Winter Newsletter 2022 FINAL for WEB

President’s Report
On reading my Report of last year, I feel I may have
been a little optimistic in hoping that life would
return to normal during 2021. There have been
some aspects which felt more normal but there has
always been the underlying feeling of unease that
Covid was going to be with us for much longer
than previously predicted.
Dornoch has again been very busy for most of the
year with many staycationers choosing to visit the
Highlands. The NC500 route passing close to
Dornoch has contributed to the huge influx of
visitors to the town. The courses have also seen a
large number of bookings beyond our earlier
cautious forecasts.
Despite some variable weather conditions both
courses have been presented in splendid condition
and our green keeping staff are to be congratulated
on all their efforts to maintain them so well. One
only has to visit other courses to appreciate the
high standard and attention to detail we are able
to enjoy here.
All the Club’s employees have managed to carry
on regardless of conditions and restrictions
imposed on them so that members and visitors
alike have been able to enjoy their experience of
Royal Dornoch. Their hard work should be very
much appreciated by us all.
We have been able to hold our main Club
competitions this year although some events have
had to be changed. The Men’s Home Internationals
was moved by the R & A and played elsewhere but
they are holding their Men’s and Women’s Senior
Amateur Championships here in 2022 using both
courses. We also have the Men’s Scottish Amateur
Championship to look forward to in 2023.
On a personal note I decided to hang up my Rule
Book and retire from competition refereeing with
Scottish Golf. I have been very fortunate in being
given the opportunity to be involved in many
events and to dispense rulings to players some of
whom have become household names on the
European Tour. They have not always been too
enamoured with the rulings given. I think I got
most of them right but like most referees there are
one or two which I might like to be able to revisit!
We were able at last to hold our AGM for 2020
postponed from last year and at the same time
catch up by holding the AGM for 2021. It’s not
often that Members will be able to enjoy such a
bargain…2 AGMs for the price of one! I was very
pleased to be re-elected as President. I know it has
been said before but it is a great honour and
privilege to be President of this Club.
I am grateful for the support and assistance of the
Vice Presidents Hamish Macrae, Jim Campbell
and Alan Ramsey here in Dornoch and Woody
Morcott in America. We are happy to continue in
our Roles and to support the Captain and Council
of Management and represent the Club as and
when required.
My New Year’s Resolution, from a golfing perspective,
is to work on and improve my game. However like
many such resolutions it seems destined for failure. I
am never enthusiastic about practising. After all why
waste good shots on the practice ground when you
might need them out on the course?
On that note I will wish you all a happy and
healthy 2022 and trust that your golf will live up
to your hopes and expectations.
Gordon Lawson
President
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