1st April 2009
The work to renew the banking on the bottom green at Gourock Park is underway and Ian Brown is confident the work will be completed on time for this year's opening day on 18th April.
Where you fooled?
The story below was an April Fool! I am sure most of you would have noticed or maybe you did not? Let me know if I managed
to fool you?
Greenkeeper Ian Brown preparing the bottom green, while the picture on the right shows the new banking foundations in place.
Unfortunately, the club was not able to secure a grant to upgrade the top green and this has lead to a complete re-think for the committee. At a meeting they have decided that the club can not afford to continue to run the two greens and have decided to return the top green to the Council.
Its thought that Inverclyde Council will use the top green for cultivation of flowers and shrubbery for the various displays around the district. A Council spokesperson said, " At first we thought that we would be foolish to retake the top green back from Gourock Park, but we can see the potential of this piece of land and it will help us to ensure that we produce enough flowers to supply the various beds around the district, which help to give visitors to the town a warm and colourful welcome". The spokesperson added, " We will of course leave the banking as it is, so that if required, Gourock Park can once again use this green for the purpose it was intended for, should their finances in the next few years improve".
A Gourock Park Committee Member told me that they regret having to make this decision, especially as only a few of the members could attend the hush hush meeting, but he said it was either that or the club could have been in serious financial trouble. He added,
" I hope the members of the club will understand the position we were in and that we really had no choice"
This picture shows that the Council have already started use the top green for their own use
The Gourock Park Forum and Bebo page!
As the new season gets underway, I intend to utilize one or both of these to produce instant updates. Due to the reduced time factor involved, I may for example place the latest league scores, latest club tie info, news etc etc on them first before placing them on the website. Reason for this is that I can provide a quick update, with little or no preparation. I will of course place all of the same info in more detail on the site between the hours of 9am - 12 noon each day (except weekends) This will allow me to utilize my time more effectively and hopefully help me to provide more info in the long term. Both of these are free to join and easy to use, but if anyone needs any help? then please ask for my help.
9th April 2009
Fame at last!
My Girlfriend Ann Marie, nominated me for a 'Fashion Hijack' on STV's Five Thirty Show and on Tuesday morning I got a huge shock as they turned up at my door and whisked me away for the day. It should be on Wedsnesday.
Have had a few enquiries regarding this year's G&D League Fixtures. I have emailed John Freeburn and they should be available as soon as he has the numbers confirmed.
Good luck and good weather to all the Clubs who will open this coming weekend.
13th April 2009
Found a website for the Ardgowan Club that I didnt know existed! There are a few photos collections on it and it can viewed by
14th April 2009
Port Glasgow's Sandy Wotherspoon is listed in the newly released World Rankings. Sandy is ahead of Darren Burnett at number 6 in the world. See the list here
22nd April 2009
The G & D have called for an E.G.M. which will be held at Grosvenor BC on Tuesday 28th April with a 7.30pm start. Uniform is not required! The topic of this meeting will be the newly announced League Fixtures, which I guage have not been very popular. With there now only being 13 actual Teams competing in the Fours League, it makes creating a fair and competive for all format difficult. I personally think the best way to sort it would be to simply have a 13 team league. 12 games for each team, winner take all.
Whats your thoughts on this? Log onto the 'Gourock Park Forum' and share your ideas for all too see!
The Gourock Park Ladies hold their 'Opening Day' on Thursday 23rd April. A brief report and pictures will appear on this site shortly after. Meanwhile the opening winners at the Gents opening day were as follows- Lead John McFetrich, Cathie Morrow , Peter Johnstone (Port Glasgow) and skip Terry Duffy. They were 14 up on the day.
