I am delighted to be President of the Hope Golf Club for 2014. I see the Golf Club and the Earles Social Club as a vital part of the contribution Hope Cement makes to the community in this area. This year Hope Cement celebrates its 85th birthday and we are proud to continue to develop the Golf and Social Clubs.
In my role as Industrial Director and Manager for the cement works, my involvement with this thriving Golf Club continues the tradition started by Sir George Earle back in the 1930s. Following in his footsteps, Hope Cement continues to promote and maintain opportunities for employees, families and friends to have a good social life – essential to everyone’s well-being.
This community spirit spread to other Hope Cement colleagues across the UK last summer when we hosted our first company social event (since our launch in January 2013) here at the Golf Club. The Golf event was a big success and we plan to repeat it each year, this year’s competition is booked for the end of June. Whilst my golf skills are not up to much, I will be taking part and enjoying seeing colleagues from other areas making the most of our course. As the former Club President Bernard Eyre, commented, they, like other visitors will be impressed and surprised to see a busy Golf Club in operation right next to Britain’s largest cement manufacturing operation!
Currently we have 167 members but we are promoting the Club and hoping to increase this number this year. We are launching a ladies’ section and already have people interested; and we have 20 junior members (under 16 or in full-time education).
This year we have lots of improvements in the pipeline including redesigning and relaying the 5th tee and upgrades to the 1st hole and 2nd tee, 7th and 16th tees.
Good luck to all our members for a successful year of Golf and I look forward to welcoming new members of all ages to our Club. The company will continue to play an active part in the maintenance and development of the Hope Golf Club and I encourage everyone in the community to make the most of this fantastic resource right on your doorstep.
Ashley Bryan
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