Before starting to write this year’s Spring Newsletter I thought I would look back at last year’s. Of course it started with the weather (well we are British, so it’s obligatory). Last year the wind was thundering through the valley and the rain was lashing down. This year the sun is out, the birds are singing and for most of us the last few weeks have been great for golf.

So I expect you are all in great shape for the new season and looking forward to the 2025 meetings.

Some fine courses to look forward to……

Broadstone and Isle of Purbeck in May

Northumberland and Hexham in June

Cirencester and Burford in July

Little Aston and Sutton Coldfield in August (including AGM)

West Lancs and Ormskirk in September

Each meeting has proved to be very popular this year but there are a few places left so please contact Brian if you would like to book a place. The quickest way to enter is by using this link which will take you straight to the application form in the Members Area – www.golfsocietygb.com/meeting-application-form/

Note that there is no special AGM meeting as that format was proving less popular with each year. So we will include the AGM in the August meeting and you will need to arrange your own accommodation.

This time all applications for meetings were via the website and as far as I am aware there were no problems. Well done everyone!!

Something else has moved online. For many years now Brian has taken orders for Glenmuir clothing with the GSGB logo. He has now arranged for the Society to have its own area on the Glenmuir website. That means we have access to a wider range of clothing and accessories and we deal directly with Glenmuir, so Brian doesn’t need to be in the loop. We still get the GSGB logo (not on shorts or trousers) and we get a bit of a discount.

Have a look on www.glenmuir.com/corporate/gsgb

There will soon be a link in the members’ area of the website too!

Our first tour this year, to Gran Canaria, is so popular we are running it twice. By the time you read this, the first group will be there already under the guidance of Pete Carpenter. The second group leaves just after Easter with Richard Wadkin at the helm.

In November, Pat Bennett is taking a group to Mauritius. There are one or two places available so contact Pat for more details if you are interested.

It happened too late to get on to the membership card but the committee has just approved The Caversham, near Reading, as a Participating Club. We are not well represented in that area at the moment and there are many other excellent clubs nearby so look forward to a great meeting there in the near future.

Membership numbers have held up well this year. We tend to lose a few people over the Winter and gain a few over the Summer. As always, let me remind you to mention the Society to the friends you think would appreciate our meetings and tours.

Finally some sad news. Many of you will remember George Clark, an excellent golfer and one of our more colourful members. He passed away recently. Linda and I remember many happy times in the company of George and his late wife Liz.

Thanks to Brian and the committee for all their hard work. I am really looking forward to the meetings this year and hope to see you at several of them.

Regards

Robert Hill (Chairman)