Now that we are in the month of March all thoughts are on the start of the new season. I hope all members, guests, visitors, and sponsors have a great year. The first competition starts with the Gents Spring Meeting on the Carrickstone Course on Saturday the 5^th of April. On that weekend every member has the opportunity to play in a medal.

All the new committees have had their first meetings. They are positive that they will be able to deliver what our members want for the Golf Club.

The green staff under the guidance of Bobby, our head green keeper, have been working very hard to complete the winter program that is in the 5 year plan.

Malcolm our house manager has been slowly building his staff numbers up to meet the demands of the summer months ahead.

We held an open day for full membership on Saturday 9^th February. This was a very successful day for the Golf Club, bringing in 31 new members. I would again like to thank everyone who helped out on the day, council members, staff and in particular our secretary manager Willie Crombie who dealt with all the paperwork.

We are holding another open day on Saturday 8^th March for all member categories, Full Ordinary, Antonine only, and Leisure members.

Our deal for the sale of the piece of land is still on the table, unfortunately at the moment it is being held up by SEPA because there is no capacity at the sewage works that deal with the waste. Meetings are on going with the Scottish Office and the Water Board. We are hoping for this to be resolved in the near future. I will keep you up to date on this matter.

I hope at sometime to meet you all during the coming season. Again I wish you all the best the year.

Jim Russell