The Officers 2010
A message from our President
It was with much pleasure and pride that I accepted the Presidency of Abergele Golf Club, after being a member since 1968 especially as we are now in our Centenary Year.
We had a very successful opening to the year on Sunday, 3rd January. My grateful thanks and congratulations, on your behalf, to Cynan Davies, Chairman of the Centenary Committee, to our Captain Mike, Lady Captain Val and Junior Captain Josh for entering into the spirit of the occasion, and to John Howatson, as Master of Ceremonies for the day; to the Mayor of Abergele, Councillor Delyth Macrae and Councillor Andrew Woods for their presence and contribution to our celebrations.
We are very fortunate in having a strong membership in all sections of the club who I am sure will continue to support the Centenary Year Committee with their activities both on and off the course and in the clubhouse.
Finally, I am sure you will join me in wishing the Abergele Golf Club every future success as it strives to achieve its second centenary.
Ron Jones
President
A message from our Lady President
Thank you, Hilary, for a job very well done.
Already a few. weeks have elapsed since our A.G.M. and I am looking forward to the remainder of the year, and celebrating with you our centenary. The ‘New to Golf' scheme continues to bear fruit, and I hope the new influx of ladies will grow from strength to strength in 2010.
Wishing you all you wish yourselves (be it gaining or improving your handicap) but most importantly enjoying your golf, and a Happy New Year.
Abergele has always been known as a friendly club, and I am certain Ron, Mike, Val, Josh and myself will work together to making 2010 happy and successful.
Dorothy Owen
Ladies' President
A message from our Captain
After taking office on Thursday 3rd December my first official function was the Seniors Christmas Lunch on Friday 4th December. Fortunately I have had several years of practice so I was better prepared than many of my predecessors. It lived up to its reputation, a great occasion. So, in fact, was the Children's Party on Saturday 5th December which was well attended as usual. I was amazed to realise how young looking some of the grandparents were.
Draw night on 19th December was also well attended. Past President David Prys Jones was his usual ebullient self and our thanks go to Muriel Wynne Jones and all who helped to make the evening a success. Sunday January 3rd 2010 was a great
occasion due to the good planning of the Centenary Committee, the expertise of Mr John Howatson and the blessing of good weather. There was a very good turnout to support the event which included the unveiling of the Centenary Plaque by Past President Bob Walford and Past Ladies' President Billy Needham. We then attended the flagstaff where the Mayor of Abergele Town Council, Councillor Delyth Macrae raised the new centenary club flag which she so generously donated, and then it was on to the first tee for the three captains, suitably attired in Edwardian costu
me, for the ceremony of the Drive-in, all three of which I am pleased to report were successful. Finally, it was down to the newly planted scarlet oak tree which was dedicated to the centenary year by our President Ron Jones our Ladies' President Dorothy Owen and our Junior Captain Josh Lloyd. The tree was purchased with part of the £400 donated by Abergele Town Council.
The official party were then escorted back to the club house by Pipe Major Kerr with a rendition of Men of Harlech. The event was completed when we were entertained by the ladies of the Mountain Harmony Chorus. Several other events have been planned to celebrate our Centenary Year, all of which will be advertised in the clubhouse. Please support your club in this landmark year.
A Happy New Year to you all and good golfing in 2010.
Your Captain
Mike Pratt
A message from our Lady Captain
Since I took over as your Ladies Captain on the 24th November, life has been a total whirlwind. What with photographic sessions both for the foyer and the new ‘Programme of Events' for 2010, I am beginning to feel quite a celebrity.
I attended the WNC Veteran Ladies Golf Association AGM to represent the club on your behalf. This was a well attended afternoon when Janet Large and Betty Thomas were presented with the Greensome trophy won at the Autumn meeting at Northop. We have had two daffodil bulb planting sessions, grateful thanks to all of you who helped. We hope in the spring the golf course will be a sea of yellow.
We have been promised another 3000 bulbs next September, so volunteers wanted please. After the New Officers meeting I really felt I was in office as the new Captain and President were now in their positions. The children's party was a huge success with Gary Sausage keeping the children entertained. The visit from Santa on his golf buggy was the icing on the cake. I have attended Directors meetings and Golf meetings where I have been kept up to date with the workings of the club. The ladies' annual Christmas party on the 9th December surpassed itself. I was made to feel a real VIP.
The Cinderella pantomime could not be faulted, if anyone wants a second dose, I have a DVD you can borrow. I did wonderfully well for prizes in the Christmas Draw, even winning a cuddly teddy bear for my new granddaughter. The Junior quiz was its usual mad, riotous evening; Iain and Pat do a wonderful job. About 160 people attended. On the 3rd January my official Drive In took place. It was a magical day with everyone really enjoying themselves. With the hot punch and piper welcoming us, followed by the unveiling of the slate plinth, the raising of the centenary flag by our Mayor, Delyth Macrae, three superb drives by Josh, Mike and myself and the planting of an oak tree to commemorate the centenary, it was an absolutely perfect day. Many thanks to all who were involved, especially Cynan who worked so hard to make it a success.
I am now looking forward to our Centenary year in 2010. We have many events planned for all sections of the club; Centenary Golf Competitions with a presentation of prizes and celebration evening on the 12th June with Champagne reception and Centenary cake, a nostalgia evening in March, a Ladies Edwardian evening in April, a Centenary Ball on 19th June and a Hickory Club competition on 20th June hosted by the British Golf Collectors Association where members will be encouraged to take part. I hope that is enough to whet your appetite. I am looking forward to playing with as many ladies as possible during the coming year and hope to encourage all our new ladies to obtain handicaps to join in our competitions. Wishing you all a joyous New Year and happy golfing.
Val Ellison
Ladies' Captain
Our Junior Captain
We are very pleased to have Josh Lloyd as our Junior Captain for 2010. Josh is one of the nicest young men you are likely to meet and has impressed in the 2009 season by dropping his handicap to an impressive 5. We wish Josh every success with his captaincy for 2010.