Captains Report
During June we were informed that Kinnon Park farm had been put on the market for sale. This was done with no discussions at all with G S Brown Construction or with the Board at Craigie Hill Golf Club. Both Geoff Brown and our Club made our disappointment very clear to the farmer and it looked, at that time, if our planned Course at Kinnon Park had gone.
I am now pleased to report that Geoff Brown has purchased Kinnon Park Farm on a personal basis. I have been assured that, should planning permission be granted at some stage for Craigie Hill, we will still be able to build a Golf Course at Kinnon Park.
The continual discussions with Perth & Kinross Council Planning are still progressing very slowly. We have now been informed that the new Perth Area Plan will be published in November 2007. There is still no guarantee that the land at Craigie Hill will be included for housing, and if it is the indication is that it will only be the lower slops up to the 14th Fairway and 3rd Green. G S Brown Construction has therefore asked Wimpey Homes to look at this land and we now have a draft plan for a high-density type housing development. The area of the land in question is only 16.28 acres which is very short of the 30 acres we have always thought necessary to finance a 27 hole Golf Course and associated facilities. This has given us some indication of the land value before any further decisions are made. As negotiations continue I will ensure members are kept up to date with any meaningful developments.
The Craigie Hill Men’s Open Tournament was held on 5th August and all competitors witnessed a very high standard of Golf. The entry numbers were up on previous years and many compliments were received on the condition of our course. Our own Daniel Young with a creditable round of 67 scratch won the Tournament. Daniel won on a count back over the last 6 holes.
It was 18 years since Craigie Hill won the County Team Championship in 2006 and I am delighted to report that our Scratch Team of Malcolm Davidson, Nicky Barr and Chris Barr retained the Trophy at Alyth Golf Club this year. Congratulations to this team on a fine achievement for Craigie Hill Golf Club.
I would like to congratulate Daniel Young on his success at the Scottish U18 Boys Strokeplay Championships held at Cardrona. Daniel finished a very creditable 5th place overall but won the George McDonald Memorial Bowl as the top U16 finisher. Daniel has also won the Craigie Hill Junior Scratch championship and the Craigie Hill Open this month. A further honour for Daniel is that he has now been selected for the Scottish Schoolboys team for the clash with England at Westerwood in September.
I would also like to thank Stuart Robertson and his staff for the excellent work they have done on the Course over the past few months. Weather conditions have not been ideal yet our Course has been in the best condition I can remember with the greens absolutely superb.
The Clubhouse continues to remain fairly busy but I would encourage more members to make use of our facilities. We have excellent catering from Trevor and Irene with first class service in the Bar. Increases in bar takings would go a long way to help our financial position and I would encourage all members to visit the Clubhouse after their round to ensure increased takings.
Social
The following events have been planned for the coming months and we would encourage all members to support these functions.
- Sportsman’s Dinner – Friday 21st September. Ticket now on sale at £25 each and can be purchased in Clubhouse.
- Race Night – 20th October. Race sponsors and horse owners required.
- Christmas Dance – 15th December. Date for your Diary.
- Hogmany Dance – 31st December. Date for your Diary.
Competitions
- Junior/Men/Ladies Texas Scramble – 31st August. 11 Holes followed by Dutch Putting Competition.
- Craigie Hill Seniors Open. 4th September. Please try to promote this event.
- Invitation Greensomes. – 16th September. Invite a friend or colleague along to sample our Course.
- J Rennie Invitation Combined Stableford. Re-scheduled for 21st October. Great chance for a good days golf with friend.
Finance
Income
Income in the 7 months to July 07 is £4385 ahead of the same period in 2006. Not surprisingly, this is in the main due to increased revenue through the bar – a big thank you to Trevor and the team. This performance would have been even sweeter had the Gaming Machine income not been so disappointing, producing £2,181 less income than the same 7 months last year. When we take into account the cost of hiring the machine and license fees, the machine is only just breaking even.
Expenditure
Course
I’m sure everyone will agree that huge credit is due to the Greens staff for the quality they deliver throughout the season. What is even more incredible is that this quality is achieved whilst saving money. In the 7 months to July 07, Course Expenditure is £6,099 less than the same point last year. Fingers crossed we don’t need any emergency equipment repairs at the end of the season.
Clubhouse
Clubhouse expenditure has increased in the 7 months to July by £7,320 – not surprisingly, this is in the main attributable to increased bar purchases and house wages, in line with the increased revenue from the bar.
Administration
Office expenditure is performing in line with budget and in line with 2006
Overall Performance
Whilst the signs are encouraging, we all have to continue to support the club wherever possible – the priorities have to be to continue the positive trend in the bar, recover lost visitor income and continue to manage costs efficiently. The best we can hope for is to break even for the year, but realistically when we take account of the year end charges for VAT and depreciation, it is more likely we will be facing a small loss come the year end. Therefore the Club’s financial position remains critical.
House
Trevor and Irene have provided new blinds for the Dining Room and Trevor has also freshened up the walls with a coat of paint. We have also painted the Hall/Staircase to brighten up the entrance to the Clubhouse.
Juniors
The annual junior tour was in Aberdeen again this year. 18 juniors enjoyed 5 games of golf. The last day was at Cruden Bay where Daniel Young finished second in their Junior Open. The previous 4 days were played in a 72-hole stableford format with Craig Ralston winning by 1 point from Chris Donaldson. The annual tour “Ryder Cup” match yielded a comfortable (and rare) win for the adults (and younger juniors) with the score being 9 – 2.
Medal competitions continue to be well attended on Sundays and lots of cards are being handed in for the Hill Bunny Competition.
Ladies
Many congratulations to Nicky Harding-McDonald in winning the Scratch Club Championship and to Patricia Coburn in winning the Handicap Trophy.
The Ladies would like to thank the anonymous person/s who donated a beautiful new trophy for the Scratch Club Championship.
The Lady Members have done well playing away, sweeping the board with prizes from our outing to Kirkcaldy Golf Club, Nicky Harding-McDonald, Carol Muir, Alison Stockley and Avril Ker all walking away with winnings. Carol and Susan Berry also flew the flag for Craigie Hill at Dunning Open winning 1st Scratch and 1st Handicap. Perth & Kinross’s organised event over the North Inch was also “clinched” by Evelyn Garvie winning 1st Handicap.
The Ladies Charity Day is fast approaching on Sunday 2nd September, any sponsors or donations would be most gratefully received.
Professional
As the 2007 Golfing Season starts to come to an end I thought it would be time to reflect on the season past. The 2007 season has been inconsistent shall we say, after a good week of weather in April the summer disappeared to something not far from shocking, this resulting in myself having to cancel some of my pre book summer wear! Hopefully 2008 will be a better year!
The 2007 season started off with myself losing assistant Ally McDonald to Ellie Golf Club and replacing Ally with Drew Fleming. My own game this season has almost been non-existent with only a handful of events to date.
I have started to do my pre-books for next seasons Spring/Summer ranges with Ecco shoes, Oscar Jacobsen, Five Seasons, Sunice and Wilson Staff already ordered and over the next few months will be seeing many more Companies. If there is any Company you, the Members, wish to see in the shop please let me know and I will try my best to accommodate them.
Due to the size of the pro shop it is obviously not possible to stock every Company but through other Professionals it is possible for me to get you anything from elsewhere – so please give me the opportunity to do this. Likewise with prices all that I ask is that you give me the chance to match, or even better, what you have been offered. On this note I would like to thank those that support the shop and hopefully we will see more members buying their golfing goods from my shop.
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