Captains Report
14/01/25
Captains’ Report
14/01/25
It gives me great pleasure to be sitting here today writing my first Captain’s report. Firstly, let me thank immediate past captain John Falconer for the learning experience of being your Vice Captain, it was hard work but fun and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I would also like to thank a few close friends (no names) for always being at the end of the phone, your help was invaluable. Most importantly I would like to thank all the members for making me very welcome when I joined Buchanan Castle just over four years ago. This welcome has led to me taking up the role of captain and it is a position that I feel very proud to hold.
At the AGM on 7th December I was overwhelmed by the vote of confidence I received. As I said at the AGM “I am a glass half full” type of person and hopefully with the support of my fellow committee members we can help Buchanan grow again.
To be honest in these difficult financial times it will not be easy but think of all the positives we have: David and Naila spearheading The Malones. We have great facilities including a magnificent course which I acknowledge does come in for its fair share of criticism but having attended many of the open competitions last year the feedback from visitors was very positive.
Initially when I started to type up my first Captain’s report we had Jason running our Pro shop and I was so looking forward to my first year as Captain and working along side him but alas not to be. Jason and I had a long discussion when he handed in his notice and as I said previously it was with much reluctance that I accepted his resignation. I would like to thank Jason for everything he has done for Buchanan and wish him all the best at Gleddoch where I know he will do well.
Now the task is to find a successor and I can advise this the initial steps are underway. A big hole to fill but I am sure we will find the right person and I ask all members to bear with me whilst I along with The Board carry out the process of finding a replacement for Jason.
Going forward I will publish my report following the meeting of the Golf Committee. My report will also include the report of the Ladies Captain (Ali Thompson) and thus all members will see both reports.
Our golf committee will be encouraged to think out of the box and try new ideas, if they work brilliant but if not, we will learn from the experience. I would also encourage all members to come up with ideas and if they are willing to champion that idea then we could discuss and take forward.
For 2025 we have already agreed the following :-
3 Balloted medals, Spring, Summer and Autumn meetings.
Faldo Juniors Event Sunday 27/04/25
Golf in Scotland, 3 major events : Thur 1st May, Sun 29th June & Sun 3rd Aug
Reintroduce the Junior Open on Thursday 10th July
Walker Glass Waltz on Saturday 20th September
All these events have been posted in the club diary if you wish more information.
Those of you who have been using V1 recently will have noticed a GIS event (US Masters Texas Scramble) on Sunday 29/06/25 pitched at £30 per player. First reaction ! That’s a bit pricey considering our Open Competitions are £20 per head. The price was advised by GIS and reflects the prizes at stake. So much so that a GIS representative will walk round with each game
I am very lucky to have Chris Brisbane as my Vice Captain and he brings invaluable experience to the golf committee. Chris will be working on the new Buchanan Castle Invitational event. Another project that he is working on is to produce a record of the roles and responsibilities of each committee member.
I also welcome Paul Mosley as Greens Convenor and Derek Bennett as Course Director who will work together to enhance our course.
Our first big event of the year should have been the Hangover Trophy which we tried to play on two occasions, unfortunately Weather 1 Competition 0.
February sees the continuation of the Race to Drymen which is nearing the knockout stages and the Captains Drive In (knees shaking already)
Finally, I would like to thank all our volunteers, from weed killing, car parking, event scoring and competition closing & results. Without these guys the club would simply not work, I applaud you all.
Ian Matthews
Captain
LADIES CAPTAIN REPORT
14th JANUARY 2025
2024 Callander Golfing Year drew to a close with a whimper. It has been a year of disruption due to weather patterns meaning that our plans had to be changed or abandoned. However our ladies are made of sterner stuff and managed to smile through the rain and compete in as many competitions as they could.
Congratulations to Jean Leitch becoming our Ladies Champion and is now our Vice Captain for the coming season. We welcome Diane Hodgkinson and Chrissie Holt to our team and thank them for coming aboard. We have a strong team and I know we will work well together.
Christmas Lunch was well supported and enjoyed by everyone present. Ladies were so generous that day contributing to The Beatson, Greenstaff & Gratuity for the Malones. Christmas Lunch is scheduled for 16th December, 2025. We were entertained by the Bryan Marshall Singers who sing for The Beatson Hospital.
We have a Burns Lunch on Sunday 26th January. It will be a fun lunch with touches of music and poetry respecting Robert Burns. Please book early as this will be a popular event. There is also a Quiz Night scheduled for the 22nd February.
Ali Thompson. Ladies Captain
14/01/25
It gives me great pleasure to be sitting here today writing my first Captain’s report. Firstly, let me thank immediate past captain John Falconer for the learning experience of being your Vice Captain, it was hard work but fun and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I would also like to thank a few close friends (no names) for always being at the end of the phone, your help was invaluable. Most importantly I would like to thank all the members for making me very welcome when I joined Buchanan Castle just over four years ago. This welcome has led to me taking up the role of captain and it is a position that I feel very proud to hold.
At the AGM on 7th December I was overwhelmed by the vote of confidence I received. As I said at the AGM “I am a glass half full” type of person and hopefully with the support of my fellow committee members we can help Buchanan grow again.
To be honest in these difficult financial times it will not be easy but think of all the positives we have: David and Naila spearheading The Malones. We have great facilities including a magnificent course which I acknowledge does come in for its fair share of criticism but having attended many of the open competitions last year the feedback from visitors was very positive.
Initially when I started to type up my first Captain’s report we had Jason running our Pro shop and I was so looking forward to my first year as Captain and working along side him but alas not to be. Jason and I had a long discussion when he handed in his notice and as I said previously it was with much reluctance that I accepted his resignation. I would like to thank Jason for everything he has done for Buchanan and wish him all the best at Gleddoch where I know he will do well.
Now the task is to find a successor and I can advise this the initial steps are underway. A big hole to fill but I am sure we will find the right person and I ask all members to bear with me whilst I along with The Board carry out the process of finding a replacement for Jason.
Going forward I will publish my report following the meeting of the Golf Committee. My report will also include the report of the Ladies Captain (Ali Thompson) and thus all members will see both reports.
Our golf committee will be encouraged to think out of the box and try new ideas, if they work brilliant but if not, we will learn from the experience. I would also encourage all members to come up with ideas and if they are willing to champion that idea then we could discuss and take forward.
For 2025 we have already agreed the following :-
3 Balloted medals, Spring, Summer and Autumn meetings.
Faldo Juniors Event Sunday 27/04/25
Golf in Scotland, 3 major events : Thur 1st May, Sun 29th June & Sun 3rd Aug
Reintroduce the Junior Open on Thursday 10th July
Walker Glass Waltz on Saturday 20th September
All these events have been posted in the club diary if you wish more information.
Those of you who have been using V1 recently will have noticed a GIS event (US Masters Texas Scramble) on Sunday 29/06/25 pitched at £30 per player. First reaction ! That’s a bit pricey considering our Open Competitions are £20 per head. The price was advised by GIS and reflects the prizes at stake. So much so that a GIS representative will walk round with each game
I am very lucky to have Chris Brisbane as my Vice Captain and he brings invaluable experience to the golf committee. Chris will be working on the new Buchanan Castle Invitational event. Another project that he is working on is to produce a record of the roles and responsibilities of each committee member.
I also welcome Paul Mosley as Greens Convenor and Derek Bennett as Course Director who will work together to enhance our course.
Our first big event of the year should have been the Hangover Trophy which we tried to play on two occasions, unfortunately Weather 1 Competition 0.
February sees the continuation of the Race to Drymen which is nearing the knockout stages and the Captains Drive In (knees shaking already)
Finally, I would like to thank all our volunteers, from weed killing, car parking, event scoring and competition closing & results. Without these guys the club would simply not work, I applaud you all.
Ian Matthews
Captain
LADIES CAPTAIN REPORT
14th JANUARY 2025
2024 Callander Golfing Year drew to a close with a whimper. It has been a year of disruption due to weather patterns meaning that our plans had to be changed or abandoned. However our ladies are made of sterner stuff and managed to smile through the rain and compete in as many competitions as they could.
Congratulations to Jean Leitch becoming our Ladies Champion and is now our Vice Captain for the coming season. We welcome Diane Hodgkinson and Chrissie Holt to our team and thank them for coming aboard. We have a strong team and I know we will work well together.
Christmas Lunch was well supported and enjoyed by everyone present. Ladies were so generous that day contributing to The Beatson, Greenstaff & Gratuity for the Malones. Christmas Lunch is scheduled for 16th December, 2025. We were entertained by the Bryan Marshall Singers who sing for The Beatson Hospital.
We have a Burns Lunch on Sunday 26th January. It will be a fun lunch with touches of music and poetry respecting Robert Burns. Please book early as this will be a popular event. There is also a Quiz Night scheduled for the 22nd February.
Ali Thompson. Ladies Captain