Meeting of Stirling Golf Club Committee

Date: 24 June 2015

Attendees: Grahame Cairns (Captain), Catriona Brown, Lesley Campbell, Brian Cree, Eve Hatton, Campbell Leggat, Robin Limmack, Garry Bowman (Sec)

1 Apologies: Andy Aitken

2 Minutes of the last meeting: Approved and signed. Proposed: Lesley Campbell Seconded: Campbell Leggat

3 Matters arising from previous meeting: Included below.

4. 150 Years: Discussion postponed until July Committee meeting.

5. Captain’s Report

5.1 Unfortunately Andy Aitken has decided to step down from the Committee, and from the Vice-Captaincy. In the short term GC to take over as M&H Convener, and BC as House Convener.

5.2 It was agreed to co-opt William McQuillian onto the Committee.

5.3 Written report covered some strategic issues including the future governance of the Club: Although there have been some very positive developments over recent years regarding the lease and the course, the Club has significant strategic issues to address, including the long-term future of the Clubhouse, and the impact of the changing demographics of the Club on finances, demand for tee-times etc. Some members are willing to criticise the work that is being done on their behalf (often very publicly via social media) but are not willing to contribute. It is proving extremely difficult to attract and retain Committee members with the right skill sets. The volume of mundane issues which have to be dealt with by the Committee mean that strategic work is not getting the attention it deserves.

SGC Ctte Minutes 2015-06-24 for signature Following discussion it was agreed to enlist the help of SGU, who are experienced in providing guidance to golf clubs on such issues. EH to contact SGU and arrange an initial meeting. It is envisaged that this will be with a small number of Club representatives, but that it will be followed up by an open meeting involving the wider membership. In addition GB & CB to consider what tasks a P-T administrative assistant might take on in future to ease the burden on volunteers.

6. Conveners’/Sub Groups updates:

6.1 House:

Health and Safety issues are requiring increased attention. Priority areas re Premises and H&S include re-surfacing the car park, improving systems for Legionella testing, obtaining an electricity safety certificate, and organising fire safety training. There are on-going issues with cracked slabs at the main entrance, because of damage from beer deliveries. BC to consider alternative surfacing options gleaned eg from other clubs. Improvements to the Ladies’ Locker Room are being planned for the off-season.

Experience at Events involving food have been disappointing. Eg food for the Spanish/Italian football night was cancelled because there were no advance bookings. On the other hand the restaurant was unable to cope with demand on the Mixed Open and the Club Mixed days because other large bookings had been taken. It was agreed that better coordination between the caterers and the Club was needed, and that there should be better advertising for Club events. GB to keep a record of major problems so that they can be avoided in future.

EH to prepare a draft survey to take Members’ views on the Clubhouse experience (food, drink, entertainment) with help from LC. It is envisaged that a focus group will be brought together in the autumn to follow up this work, and to help inform the Committee’s thinking on suitable arrangements for the future.

6.2 Greens: Plenty of rain this month, however temperatures have remained low resulting in very poor growth especially on fairways, tees and greens. Regular report provided by JL on work completed in the past month, and planned for the coming month. Next phase of bunker construction discussed and agreed with Course Development Committee. Useful report received following STRI visit. The Club continues to receive very good feedback on the condition of the course. It was agreed that the Club should consider purchasing a Greens Iron if funds are available at the end of the year. CL to look into the possibility of purchasing bins for the Ladies’ tees, and using disks embedded in the ground to mark the Junior tees as the present tees can interfere with play.

6.3 Match and Handicap: Some issues re the Championships to be reviewed before next year, including the timing of matches, and possible ways to encourage more Members to come along on finals day. Numbers who have booked for the Gents’ Festival Trophy and Hornall Trophy in late July are disappointingly low. GB to send information to local clubs, plus a reminder to Stirling members.

6.4 Communications: Some concerns about the stability of the website. Details and photos of the Club Championships and regular competition results are now being published on the website.

6.5 Membership and HR: See Secretary’s report below.

6.6 Junior Section: GC to revert to John Eggo re appropriate arrangements if Juniors apply to play Medals from the white tees.

2[Type text] [Type text] [Type text] 7 Finance Report: End-May figures not yet available. Report to be circulated to Committee when they are available. Initial re-payment of VAT has still not been received. GB to chase the agent who has been dealing with this on behalf of the Club.

8 Kings Park Path proposals: A consultant has been engaged by Stirling Council to look at improving the paths in the King’s Park. The feasibility study was on view at The Smith on 10 June. It was agreed that it is vital for the Club to be actively involved in the consultations. EH, LC, and CL offered to represent the Club, along with James Lindsay, and to communicate with Members. In the short term it was agreed that the Club should go ahead and improve signage on the course eg Danger – Golf in progress.

9 Secretary’s Report/Correspondence: Thanks expressed to Alan Rankin for providing cover during GB’s holiday. No suggestions or correspondence to note other than requests from Stirlingshire Golf Union re Regional Finals, and also Disclosure Training, plus a request from the Lord Provost’s office re a competition in May 2016. Updates given on various issues including impact of new employment law requirements; two sponsors’ logos have been added to the Club Vehicle; ideas to improve Junior Lounge are being progressed.

Routine monthly membership report not available yet. Numbers in the various categories need to be double-checked, following problems with the Club2000 systems. The new members brought in since the last Committee meeting have been well within the agreed limits. It was decided that in period to the next Committee meeting GB can offer membership to applicants who have been on the waiting list for at least 14 days within the following guidelines: Juniors - no limit; Clubhouse – up to 10; other categories combined – up to 10. GB & CB to produce a standard letter which can be used when members resign, to identify the reasons for people leaving.

10 Recent/forthcoming events: Committee outing to Blairgowrie, 21 August 2015. Teams to be organised to represent the Club in various external events eg Rotary AmAm.

11 Any other competent business: Papers received on The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 to be discussed at the July meeting.

12 Date of Next Meetings: Changed to Wednesday 29 July 7pm. GB to check Committee members’ availability for future meetings.

Minutes approved: ______Date: ______

SGC Ctte Minutes 2015-06-24 for signature