Dear Member,
Firstly, I’d like to say what an honour it is for me to be selected as the South Moor Golf Club Captain for 2025, a club that I joined in 2003 and have loved been part of ever since. I firmly believe that this is the best course in the region, and with its unique blend of MacKenzie design and heathland layout its certainly a challenging course that keeps you on your toes for all 18 holes – in 21 years of playing it I’ve learned many times that as soon as you think you’ve cracked it, it bites back!!!
Whilst there are no formal roles and responsibilities set out for the role as Captain, I wanted to set out my commitment to members of the club. During my term of office I will endeavor to:
Liaises with club members, the committee, the club professional, the head greenkeeper, bar/catering employees and Ladies, Senior and Junior Captains
Along with my Vice Captain, manage the Men’s Team
Attend golf committee meetings on behalf of club members, seeking member input prior to each meeting
Provide a quarterly Captains newsletter
Representing the club at events and functions when required
Contact and welcome new members to the club
Host the Captain’s Day
Lastly drive funding raising activities to support my chosen beneficiary.
This year I will not be nominating a charity. Instead, Lilian Bleanch and I have decided that in these challenging times we need to support things that are closer to home.
I’m sure every member will agree that the course is our greatest asset and that the green staff do a great job with limited resources. As such this year Lilian and I propose to raise money for the club, specifically green keeping equipment.
For me the course is the number one priority, Neil and the team do a fantastic job with limited resources and equipment. Enabling the greens team to work more efficiently will no doubt enable them to take the course to the next level, getting it back to being considered amongst the top courses in the North of England. I have no doubt this will help expand membership, increase visitors and provide a sustainable and enjoyable golf club.
To do this we have set an ambitious target of raising £15,000. This will be challenging but I hope that members, visitors and people associated with the club will support our fund raising efforts. You will be able to track our progress, donate etc through the following link
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/smgc-ladies-and-gents-captains-2025?utm_term=YWPE2nZ4q
As Club Captain I personally guarantee these funds are only used for their intended purposes.
Throughout the year there will be numerous fund raising activities, including but not limited to:
Captains Day
Captains Away Day
Captains Drive-in/Drive-Out
4 Ball vouchers
Ladies and Gents Captains Bunker
Longest Day Competition – tee off first light and finish in time for breakfast
Geordies v Mackem’s Ryder Cup
Various Raffles/Prize Draw/Auctions
For every hole-in-one in club competitions (including team matches) I will donate an additional £50 to the fund raising pot
Other Donations
I’d like to also take this opportunity to congratulate Tom Wilkinson on an excellent Captaincy in 2024, it’s been a pleasure working with you Tom, and to introduce my Vice Captain for the year Lee Dobson – whom as many of you know is a long standing member and passionate about South Moor Golf Club.
Lastly, I’d like to congratulate my fellow captains for the year. Ladies Captain Lilian Bleanch, Ladies Vice Captain Pauline Dobson, Senior Captain Paul Taylor, and Junior Captain Fraser Gilray. I look forward to working with you.
I look forward to being your club Captain for 2025 and wish you a wonderful Christmas and all the best for 2025 – may the golfing gods shine on you.
Yours sincerely
Paul Butler
Captain 2025
South Moor Golf Club
07525 277 309
butlersmgc@gmail.com