No one was looking forward to it - but there were a good number of members who did  turn up to wish Margaret and Sharon 'All the Best' on the last full Bar trading day before moving out for the Clubhouse renovation.

With Margaret having 40 years and Sharon 15 years service with the Welbeck Club, it was an emotional day, with plenty of hugs - and a few tears - but the members did their very best to keep their spirits up - so much so - some were enjoying themselves so much, they had to be almost forcibly removed at closing time!
It is the end of an era, which is sad - but we do have to look forward​​ to  us returning almost a year from now. to a refurbished and modern Clubhouse which we all can be proud of and enjoy. Members don't need to do anything special  - just carry on playing golf and continue to support your club.

Another big step forward today with the arrival of the modular units which will house the temporary Clubhouse overlooking the Fullarton's 18th green. This was a very slick operation, carried out in showery conditions with only a light wind. None the less, the skilful big Crane driver and the build team made it look simple. Well done Lads!
The team working on the installation of the services pipework etc. are also making good progress and are now working on connecting to the main systems at the original Clubhouse building. It will not be long now until we are moving in.
Tomorrow - Wednesday 25th, November, is the last day our Bar will be in operation, and sadly we say good-bye to Margaret, Sharon, Karen, young Karen and Rhys, We are grateful for their valued contributions down the years and wish them all the very best for the future​.
Reminder: The majority of lockers have now been emptied, a list of the lockers with items still in them is on the notice board, and these need to be cleared by Sunday 29th. November at the latest or they will be put in the skip.
The same fate awaits the 25 pairs of shoes and 25 Caddy-Cars still in the Locker Room - Final Notice​!

Club Survey;  We have sent out an email via Howdidido with an attachment which can be downloaded and printed out for completion. Hard copies are available in the Clubhouse if preferred, as is the box for completed surveys.  We hope you will take the time to complete the survey - we value your input and it is important to us.​Thank you.

Despite some really dreadful weather in the past week, the contractors are working hard to lay the Founds and dig the channels necessary for the various Services needed for the operation of the temporary Clubhouse.

The Welbeck Clubhouse is still open - but looks a little bare as we prepare to remove various items, either for storage, or for use in our temporary Office/Clubroom. This is going well, we are on schedule and we are having excellent co-operation and help from the S.A.C. removers - Regency Removals. This has meant we have not had to call on all of our list of willing volunteers to help. I thank you all for offering to help - it is much appreciated.

S.A.C. have tastefully re-opened the Café,( Bunker), to provide a service to Golfers using the courses​​ in the short term.

It is a privilege as Captain to have the opportunity to pay tribute, and to honour the contribution Alan has made to Welbeck Golf Club.
Whenever you met Alan at the club, he looked as if he had just won the Lottery – he always had a cheery smile and a warm greeting for whoever he met. And this carried on to the course, he loved the game -  and played it with an infectious enthusiasm – like the rest of us, Alan liked to win -  and tasted success – but he knew it didn’t happen every week.
Living adjacent to the 4th. Tee on the Darley, Alan had a grandstand view from his upstairs window, and enjoyed many a laugh at our expense, watching the feeble efforts of grown men trying to hit the green a mere 125 yards away!  You would often meet Alan and his pet Labrador around the 4th. green - and fail to impress him with a duffed chip to an impossible flag position – “Nearly” he would smile –“ next time keep your heid doon!”
I am sure there will be a fund of humerous anecdotes involving Alan that we can all recall and enjoy, but the real and lasting contribution Alan made to our Golf Club was as a hard –working member of the Committee. Here he gave unselfishly of his time and talents, assisting  Junior Convenor Joe Carson, in running an enthusiastic, highly talented and incredibly successful Junior Section which produced a Scottish Boys Champion and a Scottish Amateur Champion in the same year-a rare feat -and much to the envy of our near neighbours! On Joe’s promotion to Captain, Alan took over as Junior Convenor, introducing his own brand of leadership, with continued success. Of all the posts on the Golf Club Committee, none is more challenging and responsible than that of the Junior Convenor, and Alan took this on. Can you imagine looking after, upwards of 30 boys aged from 9 to 17, all convinced they are the next Rory McIlroy, gathering to play twice and sometimes 3 times a week, plus Team Matches. It is a major commitment and responsibility which requires a combination of tact, encouragement, discipline and fun. It is also very rewarding, as you watch those under your charge, improve their game to a level, where they find themselves playing for their Club, their County, their Country, perhaps an American University, or in some cases, Professionally for their living. Each having learned along the way how to conduct themselves on the course and in the Clubhouse, good manners, respect for others, the joy of winning, and to be gracious in defeat. Before passing the baton to his successor, and taking up a starring role with the Seniors Team, Alan Archibald did all that, and his legacy must be, that today there are a large number of young men who are grateful for his friendship, his character-forming leadership and guidance.
Heidi – be proud of your  husband, David, Lauren and Michael – be proud of your Dad – he was a good friend to us all, he was a good servant to the Club, and has left his mark on Troon Welbeck, and will be sorely missed.

David McMahon, Captain​