Dear Member

As another golfing year approaches it is a privilege for me to be appointed as Club Captain at The Forest of Galtres Golf Club for the coming 2010/2011 season and accordingly, it is a pleasure that I welcome you to this new season whether you are an existing or new member of the Club.

I am very much looking forward to working with Alastair who has, since his appointment as club professional in April last year, together with assistant professional Nick Marchant  and  sales assistant Eileen Fairweather, offered a superb level of service to members of the club.

Once again the Committee has put together a varied programme of both individual and team competitions to be played throughout the year, these are listed on your fixture card and on the club notice boards, entry sheets being posted in the clubhouse, at the appropriate time, throughout the year.

In addition between May and August, we have a number of matches against local clubs and all members holding a bona fide handicap are eligible to play, the format being on a 4BBB matchplay basis.

These have in the past proved very popular and the post-match meal provides an ideal opportunity to socialise with your fellow members and players from other clubs. 

For the lower handicap players there is also a scratch team, under the captaincy of Peter Renton, who also play regularly throughout the summer months against other clubs in the York area.

If you are interested in either team the matches are listed in your fixture card and please look out for the notices that will appear in the clubhouse in April or contact myself, Vice captain Dave Mather or Peter Renton or alternatively speak to Alastair or Nick who will pass your details over to us.

As some of you will know last year saw Alastair introduce a ladies ‘open’ morning and it is hoped, as a result, that several ladies will be joining as full members this year and I would like to wish the incoming Lady Captain Kim Beaumont well for this coming year and assure her that the mens section will look to support her in any way possible.

The number of Junior members has continued to grow under the stewardship of Alastair and Nick and as a result Graeme Elstob has been enlisted as junior coordinator, so if any of you have young family or friends who may be interested in taking up the game please contact Alastair, Nick or Graeme.

For new members I would like to highlight the ‘New Members Night’ on Monday 12^th April which is an informal evening, commencing at 7.30pm, held in the clubhouse providing an opportunity to meet myself and other members of the committee.

Before I close I would like to thank, in advance, the green keeping staff and ask that whilst on the course you be mindful of their efforts and give the course the respect it deserves.

I would also like to ask that you support our steward, Paul, his wife Ann and their staff, who provide first rate, good value pre and post match refreshments throughout the year.

Unfortunately at present work commitments keep me away from York for a large part  of the working week but I can be contacted on my mobile or via e mail (see the notice board in the clubhouse for details) or simply drop a note in the Captain’s pigeonhole in the clubhouse which I will pick up when I am at the club.

Finally, as the season unfolds, I look forward to seeing you on the course or in the clubhouse and trust this coming season will be both enjoyable and rewarding for us all.

     Brian Eccles

   Mens Captain 2010/11