November 2015 - Liberton Golf Club

October 2015
Liberton Golf Club Newsletter
Captain’s Report
As another competitive playing season comes to an end it is a good time to reflect on what has been achieved at an
individual and team level by members during 2015. And it has been an impressive one for Liberton in the Junior,
Ladies and Gents (including Senior) ranks. While much of the focus quite rightly is on those who gained
representative honours at County level and did well at national level competitions (Karen Ferguson and Kieran
Cantley) and in Kieran’s case at International level also, there were impressive team achievements with our Junior
and Gents teams reaching their respective Inter-Club finals. At Club level we have seen a number of past winners
and some new faces emerging from the Championship, Foursomes, Hole and Hole and mixed events and all of the
winners and some cases the runner ups will be invited to the Prizegiving on Friday 13 November so we can
celebrate their success. I am looking forward to it and hope all those invited can attend as well as other members,
friends and family.
The outcome of the SGM was a positive one and the Council do appreciate the support of members for the changes
that are being introduced that will hopefully generate new members as well as retaining existing ones. Council is
now considering how we can market the new/revised categories of membership, in particular at Youth and
Foundation level. This will include how existing members can help to promote the Club to gain new members.
Council met on 26 October to finalise the budget for 2016. As members will see from the Noticeboard in the
Clubhouse, Council decided to increase the subscription by £15 which means a full member will pay £675 and this
represents an increase of 2.3%. This will ensure Liberton remains competitive and compares favourably with other
Clubs in the area, who in some case are planning increases of between 10-15%.
Council remain fully committed to investing in the course and the Head Greenkeeper has an impressive programme
of work to be tackled over the winter period. This will to some extent be weather dependant but all being well
members will see the benefits next year. As always the Clubhouse will continue to present challenges and Council
will ensure it is maintained and enhanced as necessary.
On a less positive note, I should also report that Council terminated the membership of a member as a result of
evidence of drug taking in the Clubhouse. This action was taken in accordance with the “zero tolerance” policy on
drugs introduced by Council in March this year and which I know commands overwhelming support within the Club.
Such support is appreciated and I can assure members that the Council will not hesitate to implement this again if
evidence of drug use is found. I should add that the individual concerned has also been banned from the Club for 5
years.
A major challenge for the Club will be finding a replacement for our Secretary, John, who has decided to retire in
April next year. John will be missed as he has played a pivotal role in managing and balancing the Club’s finances
against a difficult climate of a declining membership base as well as a variety of changes within Council. A
recruitment exercise will begin in January next year.
Finally, I do hope you find this update helpful and that you all have a good autumn/winter golfing experience at
Liberton and one that sets you and your game up for the challenges next year.
Brian O’Neil, Captain
Council Members wanted
Vacancies currently exist on Council (including at Vice Captain level) and if you have skills/ experience in financial
management, IT, marketing etc or a interest in helping to run a golf club and wish to make a contribution to your
Club, please contact the Captain (0131 672 2252 or e-mail [email protected]) or the Secretary, John
Masterton.
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October 2015
News
Kieran Cantley has had his very successful season recognised with a Scottish Boys Cap which is a tremendous
achievement and no doubt this is just the start of a long and successful golfing journey. For details of Kieran’s
achievements and the rest of the Juniors news, see the Juniors section below.
Well done to Karen Ferguson, who reached the final of the Midlothian Champion of Champions, played at Royal
Burgess on 6th September. Although she lost out to 3rd time winner, Karen Marshall, the match was played very
professionally and with some exciting golf. A super day and played in the true spirit of golf.
Winner, Karen Marshall, and runner up, Karen Ferguson
The mens Interclub team got through to the final at Murrayfield which was a great achievement but unfortunately lost
to Kingsknowe. The team was Anthony Blaney, Scot Finlay, Mark McAdam and Kieran Cantley.
The Seniors Inter Club Team (Brian O'Neil, Tom Paterson, David Rennie and Neil Plenderleith) lost to Merchants in
the quarter final at Baberton.
Gents Seniors Matches – Another successful year and after consolidating home and away results Liberton have won
4 and halved 1
The SGM minutes are available on the website, on the front page of the Members area.
Reminders
Members who play in the winter league can see the results on master scoreboard by looking up Liberton golf society
and entering the password which is the word clubhouse.
The Wednesday sweeps start again in April and they will now be classed as a mixed competition, there is no block
bookings for these and play can be in two/three or fourballs, we also allow outings/visiting parties if necessary and
also if the greens staff require to do anything they have priority and no sweep will take place that day, finally the
sweeps are for 18 holes only, there will not be the option to do 9 holes.
Note you can book 5 days ahead for Liberton ties (Mon-Sun) or if you are bringing guests (Mon-Friday any time,
weekends after 2pm only).
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October 2015
Competition Winners
Gents Stroke Play Championship A Division
Winner
Runner-Up
Clark Munro
Stevie Richardson
Gents Stroke Play Championship B Division
Winner
Runner-Up
Gordon Barr
Charlie Love
Gents Foursomes HnH
Winners
Runners-Up
Ian Kay & Alan Simpson
Brian O’Neil & Charlie Love
Gents Singles HnH
Winner
Runner-Up
Trevor Kelly
Grant Russell
Gents Seniors Singles HnH
Winner
Runner-Up
Jazz Robertson
Brian O’Neil
Mixed Foursomes
Winners
Runners-Up
Jo & Jazz Robertson
Anne White & Tommy Whitecross
Ladies Foursomes HnH
Winners
Runners-Up
Jean Hall & Jean Short
Pat Stables & Mary Wilson
Ladies Singles HnH
Winner
Runner-Up
Anne White
Jacqui Loudon
Juniors
The Junior Team qualified for the quarter finals of the Summer League but were beaten 8-4 on aggregate by
Baberton over the home and away matches played in August. This was however, trumped by the Inter Club team of
Kieran Cantley, David Butler, John Butler and Fraser Martin who came so close to winning the competition but were
narrowly beaten by Murrayfield in the final at Swanston last month. This was a fantastic achievement by the boys
who did the club proud both on and off the course. Well done to all four of them.
Kieran Cantley, in his last year as a junior, has been in exceptional form this season and was rewarded for this by
receiving a call up to the Scottish Boys Team which won the Home International series at Conwyn GC in Wales. My
congratulations go to him for this remarkable achievement which was well deserved. Prior to that he was part of the
winning Lothian’s Junior Team that won the Scottish Area Team Championship at Tulliallan and he had good
finishes in the Scottish Youths and Scottish Boys Stroke Play Championships. Additionally, he finished fourth (and
top Lothian’s player) in the South East District Championships held at Turnhouse and was part of the Gents Inter
Club team that was beaten by Kingsknowe in the final of the Inter Club held at Murrayfield last month.
On the domestic front, Fraser Martin won the Tait Cup and Greg Park the Tait Shield. The Summer Foursomes was
won by Greg Park and Gary Tickle and Gary Brown won the Summer hole and hole. It was good to see the trophies
being shared around this season and the boys being competitive.
With the loss of two juniors to the senior ranks next year, we are actively looking for new junior members. Once
again, if you are aware of anyone in the 12-17 year old age group who is keen on becoming a junior member, please
ask them to get in touch as soon as possible with our Junior Convenor, Graham Roberts or Secretary, John
Masterton. The junior membership fees are currently around 8% of the full membership fees and offer tremendous
value for money at £52.
Graham Roberts, Junior Convenor
Mixed Competitions
Millar Haxton - competition was changed to be a mixed closing competition, played on Sunday 11 Oct.
1st Pat Stables, Moira Kinnear, Harry Campbell
2nd Brian O’Neil, Lynn Dalrymple, Vince Fletcher
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October 2015
From the Pro Shop
Iain has four sets of ladies graphite irons, which have been reduced to clear;
Benross Pearl £395 now £249
Lynx Tigress £449 now £329
Lynx Elegance £399 now £249
Elrey £199 now £129
New range of Autumn/winter ladies Catmandoo now in stock.
Sunderland/Proquip gents waterproofs now in stock.
Motocaddy electric carts if anyone requires these for Christmas please order as soon as possible, Iain can
store these for as long necessary but to avoid disappointment order early.
Catering
Steak night - Friday 6th November - still a few places £20pp
Book now for Christmas - it's filling up quickly
Hogmanay tickets on sale mid November £27.50pp
Balanced Lifestyle
Balanced Lifestyle Christmas Shopping Night – Wednesday, 2 December 5.00pm-7.00pm
We are hosting a special Christmas shopping night. There will be mulled wine and mince pies to keep you cosy and
cheerful, while our staff will be on hand to offer expert advice on the best Neal’s Yard products for your skin or to
help with your gift choices. Whether you’re looking for something special for a loved one, or pampering yourself,
we’re sure to have just the thing for you. Gift Vouchers are also available from the office on the first floor.
New waxing service
At Balanced Lifestyle we've always concentrated on bodywork therapies to improve Health, Energy & Well-being. To
compliment this we are delighted to launch our new waxing service with our skilled therapist Samm, just in time for
the party season!
To introduce our new waxing service we’re offering our clients up to 25% discount off the following packages:1. Winter Maintenance: Eyebrow, Lip & Chin, Underarm, Half leg for £45* (£55) (appointment time approx 60 mins)
2. Party Special: Eyebrow, Lip & Chin, Underarm, Bikini, Full leg for £60* (£80) (appointment time approx 75 mins)
3. Pick & Mix: Any 2 small areas plus any 2 medium areas for £45 * (£60) e.g. Eyebrow & Underarm plus Bikini &
Half leg (appointment time 45-60 mins)
4. Wax & Tint: Eyebrow wax, Lash & Brow tint for £22.50* (£30) (appointment time 30 mins)
Please note: Additional areas available, just let us know at time of booking.
To book please call Annie on 0131 672 2286
*Subject to availability, offer ends 30 November 2015, spaces limited
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