As a long time member of LGC I have a vested interest in helping to improve what we have here at Loughgall…. as do many others. I make no bones about my intentions, I have always believed we need a clubhouse of some description. A clubhouse should be at the heart of the club, its a meeting place where you can relax and talk through the round of golf you just played or just catch up with some of the members who go out a little earlier or later than your tee-time and possibly have a cup of tea, bowl of soup etc, in comfortable and welcoming surroundings. At the moment this happens in the car park or at reception, I think we are more than just a car boot golf club, but if a clubhouse is the way forward it has to be well used, half a dozen regulars using a clubhouse is not sensible use of the clubs funds… and it WILL NOT HAPPEN. There is no point in having a clubhouse if it is not well used and supported! I know of several golfers who have left this club and others who are put off joining this club because other clubs have a clubhouse and we dont. I would expect an increase in membership to LGC if we have a clubhouse, thats my opinion and others agree with me, however it is opinion not fact.
The club council/committee has asked for some fact finding to be carried out with regards to how many of our members think we should have a clubhouse, but more importantly how many of you will actually make use of the clubhouse? So first things first, I will put a notice on the club notice board…thats the big notice board and we will see how many names we get? I am not twisting anyones arm to go and put your name on the list, because if you dont make the effort to sign it you obviously cant be that bothered whether we have a clubhouse or not….! However, if we do not get sufficient number of names on the list this process goes no further! If you are interested in having/using a clubhouse get your name on the list, also talk to your fellow golfers and let them know…don’t let this be a missed opportunity!
If there are a resonable amount of names on the list we can then go back to our club council/committee and explore the options, possibilities etc., and source potential buildings suitable for our needs and requirements with costings. All of this depends upon the will of our members….you!
Barry Rayner