Present: David Barlow (DB), Terry Domagala
(TD), Jonathan Lean (JL), Tony Lloyd (TL), Nigel Underwood (NU),
Steve Mathers (SM) Algy Grimes (AG) Barry Donovan
(BD) Warren Churms (WC) Dave Wood (DW)
1 Minutes of last meeting were accepted with no matters
arising
2 Captain’s Report
A very slight uptick in my own golf now that the matches are
(almost) complete! Just the re-arranged fixture, away to Luffenham Heath, to
come on Monday 19th October.
Tony and Algy both know my record….
11 wins
11 losses
6 tied matches
1 abandoned
Thank you to Tony for organising the Past Captains lunch. It was
most enjoyable and an honour to be part of this group.
I plan to invite James (Parker), the new GM to our next meeting
(Thursday 12th November) for introductions and a gentle
Q&A.
From the
various committees, including the Executive Board.
·
Captains’ Charity Day on Friday raised
approximately £11k. £7,901 from the auction. Thank you to Terry and Tony for
helping out on the day.
· House & Social Early days discussion about
a refurbishment of the bar and the upgrade to the entrance lobby. James needs
to be involved.
·
Escalating concerns about Wi Fi reliability.
·
CCTV is now instated around the estate – 90%+
coverage, including inside the clubhouse and the warm-up area. It is still a
concern that the 200-yard rule is not being adhered to, or that we have some
very wayward golfers … quite a number of balls are landing in the greenkeepers’
compound.
·
We have agreed
the timetable and key principles for the 2027 survey. Initial circulation to 60
randomly selected members in the first part of October.
·
The Open Forum
was on Wednesday (30th) September. As one might expect, a wide range
of issues were raised.
·
Signage on 1st Tees have now been installed,
however, we were not informed about this prior to this, so an email has yet to
be sent out to all members advising why and what benefit it will bring. All the
data says that a regulated interval on the first tee makes the biggest
difference to overall pace of play and the time it takes to complete a round.
It is not a health and safety issue based on whether you can reach the 1st
green from the first tee box!
·
Divot Mix on tees – Ongoing discussions are
underway as to what is most practical and best location etc. There are some
good reasons why Nigel B is not that keen, including wastefulness and
inconsistent application
·
Women’s Weekend Competitive Golf.
The Golf Committee was asked to consider ways of increasing opportunities for
women to play competitive golf at the weekend. Jess Sporle conducted a detailed
analysis, and this was used as the basis of a detailed discussion It was
unanimously agreed that women should be able to play in the monthly medals in
2027 (they can already compete in monthly Stablefords) and it was also agreed
that a Ladies Senior Club Championship should be introduced.
·
A discussion about filtering on the course has
taken place. Several Committee members believe that the rules around filtering
are not well understood, and we should look to reiterate these to members. It
was also suggested that signage outlining the rules should be on the notice
boards on both course 1st tee
·
Handicap Committee. More information from Algy
if required
Reviews continue, a recent example is where a members Competition scores are
significantly better than their General Play scores and is currently being
examined. This is a significant statistical anomaly, and the Handicap Committee
are seeking the advice of England Golf before deciding upon a way ahead.
· We
are progressing discussions about reciprocal golf club agreements with
comparable clubs around the country, some of a very high pedigree.
· The coaching on the Women in Golf program has been
completed and there will be a celebration event for them on 14th
October. They have all been sent information about the various options for
2027. Social, remain Practice, 5 Day and 7 Day.
If they take up a playing membership we will be holding 5 monthly
keep-in-touch coaching sessions with the pro shop team starting in January. We
are also planning to continue their current WhatsApp groups to help keep them
engaged.
Membership (from RWT)
We have continued to
hold midweek evening and Saturday morning Induction sessions averaging around eight
people each
|
WAITING
LIST 25 SEPTEMBER 2026 (there are also a handful in the process of
paying
their waiting list invoices)
|
|
|
|
|
5 Day
Wait 7 Day
|
22
|
|
Practice
Wait 7 Day
|
11
|
|
Social
Wait 7 Day
|
33
|
|
66
|
|
|
|
Women
in Golf
|
30
|
|
|
|
Waiting
for Youth
|
13
|
|
|
We are still seeing an
increase month on month of Direct Debits not going through first time. In the
early September run it was 15 and although most have subsequently paid it
suggests that finances are tight for some members.
In the last couple of years we have offered places to those high up on the
waiting list for 7 Day before Christmas when we have a feel for the minimum
number of vacancies we will have. Thus, ensuring they are offered a place prior
to signing up for another year at their current club. We intend to continue
with this and will be mapping out the renewal/membership offer journey in the
next few weeks. This includes ensuring that the references to terms and
conditions of membership/continuation of membership match what we want to
We plan tailored
individual conversations with each of the women on the programme over the next
few weeks to seek as many as possible to join up - and then plan for next
year’s cohort!
Disciplinary
issues
Theft of golf. A number of cases have been heard and found proven.
Thank you to Algy and to Jonathan for their time and involvement on one such
case.
Bag Tags
No real progress from the last Club update. We are still awaiting
the shipment of the “brains” i.e. the tech. from Australia (+ membership tags) and
the delivery of batteries (nationwide shortages) and enclosures (this week
hopefully).
Dates
Annual
Dinner
Saturday 14th November - Alan
Smith former England and Arsenal footballer as guest speaker. The Morning After
Cup is the following day for those who have attended the dinner.
Finance meeting to members. All things finance including the
subscriptions for 2027.
Thursday 19th November.
The Seniors’ Annual Dinner.
Tuesday 1st December
Christmas Carols and Raffle Evening with John O’ Jaunty Brass.
Saturday 19th December.
3 Treasurer’s report
1) Bank Balance - £12305.67 up from £10,978.42
2) Club reconciliation due next month
3) Vacant Tour position - offered to Chris Dennis – since
confirmed
4) Club Treasurer Software package to be reviewed in
November with a planned duo running until end of year
5) No activity on Sum Up machines
6) Algy to arrange 40 drinks prizes for Christmas Fayre. I
will be confirming 40 meat prizes with Carl Billings
7) We need a budget for next year’s special event ... I will
pull together with Appointed organiser
4 Secretary’s Report
After accepting Gog Magog’s suggestion that we move our 2027
away match to March 18, they once again got back to me to say that date was no
longer unavailable. Hence we are back to the original dates of July 19 (away)
and Sept 7 (home)
Following Richard Westergreen-Thorne’s Round-Up inviting potential new Senior
members to contact me I have signed up two existing members who would like to
join us. I have also signed up two new joiners. One does not yet have a
handicap but I have offered to guide him through the process.
His position made me think we might need to consider
adapting the “six card rule” which I have put on the agenda for discussion
later.
We have another joining in January who wishes to join the
section. This person is already (as a visitor) a regular supporter of the Jock
Allan Prostate Cancer Day
The newsletter is now going out to 327 recipients so I have
begun the process of removing some who don’t participate in senior events.
5 Competition Secretary’s Report
Two competitions have been staged since the last meeting in
September:
·
Gordon Percival Hidden Teams was won by Clive
Thompson, Bob Isaacson and Keith Howlett. The Martin Ives Trophy for individual
scores was won by Tony Munn with Bob Isaacson second and Clive Thompson third.
·
Three Clubs and Putter was won by Peter Harvey
with 43 points (2 wins in 24 hours!) from Michael Etwaroo with Tom Walker
third.
Withdrawals are again on the increase although the numbers
participating are very similar to last year.
Action point: TL to remind players in newsletter that
entrants withdrawing from competitions with less than 48 hours notice, in line
with Club rules, may not in normal circumstances have their fee reimbursed.
Currently open for entry (or officially closed but with a
few spaces on request !) are;
·
Autumn Stableford, Oct 13th, entry
closed but 6 places available on request.
·
Bailiff Shield and Gordon Goodchild Trophy, Oct
20th, 1 place available.
·
Scramble with the ladies, Oct 22nd,
full, (TL organising).
·
Seniors v Juniors, Oct 28th, 11
entered (see below).
·
Arthur Lucas Cup “Bring and win”, Nov 10th,
13 places available.
The foursomes k.o. final is scheduled to take place on
Sunday , Oct 11th, with a committee member refereeing. The
introduction of referees for the finals has been widely welcomed, both by
finalists and by the wider playing community.
That will just leave the Christmas Fayre to complete the
year’s programme.
My suggestion of introducing a Greensomes format competition
is still under consideration but my thought of “repurposing” an existing comp
will not work. Thus an extra date would be needed which opens up other
implications. To be continued.
TL offered to take over the running of the Seniors v Juniors
for this year in NU’s absence.
6 Six card rule - exemptions?
A discussion was held on possible exemptions to the rule
being introduced in January 2027 requiring
Senior Board Competition entrants to have a minimum of six qualifying cards in
the 12 months preceding each competition sign-up closure date.
Action point: TL to remind people in the newsletter of
the new rule. Any exceptions to be considered on an individual basis if the
need arises.
7 Match Secretary’s Report
With one rearranged fixture to go, the current scores are
now W11 D6 L11 with one match abandoned due to
lightning.
With reference to subsidising players who step in at the
last minute, I have spoken to a few of my ‘back pocket’ players and all of them
have said no to this.
I will be speaking with Alban soon to discuss next year and
have had a meeting with Andy Brown about a new system, but I am happy with the
current arrangements. To help with back-up should anything happen to me, I have
discussed with David Wood the possibility of him also having admin rights to
the system, he is happy with this.
Not a lot more to report.
Good luck in the last match at Luffenham Heath to all team
members, which I understand will be only 14 a side!
8a: Matches: how to grow numbers
A discussion was held on the number of players participating
in matches, possible reasons for any perceived downturn in numbers and ways of
encouraging more Seniors to take part.
Action point: Potential
new players who could make an important contribution to the squad to be identified
using the Golfer of the Year list and approached individually to gauge their
interest.
8b: Withdrawals from matches
AG highlighted the increased number of withdrawals from
matches this year. His experience was that his “back pocket” reserves were happy to pay for
lunch afterwards so no need to subsidise them.
Action point: Any
“no-shows” on the day will still be charged for their meal and anyone recruited
from the roll-up for home matches would not be charged.
8c: Review of clubs we play in matches
Steve Mathers presented his analysis of a questionnaire
completed by committee members on the relative merits of clubs we play and
potential prestige clubs we might like to play in the future. A discussion was
held on whether we need to look beyond the clubs we currently play going
forward. Steve was thanked for his work.
Action point: Further discussion at next month's meeting
9 Trophy Custodian’s report
Trophies.
All trophies not
yet contested for in 2026 are stored securely in the Trophy Store. I have
contacted those winners who took possession of trophies this year asking them
to return them to the club before the end of this month. The trophy for the
Seniors Tour, kindly donated by David Barlow, is now back with us following its
engraving.
Swap Days
Swap day 2026 – Stoke Rochford Golf Club 5th
October 2026
We had a full
contingent of players for this event. Feedback indicates that the day was a
success for our players who voiced their appreciation throughout the day. Many
congratulations to Captain David Barlow and Peter Harvey on his win with an
incredible 44 points.
Financially, we
break even on the arrangement.
40 x £30 entry fee £1200
From which £25pp is
deducted for the food/drink. £1,000
2 x £30 for
winners. 2 x £20 for runners-up. £100
2 x N/P prizes £10
each. £20
Staff gratuities £80
Barry to arrange
payment of £80 into the staff gratuity fund.
I will be making
contact with the organiser for next years’ swap day to arrange a meeting to
kick start the preparations. I will report back as soon as this has taken
place.
Annual
Presentation Dinner 2026 01.12.2026
Invitations will be
sent out once I have the menu and costs.
I have received
from Captain David Barlow a proposed list of his guests for the evening, which
I share with the Committee members for any comments.
I have had
discussion with Barry Donovan regarding the rationalisation of the list of
guests.
10 Away Days
Warren Churms presented final arrangements for next year’s
Away Days at Buckingham GC as follows:
1.
Monday June 7th 2027
o
JOG Past Captains and Committee
o
12 participants - three x four-balls (Tee 12:00
- 12:30)
o
Full English Breakfast followed by 18 holes of
golf and prize presentation
o
Cost TBC
o
Buckingham GC to include two-ball voucher in
prizes/auction
2.
Monday September 6th 2027
o
JOG Senior Section
o
40 participants - 10 x four-balls (Tee 12:00 -
13:30)
o
Full English Breakfast at followed by 18 holes
of golf and prize presentation
o
Cost TBC
o
Buckingham to include four-ball voucher in
prizes/auction
o
Use of practice range to include free Top Tracer
technology (just pay for balls)
o
Note: Michael has reserved enough tee-times to
accommodate 48 players, if required (12:00 – 13:50) which could also be used as
a “buffer”
11 AOB
Roll-up format
TL circulated an email from Bill Walker on the concept of introducing new formats to the roll up. The committee applauded the
sentiment behind the idea but felt that the suggested formats could be
difficult to execute given the nature of the roll up. Bill to give the matter further consideration
Roll-up options
Terry Domagala presented a plan to accommodate players who cannot
commit to 18 holes at the roll up. This could easily be achieved by going out
in three-balls.
Dates of future meetings
Thurs Nov 12
Thurs Dec 3
Thurs Jan 5
Tues Feb 16 AGM
