prize winners with their trophy. A retirement gift presented to our well loved starter and colleague Gordon McLanachan after his ten year service to the club was also a moment to cherish.
The Liaison Committee
The Committee currently comprises of myself as Captain, Callum Robertson as Vice Captain, Gordon Nelson Handicap Convenor, Evelyn Raistrick, Will Bilbrough, Duncan Thomson, Martin Andrews, Derek Scott and John Cleary. Our Vice Captain Callum Robertson will take over as Captain at the AGM when I step down. My sincere thanks’ go to all the Liaison Committee members for their commitment and continued support for Craigielaw Golf Club.
The Junior Section.
Part of the maturing of a Club is the success of its Junior Section and this is an area where Craigielaw Golf Club has much to be proud of. Under the guidance of Gordon Smith our Junior Convenor with the support of Neil McAllister our junior squad continue to thrive.
This year the team came second in the East Lothian League and went on to win the Scottish League Finals for the 4th time in their short history. They will now compete in the British League finals in Spain early next year.
More notes of distinction for the Junior Section.
Greg Smail and Grant Forest are now studying in America and competing for their College Teams in large US amateur events. Douglas Maxwell, Gabrielle MacDonald and Jane Turner are all studying in Scottish Universities and concurrently continuing with their golfing careers.
Shaun McAllister is progressing on the Europro Tour and is now trying to secure a place on the European Tour in the second stage of the qualifying school event.
Winter League
Further to his success with the Junior Section Gordon Smith has now added his support along with John Clelland in assisting with the Winter League. One of their welcome changes has been the introduction of a wider membership base where members not usually involved have been given the chance to represent their club and hopefully this will bring similar recognition in competition.
The Ladies
Many members of the ladies section have always been staunch supporters of the club. This year the end of season fun celebration is planned for Saturday 26th November and we hope to attract lady golfers both currently playing and hopefully some new faces also.
On the Ladies 5 A-Side team (Kay Lannin, Captain)
This year Craigielaw finished 3rd in Division 2. Much gratitude for their consistent support and play goes to Kay Lannin, Liz Grandison, Sue Dalrymple and Elaine Evans.
For the Friendly Matches (Kathleen Morris, Captain)
Of the 6 matches on the friendly fixtures list played, wins were recorded with Haddington, Longniddry and North Berwick. Many thanks go to all of the ladies who supported these matches your continued support is much appreciated. The match season concluded this year with one team participating in the Sime Salver at Whitekirk and Craigielaw will be hosting this annual East Lothian Ladies Club competition in 2013.
The ladies have requested that a note of their gratitude be extended to Craigielaw Golf Club for all of their support throughout this season.
The Auld Hares
There are currently 22 men and 8 lady members in the Auld Hares and more members are always welcome. The lowest handicap currently is 7 and the age limit 55. All play consistently creating a tee time challenge to fit all into the Tuesday 9.00-9.30 tee slot. Members of the Auld Hares have had great success in the club competitions, Lionel Freedman our past captain winning the senior summer singles against a commendable opponent, Evlyn Raistrick winning the inaugural ladies summer singles and Norman McLeod and Mike Duthie winning the summer fourball. The Auld Bucks have played 9 senior matches this year recording 6 wins.
A number of the Auld hares have enjoyed senior coaching and now look forward to their fitness training advice so look out for more successes in club competition next year. The season will end with the Xmas party and prize giving – the main trophy being the gross eclectic currently standing at 58!
Many thanks go to Jonathan, Ryan, David, Steven & Nicola for their continued support to the smooth running of the shop and professional guidance for all our golfing needs but most of all, for the pleasant manner in which they conduct themselves.
The Clubhouse and Catering
The high praise conveyed to John Cleary and his team for the manner in which they look after members and visitors continues to arrive on a regular basis and is testament to the high standards they maintain. To John Horsey and his team many thanks for the high standard and excellent quality of food produced with particular mention given to the delicious spread presented for each of our Summer and Barbeque events.
The Estate Office.
Although we don’t see much of them, thanks also go to the girls in the Estate office along with Martin Andrews, the Factor of Weymss and March Estates. .
I’ve heard many competitors and visitors over the past year highly praise the condition of the course (in spite of the exceptional winter conditions) so congratulations go to Mark Reid, our Head Greenkeeper and his staff for the high standard in which they present and maintain the golf course particularly after the challenging start to the year.
Finally I would like to extend my gratitude to Derek Scott. His commitment to Craigielaw golf Club is reflected in its success. Clearly the position brings many challenges but he rises to them all. I make no apologies for repeating what I said last year. Craigielaw Golf Club can be confident in the experience and enthusiasm he brings to this position. He is a very skilled manager and my thanks go to him and his team for their relentless commitment to the Golf Club and for making my term in office feel such a privileged one.
I have reflected on the past but also look forward with confidence to an even greater future at Craigielaw Golf Cub. It is with pleasure that I now transfer my Captaincy over to Callum Robertson who I know will bring a fine spirit, enthusiasm and great commitment to the club while making every effort to guide Craigielaw to even greater achievements.
Many thanks for the past two years.
George McGill
Captain
Craigielaw Golf Club
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