Notes of the Senior Men’s Annual Review Meeting November 2025

Notes of the Senior Men’s Annual Review Meeting November 2025

Notes of the Senior Men’s Annual Review Meeting

Held on 6th Nov 2025

64 members played, but only 58 stayed for the presentations and meeting. The meeting commenced at 1.30 pm with the Secretary giving apologies from Andrew Icke, John Sallis & Terry Gilbert. The Captain awarded prizes for today's American Greensome competition.

Prize Presentation

Alasdair Carruthers announced the winners of the 2025 annual competitions. Trophies and vouchers were presented to the winners by Captain Adrian Firth. Pictures were taken and placed on the Honours Board section of the Seniors Website.

Captain’s Tray                                  Winners         – John Hopwood & Malcolm Brown

Jack Chettle Trophy                        Winner           – Vincent Dale

Guy Birkin Cancer Research Cup Winners        – Stuart Thomson & Mick McClure

Senior Golfer of the Year                Winner           -  Drew Armstrong

Pair Betterball  KO Shield            Winners          – John Abbiss & Stuart Newland                               

18 Hole Singles KO Matchplay      Winner           – Dave Andrews                                                         

18 Hole Medal Aggregate               Winner           – Drew Armstrong                                         

18 Hole Stableford Aggregate       Winner           – Kelvin Dudley                                            

18 Hole Medal Final Shield            Winner           – Drew Armstrong

Winter Order of Merit Bowl             Winners         – Stuart Newland (Div 1) & Robert Jones (Div 2)

Special mention was made of Richard Bursztyn, who twice this year did the remarkable feat of shooting his age. An award will be made to him when he is fit enough to receive it

Captain's Report

Adrian said he would like to express his gratitude and thanks for the experience, and enjoyed being the BF Mens Seniors Captain this past year. It was the work of the Committee, the office, the bar and catering staff that enabled Senior Golf to be such a big part of BFGC.

He reported, we have enjoyed a problem-free season of competition and continued to win handsomely at home in the Team Matches. More importantly, players really enjoyed the experience.

A real personal highlight for him was the Chevin Golf Club Seniors Reciprocal Away Day. We received outstanding feedback from Chevin praising Beeston and the quality of the day they enjoyed here. At Chevin, we simply enjoyed a fantastic day.

My Senior Captains Day at Beeston was another successful and well-supported day. Throughout the year and in all kinds of weather, the regularly held Thurs club comps were also very well supported and continued to provide a backbone for Senior Men's Golf, enabling the section to stay healthy.

All these events provide an important opportunity for established members to meet and play, and then also integrate new golfers into club life.

The Committee

He made special mention of everyone on the Seniors Committee for their excellent commitment to responsibilities, done on behalf of our membership, without which I simply could not have done my job.

Treasurers Report

The Treasurer, Mike Gilbert, reported that the Senior Section had lost money over the last 12 months – this has been a managed process, not incompetence!

Seniors have held a significant cash reserve for several years – mainly arising from when the section (rather than the club) ran the BFGC seniors open.

In 2023 centenary year, in order to reduce this balance, the section increased prize payments for weekly competitions.

In 2024 the cash balance increased, in part due to reduced expenditure on e.g. providing free food and not running a team thank you day. Effectively carried forward a cash balance of roundly £2,500

For 2025 agreed to run a managed deficit!

Detail

Headline number is a deficit of £1,222

• Subs received £372 (£374 in 2024)
• Competition entry fee was reduced to £2 through the summer season
  Competition fees were £5,803 (inc £330 food charge) vs £5,224 in 2024. Average number of entrants across the 12 months was 57 per event.
• Competition prizes were £5,494 (£4,364 in 2024)
• As above, provided subsidised food at a number of events
• Maintained shirt/sweater subsidy
• Re-introduced the “team thank you day”
• Via Guy Birkin trophy, donated £275 to CRUK

At year end the cash balance is £1,839 – allowing for liabilities of £630 the cash balance to carry forward is £1,209.

The section therefore retains a healthy cash position going into the new financial year, giving continued flexibility around areas of discretionary expenditure

New Captain

Adrian Firth in then proposed Phil Harrison as the new Seniors Captain for 2026.

Phil made an eloquent acceptance speech, which is included in full at the end of his Captain's welcome speech on the Captains page of the website.

Sadly, at the point where he would announce the new vice-captain for 2026, he was unable to do so.  Hopefully some one will come forward in the coming weeks to accept this role and maintain the integrity of Beeston Fields Mens Senior gole going forward

He said a final comment about the Senior Captain’s role, I do think communication should be a part of it. I will do my best to know what’s going on regarding Comps and Matches, and to know where information can be found on our website, or BRS, HowDidIdo, and England Golf. Please feel free to contact me, or if you see me here in the bar after a round of golf, I am always open to a chat about seniors golf or football…not necessarily in that order.

So to finish, Gentlemen, I would like to say that I am proud to be an old boy or an old git here at Beeston Fields. I intend to enjoy my year as Senior Captain, and I hope you will all enjoy next year too.

Senior Men’s Committee – Officers for 2026

                                    Captain                                              - Phil Harrison

                                    Immediate Past Captain                 - Adrian Firth

                                    Vice Captain / Ladies Match          - ?

                                    Secretary                                           - John Simpson

                                    Treasurer                                           - Mike Gilbert

                                    Competition Secretary                     - Alasdair Carruthers
                                    Match Secretary                               - John Swan

                                    Assistant Comps/Kit                        - Phil Gardie

                                   KO Competition Co-ordinator        - Keith Evans

                                  Catering Co-ordinator                     - Andrew Kelly

                                  Committee Member                         - Terry Unwin

                                 Committee Member                         - Dave Andrews                                 

Open Forum

No real issues were raised in the open forum

There being no other business, the Seniors Captain closed the meeting and thanked all for their attendance.

John Simpson

BFGC Seniors Secretary

12th November 2025