Protest at golf pro move

Bryan Copland • Published 28 Jun 2012 09:24 80 Comments

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THE head professional at Royal Musselburgh Golf Club could be set to leave after 21 years' service due to a dispute.

Bosses at the Prestonpans course are planning to move office staff into the current pro shop building and relocate the pro service elsewhere as part of cost-cutting measures. A shop would still be run from the new office, but services such as lessons and club repairs would move to another location within the main club building.

However, Royal Musselburgh would no longer pay self-employed head professional John Henderson for his services, meaning he would have to boost his income directly from other sources, such as golf lessons. The club says it has offered him other accommodation within the club, though has not received a response.

But a source close to Mr Henderson said that no such opportunity had been offered, claiming it would be "impossible" for him to carry on as club pro under the new arrangement.They added that a protest petition has been signed by members who are unhappy at the situation.

Mr Henderson, who also employs pro Calum Smith at the club, remains in post until August 31. He declined to comment.

But a source said: "The members aren't happy - John and Calum are held in high esteem."

The course and its buildings are run by Musselburgh Miners' Charitable Society, incorporating Royal Musselburgh Golf Club which runs the competitions.

David Thomson, the society's secretary, said: "We have offered Mr Henderson alternative accommodation here to continue his work, but he still hasn't got back to us.

"We at Royal Musselburgh will continue with a pro, but not under the present circumstances.

"We are the same as every other club, having to watch where we spend money."

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

In the know.
Unregistered User
Jun 28, 10:58
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It's people like Dave Thomson thats the real problem. He says at the AGM "we've done it that way for 50 years" How can a club move forward with a guy who says that and how can it move forward when he's only there for a few hours per day. The club needs forward thinking people not Dave Thomson. Ideas to raise revenue is whats needed, and if it's happening, the members never get to know about it. The members get no information whatsoever, no newsletters no emails and its clear John Henderson’s been targeted for some while, the member know this. Calum Smith was told only a few weeks prior his salary would be cut by £5000 to then be out of a job a few weeks later. What does that tell you. Young professionals people like Calum are the future of the club, people with ideas, up to date ideas. Not someone who is 50 years behind.

Recommend? Yes 71 No 4
Leave our club
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Jun 28, 14:19
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The reason for these cut backs are mismanagement. For one spending 20000 on a till system that was a shambles and was in for no more than 2 months ! The comitee are a group of friends that love the power the same group that run the rugby club into the ground the royal Musselburgh looks like it could be next ! The 5th oldest club in the world and "royal club " without a pro or pro shop is a joke. Get those idiots out

Recommend? Yes 59 No 0
******
Jun 28, 14:33
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Binny Dealornodeal
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Jun 28, 15:34
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People keep telling me that the Royal Marshleburgh couldn't sink any lower.

I tell them to keep watching!

Recommend? Yes 57 No 1
smarterthanyou
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Jun 28, 15:39
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I thought the secret millionaire was supposed to help clubs and orgainisations, not screw them!! Your cover's blown Mr Thomson, now jog on.

Recommend? Yes 54 No 4
disgruntledmember
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Jun 28, 15:51
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Article doesn't mention the number of staff hired and have left Royal Musselburgh due to the incompetancy of Mr Thomson and the rest of the Management Team. It is victimisation - the only part of the business that continues to bring money into the Club is being tossed out - ludicrous !!!!! Get them all out.

Recommend? Yes 52 No 2
Working man
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Jun 28, 16:02
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Have THESE people forgotten the roots of this club........A working mans club!!!!!! These PROFESSIONALS have dedicated there working lives to this club......To have your dream job as you have worked you ass off to get where they are..... For some unprofessional uneducated monkeys to take there lives away from under them!!!!! Hope the members stand firm & these monkeys walk.........before they are pushed.

Recommend? Yes 51 No 0
******
Jun 28, 16:20
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Jun 28, 16:44
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Sad to see this mess
Unregistered User
Jun 28, 17:06
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Losing members through them I was a member never got my letter to rejoin along with how many more ! Even after I left I was never contacted to find out why I left or if they could help me come back in anyway

Recommend? Yes 36 No 0
******
Jun 28, 17:07
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Jun 28, 17:12
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Jun 28, 17:18
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Mr royal musselburgh
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Jun 28, 17:46
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I joined the royal last yr and only threw Calum and John helping me I still don't no the committe as they are never there. I have phoned Davie Thomson a good few times about getting a locker and im still waiting 6 months later he doesn't care about the royal he's only interested in the power. Without John and Calum I will be cancelling my membership and there will be alot more following. John shud run the office work and let Calum run the pro shop. Get the committe out.

Recommend? Yes 46 No 0
******
Jun 28, 17:50
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Disgruntled PLRFC
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Jun 28, 18:20
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The committee from PLRFC either past or present have had any connection with RMGC. Please ensure people have the correct facts before making accusations on social networks.

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Johnmc
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Jun 28, 18:22
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I'm wanting to become a member but I will not join untill that committee is out

Recommend? Yes 36 No 1
Shanker
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Jun 28, 18:50
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Look on the bright side. Other local clubs are hoovering up loads of old Mussie members and that is helping them progress. Another wave of leavers for next year.

Recommend? Yes 19 No 8
Concernsforclub
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Jun 28, 19:11
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I as a member would like to list my concerns on decisions made by the committee ,

1) Till system purchased without even seeing a finished product, having to swap over numerous bar swipe cards, I feel that money was lost on my account in which i was in credit, then for it to be scrapped and replaced by another system, in which we as members were never informed, if the club was in so much financial difficulty was this a nessecary move???

2) The total cost of the renovation work carried out on the building in transforming them into office suites, At what cost was this to the members and how much annually is generated in??

3) Why is so many members leaving to join other clubs? And what is being done to retain these members, hearing that members have sent letters with regret on leaving the club, but needs must for the powers to be to take note.

I joined the club and the service I received from the pro shop staff John and Calum was second to none , they sold the club when I first arrived as there was no office staff available to speak too, I like others will deffinatley re consider joining the Royal Musselburgh golf club next year, If these services are stripped from us.

Recommend? Yes 35 No 0
longtimemember
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Jun 28, 20:47
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Totally agree, this club is being run into the ground by the current committee members. Would love to know who paid for their Australian trips in the past. My guess is it's us honest paying members. Also, the free drinks they get from the Clubhouse? The members are definitely drifting away. Members who have been very loyal for a lot of years simply fed up of the behaviour from some committee members. The committee needs to go and the comment above very true with regards the rugby club - the same bunch of guys running another place into the ground after bailing out of the Rugby Club. Come on John & Callum open the can of worms.

Recommend? Yes 36 No 0
Dotherightthing
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Jun 28, 20:58
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These committee members forget it is a hobby for them. For John and Calum it is their livelihood. Come on - do the decent thing and admit you are out of your depth and let the Pofessionls do what they are good at. In the right hand sRMGC can be magnificent, instead of the laughing stock it has been under Messrs Rogers, Lynsey and Thomson. Come on members stand up of your Club and force them out.

Recommend? Yes 37 No 0
unhappymember
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Jun 28, 21:15
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Agree with all the above comments that the present committee have to be ejected, if they had any sense they would stand down before being asked to! Let's not forget though fellow members we are the one's that have the power to enforce this, so when a date for the EGM is arranged remember we need to show a united front and get them out before they do any more damage to what was once one of the best golf clubs in Scotland, let's get it back to that standard. John and Calum are clearly valued individuals with whom members have the greatest of respect, to lay them off is absolutely unthinkable!

Recommend? Yes 41 No 0
Walk or be pushed
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Jun 28, 21:58
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Members lets all make the EGM and save this great club from anymore embarrassment

David and co WALK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Recommend? Yes 40 No 0
******
Jun 28, 22:42
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Stand Down Now
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Jun 28, 23:09
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What gives three certain people the right to ruin people's life's by giving John and Calum their notice, especially without consulting the member's and other committee member's! As per usual the three supposed management committee took it upon themselves to decide this! Big mistake and as said before walk now before you are pushed, you are an embarrassment to the RMGC. For once do the right thing and walk away. John and Calum to run office and shop it's an absolute no brainer and I for one have every faith they will turn the place around for the better, so come on member's lets make this happen. Get them out!

Recommend? Yes 33 No 0
pitbits
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Jun 28, 23:33
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The simple solution for disgruntled Royal Musselburgh golfing members !!, offer to buy the course and building from CISWO, the current owners, then run the course on a " level playing field" like every other local course does, without the benefits of a welfare based landlord. Cannot see how they would realise the massive funding required to buy such a property in todays climate, or how the current membership could ever afford the increased green fees far less facilitate the funding of a club professional and his staff, why not let them operate like any other business, rent premises and create their own means. CISWO own the grounds and buildings that are Prestongrange House, they entrust the committee and Trustees to run The Musselburgh Miners Charitable Society and it facilitates The Royal Musselburgh Golf Club to play golf. Any long term future for the Golf Club will always depend on committee members who have the best interests of the club at heart. The alternative would be Archerfields and Country Clubs which are marvelous, but membership fees may be well out of reach to the many Royal members.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 37
Caring member
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Jun 29, 06:55
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Comitee just walk now please ..let the club move forward.

Red neck or brass ????

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harvey2280
5 posts
Jun 29, 08:20
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What a situation this once great club finds itself in. I'm quite happy to put my name to this mainly because we never know who's doing what at the Royal so it's only right someone puts their name up front.

As a member I never get to know what is happening, it’s all whispers, I have to ask questions. As above, there is no news letter, no e-mails, no communication. Not one word of what’s happening within the club. There are no published minutes of any meetings, any plans or alternative plans for the clubs future. If I’m wrong then I want to know where to find them.

You can’t get rid of people, friends, who you see many times over the years and expect it to go through.

Times up I think.

Recommend? Yes 31 No 2
******
Jun 29, 08:57
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Dan_Q
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Jun 29, 09:40
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In my opinion The Royal needs something to attract custom. I played a course on holiday that was about the same length as The Royal, but you had play your ball through rotating windmill sails, or get it into the mouth of a giant plastic whale! One of the holes even featured an animatronic gorrila!!! So come on Royal Musselburgh, move with the times!

Recommend? Yes 19 No 3
Blair Glynn
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Jun 29, 09:58
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I remember when we had a wooden box at the 1st tee and old Tam Wason used to set us off, we advanced to a wee shop at the east end of the building and then a pro shop with a pro. That was progress, moving in the right direction.

Now we're moving in the wrong direction, getting rid of a pro and putting amateurs in his place.

Get a grip!

This is the start of a slippery slope to failure.

Recommend? Yes 17 No 0
Binny Dealornodeal
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Jun 29, 10:08
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We are already making changes along the lines suggested by Dan_Q.

Also, instead of a pro shop, we will sell gear from a cart that will travel around the course. You will be able to get all sorts, from waders to coke. I can assure members that their swipe cards will come in very handy.

Recommend? Yes 15 No 4
******
Jun 29, 10:38
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Must walk
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Jun 29, 11:09
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To sum up David Thomson .. Extremely bad mannered and a coward ! He's not even man enough to give John his notice himself he gives it to a member on there way into the pro shop!

David take the rest with you .... Thanks for the memories we'll will look back and laugh

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Sammy the shammy
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Jun 29, 11:32
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To all the people saying that the committee are hard to get a hold of and saying you Neva see them !!??

Get yourself down the thorntree

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******
Jun 29, 12:43
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Jun 29, 12:51
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Shave the tash
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Jun 29, 13:17
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If the monkeys get there way and the pro shop goes the royal Musselburgh becomes Gifford ! I will be leaving with John and Calum along with hundreds more !!!

Do the decent thing ........ Go .... Just walk

Have Mercy on our great club

David I hope your reading this take your mafia else where

Recommend? Yes 19 No 0
Robert McNeill
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Jun 29, 13:37
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disgruntledmember

I take great exception to your comments regarding working in a power station , it is not only a slight on the individual you refer to but also to the many employees both past and present who work there,at least have the courage and name yourself.

Recommend? Yes 1 No 13
Robert McNeill
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Jun 29, 13:52
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disgruntledmember

Oh and I should have also mentioned the fact that some of my friends are "Janitors" and I would suggest that they too would be angry at such a references

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disgruntledmember
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Jun 29, 13:53
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Robert McNeil

My meaning was do the job you are qualified to do, no intention of degrading anyone's career in any way

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Tashtastic
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Jun 29, 14:36
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What is all the fuss about?

This is the best run circus in Prestonpans.

Ungrateful plebs.

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Tashtastic
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Jun 29, 14:41
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What is wrong with Gifford Shave the tash?

Goblin Ha' and a that.

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******
Jun 29, 14:44
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Tashtastic
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Jun 29, 14:45
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Oh and I should have also mentioned the fact that some of my friends are "monkeys" and I would suggest that they too would be angry at such a references.

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Robert McNeill
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Jun 29, 14:50
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Tashtastic

Obviously you are a bit of a comedian.

Save John

You are just ignorant would you say this to the man's face

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Tashtastic
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Jun 29, 14:56
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Its the committee that are the joke Robert.

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******
Jun 29, 15:07
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Robert McNeill
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Jun 29, 15:15
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To All

Maybe some of the personal abuse especially from those who choose to remain nameless should STOP and have a grown up proper debate on the matter I am sure if you approach it in such away something constructive may come from it.

Recommend? Yes 5 No 2
Dr Christmas Jones
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Jun 29, 16:07
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I am not a member of this club but am dismayed at the level of personal abuse going on. Maybe I am missing something but does the club's constitution not simply allow members to vote the committee out of office? Of course, that means that some other members would need to stand for election. Any takers?

Recommend? Yes 2 No 3
Non member my arse
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Jun 29, 16:14
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Ohhh there is takers cammy wait till yous are out !!

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******
Jun 29, 17:35
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Hang them high
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Jun 29, 17:51
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Davie thomson is a waste of space when you have a problem you can never get a hold of him and when you do speak to him he is very rude and I get the impression that he doesn't care and does not want to help. I will only be re joining if we get rid of that committee

Recommend? Yes 11 No 0
pitbits
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Jun 29, 18:09
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Dr Christmas Jones

You have a valid point ! Plenty "empty vessels" making inane comment.

Could "get them out", "tashtactic", "disruntledmember" add their seemingly abundant talents towards the running of a large golf club ? Do they possess the ability to generate the cash required to improve the obvious dire situation at the Royal Musselburgh ? For too long the golfing members have enjoyed the protection of CISWO, and many of the same members were guilty of not supporting the club by using the bar and catering facilities to help eleviate the running costs. CISWO hold the power to pull the plug if the Royal does not get itself back on a sound financial footing!! You only need to look at what is left of "miners welfares" locally, to see that they have gone to the wall, the Royal could end up a posh building estate rather than a golf club.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 11
Shanker
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Jun 29, 18:25
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It won't turn into a posh building estate. Far too swampy for that.. Would make a good landfill though.

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Worried member
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Jun 29, 18:43
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Saddened that a serious issue is turning into a slanging match. Let common sense and sensible constructive comments prevail

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Man in the know
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Jun 29, 18:50
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I do feel a little for Mr Henderson but Mr Smith is never there. He is either

Teaching at Lorreto or hanging about with individuals who helped blackene the

Club last February. Before people put points across they need to know the facts. As I said above, I do feel sorry for Mr Henderson but he has been massively involved in nearly bankrupting this once great club. The offices were his brainchild as was the enormous bill for the tarmacking of the car park. He, and the committee, got confused over the inital estimation. They couldn't establish between meters squared and square yards and royaly got shafted. I bet the members don't know that. There are many other revelations about this pro shop which if the fellow members knew about would alarm gravely.

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Man in the know
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Jun 29, 19:12
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I do feel a little for Mr Henderson but Mr Smith is never there. He is either

Teaching at Lorreto or hanging about with individuals who helped blackened the

Club last February. Before people put points across they need to know the facts. As I said above, I do feel sorry for Mr Henderson but he has been massively involved in nearly bankrupting this once great club. The offices were his brainchild as was the enormous bill for the tarmacking of the car park. He, and the committee, got confused over the inital estimation. They couldn't establish between meters squared and square yards and royaly got shafted. I bet the members don't know that. There are many other revelations about this pro shop which if the fellow members knew about would alarm gravely.

Recommend? Yes 2 No 4
harvey2280
5 posts
Jun 29, 20:31
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Man in the know..............you cant be at the club that often if you don’t see Calum...........you use the word “FACTS” yet say Calum is never there. He was there this Thursday, I had a tie booked for that day but the course was closed, I was calling for updates..........but he was still there. Now that is a fact. Oh, he was there when the last Tankard was on, he was there just a few days ago when I spoke to him before closing. These are the only times in the last few days I’ve been at the club and he’s been there………..hardly “never there”.

Can't see you getting much support for what you say unless your trying to justify the treatment of Calum.

To imply he had a hand in what went on last year can only be done behind a computer..........man up, go see him face to face, what’s your name, mines is Harvey.

Finally, if Calum was hanging around with individuals that blackened the club……..he would need to be there....Oh, there is another fact. That individual also worked in the shop so it would be hard to distance himself.

But you say he’s never there.

Recommend? Yes 11 No 2
Man in the know
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Jun 29, 23:57
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Harvey when you stop being a sheep and following the crowd then I'll take you seriously.

One day you will find out the whole truth and then you will have to take it on the chin and say "I was wrong". It's not your fault you don't know all the facts, these have been hidden from you.

I might add you had nothing to say about all that £ flushed down the drain on stupid projects that have almost bankrupted the club.

The day Tam Hardy left the club, it began to die slowly, that's a fact.

Plus it shows you how much you know if you think the only other individual involved in blackening the clubs name worked @ RMGC. Try getting your facts straight on that one.

As I said before, although Mr Henderson has been involved in major financial mishaps at the club, he was only part of the general committee so I do feel sorry for him. They have the blame at their door as well.

Recommend? Yes 3 No 3
Robert McNeill
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Jun 30, 02:33
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Get them out

Wrong if you are a member of the club surely you should know who is on the committee.

Who is the muppet now.

Recommend? Yes 4 No 1
TigerWidz
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Jun 30, 05:57
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Using this site to slate the situation at the Royal will not solve anything. As a member with no idea of the going's on behind the scenes it's clear to see everyone involved in running

the place has to stand up and take some blame.

Times have changed and the club needs change. We require a 'real' manager with no ties

no friends at the club who can take the club forward. All council and commitee guys put a lot in and deserve some credit as most of us want to shout but don't want to help.

The club is in desperate need of a shake up throughout from the management the bar the shop and the green staff.

Recommend? Yes 13 No 0
willrenewmembership
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Jun 30, 07:44
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Remember John Henderson was Treasurer and a member of the committee for years so why does he wait until he is told he isn't wanted before he starts to SPIT OUT THE DUMMY did he think he was indispensable, lets see the minutes of the committee meetings where he objected to the spending so he has to take the same amount of blame as the other members or is he just sad at losing his £40,000 plus a year retainer and his shop profits - I wonder how many members joined the Royal because of John Henderson - I for one didn't - oh and where was he on the recent open day - sitting in the shop talking to his cronies - you know the ones - the car park golfers who do not use the bar or restaurant but do help to fill John's coffers - wonder how much of that goes to the club - come on Mr Henderson what has taken you so long to say the club has been mismanaged - why now and not at any of the AGM's - because you know how much was being spent! And for the rest of you why have you never tried to join the committee before this!!!

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Tell it how it is
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Jun 30, 08:10
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Willrenewmembership I could not agree with you more. Great points. And the personal attack of Robert McNeil is a joke. That person is the muppet!

Where were all these wannabe committe members before the brown stuff hit the fan? Oh yeh I know, doing nothing!

It's time for change and a new direction, new ideas, not the same old same old.

Recommend? Yes 2 No 1
Tell it how it is
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Jun 30, 08:48
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And to all these brown nose pro shop supporters, whats the pro shop like compared to other golf clubs pro shops nearby? Oh yeh, the answer is sub standard. Take a look at Craigielaw, Monktonhall, Dubar etc... They put our shop to shame. Far better gear and not stuck in a time warp like ours. Hendersons good at taking money, a lot of money for himself, but where is his commitment bringing the shop in to the 21st century?

It's ok having a few good sets of clubs here and there but why do a lot of RMGC members buy their gear from Monktonhall for example? The reason is simple. It's a better run shop, with better staff and better gear. It's about time we had a Pro shop and staff to be proud of.

People attacking the green staff are comedians. The course is always presented to the best standard possible giving the meagre budget they have to work with, the loss of several experienced staff in the last few years and exceptional weather conditions! All these "arm chair" green keepers know nothing and need to get a grip.

For once it's time to support the comittee and stop this in fighting. Nobody was interested in joining before so why now? Time for change!

Recommend? Yes 6 No 9
Worried member
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Jun 30, 09:33
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There are huge untruths being put on here that only an EGM can answer. Let those being slandered tell you how it is.

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Robert McNeill
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Jun 30, 10:37
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To All

Listen guys I am neutral in all this Just annoyed at comments made about individuals and their jobs, while many of the comments from both sides may be valid, you really need to get it sorted for the sake of the name of the ROYAL and the individuals employed by the club.

Recommend? Yes 7 No 0
sadtoseeitgo
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Jun 30, 13:12
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The management committe, the barstaff, the council, the secretary and the pro shop staff are all a joke, the way the place has been run since the likes of Tom Hardie, Jimmy Hanratty etc left the place is in my opinion diabolical, for me tho there is only 1 person pulling all the strings and its Davie Thomson. no wonder past champions and past captains have left the club.... giving the state of the place and the way things are going the money in which the club got from the sale of the practice area the club will never again own it, which is a shame.. put your bets on the club being closed for business before xmas......

Recommend? Yes 7 No 0
harvey2280
5 posts
Jun 30, 13:22
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"There are huge untruths being put on here that only an EGM can answer. Let those being slandered tell you how it is".

Without being a sheep, I agree with the above.

Recommend? Yes 8 No 0
xasstpro
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Jun 30, 21:31
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Personally, it is john i feel most sorry for. i know how much hard work john has put into the running of the club, it is the management committe that are looking for the easy target to save money. there are far too many members on the CISWO committe, around 12 of them so how can any decisions be made when so many people are influencing the decision making process? When near enough every decision has to go to a vote? Thats Rediculous. There are four paid members of the CISWO comittee all recieving £15000 a year. The maths tell you thats £60000 a year paid out to four guys who cant actually make decisions because there are another 8 part timers puting the boot into the decision making process. Mr henderson also on £250000 retainer for pro shop so why not pay him same amount of money (£40000) - which im quite sure he would be very happy with as most people would be - and then make him director of golf who makes all the business decisions with no other committee influence and stupid votes. That way club saves money and there is an actual business man in charge. Nobody else to blaim if anything else goes wrong. Makes perfect sense. Then that leaves RMGC committee to conduct all of the golf matters in the club.

The golf club can then employ a head professional to run the shop and pay a retainer like before. Although all the shop profits belong to the club. So therefore the shop pays for itself and also make little bit profit for the club.

Its too many individuals on the management committe that are the main problem here. too many non businessmen. John henderson is a successfull business man who know the club more than anyone so therefore should be the main director with nobody else to answer to or object to his proposals.

The club shojld be run as a business and not a charity. Thats a

Recommend? Yes 6 No 0
Smack that
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Jun 30, 22:45
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Here here to the above

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RMGC 4EVA
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Jul 1, 00:46
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"Tell it how it is"

are you being serious with your comments saying that the course is always kept upto "the best standard possible".... i am sure most people at the club including the unbiased commitee members will agree that the course condition is a shambles! im not saying that the weather hasnt made it worse than it should be but the greenkeeping staff really need to pull there finger out! im sure others will have noticed but since when has a club like ours had such bad greens and fairways??? never and the reason is down to experiance of which there is none on our green staff!!! why are we employing CHILDREN to look after our course?? im all for "if your good enough your old enough" but these kids are not upto the task of looking after our greens (maybe thats why one of them lost his job at old muss??) it is a joke and our standard of golf course will never be back at a good standard unless we employ dependable hard working people who know how to do there jobs... also in referance to the above coments saying Calum Smith is "hanging around with certian individuals" that subject has nothing to do with what we are discussing and what calum does with his private life outside of the club is his own business not yours!

Recommend? Yes 2 No 3
Smack that
Unregistered User
Jul 1, 06:28
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"RMGC 4EVA"

I think you've got your attack directed at the wrong person on here. Your blaming "Tell it how it is" and "Man in the know" for the same stuff when it's to different opinions and to different digs.

Smack that

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0
Defender
Unregistered User
Jul 1, 09:08
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"RMGC 4EVA"

You make a vaild point about the "children" Greenstaff. They, unfortunately , are not experienced enough to help the experienced Greenkeeping staff out. They will, in time, gain this experience though.

The reason the committee went down this route is because when the experienced greenstaff left they went with the "cheap" option, rather than invest in more experience.

This is typical RMGC committee procedure.

Then they used the moneys saved to spend wastefully on other projects normal members like you and i will never see the benifit off.

Recommend? Yes 9 No 0
willrenewmembership
Unregistered User
Jul 1, 14:51
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Stop this - great publicity for the Club and I don't think - have you all forgotten that this is Charitable Society for the benefit of miners, ex miners and their families. Instead of this tirade of negativity stop going on about the golf club, the pro shop, the greens and remember there is also a large listed building in the mix which needs heat, lighting, maintenance etc. Instead of showing your disatisfaction etc here why not put your questions in writing to the committee and have them respond - yes it would be interesting to find out what the salaries and expenses are, how much is spent on the course and the building but instead of guessing how much it is demand to know don't just accept the figures that are on the accounts. Then do some research into the salaries of Greenkeepers, bar, restaurant,admin staff and see how many people with knowledge and experience would be willing to work for £6.08 (national minimum wage for over 21's), or perhaps all you moaners would volunteer to do all the work on the greens, manage the club (bar & restaurant), clenaing, maintenance and admin work on a voluntary basis oh yes and you have to keep up with all new legislation in respect of vat, licensing, invoicing, CISWO, what you can and can't use on the course ie feritlizers etc. Come on all of you instead of whinging take action and help the Golf Club, Club and Charity.

Recommend? Yes 4 No 8
xasstpro
Unregistered User
Jul 1, 23:14
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Golf club needs to be run by a successfull businessman who can make good profitable decisions without outside influence from guys who are not self employed.

the practice area should be used for constant professional coaching from freelance professionals who pay a percentage of the money they earn from using the facilities.

the professionals at craigielaw only get to keep £5 per lesson from each £25 earned. Im not saying that should be the case here, but the golf club should be using the facilities they have to make money they can use to pay for better greenkeepers. The qualified greenkeepers here are actually very good. But they are even hampered by the children who are working here. The club have these children here on free placements from the council. They are paid only a minimum wage from the council so they are only here because they have to, not because they want to. Again the golf club are saving money instead of investing it in more employed, qualified greenstaff.

Another major mistake was the investment of new kitchen equipment downstairs in the function suite. £30000 wasted for someone else to use and make the profits.

Again there is too much influence from the committe. Ther should be one man in charge making the executive decisions.

Recommend? Yes 1 No 0
Tofo
Unregistered User
Jul 2, 01:01
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Hi there,

The majority of responses so far are against management committee and I too would like to back that, simply for the reason that based on my personal experiences, I believe them to portray the real, unhealthy committee that lies behind the stunning CISWO building.

I myself have no interest in Golf or anything with remote involvement with RMGC (any more), but have several different friends and close family members which are extremely loyal to the sport, so am acutely aware of the passion that people have for Golf.

I had the unfortunate experience of being a daily part of RMGC and it's management team for a number of weeks, although was not in any way directly involved with management individuals, I did receive a clear insight of the lies and betrayal behind the beautifully kept CISWO building. Please note, this is a first hand experience, not anything else.

Unfortunately, I'll cut to the chase, David Thompson is the man (or at least he appears to think he is) in charge, and he, with his millions of pounds of lottery money, will do everything in his unlimited power to ensure that within 10 seconds of you walking into that building, that you are to his mercy, and what he says goes.

However the issues do not stop there, as his poorly knowledgeable Staff are quick to back David up at every stage, further empowering the Thompson empire.

The money situation in the club, I can tell you now, is much much worse than many of you are aware of. Not a new issue too, the club have been aware of a decline in profits and member numbers for several years now and have failed to act on it. I will not go into details publicly, but do a bit of digging and speaking to the correct sources and you will soon uncover the truth behind the club's finances.

To top it all off, Googling 'royal musselburgh golf club drugs' returns 'About 189,000 results'. Oh, shall I not talk about that? Disgraceful - and to think I brought my infant daughter here.

Funny, after all that, the one good experience I did have was with in fact the very same person this article is about. Mr John Henderson. John is a straight-talking man and although lacks on several managerial aspects, the guy was friendly and appeared to want only what was best for the club. He might not be the best guy for dafties job, but he'd do a damn sight better than dafty himself.

Unfortunately, we can all write comments on ELCourier, but nobody will act on anything they write, or (supposedly) believe in.

As I say, I'm not a member, I've no interest in Golf, but I just think.. what a waste of a club.

Members, quick tip: If you want something badly enough, you'll clock up a way to get it.

I mean.. he doesn't have a club to rule over if there's no members, right? *coughcough*

Recommend? Yes 74 No 0
robertbonaly
Unregistered User
Jul 2, 07:19
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I used to be a member of RMGC and can only comment on the primary reasons why I left. The amount of communication received from the committee on what seemed to me to be major issues was abysmal. It seemed to me that the place was run by a cabal of 3 people for the benefit of them and their cronies at Port Seton Golf Club and they did not feel accountable to anyone. They have a great asset in the clubhouse which I know the likes of John Henderson have tried over the years to obtain maximum benefit from. These are hard times and therefore the sort of accommodation available is not going to be easy to shift but it seems to me that the committee just seem to be acceptant of that fact and in their usual style are doing absolutely nothing to be pro-active - common behaviour by them.

One of the reasons I did not leave before I did was due to the service I received in the Pro Shop from John and Calum. I find it staggering beyond belief that in a customer service business the first area to be binned is the customer facing part of the business - how does that make any sense?? I think the committee need to explain what their strategy is and what other options have been considered before taking this action. What forward facing golf club would do without the services of their professional and hope to be taken seriously and a "Royal" Club at that - these people are making your club a complete laughing stock and something needs to be done asap to have them removed from power before they do any more damage. I just wish i was still a member and able to play an active role in making sure they make themselves accountable to ALL members without any further delay

Recommend? Yes 8 No 0
In the know.
Unregistered User
Jul 2, 07:55
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Just a word to the Man in the know, from the, In the know.

Calum, the guy you say is never there, was there again yesterday. Thats sunday, the day most of us are busy enjoying ourselves like playing golf, the day most of us would get pain double time or more to work.

What a ridiculous and clearly untrue statement to make. I hope for the sake of the club you are not a member.

Recommend? Yes 6 No 1
Past club champ
Unregistered User
Jul 2, 09:40
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I'm a past club champion at RMGC, I have been a member there for a number of years.

Over the last decade the club has slowly been going down like a the titanic, the committee need to stop thinking about them selves and start thinking about the club and it's future.

There are 12 committee members and majority of them will have kids who are members of the club or kids they hope can become members in the future. We need to start thinking about ensuring the club is still there for there future and not personal gain/power trip.

Recommend? Yes 8 No 0
PHall
Unregistered User
Jul 2, 19:07
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Take some advice from your paying members Royal Musselburgh and dump the lazy bar staff who never a smile on any their faces too!!

If things don't shape up, I too will be leaving.

Recommend? Yes 7 No 4
not a millionaire
Unregistered User
Jul 2, 21:30
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when is the for sale sign going up? taylorwimpey interested.can i have the first plot

Recommend? Yes 2 No 0
beat it tash
Unregistered User
Jul 2, 21:34
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before anyone starts objecting and moaning at what im about to say, id like to add that im not 1% happy about what happend back in febuary about the "drugs raid" etc, but id like to point out that by being "in the know" myself im sure you all know that not only one person was to blame for that situation that brought our club into disrepute??? the lad who was thown out of the club and pro shop staff wasnt the only one involved in all that nonsense yet he seemed to be the only one getting all the negativity towards him! the club really needs to take a closer look into who its letting onto its professional team and bar managment for that matter! i find it totally bemusing that only one person lost his job because of all that happend and everyone else kept ther jobs and all the commitee did was a big fat NOTHING about those persons involvment in it! do we really know who these people at our club are, and why is everyone fighting to keep a someone who was involved with it in a job? if you all wanted our club to gain back the respect we all know it deserves, then surely the right thing to do would be START AFRESH and bomb out everyone who was involved in it so our great club can get some dignity back by saying we do not approve of it!!!

TASH GTF!!!

Recommend? Yes 10 No 0
In the know.
Unregistered User
Jul 3, 07:46
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"the lad who was thown out of the club and pro shop staff wasnt the only one involved in all that nonsense yet he seemed to be the only one getting all the negativity towards him!"

So, main witness, I take it you informed the police, gave them the required information, that you obviously must have in your possession, or did you just happen to stumble on this web site as your opportunity for self gratification..a year and a half later. I think you can go on crimestoppers without giving your identity.....you did do that, didnt you.

Here we have the informant the witness the police the judge the jury and the prison officer all rolled into one.

Recommend? Yes 2 No 1
Mr Impartial
Unregistered User
Jul 3, 08:27
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"beat it tash"

That comment is as good a comment as you will see on here. Can clearly see you are not blinkered or biased like er...cough ...cough..."in the know" and hangers on. You only have to look at the big picture to see this is fact & not fiction like some of the above. All of what you said is correct and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out

Recommend? Yes 4 No 0
In the know.
Unregistered User
Jul 3, 12:05
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And that is the word from Mr Impartial. Lets see, Impartial, unbiased - even-handed - equitable - fair - dispassionate. But why would anyone wait until a golf club is in trouble before spouting this.

If it's FACT, as you say above, then report it to the police. But you can't because you would look a fool. However here is a good place to say what you like. You'll probably be talking all nice to the very people you are downing here.

To anyone reading this outside what happened.....the police were involved, many of them, people were questioned, many of them, people were charged, many of them, people were found guilty, a few of them. But here, on this web site, we have some people who are above all that and have decided otherwise.

Forget my blinkers, report your FACTS to the police, then we can all read about it one day.

Recommend? Yes 2 No 1
RMGC member
Unregistered User
Jul 3, 14:58
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"In the Know"

Clearly not "In the know" more like! Your nose must be so brown right now. Unless you know the "facts" and the real truth about what happened keep your stupid comments to yourself.

Recommend? Yes 1 No 0
xasstpro
Unregistered User
Jul 3, 23:01
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'In the know'

were you in the high court to see anybody found guilty? Clearly not. the witnesses involved (ALL RMGC STAFF BY THE WAY) all admitted that they had been part of the events which took place and all admitted this in front of a judge,jury and prosecutor. It also has to be said that all of these staff members have admitted in front of the judge,jury and prosecutor to doing more wrong than the supposedly 'GUILTY' one we are all talking about here. Yet theses staff members are all ''saints'' in you eyes. Do me a favour and please do not get facts and fiction mixed up. Nobody here was sitting in the high court to see the events and '' Truth'' unfold so therefore cannot comment on ''hearsay''

Recommend? Yes 5 No 0
In the know.
Unregistered User
Jul 4, 08:31
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Ah........here we have the Royal Musselburgh xasstpro (nobody HERE was in court) one and a half years later Kangaroo court. My point is this, no one has the right, outside proper proceedures, especially a year and a half later to use something unrelated to the demise of the club, a demise thats been going on for many years before. One gentleman said to the council, I’ve told you for the last three years you need to get the finances in order. Was it four years ago they done away with the joining fee. Maybe questions should have been asked then rather than give out retrospective punishments through a newspaper web site now the club is in trouble. You do know what retrospective means.

This is not about people being saints as you said...sorry you said all Saints. Its about a club with money troubles and people on here think this is the opertunity to stick the knife into people, not at the AGM or past AGMs or at special meetings. I look forward to hearing some of these coments at the next meeting...but you wont.

Recommend? Yes 1 No 1
xasstpro
Unregistered User
Jul 4, 10:22
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I think ul find i am an xasst pro but not at royal musselburgh.

Anyway apart from all that i had been attatched to royal musselburgh for over 12 years and close to mr henderson so i do know the goings at at depth. the runnings of the RMGC are an absolute disgrace and the club is a laughing stock across the country and quite frankly will never gain the respect it once had. I have spoken to professionals and the likes around the country and everyones opinion of the place and the committee are all the same.

I saw at first hand - in the high court by the way - these RMGC Staff members all admit their guilt which was a lot more than the lad who lost his job. So dont think for one second that the crown prosecution service are gojng to let that go, so therefore this will all come to light again when these other staff members are brought to justice. there will be a lot more headlines in the news about who else was invlolved and what else went on at RMGC.

So if these people are not emptied before all this comes to light again, it will be another full red face for RMGC AGAIN.

Recommend? Yes 8 No 0
rab_want_the_truth
Unregistered User
Jul 4, 19:40
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I share the anger and frustrations with a lot of comments on here. My issues are regarding the till system and the one way communication that has appeared to be the norm. I was always brought up to believe there are TWO sides to every story;

I know Peter personally (a local guy who installed the till system) so I know for a fact that the earlier comment of

"20000 on a till system that was a shambles and was in for no more than 2 months"

is simply not true!

The verbal and written accusations Peter has had to endure, has been unacceptable. He has had to go the legal route regarding matters which wont be disclosed on here, needless to say it is him who is doing the accusing.

Peter tells me that there are not many people to this day who actually know what the original till contract says, what instructions were given by the trustees, how the club delayed the contract, how the club didn't have information, prices and correct stock levels - and that was at the START of a signed contract - which RMGC later changed.

Who knows what the status of the old till system was like? Not even the committee or the members know the full facts! (why doesn't somebody ask Peter to his face - he is approachable)

So I guess Peter is an easy target and can be blamed for almost anything (whether it's true or not). It is my understanding that some of the things that the committee have (or have not) been told by Trustees HAS TO BE questioned. I also do not subscribe to the old addage that if you say something often enough it must be true.

Ask for written responses to the following;

1. Have RMGC now paid the full contract price now for the till system (it was never ever 20K)? what has RMGC paid on this contract?

2. Has the FULL committee SEEN the contract, reports, recommendations and and all correspondence?

3. Does anybody have a record of the money that was on members cards BEFORE the till system went in - Management should have records, what monies were removed and how many people were wiped off the databse before issuing new cards? How many had problems with cards?

4. Why didn't the management secretary issue the new website contract in September (when it was agreed) as he was asked to do in writing and verbally on several occasions. (Peter still has not been given a reason why)

In the interest of the club rather than speculation, it would be good to the TRUTH out there once and for all!

Rab

Recommend? Yes 21 No 0
0n Holiday
Unregistered User
Jul 4, 23:58
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Well Rab it is my understanding a committee member was and still is suspended from the RMGC management committee for asking these questions. So what chance has the ordinary member got?

Recommend? Yes 8 No 0
rab_want_the_truth
Unregistered User
Jul 5, 10:13
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OnHoliday

If that is true then that could explain question 2 (above) How can a committee member be suspended for asking questions? Who suspended him? It would appear certain people in management do not want to explain themselves.

Committee people you need to grow a collective pair. Please start asking working and asking questions on behalf of the membership - there is a nasty smell coming from RMGC Management.

Recommend? Yes 11 No 0
Robert Cunningham
Unregistered User
Jul 5, 11:32
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Can I ( Robert Cunningham ex committee member) state that the previous posting of Rab want the truth is not myself.

Recommend? Yes 2 No 8
Teflon John
Unregistered User
Nov 21, 23:04
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New committee, old habits. Members kept in the dark about the grubby boardroom goings on, new committee members suspended already, rumours of deleted management files, greenstaff taking petrol for their own cars, a few hundred thousand pounds in debt being labelled 'a temporary financial situation'. A successful petition to keep on the 'Club Pro' as the 'Club Pro' not as MMCS Treasurer(the last remaining member of the last committee) kept the members happy, only then he decided he wanted to be Director of golf and so it came to pass. Love him or loathe him, the man does know he's the one main reason for division within the Club, but he's only thinking of his only self interest. Dark and shady goings on, will the Club survive? I'm sure the new open and transparent masters will let their lucky members know. Well sometime anyway.

Recommend? Yes 1 No 0

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