SGM - Highlights
Key points from the 2025 SGM
SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
The meeting was held on 22nd January 2025 at 7.00 pm, this was to allow the revised resolutions omitted from the Annual General Meeting to be presented to the members. Around 100 members attended.
The main changes were the change of categories from the present Gold, Silver and Bronze to, in the main, 7, 5 and 3 Day memberships. The change in the Competition Rules had been distributed prior to the meeting should the new resolutions be passed.
The reasons for the change in categories were outlined, the desire for the Ladies to be given equal playing opportunities, particularly in the light of England Golf’s push for equality. The loss of potential membership when enquirers were told that women could not play on Saturday mornings and that the demographic changes, weekday golf being impossible for working women.
The following resolutions were passed with large majorities -
Resolution 1 - the main membership categories changed to 7, 5 and 3 Days as opposed to Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Resolution 2 - the new annual subscriptions passed -
7 Day £1450
5 Day £1150
3 Day £860
7 Day members allowed two (2) free four balls per year, not in Charity events
5 Day members play every weekday except Tuesday morning
3 Day members - play Monday, Wednesday and Sunday
In the first year the ladies would be given a £50 discount.
Resolution 3 - the age range for Intermediate Membership to be 18-34
Resolution 4 - All players over the age of 18 on 1st April will be eligible to vote at Annual and Special General Meetings
Resolution 5 - Country Membership to be £660/year, limited to individuals living more than 50 miles from the Club.
Resolution 6 - The subscriptions for other categories were passed -
Junior £100
Academy £450
Social £50+VAT
Student £200
The Student category being new, limited to those over 18 years and in full time education
Resolution 7 - the requirement for an Auditor was changed to be an Independent Accountant, with a saving of £2500/annum.
Following the resolutions the meeting was thrown open to questions.
Communication - especially relating to the state of the Greens was raised, the Green Director gave a response, saying changes were in place but the condition of the course was weather dependent.
Course playability - there was an inconsistency of the playability of the course, which holes are in place, the Green Director promised the issue would be resolved.
Driving Range, Professional Shop - it was explained that the Board was aware of the concerns about these areas, the matter was under consideration and advice was being taken.
Bewacard levy - it was explained that if a levy was imposed then members would see this as part of the subscription and would not effect the amounts spent in the Clubhouse.
Male Silver members - it had been noted that male Silver members were not been offered the £50 discount, since the meeting the Board had agreed to the discount for male Silver members.
Availability of seating and facilities on Tuesdays - the concern was raised, the House Director responded that he would review the issue and introduce appropriate changes.
3 Day members - it was suggested that 3 Day members had been allowed to ‘swop’ the days, it was clearly stated that the 3 Day membership allowed play on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays
The meeting closed at 8.07pm.
The meeting was held on 22nd January 2025 at 7.00 pm, this was to allow the revised resolutions omitted from the Annual General Meeting to be presented to the members. Around 100 members attended.
The main changes were the change of categories from the present Gold, Silver and Bronze to, in the main, 7, 5 and 3 Day memberships. The change in the Competition Rules had been distributed prior to the meeting should the new resolutions be passed.
The reasons for the change in categories were outlined, the desire for the Ladies to be given equal playing opportunities, particularly in the light of England Golf’s push for equality. The loss of potential membership when enquirers were told that women could not play on Saturday mornings and that the demographic changes, weekday golf being impossible for working women.
The following resolutions were passed with large majorities -
Resolution 1 - the main membership categories changed to 7, 5 and 3 Days as opposed to Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Resolution 2 - the new annual subscriptions passed -
7 Day £1450
5 Day £1150
3 Day £860
7 Day members allowed two (2) free four balls per year, not in Charity events
5 Day members play every weekday except Tuesday morning
3 Day members - play Monday, Wednesday and Sunday
In the first year the ladies would be given a £50 discount.
Resolution 3 - the age range for Intermediate Membership to be 18-34
Resolution 4 - All players over the age of 18 on 1st April will be eligible to vote at Annual and Special General Meetings
Resolution 5 - Country Membership to be £660/year, limited to individuals living more than 50 miles from the Club.
Resolution 6 - The subscriptions for other categories were passed -
Junior £100
Academy £450
Social £50+VAT
Student £200
The Student category being new, limited to those over 18 years and in full time education
Resolution 7 - the requirement for an Auditor was changed to be an Independent Accountant, with a saving of £2500/annum.
Following the resolutions the meeting was thrown open to questions.
Communication - especially relating to the state of the Greens was raised, the Green Director gave a response, saying changes were in place but the condition of the course was weather dependent.
Course playability - there was an inconsistency of the playability of the course, which holes are in place, the Green Director promised the issue would be resolved.
Driving Range, Professional Shop - it was explained that the Board was aware of the concerns about these areas, the matter was under consideration and advice was being taken.
Bewacard levy - it was explained that if a levy was imposed then members would see this as part of the subscription and would not effect the amounts spent in the Clubhouse.
Male Silver members - it had been noted that male Silver members were not been offered the £50 discount, since the meeting the Board had agreed to the discount for male Silver members.
Availability of seating and facilities on Tuesdays - the concern was raised, the House Director responded that he would review the issue and introduce appropriate changes.
3 Day members - it was suggested that 3 Day members had been allowed to ‘swop’ the days, it was clearly stated that the 3 Day membership allowed play on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays
The meeting closed at 8.07pm.