The Nuclear Golf Society (NGS) was founded in 1980 by a group of Devonport Royal Dockyard workers (on Nuclear Submarines) who decided to get together for a number of golfing away days each year. These days consisted of 36 holes of golf with an Individual round in the morning and a Team event in the afternoon followed by a two course meal.
These were organised by Individuals until at the end of 1982 when the first AGM was held at the Plymouth Civil Service Club with 19 members present and a committee was formed consisting of
Chairman Pete Lawson
Vice Chairman Pete Fisher
Secretary Roy Johnson
Treasurer Mike Hind
Ass. Secretary Pete Lyons
Com. Member George Greening
with the Captain for 1983 being John Hicks and Brian Wardle as his Vice Captain.
Proposals for
Membership to be limited to 55 - proposed by Bert Holmes, seconded by Alan Short Jnr
Monies to be paid seven days in advance - proposed by P Lawson, seconded by R Johnson
Two’s competition to be £1 instead of a ball - proposed by M Wise, seconded by Mike Channon
Increase in club membership fee to £3 - proposed by R Johnson, seconded by Vic Easton
A Joining fee of £2 - proposed by B Holmes, seconded by Gordon James
were all carried and added to the rules already in force.
An AGM has been held each year since and numerous changes to the rules (current rules can be found on the committee page) have been made for various different reasons.
At these AGM’s, amongst other things the election of officers and the next year’s courses were voted on by the members.
Over time, most of the Devon & Cornwall courses have been played at least once, as well as a few in Somerset.
1990 saw a slight change of Leadership with Pete Fisher and Pete Lyons taking over the posts of Chairman and Secretary respectively, with Mike Hind remaining as Treasurer.
By 1996 the Society had a Trophy for each of its six society days (see Trophy page). Some were in memory of a member who had passed away, the others donated by members for various reasons. There are now also two ‘Overall’ competitions. The first (Brimble & James) trophy is for the best overall member by way of points gained for coming in the top 10 of each of the golf days (excluding Turkey Trot) for that year. The second (Old Gits) was introduced in 2003 and is run the same, but for members who are 55 (then 60 (2014AGM),now 65 as voted at 2021 AGM) or over in that year.
At the 2001 AGM, the secretary Pete Lyons suggested that the society should do something in 2005 to commemorate it’s 25th year.
It was agreed and a weekend was arranged and held that year which saw 40 golfers celebrating at ‘The Belfry’, with the ‘Brabazon’ course on the Saturday counting for our normal August golf day. The Sunday, after the round (PGA National) the golfers traveled back to Tewkesbury Golf & Country Club for Dinner, Bed and Breakfast (Monday) with another 18 holes to round off the weekend.
In 2010 the 30th Anniversary was celebrated by another weekend this time at ‘The Forest of Arden’. 37 golfers made this trip and the ‘Arden’ course counted for the August golf day that year. The Sunday evening saw us stay at ‘St Pierre’, Chepstow with 18 holes on the Championship course on the Monday.
2011 saw another change to the committee when for health and other reasons, Mike Hind, Pete Fisher and Pete Lyons, were replaced by Mike Cusack, Phil Mannell and Malcolm Lyons respectively although Mike Mahoney has now replaced Phil (2012) who had only agreed to stand for 1 year as secretary.
In 2012 (voted for and passed at the 2011 AGM) the number of golf days reduced (by one) to 5 with a Turkey Trot. This was done due to falling numbers at golf days with regards to leave/cost and other commitments. It was therefore also decided that the "Lew Thomas" Cup (Team Trophy) was to be moved and played for in the July golf day each year from now on. This along with the "Colin Kent" Trophy (Individual Trophy) that was already held every July meant that 2 trophies were now played for in that month.
2015 saw the societies 35th Anniversary celebrated by another anniversary weekend, this time at ‘Celtic Manor’. 32 golfers made the trip and the ‘2010’ course counted for the August golf day that year. The Sunday evening saw us stay at ‘The Vale Resort’, with 18 holes on the Welsh National Championship course played on the Monday.
In 2020 the society had all of the normal golf days postponed due to the Corona-virus Pandemic that swept the world. Venues were not able to provide the full golf day package booked, due to the Governments rules/regulations regarding Covid-19. There was one silver lining though and that was the staging of the 40th Anniversary weekend, this time again at the ‘Forest of Arden’ (venue for the 30th). This event took place as lock-down restrictions were eased at the end of June. 32 golfers made the trip, but no Trophy (August golf day) was played for as the committee had decided to cancel playing for all Trophies (overall & Individual) for the year due to this being the only likely golf event to be held! Both courses (Arden & Aylesford) were played twice (Alternatively) over the 4 days. Single room occupancy along with social distancing and other rules/regulations failed to stop everyone thoroughly enjoying the weekend in glorious summer weather, with the Arden course in excellent condition as it had staged the English Open the previous weekend!
At the 2022 AGM a change of secretary saw Mike Mahoney replaced by Nick Fry. Mike remains on the committee, but relinquished his role due to forthcoming SHGC commitments.
Over the 40 plus years, the society has had around 200 members come and go, with about a dozen core members who have been with the society through thick and thin for over 25 of those years, with One original founder member still participating, who has been granted "Life" membership at the 2021 AGM!
The Societies aim of a ‘Fun day out’ where winning is secondary to having a great days golf with good company and a bit of ‘banter’ at a reasonable cost still stands today!