BACKWORTH GOLF CLUB 
AGM Minutes of the Meeting 20th March 2026
Opening remarks:
The President brought to attention those present, thanked for their attendance and declared the meeting open.
Apologies for absence:
Paul Liversidge, Albert Freel, Phil Reed, Stewart Gardener
Reports from officials:
The Captain Report 2026 (Adrian Burrows)
It has been a privilege this year to captain Backworth golf club.
A great deal of hard work goes on behind the scenes to assist me in my duties, namely the committee, past captains and the good will and support of members.
I would like to thank all the golfers who have represented the club in the Newcastle and district golf league, inter county foursomes, teams’ championship, divisional championship, and the triangular series.
League golf this year saw the gents team gain promotion to the first division.
The inter county foursomes saw our two-man team reach the last 8 out of 32 teams.
The team’s championship and the divisional championship saw Backworth’s 3-man teams finish mid table in both events, the highlight being Andy Hunter winning the best net score at Gosforth playing in the team’s championship.
16 golfers competed in the annual triangular series played against Blyth and Newbiggin, we finished 2nd behind a strong Blyth team who were worthy winners of the triangular shield.
I thoroughly enjoyed my captains drive in when I treat the galleries to a sublime tee shot which was rightly applauded by all, I wish I could hit the ball like that when it matters.
Captain’s day was an immense success due to many people supporting me and the event.
Plenty of prizes were up for grabs with Jim Woolley being the events winner.
The club competitions this year were again well supported, there were many new golfers winning competitions for the first time and many golfers repeating what they have done for many a year.
Steve Anderton won his 22nd club championship, something that will not be repeated anytime soon, can he improve on this in the years to come?
2025 saw Ben Brown win his first county championship and the first ever for Backworth GC. Steve Anderton retained his senior’s county match play championship; we are in the process of installing plaques outside the clubhouse to recognise this outstanding achievement.
I for one will not tire in telling all and sundry about 2025 at Backworth GC.
My captaincy will end at the gents AGM in February 2026 when I hand over to Steve Carr, it is obvious that I will support Steve when possible and wish him all the best in his big year.
Thanks Adrian, it has been a pleasure.
Handicap Secretary’s Report 2026 (Albert Freel) presented Peter Thompson
The competition winners for last year are.
As follows, handicap up to 5.4. 6 which were the old category 1 golfer.
5.5 – 12.4. 14 which were the old category 2 golfer.
12.5 – 20.4. 24 which were the old category 3 golfer.
20.5 – 28.4. 13 which were the old category 4 golfer.
28.5 and above 2 which were the old category 5 golfer.
This includes the Wednesday 9s until the season end. All the handicap software is up to date and ready for the coming season.
This year we are incorporating a trial of 3 balls in 3 drawn competitions to gauge if this improves the pace of play, those fixtures will be shown in the handbook for the coming season.
I wish to congratulate Ben Brown on becoming the first county champion from backworth, also to Steve Anderton on retaining the county seniors match play, and also to Andy Hunter on winning the NDGL Players championship best nett, what a fantastic achievement from the players representing Backworth Golf Club.
On another note, please mark your cards clearly and do not forget to sign it, this makes the job a whole lot easier. I also wish to give a big thank you to Trevor Nicholson and Peter Thompson for their invaluable help and advice when required. To finish off, let us hope the weather improves and the course is ready for another exciting year at our great club,
Albert Freel, handicap secretary
Mr Thompson added, with regards to next year’s fixtures, that to the best of our ability we have tried to avoid clashes between the county’s big competitions and Backworth’s prestigious event the club championship etc.
Also, the winter competitions will be, like two years ago, annotated on how many counting cards will be used due to the extreme weather and course closures.
Seniors Representative Report 2026 (Paul Liversidge) presented Michael Hulme
Stocksfield won the senior league for the fourth time with 111 points, 16 more than their 2024 victory. Ponteland took second place with 81 points, and Backworth finished fifth with 74 points. Thanks to everyone who contributed this season. Excluding Stocksfield, just 8 points separated second and sixth place.
This year, our total points were 19 fewer than last year and even matching last year’s points would have still left us in second place. We had two fewer wins, two more losses, and three fewer away victories, likely due to playing on different courses in 2024–2025.
We beat Tynemouth and Arcot Hall 10-2 but lost by the same score to Northumberland and Stocksfield. Alan Milton and David Richardson earned players of the year honours with 17 points, while Billy Peacock and Bob Pedersen were runners-up with 16 points each.
With regards to Backworth Senior Competitions, as you know there are 7 senior competitions throughout the year and we managed to play all 7 this year. Congratulations to the following winners but, a particular mention to this year’s senior grand prix winner Alan Musgrave. Alan played 5 out of the 7 competitions and amassed a total of 169 points.
A meeting of NSMG League Club Representatives took place on August 20th at 10:00 AM at the City of Newcastle Golf Club. Here are the main takeaways:
The AGM has agreed that teams will now use a maximum of 18 shots, determined by calculating from the player with the lowest handicap.
Starting from the 2026 season, league rules will require each player to have recorded at least 20 WHS scores within the two years prior to playing in a match.
From now on, visiting captains must submit their team details to the home captain at least 24 hours before the first tee time.
Officials: for 2026 Michael Hulme has taken the roles of Captain and league representative. Alan Milton will continue as secretary.
I have enjoyed being captain and wish Michael and the team success in 2026.
Paul Liversidge.
Honorary Secretary Report 2025 (Trevor Nicholson)
The secretary began by presenting an overview the Membership Demographic 2025.
2024 the membership number was 405 in 2025 it increased by 18% to 478.
The age demographic is U25-53, of which are Juniors this equate 11% overall. 25>39 63 members which is13%, 40>64 183 members 38%,65>75 102 members 21%, 75+ 91 members 19% therefore, 40% are over 65, or 78% over 40.
He concluded by questioning do we do enough as members and committee to retain the current numbers and gain younger membership? He then moved on to say have we done what we expected to at the last AGM.
What to Expect in 2026.
Hopefully, improved communication with the members on issues relating to course conditions and general information. Have we achieved this: That is for the members to decide.
We said we would try to address the perennial issue of slow play. The course set up, which many believe that this in a major factor in slow play and address this some fairway profiling and shorter length of rough, mandatory call forward 8/17th, local rule 9.0 Golf Etiquette and Pace of Play Protocol: he then stated the problem remains.
Course: The appointed grounds trustees who are working with the greens staff looking at course improvement. Had purchased a new tractor and hoped to purchase other equipment and in 2025 for first time in many years the fairways will be fertilised. Also, course drainage improvements will continue. The trustees appear to more focused on course improvement there is project underway to improve the 1st tee area and the approaches to it.
The tractor was purchased but, no other equipment was. Also, whilst fertiliser was purchased none was actually caried out, due to the dry conditions!
At the time we did not have an active greens committee now do hopefully things will improve. He also, stated running the welfare was an extremely challenging task and trustees were doing their absolute best and hoped to increase spend on the course in future.
Competition Format: we re-introduced divisions with the aim of creating a more competitive emphasis thus giving all category members a change of wining. Has this worked: the bias is still favouring mid handicappers, and we have received some comments about reducing the max handicap limit.
Other Points
2’s and HIO sweep: this have proven popular with the members
Trolley Store: we have had a clear-out and I’m currently looking at cost to compartmentalise the store, so everyone has their own place. There will be a cost which may mean a one-off contribution from users if it goes ahead.
The old putting green was reinstated, and positive comments were received from the members.
New winter Cards: the old cards did have the correct stroke index.
The secretary then moved to inform the members of what to expect in the 2026 Season.
Monthly Medal will move Sunday’s due poor uptake in comparison to the 9’s.
Men’s club championship. will be seeded.
Competition Format: Trial 3 ball groups at 8-minute intervals to help slow play.
Invitation Day moved to a Saturday
At the 1st & 10th the old posts will be removed, and the tree line will be OOB boundary and course marker will be changed.
Grounds improvements: Drainage and greens via the new greens committee.
Future Committee Topics
The following are some of the topics which we need to address moving forward.
Juniors: Do we reintroduce a junior section.
General play tee bookings: many single booking taking tee slots.
England Golf edict of EDI continues:
Pushing to have integrated management structure
I am currently drafting a Gender & Fairness Policy & Procedure for approval.
New Club Logo: one of our lady members who has a degree in graphic design has drafted several options and a meeting of both committees will determine the modern design.
Trophies: the committee to discuss the refurbishment of trophies, the numbers of trophies, those presented on the evening and the protocol relating to presentation evening.
The Old Car Park Shed: reutilised as a golf shop run by Jonathan Lockyear
Presentation of Annual Accounts:
The treasurer explained that the accounts now included that the accounts now those from the senior’s section the rationale for this was that seniors were incurring high bank charges therefore it made sense to amalgamate the accounts into one.
He then gave a brief review of the principal areas of expenditure including handicap master software, team meals, new score cards and significantly contributions to the course improvements with the procurement of gravel for the new drainage on the 2nd and 4th holes.
Please see the attached accounts for full details:
Election of officials and committee:
The following were nominated and accepted on committee without challenge Trevor Nicholson Secretary, Albert Freel Handicap Secretary, Peter Thompson committee, Paul Liversidge committee.
Captain & vice-Captain presentations:
The outgoing captain presented Stephen Carr with his Captains tie and wished him a successful season. The new captain in return thanked him and stated it was an honour to fulfil the role, and the focus on consolidating Backworth position in division 1. But he also asked the members to continue the magnificent support the league currently have and that it is such an immense help to the players, in what is an extremely competitive league.
The President also presented Adrian Burrows his past captain’s tie and thanked him for his efforts with the team and his role as captain.
Introduction of the Vice-Captain:
The announcement of the new vice-captain, Neil Renney, for the coming season was embarrassingly missed the evening and the committee have apologised to Neil and wished him an enjoyable coming season.
Notices of motion:
There were none posted.
Any Questions:
There were several points and questions from the floor, Dr Thornton asked following the point made in the handicap report about winning handicaps. He asked if the committee had the numbers of golfer playing within each of the mentioned winning categories. Peter Thompson stated that he did not have these at hand.
Post meeting note: Peter would integrate the software to see if it is possible to do so but, was not hopeful.
Concerns from the floor were raised regarding the competition formats 3ball v 4 ball, drawn competitions, timing intervals. The Chairman stating that this topic was not an easy issue to resolve. He cited the working family man who could only play weekends and wanted to play with their mates. Members could only play at specific times due to family commitments and the issue of foursomes and 4 BBB competition, he promised the committee would try their best to come resolve an issue to which there is no resolution in reality.
Bill Nicholson was concerned about reducing the maximum competition handicap further stating it would change the bias the lower handicap The secretary then quoted the average handicaps of winners in 2025 Div1- 14, Div 2 – 20, Div 3 – 25 and Muckhart – 20. This clearly shows a disadvantage to the lower category golfer, as shown graphically within the handicap secretary’s report above. The secretary did point out that reducing the max level had only been mentioned and not yet discussed at committee.
Peter Thompson further mentioned that the WHS system had been criticised almost universally within golf and England had undertaken a trial using a different system and as, yet feedback had not been received and speculated change may happen.
Bob Gullon asked if a local rule could be introduced regarding the use of mats along the tree line on the 9th fairway. There were some points of clarity raised by Mr Forster on the subject however, it was agreed that the point raise will be addressed at committee as per the AGM meeting protocol requires.
Any other business was concluded by Jim Renwick congratulated the outgoing captain on a successful season.
President Closing Remarks:
The president thanked the attendees, mentioned the contribution of individual in the running of the club, wished the teams a successful season and concluded the evening the chairman closed the meeting at 20:20 hrs.
List of attendees
Messrs Nicholson T, Harvey, Burrows, Carr S, Hulme, Renney, Thompson, Nicholson W, Dr D Thornton, Gullon, Forster, Sisterson, Crichton, Stubbs, Roberts, Davison, Renwick, Scott.