Peterculter Golf Club April E-News 2005
Please spread the word to others, who you think may have e-mail, that this is the way to be kept up to date on PGC news. This is the first one of the 2005 season. Several hard copies are available in the clubhouse.
GENERAL INFO FOR ALL MEMBERS 2005 season has already started with the opening events going well. Gents Singles & Foursomes K.O. sign up sheets are displayed in the Gents Changing Room. · On-Line internet booking for 2005: Members can now book tee times on-line via the clubs website www.petercultergolfclub.co.uk simply click onto the MEMBERS page, then click on the link: Online Tee Booking you will then be asked for your membership number followed by a password which is your SURNAME (IN CAPITALS). Take a look and book times when it suits you. Please note that this facility does not include competition tee times. · REMINDERS: With the season now under way we hope we don’t suffer from that big bug-bear SLOW PLAY! Please help avoid this seemingly universal problem by moving quickly between shots - However if you are in a situation where you are holding up the group behind SIMPLY allow them to PLAY THROUGH.  Enjoy you golf. · MEDAL COMPETITION:  If ON THE DAY OF A COMPETITION you cannot manage to play REMEMBER to phone the shop to remove your name. However, IF YOU KNOW IN ADVANCE YOU CANNOT PLAY SIMPLY PLACE YOUR NAME ONTO THE WITHDRAWALS SHEET BELOW THE MEDAL ENTRY SHEET ON THE MAIN NOTICE-BOARD. This will greatly help to avoid being sent a NO-SHOW LETTER!!	MESSAGE FROM YOUR CAPTAIN: As the new PGC Captain I welcome all members, guests and visitors to the new golfing season. I hope you all enjoy your golf and social activities throughout the year. The season has started with a rather mixed bag of weather. However the course is looking tremendous at this early stage, and the extremely hard work done by our green keeping staff over the winter period should pay the correct dividends during the summer months. During this early period the coring and top dressing of the greens and approaches is imperative if we are to have a good standard for the rest of the year. Please be patient when playing your round of golf. Remember that the Course Manager has a job to do and a work schedule to progress; he also has our very variable weather conditions to contend with. I can assure you that when he starts his work programme he is not prejudice about which section is playing that day, be it male or female. His work schedule has been previously discussed and approved at committee level. A less aggressive programme of coring and top dressing will continue throughout the year. The ladies new 16^th tee has been measured and will come into play on the 1^st May 2005. The new eighth tee and green are now fully laid with turf. It looks fantastic and again complements to our green staff for their efforts. With a bit of luck we could play the new hole around late August beginning of September 2005. However this is not a promise and if things are not favourable then it will not be played until next year. The new committee for 2005 has been formed and their roles and responsibilities defined. The committee members work well together and are extremely proactive. It’s a pleasure to be part of the team. Donald McDonald (club champion) was co-opted onto the committee to fill the vacant position. Bill Morrison and myself have been driving the campaign with regard to the Western Peripheral Route that could endanger the existence of PGC. The support from members and external bodies has been fantastic. We need all your support, so keep up the good work. Jennifer the club secretary is to be commended for the hard work see put in getting the letters out to our members at an exceptionally busy time of the year when members were paying green fees etc. The Child Protection Policy is progressing well. We are trying to keep it simple and user friendly, at the same time of a good standard that will meet legislation. Not an easy task by any means but we have a good initial procedure in place thanks to Harvey Aberdein. Dean Vannet will be the PGC Child Protection Officer for the club once cleared by the Disclosure Scotland process. We will then put the necessary pieces of paperwork and training of personnel in place to adhere to the procedure. It is slightly concerning that not all the people on our members waiting list took up the offer to join the club. We have now no waiting list and still have not filled our total membership numbers. This will obviously have a small affect on our financial income. So if you know of any interested parties who are keen to join please pass on the message. I think the news of the WPR was a deciding factor in some people not joining this year. As both Dean Vannet Club Manager and Bill Morrison Vice Captain are contributing various other subjects to this news letter I will finish off here by asking all members to please repair all pitch marks on the greens. We never seem to solve this problem regardless of how many campaigns we run on the subject; lets have a good effort this year it is in everyone’s interest. Richard R. Walker PGC Captain.
COURSE NEWS: Practice on the Course Over the last few months it has been noted that one or more persons has been practicing on the course. The evidence of this can be clearly seen on a number of fairways where multiple divot marks can be found. The perpetrator is obviously a good golfer since the divots are of consistent depth and direction. At none of the locations has there been any effort made to replace the divots. Over the winter months a local rule stated that all shots must be played either from a mat or from the rough, although the majority of golfers adhered to this rule it would appear that a small minority have not. The Management Committee would therefore wish to assure the culprits of this lack of etiquette that the punitive action will be taken against them when they are identified. We would also wish to remind all golfers that practice is not allowed on the course.
JUNIOR NEWS: Child Protection Policy Peterculter Golf Clubs Child Protection Policy is now registered with the Scottish Golf Union. A copy of the policy is available in the club office and is also posted on the notice boards. Dean Vannet will be our designated club Child Protection Officer when all the formalities are completed.
NEW SHOE CLEANER: The Club has purchased a new Shoe Cleaner machine which is located facing the 18th green and by the bin bay's at the exit path. Please use this fantastic facility in an effort to help keep the locker rooms and car park free from grass.		The New Members Evening is to be held on Tuesday 24^th May at 7.30. We look forward to welcoming all our new members with a glass of wine, some cheese and a chance to meet committee members who can answer any questions you may have.
Useful Info: Email address: info@petercultergolfclub.co.uk Web site: www.petercultergolfclub.co.uk Telephone nos: 01224 735245 ext. 21 for bar, ext. 24 for kitchen. Pro shop for tee times and bookings: 01224 734994. ****Don’t forget your membership number***
CATERING NEWS: Check the social notice board for details of special events. Chris is willing to organize dinners, parties etc. Contact him direct for further info. Bar prices. In line with the budget and general increases from our suppliers it has been necessary to review our Bar prices. The purchase of Bar / Food vouchers will provide a 10% reduction.			MEMBERSHIP NEWS: For membership information contact Jennifer Watson, Golf Club Administrator on tel: 01224 735245 ext 20 or download an application form from: www.petercultergolfclub.co.uk
PRO SHOP OFFERS: New for 2005: ECCO GOLF SHOES, VALERIE HERMAN LADIES CLOTHING, CROSS & ASHWORTH RANGE, PING G2 WOODS (try out our demo woods), POWAKDDY DIGITAL TROLLEYS.
SUMMER SOCIAL PROGRAMME: Due to the fact that there are lots of organized golf events there will be no organized social events throughout the summer months. There are 4 fun golf sessions on Friday/Saturday evenings throughout the season. Check your fixture list for the dates, and keep an eye on the social notice board for sign up sheets.
And Finally: That’s it for this month folks. Welcome back to the golfing season. The next newsletter will be towards the middle of June.E mail talisker2@btopenworld.com if you want to include something in our E-news bulletins. Susan C. Smith.