Heydon Grange Members' Website
Updated: 23 Feb 2025
AGM & Trophy Night
AGM Minutes 2024/25
Thursday, 20 February 2025
Heydon Grange Golf Club AGM 2025
Opening Address
CY opened the meeting welcoming members and noting apologies received from Graham Handscombe, John Black, Jean Black and Kevin Esplin.
Men's Captain Update
CY went on to reflect on the sad passing of Bryan Nunn and noting that a new trophy for the Mixed Winter League had been donated by his family as a memorial. Bryan will be sadly missed by members.
CY also mentioned John Black and wished him and his family all the best reflecting on how supportive he has been and a stalwart of the club for many years. Members all agreed with this sentiment.
CY thanked the Akhtar family for their continued support for the club and mentioned the challenges of lower membership, costs of maintaining the course increasing and infrastructure support in the clubhouse as being challenging for both Heydon and clubs in general.
Thanks were given to Carl and the greenkeeping team for their work on the course and the improvements now being seen which hopefully will support increased membership numbers
CY also mentioned Steve Rodham for his work in arranging competitions and for those who supported during the year to keep these running with Gay Rodham and AG supporting in particular for the Mixed Winter League which was a great success.
MR was also mentioned for his work arranging men’s club matches with a successful year seeing wins in the 20/20 Cup, Captains Challenge and Men’s Vens.
Also, thanks were issued to Phil Black and Malcolm Knobel-Forbes for their ongoing support with advice on rules and representative activity with CAGU.
Ray Tweddle was thanked for arranging away weekends for men during the last few years which have been well attended.
The Cambridge Cancer Health Centre will be donated £1,500+ from members fundraising this year with arrangements being made to transfer the funds and a possible visit in the year.
CY mentioned the well-attended Xmas meal for men.
Gavin Thompson was thanked for his work on revamping the website last year.
A vote was taken to increase competition fees to £5 and was carried for men’s competitions
CY also thanked DP for his work as treasurer and updating the PC last year. An exercise will be undertaken to review the data held for members in 2025 to ensure its accuracy.
Ladies Captain Update
TE thanked members for their attendance and reflected on the course improvements despite some challenging weather recently. Thanks were given to the greenkeeping team for their hard work. Also thanks were given for the hard work on the bunkers ahead of the Grace Norman match in the season.
TE mentioned that it had been an enjoyable year for the ladies section and how supportive everyone had been towards each other.
TE thanks Elaine Knobel-Forbes for her support and Debbie Pearce for hers. TE will take the role of county rep with Deb Tweddle and Anne Peers supporting Debbie Pearce in her new role as Captain.
TE thanked her committee and gave her best wishes to Debbie Pearce who will take over the role in 2025.
Treasurers Report
DP presented the accounts for the Friends Of Heydon Grange and mentioned the changes in the way fund for all sections are structured made.
A change on banking provider has improved things.
DP noted an overspend of expenditure vs income of £272.30 due to some exceptional items related to engraving, signage and a new PC in the year and this shouldn’t be an issue going forward.
The closure of the Barclays account is being sorted to close down the banking relationship with them with the move to the new provider.
DP then covered the men’s section account which has also seen a small overspend due to some exceptional items.
Plans to move towards online payment of fees will be introduced in 2025 to reduce banking costs associated with cash.
Election Of Club Committee For 2025/26
The following elections were confirmed by the members
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Captain and Handicap Secretary Craig Young
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Vice Captain Alan Hawkins
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Treasurer Denham Pearce
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Webmaster Gavin Thompson
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Match Secretary Martin Redgewell
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Secretary Alan Goldsworthy
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Social Secretary Lee Honey
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Competitions Steve Rodham and John Black
These proposals were carried.
Management and Greenkeepers Report
SA explained that bunkers are being addressed with a large amount of sand being used to fill these and bring them back into play.
An egronomist is attending monthly to support and treat the grass on all areas of the course. The plan is to restore the greens to their original size with the irrigation covering all areas of the greens.
Membership fees will remain unchanged in 2025 with plans to look at additional greenkeeping staff and hot food provision being explored.
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7 Day £895
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5 Day £695
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Weekend £475
AOB
John Rodham mentioned Buggies on the course in icy or wet conditions. Dave Watts and SA confirmed this wasn’t allowed and they prevent this to avoid damaging the course.
Phil Black mentioned the speed with which the new irrigation system had been out into place and thanked the Akhtar family for their support with this.
Dave Watts asked what plans there were to maintain the bunkers and course with the improvements being made.
John Akhtar confirmed that there was a plan to ensure this and would be worked through during the year.
Lee Honey asked what support could be given to encourage younger players to join - this was linked to course improvements and the clubhouse which John Akhtar confirmed were being looked at.
AH suggested that pitchmarks be repaired by members whether they caused them or not. Members agreed.
Dave Watts suggested emailing members to remind them of their responsibilities around course care e.g. divots, pitch marks and trolley wheels on fairways not being cleaned.
SR mentioned the need to maintain the course when farming season was impacting John Akhtar said he was intending to recruit additional support for this.
Mel Marks raised the size of the greens being reduced and the impact on course ratings.
Guidelines were handed out by CY who understood the next rating was due in 2028/29 Phil Black mentioned this may be sooner and CY agreed to do some work to investigate costs and possible rating changes.
CY gave additional thanks for support to Peter Jackson, Graham Handscombe and Gay Rodham.
The meeting was closed by CY
AGM Minutes 2023/24
Thursday, 29 February 2024
Heydon Grange Golf Club AGM 2024
Opening Address
JB opened the meeting welcoming every who attended.
Men's Captain Update
MR provided a report on behalf of JB & MR who had taken on the captaincy in 2023/24 as no candidate had been appointed at the last AGM.
MR mentioned the new irrigation system installation and the positive effect this had on the greens at the end of 2023 and hoped for the same in 2024. MR also congratulated the work that Karl, green-keeping staff and volunteers had undertaken in 2023 to turn the condition of the course around and was looking forward to 2024.
MR also reflected on the illnesses for Mrs Akhtar and Saleem that were a real concern and was pleased they were on the road to recovery now. With the support of John Akhtar and many volunteers everyone had rallied together to keep the club running.
MR wished the incoming Captains in all sections the best in 2024/25 and hope they have an enjoyable year.
Ladies Captain Update
TE started by reflecting on the year since appointment and not fully understanding the way in which the club was run but had learnt quickly.
TE mentioned the captain’s charity event that had raised over £1000 showing the generosity of spirit amongst the membership and thanked everyone for their contribution.
The ladies’ section had a fun year with many competitions and off field activities which were enjoyed by all.
TE mentioned the improvements seen in the course conditions and congratulated the green-keeping team and volunteers who had improved things. In addition, TE mentioned the support from the Akhtar family in supporting the improvements to ensure the turnaround.
TE highlighted the illnesses of Mrs Akhtar and Saleem and their recovery was welcome. In addition, it was highlighted that there were a number of people who stepped in to keep the club running and was grateful for all those who supported.
Finally, TE thanked the committee members for their work in 2023/24 with a wish that the next year will continue to be a success.
Treasurers Report
WM explained that work had been undertaken with Wendy - the previous treasurer to obtain online access to the Barclays account where club funds were held and would be handing over the role for 2024/25 to DP who had agreed to take on this role.
It was explained that funds from competition and Friends of Heydon Grange contributions were ring-fenced for club activity and this would continue this year.
The overall fund had grown by £43 at the year end mainly supported by competition payments.
Finally, WM thanked JB and MKF as well as Wendy for their support this year.
Election Of Captains For 2024/25
It was proposed that CY be Club Captain for the year which was seconded and approved with no other candidates declaring an interest. No Vice Captain was nominated at this stage with no interest shown.
CY had provided a letter accepting the position and thanking everyone for their support.
TE was proposed and seconded as Ladies Captain again in 2024/25 with no other candidates showing interest. DeP was nominated and appointed as Vice Captain again in 2024/25.
Election Of Committee Members
DP was nominated and seconded as the Treasurer for 2024/25 to replace WM all other committee positions were unchanged from last term for both Men’s and Ladies sections.
Greenkeepers Report
SA advised that if there were any requests for work to be undertaken these should be directed to Karl.
Management Report
SA confirmed that there would be increases in membership costs for this year as follows:
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7 Day £895
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5 Day £695
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Weekend £475
All fees are included in these costs.
JA stated that staff were being recruited to work on the course once the weather improves and cutting was needed.
AOB
Increase Friends Of Heydon Grange payment to £20 per member - JB
JB explained this was due to increased costs of software required for handicapping and website updates. All attending agreed to increase the payment and JB explained that this would be discussed at the next committee meeting where the Venerables would also be engaged.
Members Car Park Signage - AH
AH asked that the area at the bottom of the car park be reserved for members and the signage that was previously there advising visitors of this was reinstated. JA agreed to ensure this was completed.
Club Fundraising to focus on local charities rather than national - AH
AH raised the point that national charities were generally well supported and paid officials well. Given the lower nature of contributions from the club the view was that this would be more appreciated by supporting local charities JB made the point that this was a decision for the Captains to discuss and TE agreed to take this away.
Bottom Car Park Wall - DS
DS asked if the wall that had been knocked down in the bottom car park could be rebuilt due to the health and safety and aesthetic considerations. JA agreed to take this away to review options and effect a repair.
JB closed the meeting.