Dear Members,

Membership Fees - 2012

Once again I feel I need to start on the serious matter that is money, your membership fees for 2012 are now due and whilst I fully understand the financial demands that Christmas puts on us all, it would really help the Club’s ‘cash flow’ if you could pay your membership fees as soon as possible and by the end of February at the absolute latest.

Unfortunately, anyone not having paid their membership fees by the end of February will not be entitled to attend, or have a vote at the Club’s AGM on Tuesday 13th March. £495 for the year still represents excellent value for money. Obviously, as always the club will lose some members in 2012 as not everyone who was a member in 2011 will (for whatever reason) renew their membership in 2012. So it is very important that we continue to try and promote the club in a positive light and keep the number of members as high as we can. Membership fees provide the main source of income for the Club, if the numbers drop, then so does the money that is available to spend on the course. So, if you can persuade any of your family or friends to take out club membership in 2012 rather than play on a ‘pay and play’ basis that would be great as every membership secured is a definite bonus for the club, just as every membership not renewed is a real loss to the club.

Once again may I reminded you that it is possible to spread the cost of your membership fee by paying it in instalments via ‘Fairway Credit’ there is a small administration fee, but if you would like more information on this alternative method of payment please contact the Secretary, who I’m sure will be happy to provide you with all the necessary details. The added benefit for the club is that whilst you pay ‘Fairway Credit’ in instalments the club receives your full membership fee at the beginning of the year.

Can I also remind you again that any existing member who introduces a new member to the club in 2012 will receive £50 off their own 2013 membership fee when the new member rejoins in 2013.

Committee Members - 2012

A notice has been displayed in the Club house (to the side of the bar) listing the club committee membership positions. The positions which are already filled (i.e. President, Vice Presidents, Gents and Ladies Captain’s & Vice Captain’s) have the incumbent’s names shown together with their proposer and seconder. All of the other committee positions are ‘up for grabs’ as it were, so, if you feel you have something to offer and would like to try to continue to move the club forwards, please consider putting your name forward to serve on the club’s general committee.

Anyone wishing to put their name forward does need to find a ‘Proposer’ and ‘Seconder’ for their nomination. If more than one person puts their name forwards for a particular position (e.g. Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary, Ladies Secretary) or, if more than 10 people put their names forward to serve on the general committee there will be a vote (by the members present at the AGM) to determine the successful candidate. If there is only one nominee for a position, (or less than 10 nominees for the general committee) the positions will be filled by acclimation. At the first committee meeting following the AGM committee members will be allocated to sub-committees and the sub-committee chairs identified.

The Season Ahead

Copies of the 2012 fixtures list are available in the clubhouse, so please pick up your copy. Copies of the Clubs first news letter of 2012 are also in the clubhouse (thanks to Carl Hayes for compiling this).

Entry forms for the 5 Stanedge ‘Opens‘ are also available, please see the Secretary (or the website) and remember, if you (& your playing partner) register your entry before 30th April 2012 (with the exception of the Junior/Adult Open) you will receive a £5 reduction in the entry fee.

Another plea for members to support your respective Captain’s and the Club, please put your names forward to express your interest in playing in some (or all) of the friendly matches we’ve arranged with other clubs. We need a minimum of 12 players for each match, so watch out for the entry lists being displayed in the respective changing rooms several weeks in advance of each fixture and put your name forward.

Fund Raising

The Committee are always looking at identifying ways of trying to raise additional income for the club and are currently exploring the possibility of having a wind turbine installed, this is all still subject to planning permission, but could ultimately generate up to £10,000 per year for the club once erected and working. We’ve also made, so far fruitless enquiries, about the possibility of having a ‘phone mast’ installed as this too would provide very welcome income if successful.

On a smaller scale the Ladies Section is planning to re-introduce a ‘book sale’ in the Club House to hopefully raise some funds for the Club. So, if anyone has any other ideas of ways in which we might be able to raise funds/secure additional income for the club, or if anyone works for a company which might be able/willing to pay/sponsor the club in some way in return for advertising their business, then please let the Committee know, so that the ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ of any such proposals can be considered. A ‘Like’ page is also being opened on ‘Facebook’ to hopefully help raise the profile of the Club.

Social

Following the success of the ‘Race Night’ held by our Captain in the summer, I believe it is planned to hold another ‘Race Night’ sometime in early March, so watch out for the notices detailing this event, both in the clubhouse and on the Club’s website and put your names down for another ‘fun’ night – who knows, you might even win something!

It’s the annual Ladies Captain’s Dinner on Friday 16th March – this year it’s being held at the Sandpiper Hotel in Unstone – the cost is £22 per head. If you would like to attend and support the Ladies Captain a list for you to enter your names on (partners welcome of course) and the menu are displayed on the General notice board in the clubhouse.

Finally – Remember the AGM is on Tuesday 13th March at Club Chesterfield, Chester Street, Chesterfield starting at 7.15pm!

Andy Hesketh

Club Chairman