So, we can say that above the ceiling and under the ground, we are looking after our physical plant in ways that are essential but not very exciting. But most of all, we have taken care of our balance sheet for today and for the future. We started the year about a million dollars in debt with no capital reserve. We end the year with no debt while fully funding our depreciation and obligatory capital needs. We also now have a program in place for funding a very healthy capital reserve. All this will make us financially stronger, more resilient and more flexible when we make future improvement and investment decisions. On top of that, we announced a new initiative that is the brainchild of Membership Development Chair, Tripp Way. It is called the Heritage Path and, in conjunction with our 125th Birthday, will offer a one-year-only discount of $12,500 off the full stock price to new members joining in 2026. There will also be incentives for existing members who introduce new members. Be on the lookout for more information about this program and please remember something I often say: if only 10% of our senior members introduced just one new member, we would be at our maximum capacity. Let’s all do our part to introduce our friends to this great club that we all enjoy. It became evident this year that our written communications to the membership are not as widely-read as we might like. Therefore, we are instituting in 2026 a program that I have loosely named Meet With The Prez in which I will make myself available to anyone and everyone to ask me or tell me anything and everything you would like. I envision a few of these over the course of the year and I hope you take me up on the offer. I am excited for the discussion. In the meantime, you can always give me your thoughts at dwilks.wcc@gmail.com. As we close the year this holiday season, let’s all remember what we are as Wilmington Country Club. We had a debate among us in 2025 and our unity was challenged. We can never allow any issue -- be it financial, aesthetic or otherwise -- to divide us into factions. We are a community of friends with common interests and this is a place where we can come and do what we love with people we enjoy. I hope that someday we will renovate the North Course. We have an exciting set of plans to work with. But in 2026 let’s celebrate 125 years as the community of friends that we are. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE CONT. | DAVID WILKS
David Wilks
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