A decision has been made by the Weyburn Golf Club to make efforts to update its aging constitution.
There was some uncertainty at the club's annual meeting Monday night about just how old the present constitution actually is - the best guess was at least 20 years - and outgoing club president Rod Nieviadomy said the time has come to make some changes.
Nieviadomy, one of several board members whose two-year term has expired, declined to return to the executive for another tenure although he was satisfied with the board's accomplishments during the past year.
"I put my heart into it," he said. "I don't know how much you can ask of a person."
One of a number of "grey areas" within the constitution came to light in particular this fall. The decision to build a new clubhouse resulted from a vote held at a shareholders' meeting in September, but it was a meeting that the constitution itself actually deemed unnecessary.
Among the powers and duties of the executive, as outlined in the document, is the authority to "authorize capital expenditures for the club with the majority consent of the Board of Directors."
To make a decision on the new clubhouse, however - a major project budgeted for $350,000 - without input from members and shareholders seemed illogical, Nieviadomy said. As it was, the issue created some division among the membership which he hoped would now subside in the interests of the club's future.
"I think we kind of got separated as a membership over the clubhouse issue but I think it's time to pull together and get behind it," Nieviadomy said.
The projected completion date for the clubhouse is April 1. In the meantime, a committee will be struck to examine the constitution and a meeting will be held next spring to present proposed changes and new bylaws which will be addressed at the next annual meeting.
The past season was one of transition for the club. In addition to the clubhouse decision, 1998 saw the retirement of manager John Whitell after 21 years of service and the impending hiring of his replacement, Regina pro Rod Carroll.
While numerous income categories were up this season, tournament revenue suffered due to a decrease in participation. Club Captain Gord Worona also stated in his report that another reason was inclement weather which forced the postponement of the Crocus Masters to August and resulted in no skins tournament.
A highlight of the past year was the Junior Provincial championship held here in July. Junior Golf program coordinator Mark Stockham said he was informed by the Saskatchewan Golf Association that "it was the best tournament they'd seen in six years."
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Review (1987) Ltd.