Anniversary Dinner Speech Ladies and gentlemen, guests and members, of Bowral Golf Club. Good evening and welcome to this the anniversary dinner celebrating 118 years of Bowral Golf Club. Thank you Brian for your words. When I was first became Captain 7 years ago I asked Brian to perform a similar role at the formal captains dinner and then Brian there were no more speaking appointments for you. Members could be forgiven in thinking that such was Brian’s performance on that night that I decided not to ask him again. Not so. Your words that night were outstanding and inspiring – the problem was more a question of me running the continued risk of being overshadowed at subsequent events.
Tonight I decided to risk once more being shown up by your eloquence and invited you. The attendance tonight is due to in no small measure to the excitement and anticipation created by inclusion of you, Brian being the MC - Thank you.
This is the second time, we are celebrating the anniversary of the club this new way with the combining of our 2 formal dinners into one. This year is another change a first in the combining of presentations to all club champions, both men and women, by the captains. That will occur after we have had our main course.
Today the men played for the President Cup donated by the first president Thomas Keigwin - for the last 4 years I have followed his self sacrificing example by allowing others to win on this day.
So tonight is both about our club and our club champions
We, Bowral Golf Club are one of the oldest clubs in NSW.
The first reliable report of Golf being played NSW was in the 1839 at Grose Farm, ground that now forms part of the campus of the University of Sydney and RPA. The oldest active golf club in Australia is The Australian Golf Club being established in 1884. Royal Sydney Golf Club was formed in 1893 first playing at Concord. We, Bowral Golf Club, trace our beginnings to 1901, first playing on land near the hospital and after a few shifts to our home here at Kangaloon Road to 1917.
The founders, quoting from Doug Stalleys history “These were men of considerable professional, business and sporting talent and it is no wonder that the Club was launched so successfully” . The requirement for considerable sporting talent has been waved for the current president.
Now we are in 2019, and we have the same club but club has changed. Obviously the members are different, no one lives that long, but most other things have evolved.
Times changes, things change , changes have been introduced. If we don’t we run the risk of failing – being left behind. In our case, over the years, such things as the dress required on the course, changes on the course itself, where members may sit, how one must dress in the clubhouse and at what times one must dress like so, the competitions played and how they are played etc etc. The trophy we played for today was originally a 36 hole stableford now an 18 hole stroke round. Another example is this dinner we now have is a combined dinner/presentation (another change as it was up until the early 80’s the championships were presented at the AGM). Changes in such other things as the constitution, who is welcome at the club, who will be admitted as members are more examples. Indeed even the rules of golf were changed . Things need to change so that we can survive, grow and remain relevant to today’s standards, demands, needs etc. The R&A said the rule changes were “to make the game more attractive and accessible for newcomers.” And that is one of the reasons we change here. We want to make our club more attractive and accessible to members – both existing and new.
How we introduce and manage change is important. We change but we keep our tradition intact. Who we are is important.
One thing that hasn’t changed is why we are here - that is extracted from the strategic plan is “To provide an enjoyable golf and club experience in a welcoming atmosphere to members and guests whilst maintaining the legacy of our history and traditions.” That’s what the board and members want and everything that we do is to meet that aim.
What does it mean to be a director or president. First it is a tremendous privilege of being entrusted to maintain our clubs legacy and traditions and to make it a place where members want to be - not only for golf but also to be in the company of other members.
It is a privilege but without privileges . There are no reserved tee times (now) no free drinks or meals, no special tables, no blazers, no expenses, no golf balls and no parking.
Whoa is us. Directors do it believing that they can help. To misquote Gilbert And Sullivan ‘the culminating pleasure that we treasure beyond measure is the satisfying feeling that we have done our very best.
Like the farmers with their land each board wants to leave the farm or club in a better state than they found it. We got our club from the efforts of those that came before us. Things have changed over the years but those changes have contributed to our success.
How are we doing over the last few years.
Compared with 2008 the coffee standard has improved out of sight
Membership now stands at 622 up 100 from a few years ago
Number of rounds and comp rounds continues to increase
The number of visitors is up
Improvements are many on both to the course and clubhouse - - improvements to come soon are the short game practice area and extensions to the cart shed.
Each year our finances are improving $ are up - this year a bit better than last but there is a way to go.
There are many here that have served on the board and I would like to highlight the service given by one outstanding member in particular. A member since 1980, active in all competitions, attending all official and formal events, helping in working bees, kind enough to laugh at my jokes, first elected to the committee in 1982 and in the following year as captain, which he remained up to 1985; he was then vice president 1987–1989 and president 1990–1992 and then taking on being captain again for a further term to fill that critical position. Supported by Lynette our patron Brian Lamb is a special member. Thank you Brian
The Board and I recognise the efforts of our staff and volunteers, especially those who do it week in and week out largely unheralded.
A word about our staff our clubs great asset led by Kevin Kenny. We see the front line staff but there are other staff that we don’t see. For example - outstanding in the kitchen and catering is Regina recognised and unreservedly so for the standard of catering that we as members enjoy. But there are 8 others that serve in the kitchen at times and I recognise tonight all of those contribute to the club in their less obvious roles
Everyone who volunteers in the club is appreciated and special thanks to the golfing committees, the board and those gentlemen of dad’s army but there are many many others. Tonight the flowers were done Helen and Wendy - an excellent job. Thank you.
So welcome to this night , enjoy this night , congratulations to the championship winners and thank you for supporting Bowral Golf club, our club.
So ladies and gentlemen I ask that you to charge your glasses, stand and offer a toast.
A toast to Bowral Golf Club
Please enjoy the evening.
Kevin Burke
President
Tonight I decided to risk once more being shown up by your eloquence and invited you. The attendance tonight is due to in no small measure to the excitement and anticipation created by inclusion of you, Brian being the MC - Thank you.
This is the second time, we are celebrating the anniversary of the club this new way with the combining of our 2 formal dinners into one. This year is another change a first in the combining of presentations to all club champions, both men and women, by the captains. That will occur after we have had our main course.
Today the men played for the President Cup donated by the first president Thomas Keigwin - for the last 4 years I have followed his self sacrificing example by allowing others to win on this day.
So tonight is both about our club and our club champions
We, Bowral Golf Club are one of the oldest clubs in NSW.
The first reliable report of Golf being played NSW was in the 1839 at Grose Farm, ground that now forms part of the campus of the University of Sydney and RPA. The oldest active golf club in Australia is The Australian Golf Club being established in 1884. Royal Sydney Golf Club was formed in 1893 first playing at Concord. We, Bowral Golf Club, trace our beginnings to 1901, first playing on land near the hospital and after a few shifts to our home here at Kangaloon Road to 1917.
The founders, quoting from Doug Stalleys history “These were men of considerable professional, business and sporting talent and it is no wonder that the Club was launched so successfully” . The requirement for considerable sporting talent has been waved for the current president.
Now we are in 2019, and we have the same club but club has changed. Obviously the members are different, no one lives that long, but most other things have evolved.
Times changes, things change , changes have been introduced. If we don’t we run the risk of failing – being left behind. In our case, over the years, such things as the dress required on the course, changes on the course itself, where members may sit, how one must dress in the clubhouse and at what times one must dress like so, the competitions played and how they are played etc etc. The trophy we played for today was originally a 36 hole stableford now an 18 hole stroke round. Another example is this dinner we now have is a combined dinner/presentation (another change as it was up until the early 80’s the championships were presented at the AGM). Changes in such other things as the constitution, who is welcome at the club, who will be admitted as members are more examples. Indeed even the rules of golf were changed . Things need to change so that we can survive, grow and remain relevant to today’s standards, demands, needs etc. The R&A said the rule changes were “to make the game more attractive and accessible for newcomers.” And that is one of the reasons we change here. We want to make our club more attractive and accessible to members – both existing and new.
How we introduce and manage change is important. We change but we keep our tradition intact. Who we are is important.
One thing that hasn’t changed is why we are here - that is extracted from the strategic plan is “To provide an enjoyable golf and club experience in a welcoming atmosphere to members and guests whilst maintaining the legacy of our history and traditions.” That’s what the board and members want and everything that we do is to meet that aim.
What does it mean to be a director or president. First it is a tremendous privilege of being entrusted to maintain our clubs legacy and traditions and to make it a place where members want to be - not only for golf but also to be in the company of other members.
It is a privilege but without privileges . There are no reserved tee times (now) no free drinks or meals, no special tables, no blazers, no expenses, no golf balls and no parking.
Whoa is us. Directors do it believing that they can help. To misquote Gilbert And Sullivan ‘the culminating pleasure that we treasure beyond measure is the satisfying feeling that we have done our very best.
Like the farmers with their land each board wants to leave the farm or club in a better state than they found it. We got our club from the efforts of those that came before us. Things have changed over the years but those changes have contributed to our success.
How are we doing over the last few years.
Compared with 2008 the coffee standard has improved out of sight
Membership now stands at 622 up 100 from a few years ago
Number of rounds and comp rounds continues to increase
The number of visitors is up
Improvements are many on both to the course and clubhouse - - improvements to come soon are the short game practice area and extensions to the cart shed.
Each year our finances are improving $ are up - this year a bit better than last but there is a way to go.
There are many here that have served on the board and I would like to highlight the service given by one outstanding member in particular. A member since 1980, active in all competitions, attending all official and formal events, helping in working bees, kind enough to laugh at my jokes, first elected to the committee in 1982 and in the following year as captain, which he remained up to 1985; he was then vice president 1987–1989 and president 1990–1992 and then taking on being captain again for a further term to fill that critical position. Supported by Lynette our patron Brian Lamb is a special member. Thank you Brian
The Board and I recognise the efforts of our staff and volunteers, especially those who do it week in and week out largely unheralded.
A word about our staff our clubs great asset led by Kevin Kenny. We see the front line staff but there are other staff that we don’t see. For example - outstanding in the kitchen and catering is Regina recognised and unreservedly so for the standard of catering that we as members enjoy. But there are 8 others that serve in the kitchen at times and I recognise tonight all of those contribute to the club in their less obvious roles
Everyone who volunteers in the club is appreciated and special thanks to the golfing committees, the board and those gentlemen of dad’s army but there are many many others. Tonight the flowers were done Helen and Wendy - an excellent job. Thank you.
So welcome to this night , enjoy this night , congratulations to the championship winners and thank you for supporting Bowral Golf club, our club.
So ladies and gentlemen I ask that you to charge your glasses, stand and offer a toast.
A toast to Bowral Golf Club
Please enjoy the evening.
Kevin Burke
President