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Newsletter of Pollok Golf Club: June 2011

C
Fu OU N
This wonderful Club ll
D SE W
et
R E
As we enter June, I have completed
nearly half my term as Captain. It has
can
Captain’s Comment think of ai PL
been a challenging, most rewarding six a few old ls A
months. I have asked a lot of your Members who In NS
Committee during this period and they might benefit from si
have responded to the challenge. Our
new sub-committee structure has
this as well! We have
produced a list of Do’s
de
worked well, allowing the burden to be in this Newsletter to cover
better shared, tapping into the diverse a number of points your
skills that your Committee possesses. Committee are receiving regular
After a beautifully warm and dry complaints about.
April, May has been a great disappoint- My particular hobby horse is pitch
ment. Like most of you, I am fed up marks… especially true when the greens
playing in rain and wind. The Course are wet. If we want smooth and true
survived the recent storm, with only one greens, it is very important that pitch
major tree falling, and the Green staff marks are repaired. If everyone made an
have done a power of work to clear up the effort to repair two per Green there would
debris so quickly. I must be the only not be a pitch mark issue and we would
Captain ever to close the Course in May. save valuable Green staff time.
Despite all this, the Course is in excellent Members enjoying a fine day on the In terms of major developments, the
condition, the greens have fully recovered Green, but we also sold over 80 buffets. main new shed is complete and there only
from the harsh winter, are running very The monthly dinner and carvery remain remains the demolition of part of the old
true and should it stop raining the speed as well-attended and popular as ever. sheds to create standing areas for our
will pick up. The 17th Green has seen a In terms of golf, the medals have been materials. This will stop our top dressing,
marked improvement this spring and very well supported despite the weather. sand and the like from becoming
hopefully the putting surface will be more Our first “major”, the Spring Meeting, contaminated by standing on soil. We
similar to our other Greens this Summer. held in truly awful conditions, was won have now received heads of terms for the
This is one of the priorities set by your by Alan Prentice, and the Turner lease of part of the field to the left of the
Green Committee. Johnston Salver for the best net score by 18th fairway and are in detailed
We have completed a review of the Tom Hamilton, who is looking forward to discussions over these terms. If we can
Green staff’s summer working routines making his first speech at the Prize- secure this field as a Practice Area, this
and this, combined with the new giving Dinner. Tom’s performance was will be a major additional facility for our
equipment, has allowed us to increase the particularly impressive as his round was Members.
volume of work, maintaining and played in the worst of the weather. We have been successful, as ever, in
improving the quality of presentation on The Club Championship is under way, attracting new Members to the Club, but
the Course. In addition, we are already with the final on the afternoon of Sunday the Club is not full. We would encourage
working on a detailed winter programme, 5 June 2011. I would encourage you to you to promote the benefits of being a
reflecting our desire to improve the attend this event – a free buffet is Member of our wonderful Club.
management of the Club’s affairs. provided by the Club for those involved Lastly, I turn to the Long-Term
In terms of House, there has been a in the final and spectators. Conor O’Neil Course Plan, which is covered in detail
significant backlog of maintenance, but has returned from the States and has been on the next two pages. As I said at the
the re-introduction of a House Convener selected for the SGU Elite Squad, a great AGM, a change to the Course will
has helped to deal with this issue. For reflection on his ability and on the club. inevitably stir up controversy in the
instance, the caddy store has been I now turn to the issue of standards. I Club. We all have particular likes and
refurbished, and the presentation of the adamantly believe we should not have dislikes about the Course. Over the last
approach has been improved with the lists up all over the Club telling three years, a lot of effort has gone into
planting out of the flower beds. Members what is and is not acceptable
the Plan; it is not the whim of one
On the social front, the numbers at the in terms of dress and behaviour at the
opening Shotgun Dinner were dis- Club. I would expect Pollok Members to individual Captain, Green Convener or
appointing - two regular large groups know instinctively. Having said that, for Committee. The Plan is seeking to
were away on holiday. But it was enjoyed a number of new Members, a guide address a number of issues, which we
by all who attended - and we raised over would be helpful. So, over the next six have clearly laid out on the next pages.
£500 for our Juniors. The Royal Medal months, we will prepare a New We very much welcome your views on
was a terrific success, not only with the Members’ Guide to Pollok – though I what we are trying to achieve.

Published by Pollok Golf Club: Managing Secretary Donald McKellar 0141 632 4351
90 Barrhead Road, Glasgow G43 1BG
Long-term course
development plan
Recent Committees have spent One key benefit of the plan
considerable time examining is that the course will be easier
the issues that face our Club to maintain and therefore allow
and producing an overview of the current staff time to
improve the overall quality and
how we would like it to develop
presentation of the Course, or
over the next 10 years. alternatively maintain the
The agenda is broad and the challenges Course at its current standards
are many. We want to continue to more cost-effectively.
develop the course which has always had In addition, the existence of
a high reputation. We want to improve a template will discourage
the facilities available to members and to future Captains and
this end are looking at creating a new Committees from ‘tinkering’
practice area on the field to the left of the with the course on the basis of
18th fairway. We want to improve our personal preferences. Instead
entrance and our car park. And we want there will be rational,
to maintain and improve our Clubhouse. considered guidelines to follow.
We now have a clear idea of where we Under the plan the course
want to go. Conscious that journeys cost will be more interesting and
money, we have also developed a enjoyable to play. The altered
stringent financial model which indicates course will reward good play
that the goals we want to achieve can be and encourage players to think
met from within existing projected more carefully about their shot
resources and will not involve the selection. In essence there will
imposition of any considerable increases be a greater emphasis on risk
in subscriptions or levies. and reward; the hallmark of
A vital part of this vision for Pollok MacKenzie-designed courses.
is a long-term development plan for the There are no fundamental
course. It is on this that this changes to the course; the only
consultation process is focused. green that is to be re-built is
As was stated at the last AGM, the the 13th; which is more to do
Committee in 2008 commissioned a with maintenance than design.
review of the Course with a view to The overall length of the White
establishing this long-term plan. Three medal course will remain at
years on, this plan has now been 6,400 yards. Two holes (13th
completed and, after detailed discussion, and 6th) will be shortened and “Hazards should be placed with an object,
has been approved by the Green Sub- two others (10th and 15th) will and none should be made which has not some
Committee. The Committee has agreed it be lengthened, shown in red on influence on the line of play to the hole.”
is time to seek Members’ views on the the planned new scorecard. The Dr Alister MacKenzie
proposed changes to the Course. Yellow tee course will be
The plan achieves the following shortened to 6,000 yards, reflecting the
requirements of our increasing number of We are conscious that changes to the
objectives:
senior Members. Course can be disruptive; as a con-
- It improves the positioning and nature
The completion of the Championship sequence the majority of the work will be
of the hazards on the Course to take
course, which will be approximately completed in the early Autumn to allow
account of the distance the ball is now
6,800 yards in length, will raise the the alterations to be ready for the next
hit and the loss of strategic trees;
profile of the Club through attracting playing season. The plan will not be
- It improves the quality of the bunkers;
National championships. This will implemented on the basis of working
- It completes the Blue Championship
improve the calibre and number of from Hole 1 to Hole 18. Rather, priorities
Course;
golfers seeking to join the Club. It should will be established to centre on three
- It extends the length of the playing be remembered that in the 1960s Pollok initial objectives:
season and reduces general wear hosted both the British Boys’ and British First, to compensate for the loss of
and tear; Youths’ Championships, and at that time certain iconic features and to improve
- It improves the quality of the playing the Glasgow Amateur Championship was the quality of the bunkers.
surfaces; one of the highest profile amateur Secondly, to complete the Champion-
- It improves the quality of the tees; championships in Scotland. The Course ship Course.
- It improves the drainage through re- has not been adapted in structured And thirdly, to improve draining and
opening ditches/canals; and manner to take account of the advances in the aesthetics of the course by opening
- It enhances the visual presentation of technology or more importantly the loss ditches.
the Course. of strategic trees.
While the plan does not specifically deal It will be for the Committee of the day
PLANNED NEW SCOREC
with trees, a woodland management AR D to ensure we achieve best value in
programme will be developed to document Hole Par Blue White implementing the plan. Each part of the
Yellow
formally the recent excellent work in 1 4 390 plan will be subject to detailed drawings,
383 367
thinning out the copses and re-instigate a 2 costing and firm quotations. It is your
4 340 330 320
strategic tree-planting programme. current Committee’s view that no work
3 4 438 373
The plan will be available to view 347 will be commissioned which is likely to
on the website in the Members’ Area, 4 4 405 378 320 put an additional strain on membership
and hard copies will be available in 5 4 372 subscriptions.
372 357
both the Reid and Jamieson lounges. 6 3 173 So as not to overburden the Club
155 132
A presentation on the plans will be 7 finances, and to allow an element of
5 550 502 481
made to the Members on the evening latitude to future Captains and Committees
8 4 400
of Thursday 23 June 2011 at 7.30pm 386 351
9
in terms of their priorities, the timescale
in the Jamieson lounge. The evening 4 440 428 420 for implementing the plan has been set at
will be attended by Malcolm 36 3508 3307 10 years - though, having said that, with a
3095
Clapperton, the golf architect who
fair wind and commitment it could be
has been advising the Committee. 10 4 431 412 366 achieved in a shorter time frame.
The Committee welcomes general,
11 4 427
and for that matter specific, 387 373 Conclusion
comment upon the plan. It is just as 12 3 184 As I said at the AGM, the Club is a broad
167 152
important to hear what you like as 13 4 360 church with members of all abilities. It is
330 310
you dislike about the plan. You will 14 4 410 important that the course remains enjoyable
400 368
have an opportunity to voice them at 15 5 to play by the higher handicapper but also
543 518 476
the presentation, or put them in provides sufficient challenge for the ever-
16 4 335
writing to Donald McKellar 329 317 increasing number of better golfers in and
(manager@pollokgolf.com). The 17 3 185 172 163 joining the Club. This is the fundamental
Committee will listen to the 18 4 420 principle with which Dr Alister MacKenzie
396 382
feedback and make any changes 35 3295 approached golf course design.
3111 2907
where there is an overwhelming Your Committee and I believe that this
71 6803 6418
view that the proposed Course Plan 6002
plan achieves these objectives.
should be altered.
Alick M Bisset, Captain
A significant amount of the work is
minor and, to some extent, has been held
back by your Committee’s view that the
Membership should be fully appraised of
any changes before they are made and
that they should be done in the context of
Questions and Answers
an overall strategy for the course. The There seems to be an increase in the number of re-assessed. However, with the opening of the
bunkers on the course, will this not lead to ditches and bringing the bunkers into play we
only area that possibly requires consent
additional maintenance? do not believe there will be any reduction.
from the membership is the One of the persistent complaints from Members is The 17th Green seemed to take ages to bed in.
re-building of the 13th green. the poor and inconsistent condition of our bunkers. Will the same be true of the planned work?
This will be one of the last While the number of bunkers will increase, the One of the reasons for the slowness of the 17th
projects and should be bunkers themselves will be smaller, and if anything settling in was a result of over-seeding rather than
approved by the Membership at the total area of sand on the course will be reduced laying turf. It is our intention to lay turf, often re-
an AGM at the appropriate time. after the work is completed. More importantly using lifted turf. This will considerably increase the
In terms of costs, if the plan smaller bunkers are easier to maintain and the speed of recovery and reduce cost.
playability more consistent. Why do we not use our own green staff to
was fully implemented and
A number of the bunkers are only moved a complete the work rather than external
completed by external contractors, it short distance and being divided into two, is contractors, which would make considerable
would cost approximately £200,000. The this not a lot of cost for little benefit? savings?
exact costs will only be known when full As mentioned above smaller bunkers are easier to Our Green staff have little experience of
architectural drawings are prepared and maintain and have a more consistent playability. constructing modern bunkers. It may be possible
the work is put out to tender. One of the The majority of our fairway bunkers are relatively when completing the initial work for the external
major benefits of using external large and in the rough. A key principle of Dr contractors to use our staff. This way they will
contractors is the speed at which the work MacKenzie was a bunker should influence a develop the necessary skills to undertake the
player’s line of play. The 10th is one of the few majority of the work. This would result in
can be completed; however, considerable
holes where the fairway bunkers achieve this goal. considerable cost savings.
savings on these costs could be made if While the adjustments are often small, the subtle Will there need to be a large rise in the
the work is done in-house. changes are designed to have a significant impact subscriptions or a levy to pay for the Course
It is not the current Committee’s on the way you play the hole. alterations?
intention to undertake this work in one What will the new bunkers be like? No, the purpose of setting a longer-term plan is
year, but only as and when the Club Being smaller they will be more penal. The ball will fund the project out of existing resources.
finances permit. The work has to be set not run through them as now and you will not Currently, if we break-even on the Income and
against other demands on the Club’s readily be able to hit a rescue club out of the Expenditure Account, we generate £75,000 per
fairway bunkers. There will be fewer sharp edges annum in cash which we can apply to capital
finances, such as repaying its debt, and projects or debt repayment. There is no need to
which will make for easier maintenance and they
other capital projects such as the car park will look more natural than they currently do. have above-inflation subscription rises or levies to
and proposed driving range and practice How will the changes affect the Course CSS? fund this or other projects being considered by the
area listed above. We will not know for sure until the Course is Committee.
Juniors
Our Juniors 2011 Fleming Watson
League campaign started with three
heavy defeats away to Whitecraigs,
The Pollok Do’s
Cathkin Braes and Williamwood.
The team was narrowly defeated by
Eastwood in its first home game. Whilst
we do not have the strength and depth
of the surrounding clubs, the boys
continue to enjoy the comradeship and
team spirit that comes from playing in
the Fleming Watson League.
We have had a reasonable turnout for
our Sunday medals so far this season
and our top player Andrew Dempster
qualified for the knockout stages of the
Club Championship.
Junior numbers now stand at 24 and
we really need to increase this number
if we are to have an active Junior
section in future years. As ever, we
actively encourage Members to
promote the Junior Section to relatives
and friends - not only is there a great
comradeship, the boys are given access to all members of Pollok Golf Club joining Pollok Curling, you should
to the course that is significantly better over the age of 60. The Society contact the Club President Gordon
than any of the surrounding clubs. currently has around 65 members but McQuilkin (gordon@mcquilkin.co.uk)
we are always looking for new blood. or Secretary Brian Anderson
Pollok Golf Club Anyone interested should contact (brian.anderson@btinternet.com).
Senior Golfers’ Society Richard Morris on 0141 637 3146.
Who’s Counting?
The season started well with a home Pollok Curling Club
victory against Turnberry at Pollok. Our Maurice Paterson had his sixth hole-
We have had a very long association
next two away matches against the in-one in a Friendship League Match
with Pollok Curling Club, as they
Royal Perth Golfing Society and originally curled on a outdoor rink in against Eastwood, using a 4 iron on the
Kilmarnock and Barrassie Golf Club the field to the left of the 18th tee. The 6th hole from the white tee.
were less successful in the golfing sense Curling Club is based in our Said Maurice: ‘I have had holes-in-
but a great successful socially which is Clubhouse, with a trophy cabinet in the one in 1980, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2005
really what Seniors golf is all about. Jamieson Lounge, and hold its AGM, and 2011. While the rest of my game
Last season the Society played 10 Annual Dinner and Christmas Ladies’ has been in gentle decline in the current
matches and this year we have added Night in the Clubhouse. century, this trend is more encouraging.
Bothwell Castle Golf Club to our rota. Like all clubs these days it is seeking I played about 12,000 par 3s to have
The inaugural match will be played in fresh blood. Whether a complete novice my first one and about another 8,000
September at Bothwell Castle. or experienced curler, you would be for two more, but the last three have
The Senior Golfers’ Society is open most welcome. If you are interested in come in only a further 7,000 or so.’

Staff Issues
There have been a number of staff
changes over the last 2 months, Jim, our

Q
The Captain was playing the first round of the Mann Cup. He lost the first two caddie master, has retired and has been
holes and when about to play his second shot on the third hole he discovered replaced by Kevin, and John Regan has
he had 15 clubs in the bag. What should he do? been brought in to assist him. Our
assistant Chef has left and has been
replaced by Bill McLelland, and lastly we
so the Captain is now 4 down after 3 holes.
available on three holes the penalty is 2 holes. The match score is adjusted by 2 holes
have recruited two temporary staff to
provide security cover at the far end of
15 clubs were available to play up to a maximum of two holes. As the 15 clubs were
would be 2 down after 3 hole. The score is then adjusted by a hole for every hole the
the Course. We appreciate that with staff
opponent should play out the third hole, if we assume the hole is halved the Captain leaving there have been a number of
A
remainder of the round he would be disqualified. Second the Captain and his
this club for the rest of the round however if he was to use this club during the
gaps in the high service you quite rightly
expect. Your forbearance during this
First he should tell his opponent and declare a club out of play, he can carry period has been much appreciated.

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