Just because our golf course is the best you have ever seen it and is being talked about in Northern Ireland’s world of golf, doesn’t mean that the economic recession has gone away. Council invested your money by entrusting to Aaron Small the development of the course, our greatest asset. We have invested in him and his staff and in every bit of machinery he said is essential to bring this about. Upgrading the course is a work in progress and is costly. It is not achieved by chance.

The cost-income imbalance in current club finances has brought the impact of global economics right to our door. With club income down this year by £30,000, through resignations and subscription defaults, Council has been forced to commence a root and branch assessment of how the club is run and how the income is spent.

The objectives are (a) to continue running a successful golf club at a price members can afford and (b) to maintain club services at less cost. Everything therefore is under the microscope.

To replenish its falling membership base Council is also launching a vigorous, pro-active campaign to attract new members. This is a new experience for Donaghadee Golf Club. Its competitors in the market place, or catchment area, are our neighbouring golf clubs, undergoing similar experiences.

Decisive action is being taken while Donaghadee Golf Club is in good financial standing and to ensure it so remains. The club has no loans, or other borrowings. The money the club has in the bank is being eked out as frugally as possible. Past surpluses have ensured this financially healthy position.

While not proposing major capital programmes now, Council is still planning short-term clubhouse improvements, like replacing, or refurbishing dining room furniture, upgrading locker rooms and maintaining course development. Against a background of controlled expenditure and reduced income resourcefulness is at a premium.

• To ease recruitment, Council has decided that husbands, wives/partners of existing playing members may be admitted without the need to pay an entrance fee for the rest of 2009.
• Former members are to be contacted and offered the opportunity to rejoin without an entrance fee. The deal is open for three months.
• A full member joining next month, July, will be offered membership on a pro-rata basis - £302.50 for 2009. Admission to full membership from acceptable candidates without entrance fee will be open the public for one month from an Open Night, the date of which is yet to be fixed.

Following two meetings of the Finance Committee, which considered a comprehensive business review conducted by Jim McCurley, acting secretary, Jeff Aiken, vice captain and Mary Molloy, past lady captain, recommendations were made to a special meeting of Council last week and more will be considered at this week’s normal monthly meeting. A full list of all the decisions and actions approved by Council will be posted soon on the Council notice board.

John Devine, Captain, For and on behalf of the Club officers and Council.