In attendance: Tony Lloyd (TL), Algy Grimes (AG) Richard Westergreen – Thorne (RWT)
Barry Donovan (BD) Jonathan Lean (JL), Dave Wood (DW) David Barlow (DB)
Apologies: Nigel Underwood (NU)
Minutes previous
Agreed
Matters arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda
None
Captain's report (TL)
Not a lot to report this month, although I do seem
to have played a lot of golf! We have played a lot of matches, with mixed
results, but I will let Algy flesh out the details.
Looking back, there is one issue I would like to
report which was an unfortunate incident during our home match against
Luffenham Heath on Aug 15. As our third match was teeing off from the JOG 17th
at 9.45am a group had already reached the 16th. Despite an attempt by Jonathan
to placate them, one of the group subsequently complained to Nigel Tarn.
Nigel asked me to reply which I did, apologising
for any delay they might have experienced on the last two holes but pointing out
that we have the permission of the club for a staggered start. I didn’t receive
a reply. I think the problem may have been a combination of a later (9.30am)
start on our part and a group of extremely quick players catching up with us.
If they started at 7am they took only 2hrs 45mins to reach the 17th.
It might be wise in future with a 9.30 start to set
a group off the 17th before the first group on the 1st just to gain a few
minutes.
On the topic of the staggered start, David and I
lobbied the Northampton captain after we played them at JOG on Aug 26. Because
they like to start later, we had a one-tee start which reminded us how much
longer it takes. Consequently, we persuaded them to agree to a 9.30 start next
year so that we can have a staggered start.
There haven’t been any committee meetings this
month to report so no doubt I will have lots to tell you about next month.
Finally, Paul Hitchcock, chair of the golf
committee, is planning to set up a CPR session for club members on how to use a
defibrillator and I have offered the support of the senior section in
publicising it.
Treasurer's report (BD)
1.
The financials position as at 5/9 is a bank balance of £9.7k up
from £8.5k last month. This includes £1200 deposits for the 2026 Tour.
2.
A full review of invoices and charges has been undertaken and the
results presented to the Club and their Accountants. On a net receipt basis we
are owed £1.6k as of 5t September.
3.
The Finance processes seem to be working well under the new
regime. Wendy is providing an excellent service. I would be very interested in
feedback from other members re their experiences.
4.
The 2026 Tour has been booked at the Nottinghamshire on 20/22 May
2026. 26 are signed up- we have capacity for 4 more but this is short lived – I
need to confirm numbers shortly. It is clear that we need more advanced
planning over future years tours – despite cost increases capacity is severely
limited in May.
5.
Bank Account. No further action on this. Not currently the
priority. Costs are £4.25 per month.
6.
From a personal point of view I will be undergoing knee surgery in
October – confirmed as 27/10/25.This will impact my availability for a while.
Shouldn’t impact things too much but I may need some help for the Christmas
Fayre.
7.
2026 suggestion – Committee Golf Day?
8.
Statement attached is as of 5th September for the period to
end of August. Please note that the Matches and Competitions are recorded as
paid / payment received. For the year end accounts these need to be ‘grossed
up’ to reflect Income and Costs separately. Also accruals from 2024 – ie moneys
paid and received relating to last year but received this year – need to be
eliminated from these figures.
It was agreed that the Past Captains Away Day will in future be a
past Captains and Committee Away Day.
Vice Captain's report (DB)
Nothing to report this month.
IPC report (RWT)
Nothing to report.
Secretary’s report (RWT)
Two existing club members joining us since the last
meeting. The club induction process for prospective new members is now
operating on a quarterly basis, and the next introductory session is this coming Saturday
with Algy attending on behalf of the seniors. Over 20 people are likely to come along,
and some will be of seniors’ age.
I am pleased that Cambridge Country Club have now
confirmed the dates for 2026 which completes the responses from all the other
clubs we play. The Ladies have also confirmed the dates for the competitions held
with them.
Northampton have switched the date of the match at
their place to avoid a clash with an evening booking impacting upon meal arrangements
which will be a permanent switch. I am not certain what impact this will have
on start times and meal arrangements.
I have also amended the calendar to reflect their
agreement to tee off at 9.30am for our home fixture with them. We need
to move the date of one competition due to the revised coursework
arrangements, and I will cover this under a separate agenda item.
A small amount of correspondence with members
during the past month and one item flagged up for AOB.
Competition Secretary's report (NU)
Just one competition has taken place since we last
met : the Bailiff Shield, which was won by Colin Norman with 46 points from
George Simmons, 44 and
Tony Lloyd 3 rd on countback with the same score.
Divisional prizes were also handed out and very well received. I received two
personal messages of appreciation!
Next up are.
The Gordon Percival Team Trophy on the 30th
September has currently 100 entrants, one person on the reserve list but
plenty of time for that to change and numbers to be juggled. A thought. if
we end up with one or two “spare” people, could they not compete as
individuals on the understanding they would not be in the team competition?
The Autumn Single Stableford on October 7 th has
102 entrants and 2 reserves. Divisional prizes will be awarded.
3 clubs and a putter has 74 entrants so far, very
promising at this stage.
The mixed scramble with the ladies is open and
currently has 14 entries, plenty of time for that to grow.
Finally, the match versus the Juniors is open for
entry, no one has as yet signed up but the match is five weeks away.
On a different note, I expect to publish the final
version of the inclement weather policy in time for the next meeting…..and
with luck to have obtained the Seniors Bell which will be the signal to
abandon play and seek shelter.
Action Point: It was confirmed that the Bring and Win and Christmas Fayre will be non-qualifiers
as last year and that NU would ensure
this was clear in the entry requirements and RWT would publicise in the
Newsletter.
Match Secretary's Report (AG)
Since our last committee meeting, the Seniors’ team
has been very busy and played seven matches with the last two to come, securing
two wins and five defeats. We started the month well with a win at home to
Luffenham Heath 6-2, Unfortunately we then had a string of losses, Letchworth
away, 5.5-2.5, Northampton home 5-3, Luffenham Heath away (revenged their loss
at JOG) 5-3, Millbrook 5-3 then came a wonderful win at Gog Magog 5-3 (same as
at JOG), then the match at South Beds resulted in a loss 5.5-2.5.
The running totals now stand at Won 12, Lost 15,
and One Half, let’s see if we can close the gap with the last two matches, one
away and one at home later this week.
There was a different approach by Luffenham Heath
when we played there regarding the pairings, their organiser swopped around our
pairings to try and balance the shots received by each team. I would be
interested to hear more about that from those that played because we did lose
5-3 having beaten them at home 6-2!
Having discussed the sign up process with Alban, he
says he has had a number of questions about the process and has suggested he
runs a session on what to do, those members he spoke with would welcome it, Is
this something for the AGM day when a lot of members will be at the club?
Action Point: AG to liaise with Alban Macdonald about
an opportunity for a session regarding the match matrix early in the new year.
Trophy Custodian's Report (DW)
Firstly, please accept my apologies for not
attending the last three Committee meetings.
I am pleased to report that all trophies are
accounted for and are either in the trophy cabinet or residing with their
2024/2025 winners.
Trophies will be available for presentation at:
Gordon Percival Team Comp. September 30th
Autumn Singles Stableford (Neville Hoole) Comp.
October 7th
Leo Pickett 3 Clubs and Putter Comp. October 14th
TSB Seniors v Juniors Comp. October 29th
Arthur Lucas Cup (Bring and Win) Comp. November 11tth
Bas Backhouse Trophy Comp. (Xmas Fayre). December
16th
I will shortly be contacting all those in
possession of Trophies requesting them to return them to the club before the
beginning of November for Engraving with 2025 winners. (2024 winner in the case
of Bas Backhouse Trophy)
I note that all three Seniors knockout competitions
are awaiting completion. Can I ask for an inclusion in the next newsletter to
urge those taking part to have the competitions completed by the beginning of
November to allow for any engraving to be arranged.
Swap Day – Newmarket Links, 27th October 2025.
All 40 players entered in the Swap Day event have
been sent details of the arrangements for the days’ events.
All have also been advised that following the event
an additional £2.00 per person will be deducted from their bar cards for Staff
Gratuities. This is in order to maintain the fairness of the reciprocal payment
arrangement between both clubs.
Arrangement made with Wendy to collect £2.00 for
each of the players’ cards, acting on my list of players on the day.
Prizes for Newmarket Competition
Total Prize Pot £120.00
Winning team 2 x £30.00 = £60.00 (Pro shop Tokens)
Runners up 2 x £20.00 = £40.00 (Pro Shop Tokens)
N/Pin x 2 2 x £10.00 = £20.00 (Bottles of wine) One
N/P to be in two shots on a Par 4)
Total prizes = £120.00
I will arrange with Tom Simm to provide Pro Shop
Tokens and for him to send Barry Donovan the invoice.
I will be meeting up with Robert Hicks (Newmarket
organiser) during week of 22nd – 28th September to ensure that everything is in
place for the event and to iron out any problems.
Presentation Evening 2nd December 2025.
Arrangements/timings will remain as previous years.
We are returning to the Christmas Menu for the
evening, keeping the menu to Main course and Dessert. (Dietary needs will be
catered for)
There will be Turkey, Fish and Vegetarian options
for the main course, and appropriate choices for dessert.
Chef Marcus is putting together the Christmas menu
during Week Commencing Monday 15th September. I will advise the
Committee once I have full details. I will endeavour to keep the price of the
meal as close to that of last year's meal as possible.
I propose to hold a raffle on the evening following
the success of its introduction last year. Invitations will be sent out to
Captain's Guests in early October and to trophy winners shortly afterwards. Where
appropriate, invitations will be sent out to runners-up.
Captain's Guests
Gordon McLeod advised me last year that he
considers that because of his position in the Club it is inappropriate for him
to accept the Captains’ invitation to the Presentation Dinner.
I do not propose to invite him this year.
I ask for a list of Captain's Guests for 2025.
Tour 2026
BD outlined the numbers and arrangements for the 2026 Tour as they
currently stand.
One Charity
A discussion took place regarding the switch this year to ‘one charity’
across the Captains. Concerns have been raised about whether this is the best approach,
and these were echoed by committee members during the discussion. It was agreed
that TL and DB should follow up with the other captains and vice captains to
agree the best way forward for 2026.
Calendar 2026
RWT shared the latest calendar which shows a couple
of tweaks. The move of the coursework weeks to the summer on both courses has
led to the bailiff Shield needing to be shifted to another week. Given that the
calendar of events is very full this means it needs to move to October for
2026. Discussions took place about how to free up a Tuesday in the summer in 2027 to
enable it to move back to its usual time of the year.
Fixtures 2027
The committee discussed the fixture list for 2027
and those teams that we play in matches. It was agreed that RWT and TL would
take this forward with other clubs.
Past Senior Captains' Lunch
Nine Past Captains (and current Captain) are
currently due to attend with responses awaited on three further members.
Swap Day 2027 and 2028
Wellingborough had expressed an interest for 2027
and this will be followed up as the first option once their 2026 Vice-Captain (and
subsequently 2027 Captain) is appointed as it will be their decision to make.
The Bedfordshire have also shown interest and they will be considered for 2028
(or 2027 if we are unable to confirm an arrangement with Wellingborough).
Action Point: TL to agree a date with The
Bedfordshire for a couple of their committee to visit for a game.
AOB
Photographs in the club foyer – it has been raised
by a member that there are the photographs of the Club captain, ladies Captain
and Club President in the foyer but not one of the Senior Captain nor Junior
Captain.
Action Point: DB to follow up.
Dates of Future Meetings
Thurs Oct 16
Thurs Nov 13
Thurs Jan 13 2026
Thurs Feb 3 2026 (AGM)
but the next two matches were lost 4&3 and 2&1 with Gerry’s comment whilst shaking his head “we were 4 up after 6”.
