Winter Newsletter 2022 FINAL for WEB
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WINTER NEWSLETTER <strong>2022</strong>
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Captain’s Report<br />
A Happy New Year to all our members and your families. Thank<br />
you all <strong>for</strong> your loyal support since the World has had to deal<br />
with Covid and as we continue to live with this deadly virus.<br />
Royal Dornoch has done remarkably well and I frequently thank<br />
our staff <strong>for</strong> the manner in which they have managed the extra<br />
stress and pressures.<br />
This newsletter updates you since the 2020 and 2021 Annual<br />
General Meetings we held in October with minutes from both<br />
included. It was a relief to confirm the appointments <strong>for</strong> those<br />
working under the “elect” title until you, our members had your say.<br />
When Rob Murray was Captain, and since I assumed the day to<br />
Willie MacKay<br />
day responsibilities in August 2020, we have worked with Neil<br />
to give our managers more responsibility to link with Convenors producing agendas, minutes and<br />
produce reports <strong>for</strong> Council of Management meetings. This is working well.<br />
It has been a busy few months making progress in a number of areas which you will read of in the<br />
Convenors reports. You will be updated about our salary review and setting our <strong>2022</strong> annual subscription<br />
fees. You will read of how well our Retail has fared even with less footfall than normal but with more online<br />
shopping activity. Those that managed to play this year will have first-hand knowledge of the quality<br />
of our golf courses.<br />
Our governance and running of our Golf Club relies on members volunteering. Since the October<br />
AGMs, our Council of Management have co-opted Colin MacKay <strong>for</strong> his fourth spell on Council and<br />
he will lead as Junior Convenor. Also, Robert (Bob) Grant joins Match & Handicap <strong>for</strong> his first term<br />
on Council. Both will serve until our August <strong>2022</strong> AGM when I shall ask you to confirm their<br />
appointments.<br />
Wilma Murray leads our Greens subcommittee with another recent appointment, Ken Mackenzie joining<br />
our Marketing team. Gordon Davies who has started his second term on Council is our House Convenor<br />
where he is joined by Fiona MacDonald and Philip Prince. Our detailed Organisational Chart can be<br />
viewed on our website https://rdgcmembers.freetime-online.co.uk/ftp/rdgcmembers.freetimeonline.co.uk/1169.pdf<br />
Thanks are due to members that have served us well. Derek MacDougall and Eileen MacRae gave their<br />
time to House and Matt McBride served on both House and Finance subcommittees. Ed Hodge, our PR<br />
& Media Consultant moves from working freelance to a new position within the golf industry. Ed has<br />
promoted our brand well and grown our social media well beyond our ambitious target. Thank you all.<br />
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Thanks are due to Council member, John<br />
McMurray, <strong>for</strong> leading the small group that<br />
produced a substantial New Members Welcome<br />
Pack. This will add to the friendly welcome new<br />
members receive and support their induction tour.<br />
Across all departments we have recruitment as a<br />
number one priority. <strong>2022</strong> is going to be very busy<br />
with members and visitors. You already know from<br />
Neil’s newsletter that we have instigated a<br />
moratorium on admitting Struie members in <strong>2022</strong><br />
with the last intake approved. Also, to create more<br />
playing time <strong>for</strong> members, we will not accept any<br />
new visitor bookings. If we have tee times cancelled<br />
these will become available <strong>for</strong> members, but<br />
always at the back of our mind must be Covid and<br />
possible travel restrictions.<br />
Since October, our IT & Website subgroup have<br />
worked tirelessly to select our new in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />
management system and our choice is to work with<br />
Northstar Technologies. We are confident that our<br />
choice meets the needs across our different<br />
departments and will provide members with a<br />
modern efficient system <strong>for</strong> booking, payments<br />
and a new members website that highlights Royal<br />
Dornoch’s brand.<br />
The subgroup considering our Intellectual<br />
Property have reviewed draft trademarks and<br />
copyright template agreements with our lawyer<br />
who advises we should now wait until we decide<br />
on which <strong>for</strong>m of incorporation is best suited <strong>for</strong><br />
Royal Dornoch members. A private members club<br />
is not recognised legally <strong>for</strong> Intellectual Property<br />
contracts. More in<strong>for</strong>mation will be issued to<br />
members, but the decision <strong>for</strong> change to our<br />
governance model will be at the <strong>2022</strong> AGM <strong>for</strong><br />
members to vote on.<br />
You will have had the opportunity to complete a<br />
member’s survey and as you read this newsletter<br />
we will have analysed the results ready <strong>for</strong> our<br />
January Council meeting. We will provide you<br />
with feedback.<br />
Our membership spans a massive cross-section of<br />
ages and locations and viewing the demographics<br />
will allow our Council of Management, Convenors<br />
and Managers to best use the in<strong>for</strong>mation. We are<br />
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also excited that our new booking system will allow<br />
us to survey visitors and in time departments can<br />
issue specific surveys to not only gather data but<br />
to use follow-up surveys to measure levels of<br />
satisfaction.<br />
Reflecting on the past year we have several<br />
members that are no longer with us and our<br />
thoughts are with their families. Locally we have<br />
lost fine loyal members that gave so much to Royal<br />
Dornoch. I pay tribute to Adrian Bagott, Michael<br />
Carr, Len Seatter and George Carr and give thanks<br />
<strong>for</strong> their contribution over many years to Royal<br />
Dornoch and the Dornoch Community.<br />
The pandemic as we know has delayed the start of<br />
our new clubhouse. We are in a strong position<br />
with an anticipated significant operating surplus<br />
<strong>for</strong> season <strong>2022</strong>-23. Royal Dornoch is a golfing<br />
destination that will remain a bucket-list course.<br />
permissions. Highland Council have begun the<br />
process to build the replacement tennis court at<br />
the Dornoch School Campus.<br />
Throughout this continued period of Covid and<br />
dealing with the uncertainty and the many hours<br />
of extra work required, Neil and Claire have burnt<br />
the midnight oil too often. They are totally<br />
dedicated and my thanks to both and on behalf of<br />
Council and our members.<br />
Let’s look <strong>for</strong>ward to <strong>2022</strong> with fun on our golf<br />
courses and good Highland “craic” in the<br />
clubhouse. I wish you all good health and please<br />
continue to take care.<br />
Willie MacKay<br />
Captain<br />
We shall trigger the planning permission <strong>for</strong> the<br />
Road Access Project early in the season and by also<br />
starting the work <strong>for</strong> the car park area <strong>for</strong> the new<br />
clubhouse this “locks-in” both planning<br />
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From The General Manager’s Office<br />
Well who would have thought that we would be<br />
talking about continued restrictions as more<br />
variants of Covid circulate the world. Difficult times<br />
<strong>for</strong> everyone but with vaccination and booster<br />
programmes working well we may be able to look<br />
<strong>for</strong>ward to a year when the word “normal” may<br />
actually be used.<br />
We did taste a little of that from mid August<br />
onwards when international travel opened again<br />
and quite a number of you went through the testing<br />
and paperwork process to get to Dornoch. Everyone<br />
at the club was delighted you made that ef<strong>for</strong>t and<br />
gave us a reminder of what a golfing season should<br />
be filled with.<br />
As you now know the <strong>2022</strong> season is looking to be<br />
a very busy one and so we all have our fingers<br />
crossed that it all happens as planned.<br />
In last year’s winter newsletter I reported on how<br />
the golf courses had benefitted from less play and<br />
were in excellent condition. That has been the case<br />
once again and to such an extent that even our<br />
Course Manager Eoin Riddell was heard to say that<br />
he thought it was “quite good”. If you have ever<br />
been in the company of a greenkeeper, especially<br />
one in charge, then you will know that this is very<br />
high praise indeed!<br />
Apart from a couple of events at the very start of the<br />
year we did manage a full season of club and open<br />
events. Andrew Skinner has reported on some of<br />
the main events in his report and thankfully the new<br />
restrictions didn’t come into place be<strong>for</strong>e we could<br />
have the annual prize giving – something that was<br />
missed from last year. It was great to see all the prize<br />
winners getting presented with their trophies and<br />
enjoying a little moment in the limelight. Special<br />
mention to Chris Mailley on his club championship<br />
success and equalling the record of wins – I know<br />
he will be trying to create a new record this year but<br />
is there anyone to stop him? The same goes <strong>for</strong> Chris<br />
in the Carnegie Shield when he picked up his 6th<br />
title and as he said in his speech he is looking <strong>for</strong><br />
more and I am sure he is eyeing up the great Jimmy<br />
Miller’s record of 10 wins.<br />
Also many congratulations to Caitlin Boa who<br />
defended her ladies club championship title. Are we<br />
seeing a changing of the guard in the ladies?<br />
Whatever happens, it seems that you need to have<br />
a first name starting with a “C” if you really want to<br />
have a chance of winning!<br />
There was one early season event which we did<br />
manage to rearrange and that was our match against<br />
Nairn. This was well worth the ef<strong>for</strong>t as Royal<br />
Dornoch had its biggest win <strong>for</strong> many years – and<br />
we don’t beat them very often!<br />
Talking of rearranging things we were allowed to<br />
have gatherings so did manage to hold the AGM,<br />
although only in October. Such was the excitement<br />
at this prospect we did it twice in the same night so<br />
the 2020 and 2021 meetings were both finally<br />
completed and you can read the minutes at the end<br />
of the newsletter.<br />
What that means is that Willie MacKay is now<br />
confirmed as our club captain and David Bell the<br />
vice. They have been undertaking these duties over<br />
the past year without having the official approval<br />
from the membership so it was good to get that<br />
finalised.<br />
It also means that Rob Murray is now officially out<br />
of the chair and can relax as the immediate past<br />
captain.<br />
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The 2020 AGM also approved the appointments of<br />
Adrian Bagott, John Gow and Daniel Holden while<br />
the 2021 AGM saw Gordon Davies, Ken MacKenzie<br />
and Wilma Murray start their 3 year terms on the<br />
Council, Gordon <strong>for</strong> the second time.<br />
As you know very sadly Adrian passed away this year<br />
and once again we pay tribute to the great man that<br />
he was and the wonderful support he gave to the<br />
club. Daniel Holden also took a step back from the<br />
Council due to increased work commitments and<br />
so there were two vacancies to fill. Colin MacKay<br />
and Robert Grant were co-opted by the Council and<br />
will have their names put <strong>for</strong>ward <strong>for</strong> the official<br />
approval of the members at the AGM in August of<br />
this year.<br />
This time last year it looked like we would be hosting<br />
the Mens Home Internationals but once again Covid<br />
intervened to take that away from us. However, it was<br />
at that point the R&A decided to rationalise how<br />
they run and manage events and asked us if they<br />
could also use our Struie Course <strong>for</strong> the Senior<br />
Amateur Championship and that way have both the<br />
men and the women compete at the same venue at<br />
the same time. We were delighted with this<br />
recognition of just how good the Struie Course is and<br />
were only too happy to put that into place.<br />
I think this is an opportune time to talk more about<br />
the Struie Course and urge you all to spend a little<br />
more of your time playing it. The challenge of the<br />
course is a contrast to that of the Championship<br />
Course with narrower fairways, smaller greens and<br />
a few less undulations (and bunkers!). The feedback<br />
we have received has been just how well conditioned<br />
it is now and how well the ball rolls, quickly, over<br />
the greens. With the Championship Course being<br />
so busy why not take that as your cue to get to know<br />
“the Struie” a little better.<br />
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While the proposed new clubhouse is still a little<br />
in the future we will be proceeding with widening<br />
the access road to the car park. This necessitates the<br />
removal of the tennis court and thus creating a few<br />
more parking spaces. The club will be building a<br />
new multi use games area at the school to make up<br />
<strong>for</strong> the loss of the tennis court.<br />
The only other construction project that we will be<br />
considering is the new tees <strong>for</strong> the 8th hole on the<br />
Championship Course. These were part of the 7th<br />
hole project and were delayed as part of the cost<br />
saving measures implemented by the club. At the<br />
end of this season, under the guidance of Tom<br />
Mackenzie our architect, the exact position <strong>for</strong> the<br />
tees will be defined and once we are confident there<br />
are no safety issues will commence their<br />
construction and the realignment of the fairway.<br />
Once complete it will give a much more panoramic<br />
view from all parts of the hole.<br />
As always I like to conclude by thanking those who<br />
have helped the club in various ways during the year.<br />
The Council of Management are all volunteers who<br />
give of their time to help run the club at the strategic<br />
level. All of them would not have thought that they<br />
would be required to make such tough financial<br />
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decisions at the beginning of 2021 and the impact<br />
they would have. Thankfully, it all seems to have<br />
worked out and I thank them all <strong>for</strong> their<br />
contribution in those and the many other<br />
discussions and decisions that we have had this year.<br />
Secondly, and probably most importantly in 2021,<br />
is the team of staff who have remained with us and<br />
shown great commitment and resilience when asked<br />
to do more with less while keeping a smile on their<br />
face. I am delighted that the club has recognised<br />
their contribution and will be putting a little more<br />
in their pockets from now on.<br />
Finally, as always, my thanks to you our members.<br />
Without you we don’t have a reason to be here and<br />
the countless messages of support that you have sent<br />
to us throughout 2021 is hugely appreciated by the<br />
whole team and knowing you are there does make<br />
getting out of bed just that little bit easier. I will try<br />
and thank you in person when I see you at the club<br />
this year.<br />
Neil Hampton<br />
General Manager<br />
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Finance Convenor’s Report<br />
When I reported to members in the Annual<br />
Report, issued in July 2021, we remained<br />
uncertain as to how the remainder of the season<br />
would unfold in terms of visitor numbers and<br />
when, or indeed if, we would see any international<br />
visitors in 2021. As we all know this has a major<br />
impact on our income streams and our financial<br />
plan <strong>for</strong> 2021/22 was set up on a cautious basis to<br />
ensure that, in the worst case, the full year<br />
outcome to 31st March <strong>2022</strong> would be close to a<br />
break-even position with our cash reserves<br />
preserved.<br />
I am pleased to report that <strong>for</strong> the six months to<br />
30th September 2021, the “front nine” in our<br />
financial year, we are ahead of budget and the<br />
outlook <strong>for</strong> the full year is looking positive.<br />
Key Points to Note:<br />
Income<br />
• I have previously reported unprecedented<br />
subscription renewal levels in 2021. However,<br />
the anticipated negative impact on Entrance<br />
Fees has been offset by a continuing steady<br />
stream of new member applications <strong>for</strong> the<br />
Struie. Overall, taking Annual Subscriptions<br />
and Entrance Fees together, we will be close to<br />
our budgeted figure.<br />
• Visitor Green Fees – the budgeted visitor<br />
numbers <strong>for</strong> 21/22 was set at 3,700. For those<br />
of you <strong>for</strong>tunate enough to be around the<br />
Club in the late summer you will have noted<br />
a marked increase in visitors from August<br />
onwards with the gradual return of<br />
international travel. It is pleasing to report<br />
that by the end of September we have seen<br />
more than 4,000 visitor rounds played and<br />
have there<strong>for</strong>e already passed our Visitor<br />
Green Fee target <strong>for</strong> the full year. October<br />
continued to be busy.<br />
• Both Bar & Catering and the Pro Shop have<br />
benefited from the increased footfall from<br />
visitors and have traded well ahead of budget<br />
<strong>for</strong> the first half of the year with both areas<br />
generating strong gross margins.<br />
Expenditure<br />
• Costs have been tightly controlled across all<br />
areas of the operation and at the six month<br />
point are broadly in line with budgeted levels.<br />
• One exception to this is on Course<br />
Expenditure where Council of Management<br />
approved during the year additional, un-<br />
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udgeted, expenditure of approximately £43k<br />
on “Fertiliser, Turf & Seeds” across both<br />
courses to take on board recommendations<br />
from the R&A that the Club sought ahead of<br />
next year’s Senior Amateur Championships.<br />
• The second half of the year obviously sees<br />
traditionally low levels of income with<br />
expenditure rolling on. We will see some<br />
slippage to budgeted labour costs in the final<br />
quarter, the three months to 31st March 2021,<br />
as we attempt to ensure we have the<br />
appropriate staffing levels in place <strong>for</strong> next<br />
Spring with a view to returning service levels<br />
to those expected by our members and visitors.<br />
• Forward visitor bookings <strong>for</strong> <strong>2022</strong> are very<br />
strong and currently stand at more than<br />
11,000 rounds.<br />
Subscriptions<br />
Council of management has approved an increase<br />
to membership subscriptions <strong>for</strong> <strong>2022</strong>/23 in<br />
accordance with the Club rules and current<br />
inflationary pressures. The increase in the full<br />
subscription will be £40 with other categories<br />
increasing by the same percentage.<br />
Cash Position<br />
• Total bank balances at the end of September<br />
sit at just short of £5.9m which is<br />
approximately £400k up from our last year<br />
end.<br />
• Included in this are approximately £1.2m of<br />
green fee deposits held, up by approximately<br />
£220k from our last year end.<br />
Summary<br />
To sum up, the first half of the year has gone<br />
slightly better than planned financially. Should<br />
things continue to trend as we expect, we are on<br />
target to deliver a surplus <strong>for</strong> the full year.<br />
This does not happen by accident and great credit<br />
is due to our management team, heads of<br />
department and all their teams <strong>for</strong> continuing to<br />
deliver during uncertain times.<br />
John Gow<br />
Finance Convenor<br />
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Match & Handicap Report<br />
With Covid still around and having an influence<br />
to some extent it was great that we were still able to<br />
complete our full complement of club<br />
competitions. The most notable win was by Chris<br />
Mailley who won the Club Championship <strong>for</strong> the<br />
7th time equalling Stuart Shaw’s record.<br />
The biggest challenges of the year were<br />
implementing the new world handicapping system<br />
along with our new competition software. As we<br />
had no access to the clubhouse earlier in the season<br />
we had to rely on the Scottish Golf App but<br />
un<strong>for</strong>tunately with very mixed results and can I<br />
thank the members <strong>for</strong> their patience with this.<br />
When the clubhouse re-opened we were able to use<br />
the tablet in the hall which was a bit easier than the<br />
App. For <strong>2022</strong> we will be changing our competition<br />
software from Scottish Golf to Golf Genius and so<br />
fingers crossed that will be a smooth transition.<br />
Also new <strong>for</strong> <strong>2022</strong> will be a new Struie knockout<br />
competition which will be a pairs better ball. You<br />
may choose your own partner or we can pair you<br />
up with someone if not. More in<strong>for</strong>mation about<br />
this will be announced later. As it’s looking like<br />
being a very busy season, and Championship<br />
Course tee times may be difficult to acquire, we<br />
have decided to spread-out the knockout rounds<br />
and give members a longer period of time to<br />
complete matches. The main advice here, as always,<br />
is to arrange your tie as soon as possible.<br />
The new world handicapping system kicked into<br />
full swing with the most frustrating element being<br />
all the golf union systems not able to share<br />
handicap in<strong>for</strong>mation which made setting up and<br />
running competitions a bit of challenge particularly<br />
<strong>for</strong> our open comps.<br />
With regards to our open events these proved once<br />
again very popular with most of them being<br />
oversubscribed. We did however lose the Junior<br />
Open and the Struie Mixed Foursomes due to<br />
restrictions early in the season. Hopefully we will<br />
have a full complement back <strong>for</strong> <strong>2022</strong>. As<br />
restrictions eased it was great to have that buzz back<br />
in the clubhouse during the Carnegie Shield which<br />
was won again by Chris Mailley, his 6th title.<br />
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Some of our team matches fell by the wayside but<br />
we were able to reschedule the Nairn match in<br />
October which we won. In <strong>2022</strong> we will welcome<br />
our friends from Raleigh CC and the Country<br />
Club of North Carolina <strong>for</strong> matches.<br />
Well done to our lads <strong>for</strong> winning the Dornoch<br />
Firth League at Invergordon. We were unable to<br />
field a team <strong>for</strong> the Northern Counties cup at<br />
Peterhead which was won by Brora. We host both<br />
these events this year.<br />
Other external events we will host this coming year<br />
is the Paul Lawrie Tartan Pro Tour in April, the<br />
HGL Pro Am and the World Hickory Open, both<br />
in October, and most notably the Men’s & Ladies<br />
Senior Amateur Championships from 5th to 8th<br />
July.<br />
Can I personally thank all the members and staff<br />
<strong>for</strong> all your support last year and I look <strong>for</strong>ward in<br />
seeing you all during <strong>2022</strong>.<br />
Andrew Skinner<br />
Head PGA Professional<br />
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Greens Convenor’s Report<br />
This is my first <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>Newsletter</strong> report as Greens<br />
Convenor and I would like to say what an honour<br />
and privilege it is to hold the position at Royal<br />
Dornoch. I am aware that I am following in the<br />
footsteps of extremely efficient and experienced<br />
Convenors and sadly as many of you know our<br />
previous Convenor passed away in October this<br />
year and our love and thoughts go to his wife Mags<br />
along with his family and friends. Adrian was a<br />
larger than life Yorkshireman who was truly<br />
passionate about Royal Dornoch Golf Club and<br />
completed at least 3 stints on Council as Greens<br />
Convenor. Adrian and his expertise will be greatly<br />
missed at Dornoch.<br />
The weather has been really mild lately which<br />
meant the green keepers were still cutting grass<br />
which is unusual in late November. However, as I<br />
write, <strong>Winter</strong> has arrived with a vengeance after a<br />
really mild but wet Autumn and has finally hit the<br />
courses with frost, snow, wind and rain. It hasn’t<br />
been the best week to be working outdoors but as<br />
normal Eoin and the team have persevered to get<br />
things done. The <strong>Winter</strong> programme is well under<br />
way and with hopefully some kind weather we will<br />
see the benefits <strong>for</strong> the start of the season.<br />
On the Championship Course the team have<br />
completed the bunker revetting on the 10th and<br />
started the ones on the top of the hill on the 17th.<br />
The greens have been micro tined which is done to<br />
relieve compaction and help the water percolate<br />
through the surface as quickly as possible so when<br />
the snow melts this should help dry out the surfaces<br />
quicker. Following the tining they were then rolled<br />
to smooth the surfaces <strong>for</strong> play. The team continue<br />
to turf weak or any worn areas on fairways. The<br />
revetting on the bank of the 8th tee is in the process<br />
of being done.<br />
On the Struie Course they continue to aerate the<br />
greens with the Air2G2 air injection machine. This<br />
breaks up the soil profile under the surface giving<br />
the roots of the grass plant room to grow in the air<br />
pockets it makes. The turfing of weak areas on the<br />
greens surrounds also continues.<br />
After a few stormy days the coastal erosion fencing<br />
on the 10th hole of the Struie Course took a<br />
battering so the team has replaced the damaged<br />
sections, built up the bank with sand and planted<br />
Marrum grass to help stabilise it. With the snow<br />
covering the course they also turned their attention to<br />
areas of bushes that needed to be removed or cut back.<br />
They have also started removing all the bushes in the<br />
dunes on the sea side of the course and trimming sides<br />
of pathways.<br />
Work has also been done on the Struie Course <strong>for</strong> the<br />
R&A Senior Amateur Championships in July next<br />
year. The grass has been coming back onto fairways<br />
and tees and now Eoin, Scott and team are hoping <strong>for</strong><br />
a good Spring to help with growth. The enlarging of<br />
the 18th white tee has been finished with our own<br />
team completing the work and installing the irrigation.<br />
All of the Greens Committee completed a course walk<br />
on 6th December which was very beneficial and<br />
enjoyable to see at first hand all the work that is being<br />
done.<br />
We have had confirmation of passing the GEO<br />
certification in June 2021 which confirms that Royal<br />
Dornoch Golf Club has successfully achieved GEO<br />
Certified© status <strong>for</strong> its outstanding work to foster<br />
nature, conserve resources and support the<br />
community. GEO Certified© is the most respected<br />
certification <strong>for</strong> golf, based on a credibly and<br />
transparently developed modern and sustainable<br />
standard of best practice.<br />
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Many thanks to Eoin and Scott <strong>for</strong> keeping our<br />
members updated with regular course reports on<br />
the Royal Dornoch Members Facebook page.<br />
Eoin and Scott and our amazing green keeping<br />
team we thank you <strong>for</strong> all the hard work you do,<br />
early in the morning when most of us are still in<br />
bed, working throughout the seasons in sunshine,<br />
rain, wind and snow, preparing two superb courses<br />
<strong>for</strong> us to enjoy. There is no better place to be. We<br />
have so much to be thankful <strong>for</strong> in these uncertain<br />
times.<br />
Enjoy your winter golf and by the time you read this<br />
I hope you have all had an enjoyable Christmas and<br />
New Year.<br />
Wilma Murray<br />
Greens Convenor<br />
15
House Convenor’s Report<br />
Looking back on the year of 2021 <strong>for</strong> my role has<br />
been depressing.<br />
The Food & Beverage team, supported by the<br />
wider staff team, per<strong>for</strong>med well in these most<br />
difficult of times. Those members who visited the<br />
clubhouse during the year will know we had<br />
severely restricted opening times due to the everchanging<br />
restrictions caused by the Covid<br />
pandemic and its variants. We were unable to<br />
move <strong>for</strong>ward with expanding the services<br />
delivered in the halfway house (HWH) to include<br />
hot food such as soup and warm sausage rolls. Our<br />
staff shrunk when we reduced their hours, and we<br />
lost a considerable number of good staff to other<br />
employers. The overall outcome was a backward<br />
step in what the staff team had achieved in<br />
previous years.<br />
Amazingly in this circumstance we achieved our<br />
best F&B score to date in the 59 Club who provide<br />
a mystery shopper service <strong>for</strong> all departments at<br />
Royal Dornoch. It is also impressive in a time of<br />
trying to reduce costs and waste we hit very high<br />
gross profit margins, helped along with low VAT<br />
rates. In fact, the department has per<strong>for</strong>med<br />
considerably better than budget year to date in<br />
2021/22. Well done Brian and Sue.<br />
Our programme of special social events was<br />
seriously curtailed and those that did happen had<br />
restricted or vastly reduced numbers to about 40%.<br />
Thanks must go to those members who<br />
volunteered to cover a few shifts or two when the<br />
staff members were low in number.<br />
16
Sadly, earlier this month Sue Robb decided to<br />
resign to spend more time with her family. We<br />
wish her well and appreciate the journey <strong>for</strong>ward<br />
she has helped us to achieve in the F&B at the<br />
club. I would like to take this opportunity to thank<br />
Sue <strong>for</strong> all the ef<strong>for</strong>ts she has made on behalf of<br />
the club and I <strong>for</strong> one will miss her professional<br />
contribution.<br />
As I stated in my previous year’s report that it<br />
would be my last, I stepped down from the role at<br />
the end of October 2021. Gordon Davies has<br />
picked up the baton and I wish him well and<br />
promise my full support. I look <strong>for</strong>ward under his<br />
leadership to see the reductions of Covid<br />
restrictions, return of being able to eat out at the<br />
club in the evenings, as well as during the day with<br />
a full and varied menu at the 4 Star standard we<br />
provided previously. I know he and the Council of<br />
Management are determined through a<br />
recruitment drive to reinstate the necessary staffing<br />
level of the department to achieve these standards<br />
<strong>for</strong> the members and visitors within Royal<br />
Dornoch. It is hoped to have new staff appointed<br />
in January <strong>2022</strong> to ensure they are settled in <strong>for</strong><br />
the new season.<br />
For those who know me well, I especially look<br />
<strong>for</strong>ward to eating my first hot sausage roll at the<br />
HWH in preparation <strong>for</strong> scoring 35 in the inward<br />
9 holes. I hope the hot sausage roll will be the<br />
driving <strong>for</strong>ce to achieving 35 on the back 9,<br />
because it hasn’t happened yet, however it may<br />
take some time to ensure all is in place to achieve<br />
this.<br />
Thanks <strong>for</strong> your support.<br />
John McMurray<br />
House Convenor 2018 - 2021<br />
17
Junior Report<br />
Our junior numbers have been consistent <strong>for</strong> several<br />
years with 75 attending regularly split as 39 girls and<br />
36 boys. The Minis/Advanced Minis have 18 with<br />
25 attending our Wildcat Section. There are 14 in<br />
B Section with 18 spread across B+ and A Section.<br />
Mini’s/Advanced Mini’s is <strong>for</strong> children from four<br />
to eight years of age after which they progress to the<br />
Wildcats where the age range can vary from six until<br />
eleven but most progress to B Section be<strong>for</strong>e<br />
finishing Primary School.<br />
18
B Section caters <strong>for</strong> juniors from nine to fourteen,<br />
but the majority move into A Section quickly where<br />
their aim is to become a Junior Championship<br />
member.<br />
Since Easter, our Mini’s had weekly sessions with<br />
Professional, Ally McNaughton, supported by<br />
Caitlin Boa, our Ladies <strong>2022</strong> Club Champion, and<br />
David Diracles who is also our B Section<br />
Coordinator.<br />
Play and enjoyment is the focus <strong>for</strong> these younger<br />
juniors and with non-golf related games including<br />
tag, dodgeball etc. they have great fun. Ally sets fun<br />
challenges after they practised the basics skills and<br />
they also enjoyed a summer camp in July.<br />
Many joined in adult/junior fun events to<br />
experience competition.<br />
The Minis have focussed on chipping, putting and<br />
full swing throughout their basic skill sessions, with<br />
a focus on making sure they get into a good set-up<br />
position to give them the best chance of consistent<br />
contact.<br />
There has been a great uptake <strong>for</strong> the winter<br />
coaching sessions which runs until Easter when the<br />
summer programme starts. On bad weather days the<br />
clubhouse is used with tennis balls hit into velcro<br />
targets with team challenges and variety the theme.<br />
Twenty two Wildcats had weekly sessions with<br />
coaching shared between our Head Teaching Pro,<br />
Gary Dingwall, and Ally. They played the Academy<br />
Holes regularly in different <strong>for</strong>mats which included<br />
strokeplay, matchplay, texas scramble and one club<br />
challenges.<br />
19
The Wildcats had three camps during the season<br />
where they mixed with B Section. This motivated<br />
them and the coaches gauge their readiness <strong>for</strong><br />
stepping up a group. This isn’t just about reaching<br />
target scores. Maturity and pace of play are<br />
amongst a variety of things that help the coaches<br />
decide when they are ready.<br />
The juniors in B and B+ had a great season of golf.<br />
David Diracles organises the sessions ably support<br />
by several parents who supervise and act as scorers.<br />
Thursdays start with the juniors devouring the<br />
healthy snacks that David suggested we provide as<br />
the children are hungry when they arrive straight<br />
from school.<br />
They love their golf and strong friendships<br />
develop. Club competitions had good entry<br />
numbers but a lesson <strong>for</strong> <strong>2022</strong> is to space the<br />
weekend trophy competitions across the whole<br />
season. The planned trips to Junior Opens were<br />
enjoyed by those that choose to attend. We<br />
consider playing different courses as a vital part in<br />
their development.<br />
The highlight of our junior season is our Caddies<br />
Cup Day in September. With juniors playing from<br />
age four to eighteen years with the Academy holes,<br />
Struie and Championship Course all in use it is a<br />
big day with the juniors excited and ready to play,<br />
no matter the weather.<br />
The atmosphere in the clubhouse afterwards,<br />
when they enjoy their food and during the Prize<br />
Giving, is electric. The warmth the juniors have <strong>for</strong><br />
their friends that win and <strong>for</strong> runners-up is<br />
Celebrating our long serving staff<br />
Eoin Riddell 35 years at Royal Dornoch<br />
20
wonderful to experience. It was a big day <strong>for</strong> Angus<br />
McFall, who was appointed Junior Captain.<br />
No longer do our junior sessions stop after<br />
Caddies Day. The Thursday and Friday sessions<br />
continue until we run out of daylight when we<br />
then move to weekend sessions. By November we<br />
have evening sessions at our Indoor Swing Room.<br />
The juniors enjoy using Trackman and our indoor<br />
facility has been improved with the gift of an<br />
artificial putting green from the University of the<br />
Highlands who have a new purpose built facility at<br />
their Burghfield Campus.<br />
Each of the swing studio sessions are individually<br />
tailored, allowing each player to advance at their<br />
own pace. A vital element <strong>for</strong> improvement is<br />
benchmarking to monitor the gains from coaching<br />
sessions. The transfer from winter coaching into<br />
on course play has seen handicaps tumble. They<br />
also have weekend sessions throughout the winter,<br />
weather permitting.<br />
Our older juniors are fine role models <strong>for</strong> the<br />
younger sections. Some played in regional and<br />
national competitions with Rhianna Mackay<br />
having a well-travelled and successful season.<br />
Our A Section Coordinator, Mark McFall, works<br />
tirelessly to produce weekly draws and instil good<br />
golfing behaviours. A Section had their Friday<br />
competitions and matchplay competitions entered<br />
into the Scottish Golf App so they became familiar<br />
with the new Scottish Golf system.<br />
I am pleased to see Colin Mackay return to our<br />
Council of Management in December and Colin<br />
will take over as Junior Convenor linking with our<br />
Junior Team under the guidance of Gary Dingwall<br />
in conjunction with Ally McNaughton, David<br />
Diracles and Mark McFall our frontline coaching<br />
team.<br />
Our juniors have a pathway from beginner to<br />
playing in national competitions and I am very<br />
grateful <strong>for</strong> the way that Gary, Ally, David and Mark<br />
have worked as a team and produced a full season<br />
of weekly events, trophy competitions, adult/<br />
junior weekend competitions with all the Covid<br />
restrictions we have to live with<br />
Colin, you are inheriting a slick programme which<br />
I know you will enjoy and support with the<br />
enthusiasm you have <strong>for</strong> golf and Royal Dornoch.<br />
Donna Sutherland 25 years at Royal Dornoch<br />
21<br />
Willie MacKay<br />
Captain
Marketing Report<br />
The marketing team can reflect on a successful year<br />
in 2021. Looking back to the start of the year, Covid<br />
remained a challenge with various restrictions and<br />
guidelines in place. With overseas travel again not<br />
possible <strong>for</strong> visiting golfers, the focus of the team was<br />
once more on promoting Royal Dornoch to primarily<br />
a UK market and advertising exclusive added<br />
value offers. The Scottish Golf Club Member Rate<br />
proved particularly popular. We also placed greater<br />
emphasis on promoting the Struie Course to encourage<br />
more play, especially among families.<br />
To communicate with visitors more directly to the<br />
club’s growing database, a particular highlight of the<br />
year saw the creation of ‘Dornoch Days’ – a stylish,<br />
modern e-newsletter <strong>for</strong> the visitor market. Using our<br />
collection of wonderful imagery and storytelling, the<br />
vibrant newsletter has been well received after two issues<br />
were distributed in 2021. Neil’s own newsletter<br />
to members every Friday has also been improved in<br />
terms of design and is also proving popular among<br />
the membership.<br />
A focus on striking imagery and strong news stories<br />
has been a theme of the marketing team’s work<br />
throughout 2021 and that has translated to further<br />
success on the Club’s social media channels. We<br />
were delighted to end the year with over 40,000 social<br />
media followers across the eight Club accounts<br />
– a growth of over 5,000 in 2021. Royal Dornoch’s<br />
overall social media numbers are among the best <strong>for</strong><br />
any golf club within Great Britain & Ireland.<br />
On 15th December, we also achieved the milestone<br />
success of reaching 10,000 followers on Instagram<br />
and ran a competition to celebrate the landmark.<br />
The main Twitter account now has 17,400 followers,<br />
while the Facebook account has over 7,000. The Pro<br />
Shop are also making good use of social media, with<br />
2,250 people following the Instagram page.<br />
To assist local golfers over the winter months with<br />
updates on whether the courses are open or closed,<br />
a Course Status account is also proving effective on<br />
Twitter. Primarily run by the greenkeeping team, it’s<br />
a much better way to communicate with local people<br />
on social media, given a significant number of people<br />
who follow the Club’s main Twitter account are<br />
based in the USA.<br />
The year generated various positive news stories,<br />
which were developed and shared by the marketing<br />
team. The team, who meet regularly on Zoom to discuss<br />
monthly plans, were particularly thrilled to see<br />
the Club’s NHS offer be well received and generate<br />
significant media coverage. In total, NHS and care<br />
22
staff enjoyed 360 rounds at Royal Dornoch during<br />
the summer thanks to our kind offer of free golf on<br />
both courses <strong>for</strong> their sterling ef<strong>for</strong>ts during the<br />
Covid-19 pandemic.<br />
The honorary membership awarded to <strong>for</strong>mer Open<br />
champion Paul Lawrie, as well as the Life Membership<br />
awarded to renowned journalist Lorne Rubenstein,<br />
were also strong PR stories that enjoyed media<br />
exposure. The Club also celebrated the 200th anniversary<br />
of the birth of Old Tom Morris in June,<br />
while the announcement that the R&A Women’s<br />
and Men’s Senior Amateur championships are coming<br />
to Dornoch in July <strong>2022</strong> was also well publicised.<br />
Working with partners is also a key part of the marketing<br />
team’s ef<strong>for</strong>ts. This year we continued to work<br />
closely with the likes of Links House, Arnold Clark<br />
(BMW-MINI), North Highland College UHI and<br />
other local golf clubs to help keep Royal Dornoch in<br />
the public eye among different audiences. We also<br />
maintained our support <strong>for</strong> one of Scotland’s most<br />
endangered species, the wildcat, after raising a further<br />
£2,840 through the help of members. Back in<br />
2019, we launched a new clothing range <strong>for</strong> members,<br />
which is an emblem based on the wildcat element<br />
of the full club crest, and we continued that<br />
support in 2021.<br />
The Club also became one of the first golf clubs to<br />
sign up to a new digital tourism organisation – Scotland,<br />
Where Golf Began. This dynamic digital plat<strong>for</strong>m<br />
is inspiring golfers near and far to plan an<br />
exciting golf break and make the most of Scotland<br />
on and off the course. It is an industry-led initiative<br />
designed to be the No. 1 resource <strong>for</strong> golfers looking<br />
to enjoy stay-and-play trips here.<br />
We welcomed some notable visitors ourselves in<br />
November, working with Links House to host two<br />
journalists visits. Steve Carroll from National Club<br />
Golfer magazine came to the Highlands to write<br />
some features on all-year round golf, playing the<br />
Championship course and also teeing up at Brora<br />
and Nairn Dunbar. Gordon Bannerman, a freelancer<br />
based in Perthshire, also visited. Look out <strong>for</strong><br />
their feature pieces in the new year.<br />
Lastly, we also enjoyed an incredibly special visitor in<br />
2021… none other than Gary Player, who came to<br />
our links <strong>for</strong> the first time in July. The legendary<br />
South African did a nice video message regarding his<br />
visit, set up by Neil, which we shared on our social<br />
media plat<strong>for</strong>ms. It generated over 78,000 video<br />
views!<br />
Marketing Subcommittee<br />
23
Retail Report<br />
After a predictably slow start to the season in the<br />
Pro Shop activity gathered pace during the summer<br />
to finish strongly as we were very happy to welcome<br />
back many non-resident members along with some<br />
international visitors.<br />
Despite the lack of new clothing lines (<strong>for</strong> obvious<br />
reasons) Brad and the team are delighted with the<br />
way the year developed and are particularly grateful<br />
<strong>for</strong> the continued strong support from all our<br />
members, both in store and online – which is a<br />
steadily growing part of our operation.<br />
With no new stock to excite customers, the team<br />
focussed on creative promotions to generate interest<br />
and boost sales. This has played a big part in<br />
our retail targets <strong>for</strong> 2021 being surpassed.<br />
Towards the end of the year we were able to offer<br />
members a pre-order opportunity to purchase a selected<br />
range of Kjus and Glenmuir garments featuring<br />
our unique Wildcat crest which is exclusive<br />
to Royal Dornoch members. This has gone well<br />
and will be something we look to repeat in <strong>2022</strong>.<br />
We have significantly reduced our stock levels during<br />
2021 and this has freed up the space to allow<br />
us to plan positively <strong>for</strong> the spring/summer season<br />
<strong>2022</strong>. Brad has exciting plans so look out <strong>for</strong> fresh<br />
designs, colourways and even some alternative<br />
brands arriving <strong>for</strong> next year.<br />
That said the cupboards aren’t entirely bare and<br />
we still have a wide choice in our fantastic bespoke<br />
tartan range. There is good size availability and<br />
Brad and the team are on hand to help you find<br />
that special timeless piece all very competitively<br />
priced. Drop in, call or email to discuss your requirements.<br />
Retail Subcommittee<br />
24
President’s Report<br />
On reading my Report of last year, I feel I may have<br />
been a little optimistic in hoping that life would<br />
return to normal during 2021. There have been<br />
some aspects which felt more normal but there has<br />
always been the underlying feeling of unease that<br />
Covid was going to be with us <strong>for</strong> much longer<br />
than previously predicted.<br />
Dornoch has again been very busy <strong>for</strong> most of the<br />
year with many staycationers choosing to visit the<br />
Highlands. The NC500 route passing close to<br />
Dornoch has contributed to the huge influx of<br />
visitors to the town. The courses have also seen a<br />
large number of bookings beyond our earlier<br />
cautious <strong>for</strong>ecasts.<br />
Despite some variable weather conditions both<br />
courses have been presented in splendid condition<br />
and our green keeping staff are to be congratulated<br />
on all their ef<strong>for</strong>ts to maintain them so well. One<br />
only has to visit other courses to appreciate the<br />
high standard and attention to detail we are able<br />
to enjoy here.<br />
All the Club’s employees have managed to carry<br />
on regardless of conditions and restrictions<br />
imposed on them so that members and visitors<br />
alike have been able to enjoy their experience of<br />
Royal Dornoch. Their hard work should be very<br />
much appreciated by us all.<br />
We have been able to hold our main Club<br />
competitions this year although some events have<br />
had to be changed. The Men’s Home Internationals<br />
was moved by the R & A and played elsewhere but<br />
they are holding their Men’s and Women’s Senior<br />
Amateur Championships here in <strong>2022</strong> using both<br />
courses. We also have the Men’s Scottish Amateur<br />
Championship to look <strong>for</strong>ward to in 2023.<br />
On a personal note I decided to hang up my Rule<br />
Book and retire from competition refereeing with<br />
Scottish Golf. I have been very <strong>for</strong>tunate in being<br />
given the opportunity to be involved in many<br />
events and to dispense rulings to players some of<br />
whom have become household names on the<br />
European Tour. They have not always been too<br />
enamoured with the rulings given. I think I got<br />
most of them right but like most referees there are<br />
one or two which I might like to be able to revisit!<br />
We were able at last to hold our AGM <strong>for</strong> 2020<br />
postponed from last year and at the same time<br />
catch up by holding the AGM <strong>for</strong> 2021. It’s not<br />
often that Members will be able to enjoy such a<br />
bargain…2 AGMs <strong>for</strong> the price of one! I was very<br />
pleased to be re-elected as President. I know it has<br />
been said be<strong>for</strong>e but it is a great honour and<br />
privilege to be President of this Club.<br />
I am grateful <strong>for</strong> the support and assistance of the<br />
Vice Presidents Hamish Macrae, Jim Campbell<br />
and Alan Ramsey here in Dornoch and Woody<br />
Morcott in America. We are happy to continue in<br />
our Roles and to support the Captain and Council<br />
of Management and represent the Club as and<br />
when required.<br />
My New Year’s Resolution, from a golfing perspective,<br />
is to work on and improve my game. However like<br />
many such resolutions it seems destined <strong>for</strong> failure. I<br />
am never enthusiastic about practising. After all why<br />
waste good shots on the practice ground when you<br />
might need them out on the course?<br />
On that note I will wish you all a happy and<br />
healthy <strong>2022</strong> and trust that your golf will live up<br />
to your hopes and expectations.<br />
Gordon Lawson<br />
President<br />
25
Ladies Section<br />
After the last eighteen months, I am delighted to<br />
be able to write telling you of the full and varied<br />
programme of events enjoyed by the ladies section<br />
in 2021. As well as a full programme of<br />
competitive golf on both courses we also had a<br />
number of social games when all the ladies could<br />
play together and cement the bonds of friendship<br />
on the course.<br />
We held a combined 2020 and 2021 AGM in<br />
October when we said farewell to Trish Weekes,<br />
Moira Rennie and Fiona Macdonald from<br />
committee and welcomed two new and one<br />
returning committee members in Deborah<br />
Thomassen, Seonaid Gow and Rosemary<br />
Muschamp. Thank you ladies <strong>for</strong> giving up your<br />
time <strong>for</strong> the Ladies Section.<br />
What golfing conditions we had in 2021! The<br />
weather was absolutely outstanding, warm and dry<br />
<strong>for</strong> long stretches with rain arriving just in time to<br />
keep the courses in top links condition, and I can’t<br />
remember a season in Dornoch with less wind. In<br />
fact, the only downside to this summer’s<br />
conditions is that they provided no excuse <strong>for</strong> poor<br />
scoring!<br />
26
With the fixture list back to normal we continued<br />
with the new shortened <strong>for</strong>mat <strong>for</strong> the Club<br />
Championship which was won <strong>for</strong> the second year<br />
running by Caitlin Boa who beat Cara Thompson<br />
in a wonderful, high quality final. There was<br />
further evidence of the strength of our juniors<br />
coming through in the Handicap Club<br />
Championship which was won this year by<br />
Rhianna Mackay, beating Norma Fleming in the<br />
final. We moved the Strokeplay Championship to<br />
nearer the end of the season to give it greater<br />
prominence and I won the Scratch element while<br />
Zara Macdonald, another of our juniors, won the<br />
Handicap section. We are so <strong>for</strong>tunate to have<br />
these talented junior golfers coming through –<br />
long may it continue.<br />
In the Knock-Out Competitions, I won the Sykes<br />
Cup, Lisa Dickenson won the Sutherland Cup,<br />
and Patricia Blair won our new Struie singles<br />
knock out. Fiona Hampton and Irene Hart won<br />
the Barrow Cup and will go <strong>for</strong>ward to represent<br />
us in next year’s Daily Mail Foursomes. This year<br />
we were really well represented by Fiona<br />
Macdonald and Theresa Campbell who won<br />
several rounds of this national competition be<strong>for</strong>e<br />
27
eing beaten by Inverurie, who went on to the<br />
National Finals, so well done to them. At the<br />
North of Scotland Championships in Blairgowrie<br />
Norma Fleming came through a large field to be<br />
crowned Handicap Champion, a fantastic<br />
achievement, really well done.<br />
Throughout the year we have enjoyed some<br />
fabulous fun events on both the Struie and the<br />
Championship courses, playing a variety of<br />
<strong>for</strong>mats, and participation levels have been great.<br />
The Pink Day in particular was a-ma-zing and we<br />
raised a fabulous total of over £2,000 <strong>for</strong> Breast<br />
Cancer Now while having great fun. Thank you<br />
to everyone who was involved in making that such<br />
a successful event. My Captain’s charity <strong>for</strong> the<br />
year was Cerebral Palsy Scotland and I am<br />
delighted that we raised £1,900 over the year. Next<br />
year we will be fundraising <strong>for</strong> Maggie’s Highland.<br />
Thank you to all members from across the club<br />
who help us support these good causes throughout<br />
the year.<br />
Turning to our Open events, Royal Dornoch ladies<br />
did well again, although perhaps the new<br />
handicapping system allowed more non-home<br />
players to feature in the prizes. The Three Lady<br />
Team was won by a team from Boat of Garten and<br />
Abernethy, but the Royal Dornoch team of Fiona<br />
MacDonald, Theresa Campbell and Patsy Mackay<br />
were runners up. In the next day’s Struie Open, I<br />
was runner-up to our winner from Royal<br />
Musselburgh. In the Ladies Open in June the<br />
winner of the scratch event was Eleanor Tunn<br />
from Reay and I was runner up while in the<br />
handicap trophy youth came to the <strong>for</strong>e with<br />
Hannah Riddell the winner and Zara Macdonald<br />
runner up. In the Senior Open in September<br />
there was a three-way tie at the top of the leader<br />
board but the winner on countback was Jo<br />
Macdonald of Nairn, runner up Judith McCaffery<br />
of Aboyne and third, our own Bel Shepherd.<br />
The Ross Sutherland competition was played at<br />
Brora where our scratch team won the scratch<br />
28
trophy. We didn’t do quite so well at Reay in the<br />
Caithness Sutherland where, despite some<br />
individually brilliant scores neither of our teams<br />
were in the prizes. However, on both occasions it<br />
was good to meet up with friends from the<br />
competing clubs and to play at different courses.<br />
It was notable that the scratch team from Reay GC<br />
won the scratch trophy over their home course,<br />
and Eleanor Tunn broke her own course record<br />
on the day.<br />
We also enjoyed a full programme of ladies friendly<br />
matches with neighbouring clubs with mixed<br />
results, but of more importance is the fellowship<br />
and fun that these matches provide. I would<br />
encourage all ladies to consider putting themselves<br />
<strong>for</strong>ward <strong>for</strong> friendly matches in <strong>2022</strong>.<br />
The Ladies Annual Dinner in November celebrated<br />
70 years of the Ladies Section at Royal Dornoch<br />
Golf Club and thanks go to Eileen Macrae and<br />
Christine Callingham, the club’s archivists, <strong>for</strong><br />
putting together a fascinating presentation on the<br />
history of Ladies golf over our Links.<br />
In conclusion, I think it is safe to say that the ladies<br />
section at Royal Dornoch continues to flourish<br />
with new members joining the Struie and several<br />
ladies moving up to Full Championship Course<br />
membership. Participation numbers in all our<br />
events was really high all year and I would<br />
encourage everyone to keep that up next year. If<br />
any visiting members would like to join us in social<br />
or competitive golf when they are in Dornoch in<br />
<strong>2022</strong> please let the office know and we will make<br />
sure you are warmly welcomed. The restrictions<br />
imposed in so many areas of life in 2021 made us<br />
appreciate all the more how lucky we are to enjoy<br />
this wonderful, if frustrating, game and in<br />
particular to play at Royal Dornoch and enjoy the<br />
companionship and friendship of fellow members<br />
and visitors. Long may that continue.<br />
Alison Bartlett<br />
Lady Captain<br />
We have successfully coped with the transition to<br />
the World Handicap System, and honourable<br />
mention must go to Andrew Skinner who was<br />
instrumental in helping ladies get the Scottish Golf<br />
App working, demonstrating seemingly endless<br />
patience with some of our less technologically<br />
gifted lady members!<br />
There are so many staff members we have to thank<br />
<strong>for</strong> all they have done <strong>for</strong> us through what has been<br />
a difficult year. To Neil and Claire and the office<br />
staff, to Eoin and the greens staff and to Sue and<br />
Brian and all those in the Clubhouse – thank you<br />
<strong>for</strong> all you do <strong>for</strong> us as members so that we can just<br />
come and enjoy our golf.<br />
29
Senior Section<br />
Sadly, in October, the Senior Section lost its<br />
Captain, Adrian Bagott. Adrian was a very<br />
enthusiastic supporter of the section. He was in<br />
his second term as Captain, a role he took most<br />
seriously, particularly in making visiting teams feel<br />
welcome at Royal Dornoch. On a personal level,<br />
he was most helpful, especially during my first year<br />
as secretary, always willing to offer sound advice. I<br />
can only add that he will be much missed by<br />
everyone.<br />
Thankfully, the effects of Covid on our golf were<br />
much reduced in 2021. At the start of the year our<br />
Tuesday roll-ups were well supported with<br />
members enjoying a variety of <strong>for</strong>mats. We had to<br />
cancel our first three inter-club matches. However,<br />
these were replaced by internal matches featuring<br />
a Captain’s v Vice-Captain’s, Alphabetical Team<br />
selections and an “International”, Scotland v The<br />
Rest of the World. These were enjoyed by<br />
everyone and may well be repeated. (For those<br />
interested Scotland used local knowledge to win<br />
com<strong>for</strong>tably!)<br />
We managed to play nine inter-club matches,<br />
winning four, drawing one and losing four.<br />
Included in these matches was our inaugural<br />
Senior Invitation Match. This involved a single<br />
home and away fixture over two years against a club<br />
we do not usually play, in this case Blairgowrie. A<br />
total of <strong>for</strong>ty members represented the Seniors this<br />
year and it is most pleasing to welcome the new<br />
players to our matches.<br />
In addition to our regular competitions, this year<br />
we introduced a new competition, a Summer<br />
Eclectic <strong>for</strong> the Dr. John Trophy, named in honour<br />
of Dr. John Macleod who founded the Senior<br />
Section.<br />
The winners of our competitions are:<br />
W E Skinner Trophy (Scratch) – Stuart Sim<br />
W R MacDonald (Handicap) – Vincent Doyle<br />
Bartlett Cup (Scratch Knockout) –<br />
Derek MacDougall<br />
Paterson Shield (Spring Stable<strong>for</strong>d) –<br />
Alan Latham-Sumner<br />
Barry Watson Quaich (Handicap Knockout –<br />
Hamish Macrae<br />
Dr. John Trophy (Summer Eclectic) –<br />
Alan Latham-Sumner<br />
Senior Summer Trophy – Alan Latham-Sumner<br />
30
Another innovation was the Senior Captain’s<br />
Charity Stable<strong>for</strong>d which was held in June.<br />
Thanks to the generosity of members, visitors and<br />
those who donated prizes <strong>for</strong> the raffle we were<br />
able to raise £900 <strong>for</strong> our nominated charity,<br />
Oversteps. Our thanks go to Derek MacDougall<br />
<strong>for</strong> his work organising the raffle.<br />
Finally, as I approach the end of my three-year term<br />
as Secretary, I would like to offer my successor,<br />
David Offin, the best of luck. I am sure everyone<br />
will support him in the way they have me.<br />
Roger Boyce<br />
Secretary<br />
Despite the problems faced during the year the<br />
Senior Section has flourished, having a<br />
membership of 64, a significant number of whom<br />
have joined us this year. It is through their<br />
involvement that the Section is able to thrive and<br />
I would like to thank them <strong>for</strong> their support. I<br />
would also like to thank Andrew Skinner and the<br />
staff in the Pro Shop <strong>for</strong> all their assistance; also<br />
the office staff.<br />
31
Wednesday Seniors (The Geriatrics)<br />
The main event of the year was that we were<br />
allowed back into the bar which is as important to<br />
the Geriatrics as the golf. This was closely followed<br />
by re-instating the Annual Lunch and prize giving.<br />
We are continuing to have a draw <strong>for</strong> tee times and<br />
<strong>for</strong> most members paying our match fees by BACS.<br />
A new competition was introduced, the Autumn<br />
Mixed Foursomes, which replaced the annual<br />
match against the ladies. This was a match<br />
between the Lady Captain's team and the<br />
Geriatrics President's team which the Lady<br />
Captain's team won 5 – 3. President John Logan<br />
said that when he took over the group the men<br />
lost their match against the ladies and so his team<br />
have now lost the first playing of this <strong>for</strong>mat!<br />
Congratulations to Alison.<br />
Whilst we are enjoying ourselves our donations<br />
(which is the weekly entry fee) have been<br />
accumulating. This year we again raised £1250 <strong>for</strong><br />
charity - £500 each to the Dornoch Medical<br />
Practice and the Highland Hospice, and £250 to<br />
the Heritage Society.<br />
Our Annual Luncheon and Competition took<br />
place on Wednesday 29th September and was well<br />
attended as usual. Many thanks to the Chef &<br />
Catering Staff as we were once again well fed and<br />
watered. I also thank the front of house staff <strong>for</strong><br />
looking after us throughout the season. Our guests<br />
were: President Gordon Lawson, Captain Willie<br />
MacKay, Lady Captain Alison Bartlett, Assistant<br />
Manager, Claire Riddell, and Head Pro Andrew<br />
Skinner. Alison graciously presented the prizes &<br />
trophies. As usual we all retired mellow and happy.<br />
John S Logan<br />
32
Prize winners <strong>for</strong> the season:<br />
Competition Winner Runner-up<br />
Dave MacKenzie Cup<br />
Not Played<br />
J T Robertson Cup David MacLean Keith Henry<br />
Jim Seatter Rosebowl Sinclair Mckay Gordon Lawson<br />
Macleod Thomson Targes Willie Skinner Graham Davey<br />
Alan Woodstock Keith Stalker<br />
Niall Curry Trophy Jonathon Al<strong>for</strong>d Frank Dewar<br />
Patterson Salver Foursomes Graham Davey Alastair Fleming<br />
Frank Dewar Mike Hemming<br />
Heritage 5 Club Raymond Bremner Keith Henry<br />
John Green Quaich Graham Davey Keith Henry<br />
Peter Monk Trophy Steve Webb Alan Rhind<br />
J N Patterson Quaich Alan Rhind Steve Webb<br />
K W Milne Whisky Jonathon Al<strong>for</strong>d Alan Rhind<br />
Greensomes Ian Irwin Ian Morrison<br />
Archie Forbes Trophy Steve Webb Gordon Lawson<br />
Martin Steeves Trophy Steve Webb Eric Johnston<br />
Autumn Mixed Foursomes<br />
Lady Captain's Team<br />
Qualifying Appearances – 15 For trophies below<br />
Hugh Steele Trophy Vincent Doyle Phil Prince<br />
Overall Winner<br />
Anniversary Trophy 81 & Over A Frank Gerstenberg Sanders MacDonald<br />
Florence Patterson Trophy 76 & Over B John Chambers John Calder<br />
Trowbridge Trophy 70 & Over C Steve Webb Keith Stalker<br />
Bill Smith Trophy 65 & Over D Graham Davey Mark Blair<br />
Twomey Trophy Under 65 E Vincent Doyle Phil Prince<br />
President’s Shield (Non-Qualified) F Alex Robertson Graeme Miller<br />
Dingwall Trophy (Most Appearances) Iain Innes Keith Henry<br />
W E Skinner Quaich Highest Average Sinclair McKay 26.58 Steve Webb 26.56<br />
J N Patterson Eclectic Trophy Eclectic Steve Webb 140 Sinclair McKay 138<br />
E H McDonald Painting – Winner of Frank Gerstenberg John Chambers<br />
‘Thanks <strong>for</strong> the Memory’ A&B Groups<br />
33
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2020<br />
Minutes of the 2020 Annual General<br />
Meeting of Royal Dornoch Golf Club<br />
Held in Dornoch Academy on Friday<br />
15th October at 7.30pm<br />
Captain Rob Murray in the Chair<br />
Present: 73 Ordinary Members, 7 Struie/Social<br />
Members<br />
Good evening everyone and welcome to the Royal<br />
Dornoch Golf Club AGM 2020. Tonight, thanks to<br />
Covid, we are going to have to go back in time and<br />
hold our long overdue 2020 AGM then move<br />
<strong>for</strong>ward and hold the 2021 AGM. So a bit of Star<br />
Trek and Back to the Future <strong>for</strong> us all, strangely very<br />
apt Star Trek was in the news headlines this week!<br />
Be<strong>for</strong>e we begin proceedings may I remind<br />
everyone face masks should be worn and please<br />
switch off mobile phones. No fire alarms are<br />
scheduled so should an alarm go off please exit the<br />
building in a calm and orderly fashion.<br />
1. Postponement of the Annual General<br />
Meeting<br />
Due to Covid restrictions beyond the Club’s<br />
control, it was not possible to hold the Annual<br />
General Meeting within the time frame stipulated<br />
in the Club Rules. The Council there<strong>for</strong>e decided<br />
to postpone the Meeting until a later date and now<br />
seeks the retrospective approval of Ordinary<br />
Members of the decision to postpone the Meeting.<br />
Passed unanimously by a show of hands.<br />
2. Meeting Overview<br />
As you know the Annual Report pertinent to this<br />
meeting <strong>for</strong> the year 2019/20 was published and<br />
sent to members. We received no queries or<br />
comments on these or any items in the agenda so<br />
I will go through the agenda in the order published<br />
and will there<strong>for</strong>e proceed fairly quickly to the<br />
2021 AGM.<br />
There will be an Open Forum on conclusion of<br />
the 2021 Agenda.<br />
3. Apologies <strong>for</strong> Absence<br />
43 received prior to the meeting and 6 received at<br />
the meeting.<br />
4. Approval of Minutes<br />
Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on<br />
Friday 16th August 2019 (previously circulated).<br />
Proposed: Tim Lohmann; Seconded: Gary<br />
Bethune<br />
5. Matters Arising from these Minutes<br />
All matters arising have all been attended to, one<br />
of which resulted in a resolution which will be<br />
address under Item 16.<br />
Resolution<br />
To approve retrospectively the decision of the<br />
Council to postpone the Annual General Meeting<br />
of the Club.<br />
6. Captain’s Report<br />
It seems so long ago since my last report in the <strong>Winter</strong><br />
<strong>Newsletter</strong> 2020. I had to refer back to my Captain’s<br />
Monthly reports to recall what actually happened,<br />
apart from Covid. One notable event was an<br />
34
enjoyable Evening with Ronan Rafferty – probably<br />
the last time we all had some social fun in the<br />
clubhouse. Covid hit us and we all had to learn some<br />
new vocabulary such as Furlough and Zoom meetings<br />
were commonplace. We had operational shutdown<br />
of the clubhouse and golf courses. The office had<br />
visitors calling to cancel bookings and asking could<br />
they re-schedule them or get refunds. That meant a<br />
quick decision on policy issues. The office dealt with<br />
an awful lot over a short period of time but did so<br />
admirably. We had to quickly look at the club<br />
finances as we were refunding more cash than was<br />
coming in. Fortunately we had the 3 financial<br />
Musketeers in Tony Bartlett, Matt McBride and<br />
Martin Lynch who crunched numbers to provide us<br />
with a worst case scenario. I’m pleased to report that<br />
reality was to be much better than we initially feared.<br />
Thanks to Tony, Matt and Martin <strong>for</strong> their ef<strong>for</strong>ts.<br />
We completed the design process <strong>for</strong> the<br />
clubhouse <strong>for</strong> which I would like to <strong>for</strong>mally record<br />
my thanks to The Projects Team and Mike Ross<br />
and Gordon Davies, in particular, <strong>for</strong> all their hard<br />
work and professional expertise over the past few<br />
years. More on that subject later.<br />
We renegotiated the Common Good Land Lease<br />
with Highland Council and The Dornoch Area<br />
Community Council so a second Public Consultation<br />
could get underway. More on this later too.<br />
In cutting costs on Marketing and parting company<br />
with our existing external source we brought in Ed<br />
Hodge with an expertise in Social Media marketing,<br />
a cost effective way of keeping Royal Dornoch in<br />
the minds of future travelling golfers. Ed together<br />
with brilliant photography from Matthew Harris,<br />
who also has social media expertise, raised our<br />
worldwide image. Thanks to Cara Thompson our<br />
Marketing Convenor <strong>for</strong> overseeing the work.<br />
With the Pro Shop closed I was particularly keen<br />
to help the Retail Operation sales get moving and<br />
online. This involved a great deal of time from<br />
Brad and Calum developing the site and<br />
uploading stock onto it. They did a great job so<br />
thanks to them and to all the members who<br />
supported the Club by buying online.<br />
It was a difficult time <strong>for</strong> staff who were working<br />
under pressure dealing with new challenges but it<br />
was also difficult <strong>for</strong> those who were furloughed<br />
and wanted to be working at the club. Thanks to<br />
all in very trying times.<br />
7. Election of President<br />
Mr G K Lawson is eligible <strong>for</strong> re-election, is willing<br />
to serve and is unanimously nominated by the<br />
Council of Management. Seconded by Hamish<br />
Macrae.<br />
8. Election of Vice President<br />
Mr J M Campbell is eligible <strong>for</strong> re-election, is willing to<br />
serve and is unanimously nominated by the Council<br />
of Management. Seconded by Gordon Lawson.<br />
9. Election of Vice President<br />
Mr S J Morcott is eligible <strong>for</strong> re-election, is willing<br />
to serve and is unanimously nominated by the<br />
Council of Management. Seconded by Kevin<br />
Matheson.<br />
10. Election of Vice President<br />
Mrs C Murray is eligible <strong>for</strong> re-election but has<br />
decided not to stand, Alan Ramsey is willing to<br />
serve and is unanimously nominated by the<br />
Council of Management. Seconded by Jim Seatter.<br />
35
11. Election of Ordinary Members of Council<br />
The retiring Members are: Mr A M A Bagott, Mr A<br />
D Bartlett and Mr M M B Ross. Mr I P Madeley<br />
resigned <strong>for</strong> personal reasons be<strong>for</strong>e the end of his 3<br />
year term.<br />
Consequently there were a total of 4 vacancies on<br />
the Council.The three due to stand down agreed to<br />
continue on an interim basis with the hope of<br />
holding an AGM in the near future.<br />
In accordance with the Club’s Rules 3 members will<br />
be elected <strong>for</strong> 3 years and 1 member <strong>for</strong> 2 years. The<br />
places are to be allocated in order of the votes cast.<br />
As this could not take place and we had four<br />
nominations <strong>for</strong> four places the Council agreed to<br />
appoint Mr A M A Bagott, Mr D Holden, Mr J F<br />
Gow and Mr G M Bethune at the Council of<br />
Management meeting on 2nd November 2020. Mr<br />
G M Bethune is to serve a two year period.<br />
Resolution:<br />
To approve retrospectively the decision of Council<br />
to appoint Mr A M A Bagott, Mr D Holden, Mr J F<br />
Gow and Mr G M Bethune as Members of Council.<br />
Approved by a show of hands.<br />
12. Statement and Adoption of Accounts <strong>for</strong><br />
the Year 2019/2020<br />
The Annual Accounts were issued and we received<br />
no questions. It is proposed that the Accounts are<br />
adopted.<br />
Adopted by a show of hands.<br />
13. Election of Auditors<br />
The Council of Management continued to work<br />
with the firm of Mackenzie Kerr and Co, as Club<br />
Auditors.<br />
Approved by a show of hands.<br />
14. Greens Convenor Report<br />
As many of you know Adrian Bagott passed away<br />
earlier this week and our love and thoughts go out<br />
to Margaret (Mags as Adrian fondly referred to<br />
her), his family and friends.<br />
Adrian was a larger than life character and loved<br />
Dornoch and not least Royal Dornoch Golf Club. His<br />
father loved Dornoch too and as you know Adrian<br />
followed suit. Adrian was passionate about the club<br />
and was always willing to do his bit on Council and<br />
particularly his real love as Greens Convenor.<br />
36
When Adrian spoke we all listened. He was<br />
basically a quiet Dornoch lad with a Yorkshire<br />
accent!<br />
We will miss your dulcet tones in the clubhouse…<br />
rest in peace our friend, you will be missed.<br />
The Greens Report was issued and we received no<br />
questions. It is proposed that the Greens Report<br />
is adopted.<br />
Adopted by a show of hands.<br />
15. Rule 1 – Update to how juniors progress<br />
through to being a Championship Course<br />
member.<br />
To help clarify the process and provide a stepping<br />
stone process so that juniors gain the relevant<br />
knowledge and ability to cope with the<br />
Championship Course an extra step has been<br />
added to give access to the Championship Course<br />
<strong>for</strong> Junior Struie members at certain times of the<br />
year at the direction of the Junior Committee.<br />
The Council of Management would then alter<br />
Regulation 5 to provide the detail of the how this<br />
would be administered.<br />
Resolution<br />
In Rule 1 (c)<br />
Delete – A Junior Section Member when they<br />
attain a CoNGU handicap will become a Junior<br />
Struie Member. Depending on further<br />
improvements the Council may at a later date<br />
approve the individual be upgraded to Junior<br />
Championship Membership.<br />
Insert – A Junior Section Member when they<br />
attain a WHS Index will become a Junior Struie<br />
Member. Depending on further improvements the<br />
Council may at a later date approve the individual<br />
be upgraded to Junior Struie Member with<br />
Championship Playing Rights. With further<br />
improvements they will be considered <strong>for</strong> Junior<br />
Championship Membership.<br />
Approved by a show of hands.<br />
16. At the 2019 AGM a view was expressed that<br />
the Rules of the Club did not adequately provide<br />
<strong>for</strong> the approval by Members of large value capital<br />
expenditure and borrowings in excess of £500,000<br />
and £250,000 respectively or the subsequent<br />
further approval by Members in the event that<br />
actual values of expenditure or borrowings<br />
exceeded the amounts already approved. There<strong>for</strong>e<br />
in order to address these issues the following<br />
amendments to Rules 16(f)and 16(g) are proposed:<br />
Resolution<br />
To amend Rule 16 (f) as follows:<br />
In line 7 be<strong>for</strong>e “value“ insert “specified“ and after<br />
“value“ insert “or estimated maximum value“. As<br />
shown in RED below.<br />
(f) The Council shall have the power to invest<br />
funds of the Club, up to £500,000 in any one<br />
financial year, in commissioning the building of,<br />
or the purchase or leasing of, any asset, or group<br />
of assets, including heritable or leasehold property,<br />
or after taking appropriate professional advice in<br />
or upon the bonds, debentures or guaranteed,<br />
preferred, ordinary, deferred or common stock or<br />
share of any company, corporation or other body<br />
whatsoever whether registered or incorporated in<br />
the United Kingdom or elsewhere. Where the<br />
Council decides to invest in the <strong>for</strong>egoing to a<br />
specified value or estimated maximum value that<br />
37
exceeds £500,000 in any one financial year, the<br />
power shall not be exercised until approval has<br />
been sanctioned by a majority of not less than twothirds<br />
of the Ordinary Members of the Club<br />
present and entitled to vote and voting thereon at<br />
a General Meeting.<br />
At end of Rule add:<br />
“In the event that the actual value of any particular<br />
contract or project exceeds or is anticipated to<br />
exceed by more than 10% of the value approved by<br />
Ordinary Members, then the Council will be<br />
required to obtain the further approval of a<br />
majority of not less than two thirds of the<br />
Ordinary Members present and entitled to vote<br />
and voting thereon at a General Meeting”.<br />
until approval has been sanctioned by a majority<br />
of not less than two-thirds of the Ordinary<br />
Members of the Club present and entitled to vote<br />
and voting thereon at a General Meeting.<br />
At end of Rule add: “In the event that the actual<br />
amount of borrowing, leasing or financing <strong>for</strong> any<br />
particular contract or project exceeds or is<br />
anticipated to exceed by more than 10% the<br />
amount approved by Ordinary Members, then the<br />
Council will be required to obtain the further<br />
approval of a majority of not less than two thirds<br />
of the Ordinary Members present and entitled to<br />
vote and voting thereon at a General Meeting“.<br />
Approved by a show of hands.<br />
Resolution<br />
To amend Rule 16 (g) as follows:<br />
In line 8 after “financing” insert “of a specified<br />
amount or estimated maximum amount”. As<br />
shown in RED below.<br />
(g) The whole management and control of all<br />
funds and expenditure of the Club shall be vested<br />
in the Council, who may delegate responsibility <strong>for</strong><br />
the day to day transactions to the General<br />
Manager. The Council shall designate by name or<br />
office individuals authorised to sign contracts or<br />
other documents on behalf of the Club (other<br />
than deeds required to be executed by all members<br />
of the Council) or to sign cheques on, or give<br />
instructions relating to, any bank accounts of the<br />
Club. The Council shall have the power to borrow,<br />
lease or obtain other financing to the value of<br />
£250,000 in any one financial year. Where the<br />
Council decides to borrow, lease or obtain other<br />
financing of a specified amount or estimated<br />
maximum amount in excess of £250,000 in any<br />
one financial year the power shall not be exercised<br />
17. Clubhouse Project<br />
As you are all aware Covid 19 has delayed our<br />
plans <strong>for</strong> the new clubhouse however on a positive<br />
note we have a design and budget approved by the<br />
members which is ready <strong>for</strong> tender when club<br />
funds permit. The planning permission was<br />
granted in 2019 and in the eyes of The Highland<br />
Council the project is considered to have started<br />
once we break ground in the car park area when<br />
work commences in September <strong>2022</strong> on the road<br />
access, movement of the bowling green and the<br />
current tennis court area disappears. A new tennis<br />
court will be built adjacent to the Dornoch<br />
Academy and this project is in hand with the<br />
Highland Council and Dornoch Area Community<br />
Council.<br />
The Common Good Land Lease was renegotiated,<br />
the Public Consultation went favourably and was<br />
sanctioned at the Sheriff Court last month. The<br />
new lease is currently with the legal representatives<br />
to draw up the final terms ready <strong>for</strong> signing. Once<br />
38
visitor levels, club finances and general economic<br />
conditions are stabilized we can then revisit the<br />
project and move <strong>for</strong>ward with more certainty on<br />
timescales.<br />
18. Election of Captain<br />
Be<strong>for</strong>e we move on to this I would just like to say<br />
what an honour and privilege it has been to be<br />
Captain of this great club. Thank you Mr Ramsey,<br />
and others, <strong>for</strong> giving me the opportunity.<br />
A few of the Past Captain’s warned me the time<br />
would pass quickly and I commend them on their<br />
use of understatement. My first year as Captain was<br />
close to the norm but with the added bonus of the<br />
clubhouse project and the common good land<br />
lease. My second year, and again Past Captain’s had<br />
said “the second years a breeze you’ve done it all in<br />
year one so just enjoy the second year it’s easy”…<br />
well, Covid put paid to that!<br />
Seriously though year 2 brought different<br />
challenges and the whole world was adjusting to a<br />
very different life. I was <strong>for</strong>tunate to have a team<br />
of good people around me who gave me<br />
tremendous support. The management structure<br />
we have as a club ensures we have fantastic<br />
expertise in many areas of business. The Sub<br />
committees, Projects Team, Council of<br />
Management provide support and direction <strong>for</strong><br />
our Management Team and their staff. I owe a<br />
great deal of gratitude to all these people. The<br />
President, Vice Presidents, Past Captain’s and<br />
members have all been very supportive too.<br />
I can’t mention everyone by name but I will just<br />
say a few words about some in the front line.<br />
Neil and Claire, as always, are there to help,<br />
support and have a wealth of experience to draw<br />
upon. Eoin and Scotty have a fantastic way with<br />
their team and their ef<strong>for</strong>ts speak <strong>for</strong> themselves.<br />
Sue, Brian and their teams have one of the hardest<br />
39
jobs, pleasing us all! Brad, Andrew, Gary and<br />
Calum have to put up with our moans and groans<br />
after a poor round… and look interested! Thank<br />
you all <strong>for</strong> your tremendous support.<br />
Neil we spent a lot of time together at a fair<br />
number of meetings, outings and seminars… in<br />
fact we probably spent more time in each other’s<br />
company than with our wives over the 2 years, I<br />
believe we have achieved a lot and I thank you <strong>for</strong><br />
all your help… which leads on nicely to thank my<br />
wife Wilma <strong>for</strong> putting up with me <strong>for</strong> two years<br />
when my mind was never far from Royal Dornoch.<br />
Now to the next era and be<strong>for</strong>e the <strong>for</strong>mal<br />
proceedings and one person I haven’t mentioned<br />
is our Captain Elect, Willie MacKay or as some<br />
people say who … oh you mean Willie Hook.<br />
Willie as Vice Captain you have been a rock always<br />
there to support and always willing to help no matter<br />
what. My sincere thanks <strong>for</strong> being there <strong>for</strong> me.<br />
Willie is the original Peter Pan, he has the energy,<br />
drive, passion and enthusiasm of a 20 year old, he<br />
just never stops, incredible <strong>for</strong> a 50 year old… well<br />
that’s what he told me!<br />
Willie was un<strong>for</strong>tunate to take over the day to day<br />
duties of the Captaincy without the <strong>for</strong>malities of<br />
an AGM. Due to Covid he missed out on a lot of<br />
the fun part of being Captain, no prize giving’s,<br />
social events or matches. He only had the<br />
difficulties Covid has thrown at us all. A clubhouse<br />
without people goes against a naturally social<br />
person. He never complained and got on with it<br />
as only he would. So I hope the next 10 months<br />
or so allows us to return to more normality and he<br />
can let his hair down.<br />
Willie eats, sleeps and breaths Royal Dornoch. You<br />
have done a brilliant job so far and I know you will<br />
do so in the months to come, the club is in good<br />
hands.<br />
In accordance with the Club Rules the Council of<br />
Management unanimously proposes Mr Willie D<br />
M MacKay. Passed unanimously by a show of<br />
hands.<br />
The Captain’s badge of office was pinned on Mr<br />
MacKay’s lapel by Mr Murray.<br />
Thank you members <strong>for</strong> approving my nomination<br />
as Captain.<br />
It is an honour and very privileged position in our<br />
Golf Club.<br />
In 2019 I would have spoken in anticipation of the<br />
two years ahead.<br />
We are now 14 months into the two years term so<br />
I can reflect instead of anticipating.<br />
But there is time <strong>for</strong> this in our second AGM.<br />
Rob, you have served Royal Dornoch as Greens<br />
Convenor and Finance Convenor, two very<br />
important responsibilities that every golf club has<br />
to manage. But delivering a quality golf course to<br />
members and building a very healthy bank balance<br />
is only part of what members enjoy from your<br />
excellent service.<br />
Rob, your father Ken became Club Secretary in<br />
1975 and played a significant role in the<br />
development of Royal Dornoch <strong>for</strong> many years.<br />
Your Grandfather Alex bravely left Scotland <strong>for</strong> a<br />
new life in the USA in 1925 as a golf professional.<br />
40
Your time as Vice-Captain and Captain, and<br />
establishing the Project Team <strong>for</strong> our new<br />
clubhouse, will leave a legacy that we shall all enjoy.<br />
Your negotiating skills are the reason why we have<br />
a new lease.<br />
Your “strapline” has always been – it’s a team<br />
ef<strong>for</strong>t. The Team had and still has a good leader.<br />
Your skill in letting meetings flow during<br />
discussions is an inbuilt quality. Your care <strong>for</strong> our<br />
staff was tremendous and your focus on our<br />
members equally excellent. At the heart of every<br />
issue was, “will this be good <strong>for</strong> Royal Dornoch?”<br />
Because of Covid you missed many club<br />
competitions and functions but when you did,<br />
both here and abroad, your time was dedicated to<br />
Royal Dornoch and you grew relationships in so<br />
many ways and places.<br />
Balancing work, the golf club and family needed<br />
resolve and endless commitment. But this was not<br />
a “one person” task. The role that Wilma played<br />
was not just <strong>for</strong> two years but <strong>for</strong> many years.<br />
In the Covid pandemic, your positive attitude has<br />
been an example <strong>for</strong> staff and members to follow.<br />
Members please join me in the traditional manner<br />
to acknowledge Rob Murray’s time as Captain.<br />
Rob has done a tremendous job.<br />
The Past Captain’s badge was pinned on Mr<br />
Murray’s lapel by Mr MacKay.<br />
19. Election of Vice Captain<br />
David Bell has been a member of Royal Dornoch<br />
since a very young junior. His passion <strong>for</strong> golf is<br />
only surpassed by his passion <strong>for</strong> Royal Dornoch<br />
and the Dornoch community. David is a wellrecognised<br />
Economist in the UK, Europe and<br />
many other parts of the World and still travels to<br />
lecture.<br />
David has served on Council previously under<br />
Hugh Laughland and Roly Bluck’s captaincies.<br />
For several years I have consulted with David<br />
during my work with Scottish Golf about Golf<br />
Tourism economy and other national trends.<br />
His University research into the demographics of<br />
Scotland and his work with the UK Government<br />
and the Scottish Government as well as links with<br />
economists across the World are evidence of how<br />
highly regarded David is held in his field. His<br />
exposure on radio and TV contributes to how he<br />
promotes Royal Dornoch.<br />
David has returned to live in Dornoch. David<br />
knows the importance of Royal Dornoch to the<br />
community.<br />
David’s focus will always be what is best <strong>for</strong> Royal<br />
Dornoch. As Vice-Captain Elect David has been<br />
immediately involved in our Finance<br />
subcommittee, and reviewing our Governance and<br />
Intellectual Property status as well as preparing a<br />
member’s survey to be issued after this golf season.<br />
In accordance with the Club Rules the Council of<br />
Management unanimously proposes Professor<br />
David N F Bell CBE. Passed unanimously by a<br />
show of hands.<br />
Thanks to everyone and the Past Captain’s <strong>for</strong><br />
inviting me. The last time I was on this stage was<br />
when I was appearing in Mid Summer Nights<br />
41
Dream as one of the 1st year pupils on the new<br />
stage as it was then. It was my first exposure to<br />
public per<strong>for</strong>mance and I have had many more<br />
since which brings back a lot of memories.<br />
I have played golf in Dornoch <strong>for</strong> around 65 years<br />
and I view the golf course as the Royal Burgh’s<br />
major treasure in sporting, cultural and economic<br />
terms. I view our course as being a members course<br />
and that means all members whether they be<br />
Championship Members or Struie Members and<br />
it is important that we understand the views of the<br />
membership. That is why, as Willie has said, we are<br />
hoping to conduct surveys by the end of the year<br />
to gain some views on how the members want to<br />
take the club <strong>for</strong>ward.<br />
I believe however, that there are an immutable set of<br />
values connected with Royal Dornoch and that is the<br />
openness and friendliness of the Club values that I<br />
have found are rarely shared that in some of the<br />
other world renowned courses just as Dornoch is.<br />
work on that issue. John McMurray has done a<br />
huge amount of work on the House which is not<br />
an easy area to deal with so I have to say that I have<br />
been hugely impressed by the ef<strong>for</strong>t the Council of<br />
Management have put into the Club really<br />
showing their dedication to the Club and of course<br />
a lot of that is facilitated by Neil, Claire and all the<br />
other staff.<br />
So thank you <strong>for</strong> your willingness to see me as the<br />
Vice Captain and I look <strong>for</strong>ward to our<br />
conversations and meetings around the future of<br />
Royal Dornoch.<br />
20. The 2019-20 Annual General Meeting is<br />
<strong>for</strong>mally closed and we will now hold the 2020-<br />
21 Annual General meeting.<br />
Closed at 8.06pm<br />
However, we must be prepared to move with the<br />
times and Willie has already mentioned a couple<br />
of areas that have already caught my attention.<br />
One is software and the need to upgrade ours to<br />
the same quality as the courses and we are moving<br />
ahead on that front. Another area is sustainability<br />
and we have been in discussion with the R&A<br />
about cooperation with them on that issue.<br />
Finally, as Willie has said I have already been<br />
working with the Council of Management <strong>for</strong><br />
many months and I have been really impressed<br />
with the amount of work that has gone into some<br />
of the various pockets that Willie has mentioned.<br />
Intellectual Property doesn’t seem like a real head<br />
turner but it is very, very important. Ian Irwin,<br />
John Gow and Willie have done a great deal of<br />
42
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2021<br />
Minutes of the 2021 Annual General Meeting<br />
of Royal Dornoch Golf Club<br />
Held in Dornoch Academy on Friday 15th<br />
October at 8.06pm<br />
Captain Willie MacKay in the Chair<br />
Present: 73 Ordinary Members, 7 Struie/Social<br />
Members<br />
1. Meeting Overview<br />
The Agenda will follow in sequence as set out but<br />
note the error of numerically agenda items<br />
jumping from 5 to 10.<br />
2. Apologies <strong>for</strong> Absence<br />
43 received prior to the meeting and 6 received at<br />
the meeting.<br />
3. Approval of Minutes<br />
Minutes of 2020 Annual General Meeting will be<br />
issued along with the minutes of the 2021 Annual<br />
General Meeting <strong>for</strong> approval at the <strong>2022</strong> AGM.<br />
4. Matters Arising from these Minutes<br />
As there are no minutes then there are no matters<br />
arising.<br />
5. Captain’s Report<br />
My brief update starts with the welcomed return<br />
of Overseas members and visitors. As our Finance<br />
Convenor will tell us <strong>2022</strong> is looking very positive<br />
and very busy.<br />
The biggest project has been choosing a new IT<br />
system that will handle our booking management<br />
system and replace Freetime as well as provide us<br />
with a system where members will have one card<br />
<strong>for</strong> all transactions <strong>for</strong> House, Retail and<br />
Competitions. This has been very thorough and<br />
we are close to decision time once we get the final<br />
feedback on timescale and costs.<br />
Our review of Governance is progressing and we<br />
are <strong>for</strong>tunate to have useful contacts with other<br />
Scottish Golf Clubs that have decided to become<br />
an incorporated body and have worked with<br />
Scottish lawyers. Members will be kept in<strong>for</strong>med<br />
and it will be an AGM proposal if there is a change<br />
to be considered.<br />
Considerable research and development has been<br />
completed looking at our Intellectual Property. We<br />
need to protect Royal Dornoch and this will near<br />
a conclusion when a decision on governance is<br />
ready to share but work is already underway<br />
checking contracts and liabilities.<br />
We are progressing the content <strong>for</strong> our Members<br />
Survey which will be issued after the golf season<br />
finishes. Results from the feedback will be shared<br />
with members and considered by our<br />
subcommittees and Council of Management to<br />
steer our decision making.<br />
2021 has been a difficult season with considerable<br />
extra work due to Covid and reduced staffing levels.<br />
There is no disguising the fact that at times we have<br />
struggled but we have survived and in much better<br />
shape than many other Golf Clubs of our size.<br />
It is disappointing that the new clubhouse is not<br />
yet started but be absolutely certain that it is just<br />
delayed and will be built.<br />
43
I am very grateful <strong>for</strong> the members that gave of<br />
their time to assist with Starting and other duties,<br />
including competitions. Our staff have been<br />
magnificent. Thank you to the members who<br />
joined Council members on our subcommittees.<br />
Since our first lockdown in March 2020, it has<br />
been non stop <strong>for</strong> Neil and Claire. Working far too<br />
many hours and too many weekends. The<br />
members owe you both tremendous thanks.<br />
The item numbering has been compromised and<br />
items 6 to 9 have been lost but they had no content.<br />
10. Election of Ordinary Members of Council<br />
On behalf of all members I thank retiring Council<br />
members, Cara Thompson, Kevin Matheson and<br />
Gordon Davies <strong>for</strong> their three years’ service in<br />
attending subcommittee meetings and monthly<br />
Council of Management meetings and their<br />
thoughtful input to the decision making.<br />
The resumes and skill set of the three candidates<br />
have been circulated <strong>for</strong> you to read.<br />
I am pleased that Gordon Davies is willing to<br />
continue on Council as I have greatly valued his<br />
opinions in discussions. Gordon’s contribution to<br />
our new clubhouse project has been immense but<br />
as I have said his input to decision making at<br />
Council has been equally welcomed and important.<br />
Wilma Murray has been on the Greens<br />
subcommittee and has contributed well to the very<br />
important role of maintaining our quality golf<br />
courses. Wilma has many years of experience<br />
serving on Golf Club Committees as you will have<br />
44
ead. I have greatly enjoyed working with Wilma<br />
and pleased to have proposed her nomination.<br />
Kenneth MacKenzie I have got to know this year<br />
and I see great enthusiasm to support Royal<br />
Dornoch using his significant experience and<br />
knowledge from both his career and his passion <strong>for</strong><br />
golf. Our meetings and golfing time have revealed<br />
a person that listens and then asks and bases<br />
decisions on evidence <strong>for</strong> the correct outcome.<br />
Council well. I encourage you to vote.<br />
Sandy Fraser has volunteered to oversee the<br />
counting of the votes.<br />
The meeting continued as the votes were counted<br />
and the results announced once this was<br />
completed.<br />
All three nominees received the approval of the<br />
members who voted.<br />
Our Club Rules state that members will be elected<br />
to serve on the Council only on the basis that the<br />
number of members voting in favour of their<br />
appointment exceed those voting against.<br />
You have ballot papers to complete and I propose<br />
to you all that we have three very suitable<br />
candidates with the qualities and skillset to serve<br />
11. Statement and Adoption of Accounts <strong>for</strong><br />
the Year 2020/2021<br />
With us just passing the halfway point in the<br />
financial year to 31st March <strong>2022</strong> I wanted to<br />
provide members with a brief update on how the<br />
Club’s finances are progressing.<br />
45
Income<br />
• Previously reported unprecedented<br />
subscription renewal levels. However, the<br />
anticipated negative impact on Entrance Fees<br />
has been offset by a continuing steady stream<br />
of new member applications <strong>for</strong> the Struie.<br />
Overall, taking Subs and Entrance Fees<br />
together we will be close to our budgeted<br />
figure.<br />
• Visitor Green Fees – the budgeted visitor<br />
numbers <strong>for</strong> 21/22 was set at 3,700 (FSC<br />
finger in the air!). You will have noted a<br />
marked increase in visitors from August<br />
onwards with the gradual return of<br />
international travel. Pleased to report that by<br />
the end of September we have seen more than<br />
4,000 visitor rounds played and have there<strong>for</strong>e<br />
passed our £ cash target <strong>for</strong> the full year.<br />
October continues to be busy.<br />
• Both Bar & Catering and the Pro Shop have<br />
traded well ahead of budget <strong>for</strong> the first half<br />
of the year with both areas generating strong<br />
gross margins.<br />
Expenditure<br />
• Costs have been tightly controlled across all<br />
areas of the operation and at the six month<br />
point are broadly in line with budgeted levels.<br />
• Exception to this is on Course Expenditure<br />
where Council approved during the year<br />
additional, un-budgeted, expenditure of<br />
approximately £43k on “Fertiliser, Turf &<br />
Seeds” across both courses to take on board<br />
recommendations from the R&A that the<br />
Club sought ahead of next year’s Seniors<br />
Amateur.<br />
• The second half of the year obviously sees<br />
traditionally low levels of income with<br />
expenditure rolling on. We may see some<br />
slippage to budgeted labour costs towards the<br />
end of the final quarter as we make sure we<br />
have the appropriate resource levels in place<br />
<strong>for</strong> next Spring.<br />
• Forward bookings <strong>for</strong> <strong>2022</strong> currently stand at<br />
11,000 visitors.<br />
Cash Position<br />
• Total bank balances at the end of September<br />
sit at just short of £5.9m which is<br />
approximately £400k up from our last year<br />
end.<br />
• Included in this are approximately £1.2m of<br />
green fee deposits held, up by approximately<br />
£220k from our last year end.<br />
Summary<br />
To sum up, the first half of the year has gone<br />
slightly better than planned financially. Should<br />
things continue to trend as we expect, we are on<br />
target to deliver the approved full year budget,<br />
which was slightly worse than break-even, or<br />
perhaps even a little better.<br />
The Annual Accounts were issued and we received no<br />
questions. It is proposed that the Accounts are adopted.<br />
Adopted by a show of hands.<br />
12. Election of Auditors<br />
The Council of Management unanimously<br />
proposes that the firm of Mackenzie Kerr and Co.<br />
be re-appointed as Club Auditors. Approved by a<br />
show of hands.<br />
46
13. Greens Convenor Report<br />
Members while this official and important item is<br />
included in our AGM we are all aware that we have<br />
lost a member in Adrian Bagott whose heart and<br />
soul went into his work as Greens Convenor and<br />
in all other aspects of Royal Dornoch. Adrian<br />
would not leave a stone unturned to seek out<br />
reasons and put <strong>for</strong>ward solutions and most<br />
certainly ask questions and demand answers and<br />
action.<br />
Our thoughts are with Margaret, Heather, Pru and<br />
Penny and I am certain that the Funeral Service<br />
on Wednesday at 1pm in Dornoch Cathedral will<br />
be a celebration of Adrian Bagott’s life and help<br />
the Family as they grieve and try and come to terms<br />
with their loss.<br />
The Greens Report was issued and we received no<br />
questions. It is proposed that the Greens Report<br />
is adopted.<br />
Adopted by a show of hands.<br />
14. Disciplinary Procedure<br />
Council of Management reviewed the Disciplinary<br />
Procedures.<br />
In Rule 21 (a), line 8, after “purpose” insert:<br />
“At their discretion the Council may invite up to<br />
two additional Ordinary Members to join this<br />
meeting if considered appropriate in order to<br />
achieve a suitable composition of those in<br />
attendance“.<br />
Delete the last sentence in Rule 21 (a), “Six<br />
members of the Council shall <strong>for</strong>m a quorum <strong>for</strong><br />
the purpose of this meeting.”<br />
and insert:<br />
“A quorum <strong>for</strong> the purpose of this meeting shall<br />
be six, comprising either members of the Council<br />
or a combination of members of the Council and<br />
any additional Ordinary Members invited“.<br />
Approved by a show of hands.<br />
Criteria <strong>for</strong> Royal Dornoch Life and Honorary<br />
Membership agreed by Council of Management.<br />
Recommendation to Council:<br />
To be appointed a Honorary Member of Royal<br />
Dornoch Golf Club, an individual would have to<br />
have made outstanding contributions to the game<br />
of golf (playing, developing, administering, writing<br />
or commentating) at World level and to show<br />
ongoing commitment to the aims and objectives<br />
of Royal Dornoch Golf Club and to furthering its<br />
international reputation.<br />
The criteria <strong>for</strong> the Life Member wording only<br />
differs in one aspect and that is we look <strong>for</strong> an<br />
excellent contribution.<br />
To be appointed a Life Member of Royal Dornoch<br />
Golf Club, an individual would have to have made<br />
excellent contributions to the game of golf<br />
(playing, developing, administering, writing or<br />
commentating) at world level and to show ongoing<br />
commitment to the aims and objectives of Royal<br />
Dornoch Golf Club and to furthering its<br />
international reputation.<br />
15. Honorary Membership<br />
Born in Aberdeen Paul turned professional in<br />
1986 and joined the European Tour in 1992 with<br />
his first win in 1996 – the Catalan Open.<br />
47
Lawrie’s career was trans<strong>for</strong>med in 1999 when he<br />
won the Open Championship at Carnoustie.<br />
He has had 3 Top 10 finishes in the European<br />
Order of Merit<br />
Twice a Member of Ryder Cup Team in 1999 and<br />
2012<br />
8 European Wins<br />
Teams:<br />
Represented Scotland 4 times in the World Cup<br />
3 times in the Seve Trophy Royal Trophy 2010<br />
In 1990 Lawrie won the Denis Lovell, Assistants<br />
Championship at Royal Dornoch and 29 years<br />
later won Scottish Seniors Open in 2019.<br />
His other recognition within golf:<br />
1999 Honorary Membership of European Tour<br />
2000 Awarded MBE in New Year’s Honours List<br />
2013 Awarded OBE in Birthday Honours List <strong>for</strong><br />
contribution to the development of junior golf<br />
2016 Vice-Captain Ryder Cup Team at Hazeltine<br />
2020 Captain Junior Ryder Cup Team<br />
Contribution to Golf Development in Scotland<br />
2001 the Paul Lawrie Foundation was created.<br />
Initially supported and developed interest in the<br />
game of golf <strong>for</strong> under 18’s. Paul Lawrie Flag Days<br />
became popular and supported with clubs<br />
receiving equipment to spread the competitions<br />
across the North East Area. This Foundation soon<br />
moved to include Stable<strong>for</strong>d, Match Play, Stroke<br />
Play events and more recently the Paul Lawrie Jug<br />
Event which we have staged.<br />
48
The Foundation expanded its reach to support<br />
hockey and football development. Further support<br />
<strong>for</strong> golf saw support <strong>for</strong> amateurs making the<br />
transition into a career on the Professional circuit.<br />
Ritchie Ramsey, David Law and several others<br />
benefited from financial support from the<br />
Foundation as well as advice from Lawrie and<br />
more recently Hannah McCook when she joined<br />
the Ladies European Tour.<br />
In 2018 the Foundation expanded to support golf<br />
development in Highland as well as Grampian.<br />
Service/support to Royal Dornoch.<br />
In 2013, Paul helped launch the PhD <strong>for</strong> Wade<br />
Cormack which was sponsored by the Club to<br />
research golf and sporting activities in the<br />
Highland area in the 1600 – 1800’s.<br />
In 2016 Paul Lawrie played with Sandy Lyle along<br />
with our juniors as we celebrated 400 Years of Golf<br />
at Dornoch.<br />
In February 2019 Paul gave freely of his time to<br />
entertain us with a Q&A session in the clubhouse.<br />
In 2020, Lawrie officially opened the new 7th hole<br />
on the Championship Course which gave us<br />
valuable video footage to use on social media as<br />
well as material <strong>for</strong> golf publications.<br />
Paul Lawrie loves coming to Dornoch and<br />
promotes our golf course and Golf Club. He will<br />
be a reliable ambassador <strong>for</strong> Royal Dornoch and I<br />
ask <strong>for</strong> your support <strong>for</strong> the Council of<br />
Management’s proposal. Council of Management<br />
proposes Honorary Membership <strong>for</strong> Mr Paul<br />
Lawrie MBE OBE.<br />
Unanimously approved by a show of hands.<br />
16. Life Membership<br />
Lorne Rubenstein has been a golf journalist <strong>for</strong><br />
over 35 years. His writings have appeared in golf<br />
magazines, newspapers and on websites around the<br />
world. He has written or co-written 14 books,<br />
working with such notable golfers as Tiger Woods,<br />
Nick Price, and Moe Norman.<br />
In 2018 his career was recognized and honoured<br />
as the recipient of the USPGA Lifetime<br />
Achievement Award in Journalism. The press<br />
release <strong>for</strong> that award includes the following:<br />
• Lorne Rubenstein is a four-time award-winner<br />
<strong>for</strong> the Golf Writers Association of America;<br />
• He won the 1985 Canada National Magazine<br />
Award;.<br />
• He was inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall<br />
of Fame in 2006 and the Canadian Golf Hall<br />
of Fame in 2007<br />
• Lorne received the PGA of Canada’s<br />
Distinguished Service Award (2013)<br />
He has been a tireless supporter of the Royal<br />
Dornoch since becoming a member. His book, A<br />
Season in Dornoch, did as much to promote and<br />
raise the visibility of our golf course and golf club<br />
as Herbert Warren Wind’s writings did over 50<br />
years ago.<br />
A Season in Dornoch was the catalyst that brought<br />
so many golfers to Dornoch and from this our<br />
World Rankings improved as more overseas<br />
visitors spread the word about our unique<br />
traditional links Championship Course.<br />
Council of Management proposes Life<br />
Membership <strong>for</strong> Mr Lorne Rubenstein<br />
Unanimously approved by a show of hands.<br />
49
The meeting closed at 20.29 and the Open Forum<br />
was opened <strong>for</strong> question from the floor <strong>for</strong> the<br />
Council of Management to consider.<br />
Denis Albutt – Quite a number of clubs now allow<br />
professionals to play in club competitions. Some<br />
have restrictions on which competitions. Why is<br />
the Council of Management against professionals,<br />
who are members with WHS handicaps, playing<br />
in any club competitions?<br />
Christine Callingham – Given the recent events<br />
will the Club be putting together a catastrophic<br />
events policy? Does the annual subscription<br />
revenue cover the running costs of the Club?<br />
Rusty Adamson – It is already extremely difficult<br />
to get members tee times in <strong>2022</strong> so will there be<br />
increased provision made?<br />
Carol MacKay – Concerns over the quality of<br />
service in the clubhouse as it does not compare to<br />
the quality of the course and how this is going to<br />
be addressed in the future if we are going to have<br />
a new facility.<br />
Transparency on the complaints that people make<br />
and the surveys that will be undertaken on how<br />
the in<strong>for</strong>mation and results that are gathered will<br />
be relayed to members.<br />
Concerned greatly that there is no capacity within<br />
the management or employees of the club <strong>for</strong> the<br />
running of the junior section, there is no<br />
communication or vision and there is a scrambled<br />
and panicked approach to providing lessons.<br />
Phil Prince – When I was an employee in the Pro<br />
Shop, I participated in a team training where we<br />
were urged to do our bit to make the<br />
guest/member’s daily experience a memorable/<br />
great one.<br />
• not if the half way house is shut during open<br />
and medal competition play<br />
• not if you can’t support social activity beyond<br />
8 pm in the clubhouse<br />
The club restaurant should be front of mind when<br />
any member and/or guest is looking to dine out<br />
locally. It isn’t if it’s not open and the quality<br />
experience is not good enough today (my opinion)<br />
when it is open.<br />
All above things in my opinion should be<br />
addressed be<strong>for</strong>e restarting the major new<br />
clubhouse project.<br />
Tim Lohmann – Should the Duke of York remain<br />
as an Honorary Member?<br />
Carol MacKay – Why did the Northern Counties<br />
Cup team not receive funding this year?<br />
The meeting closed at 8.45pm<br />
Best wishes to all members as we look <strong>for</strong>ward to<br />
the <strong>2022</strong> golf season.<br />
Royal Dornoch Staff and<br />
Council of Management.<br />
Mark Grant – The resolution of the AGM in 2019<br />
that was passed to build the clubhouse, do we need<br />
to go back to members to cancel that resolution?<br />
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