DEAN WOOD GC - HURLSTON HALL GC - LONGRIDGE GC
MYTTON FOLD GC – HART COMMON GC - HINDLEY HALL GC - WILPSHIRE GC
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting was held at Hurlston Hall GC on Thursday 1st May 2025 and was attended by League Club members and Team organisers.
The meeting opened at 9am by the League Secretary and as there were no apologies and no challenges to the League Secretary, Nigel Fairhurst was appointed as League Secretary for 2025.
Prior to the AGM notices of the intended constitutional changes were made and submitted to a vote by the teams. Only the Club representative can vote having canvased their members.
Secretary outlined the current financial situation with pressure on funds due to a number of factors, including inflation and the loss of two Clubs. However, Dean Wood GC have joined the League and it is hoped that Mersey Valley GC would join for 2026. Winning monies are currently in arrears and we should endeavour to rectify this
We have a new sponsor in Merlin Wealth Management; who sponsor Wilpshire GC; who will be making a presentation to the players prior to the meal today. Should this prove successful, we will be in a position to seek sponsorship from them, up to £500 per annum for three years.
The President Club 2025 is Mytton Fold GC and I am assured that they will be able to provide all the necessary facilities, with the erection of a marque and food from an outside caterer.
That aside, the Secretary sent to each Club options that could ease the financial pressures and be one of the few Leagues that offer monetary prizes for winnings. He had invoiced Clubs just £100 for League fees prior to the meeting in case option one was successful. All 2024 outstanding winnings have now been paid. The options are set out below:
Option One: Increase the League fees to £150 for one year only, 2025. If agreed an additional £50 invoice will be sent to each Club. This will support the 2025 prize monies.
Option Two: Suspend winning prize money for one year.
Option Three: Award prize monies at the end of each season, based on surplus funds each year.
Option Four: Vote not to have financial winnings for the League.
By a majority option three was adopted.
The Constitution will be changed accordingly and will be uploaded to the website.
AGM Four Man Team Report
Glorious sunshine greeted the players from the seven Clubs in the League, turning out to be the hottest 1st May on record. This played havoc with the Head Greenkeepers plans at Hurlston Hall GC, who had Holitined and scarified the greens four weeks ago, followed by no significant rain. Late night watering did not suffice and the greens were challenging, main complaint was they were slow.
However, looking back on the last two years; in 2023 95 points was the winning score; 93 points in 2024; this year 90 points were top of the pile. Interestingly one player has been on the winning team for each of the three years, Anthony Skeet from Hindley Hall GC. Well done, Anthony.
Playing from the first tee were Tony Robinson and Eric Todd, along with Manchester City fan Kevin Young in RED and Gazza Matthews a devoted, in pain, Manchester United fan in BLUE!!
Third place went to Brendon Barrett (W), Phil Chadwick (MF), Andrew Tillotson (L) and Andrew Taylor (HinH) with 87 points. Second by a card playoff Tony Robinson (HC), Gary Matthews (HinH), Eric Todd (HH), Kevin Young (W).
The winners with 90 points were Gerry Girvin (W), Adrew Brown (DW), Derek Doyle (HH), Anthony Skeet (HinH). Anthony, as previously stated a previous winner, featured on their card 13 times one more than Gerry Girvan. Well played guys.
Massive thank you to the management and staff of Hurlston Hall GC for all the great facilities and staff who looked after all of us brilliantly.
Nigel Fairhurst
Secretary North West Seniors League