Senior Section stalwart Fergus Moynihan recorded a hole-in-one - his first ever - at the Aesopians Society meeting on Monday February 21.
He achieved the feat on the Carthagena 2nd hole with a 140 yard shot with a five wood. Fergus followed that with 20ft 4ins from the hole on the eighth. Congratulations Fergus.
Senior Section members Jim Kerr and Tony Goodson have been hard at work organising this year’s very popular Jock Allen Prostate Cancer Charity Day, which will take place on Monday April 4.
This will be the 11th anniversary of the charity day.
In that time we have been contributors to the building of the new state-of-the-art Prostate Clinic in London.
Although this is not strictly a Senior Section event, it has always been well supported by the section and it is with pride that we have the John O Gaunt Golf Club and Jock Allen mentioned on the HALL of FAME ROLL OF HONOUR board.
We now have a new exciting challenge to get behind and support - the Mobile P.S.A. Testing Clinic. This is a step forward for the charity and will bring testing to local venues like golf clubs.
The fight against this terrible disease goes on and we are still part of that fight so please give us your full support for this great charity.
We would appreciate tombola prizes, auction contributions and suggestions of any sponsors you think would sponsor a hole.
Those of you who have joined us in the last 10 years know what a fun day it can be so come and join us and make this year the best.
For those that do not know me, I am Peter Grimes but everyone calls me Algy (my middle name – a long story as to why!). I joined John O’Gaunt in April 2014 having taken early retirement at the end of 2013 and needing to do something else. I never envisaged becoming Captain of anything within the club, so I have to thank my predecessor, Bill Walker, for appointing me as his Vice Captain. I am hoping to fulfil the role as best I can and be helpful to anyone where I can, just ask!
My choice of Charity this year is UK Sepsis Trust. The reason I chose this is because in 2018 I suffered from Sepsis myself and was in the Critical Care Unit in Bedford for two and a half weeks while they battled to stabilize me. Therefore, I know first-hand how important it is to identify Sepsis as soon as possible. Thankfully my GP did and I am here to tell the tale. Some 245,000 cases and 48,000 deaths occur from Sepsis in the UK each year.
I very much hope you will support it during my year as much as possible, given that we will be collecting far less from each competition this year from fees.
Thank you all,
Algy Grimes
jogscaptain@gmail.com
Attendance:
Algy Grimes (AG), Jonathan Lean (JL), B ill Walker
(BW), Andy Shilton (AS), Richard Coventry (RC), Richard Westergreen – Thorne
(RWT)
Minutes of
Previous Meeting
Agreed as a
true record of the meeting:
Proposed by
Bill Walker and seconded by Jonathan Lean and agreed unanimously.
Matters arising
not on the agenda
· add a small match fee element to match costs
and we hope that the match fees will not exceed £25 per match but this will be
dependent on costs. RWT to follow up.
RWT still waiting on confirmation on
prices for meals from the club. Once confirmed the match fee will be agreed and
will include a contribution to seniors funds as well as the cost of catering,
nearest the pin prizes and gratuities for staff.
Subsequent to the meeting menu prices
were agreed with the club and it was decided to charge members £22 to play in each
match with another club.
·
a
reminder in the Newsletter to ensure that members are not ex-directory and should
also upload a photo to help the Section Captain put as many names to faces as
possible.
To go in the next Newsletter
· note
in the Newsletter asking members to let the Vice Captain know if they hear of
any member that we should contact.
To
go in the next Newsletter
· a ‘Meet the Committee’ piece would be placed on the website news section
and the blog soon after the AGM.
· Swap Day – it was agreed that BW would investigate with the club whether
it would be feasible to have a swap day in 2023.
Action:
The
club have agreed that a Swap Day can take place in 2023 and RC will investigate
possible clubs within a one hour drive of JOG. Other committee members were
invited to pass suggestions to RC who will report back at the next meeting.
As this was a brief meeting following the AGM it
was agreed in advance that the following reports would be brief, verbal,
reports simply highlighting any queries or points to bring to the committee’s
attention.
Captain's Report (AG)
AG thanked everyone for their contributions to the
AGM and outlined his hopes for the year including his charity (UK Sepsis Trust).
Discussion included Coffee Morning, Halfway House and other charitable suggestions
and other events were also considered
Action:
AG will report back to the
next meeting on progress.
Vice Captain's Report (JL)
It was agreed that a note would go in the Newsletter asking members to
keep JL informed of any members who had health issues who we should contact and
keep in touch with.
JL discussed with the Committee those members who are currently
indisposed and what our response has been.
Treasurer's Report (RC)
RC is meeting with Les Bolland shortly for the formal handover.
RC will report back to the next meeting about an Auditor for the 2022
accounts.
RC will liaise with Derek Young about stock and purchases of clothing
and ties.
The question of purchasing ties will be returned to at the next meeting.
Hon. Secretary's Report (RWT)
RWT outlined progress with the calendar, handover of match arrangements
to AS and membership numbers for 2022.
Competition Secretary's Report (JL)
JL confirmed that all competitions will be a two tee start in 2022 apart
from the Senior Captains Day, Bring and Win and Christmas Fayre which will be
shotgun starts to allow members to congregate at roughly the same time for
presentations and prizes. This will be reviewed throughout the year and we may
revert to a one tee start with earlier and later start times if demand warrants
it.
It was agreed that if numbers who enter the Christmas Fayre in December
are large then entry into Golfer of the Year competitions throughout the year
will be used as a way of prioritising who has first preference to play. This
will be returned to at the next meeting.
A discussion took place as to whether we should offer age categories or
handicap categories for prizes in competitions. This will remain under
consideration.
RWT has looked at the 2021 winners of Senior Section competitions and
just over half were aged 70+.
Action:
To return to the question of age related winners at the next meeting.
Match Secretary's Report (AS)
The sign-up system is now live and the arrangements for 2022 will
include a Joker and three deadlines when selections are made. Members need to
make themselves available for equal numbers of home and away games across the
year.
All Match Organiser positions have been filled.
A note to all members outlining how they sign up to play will be sent
out shortly after this meeting.
Immediate Past Captain's Report (BW)
Nothing to report.
Review of AGM (AG)
The matters raised by members in the Q & A after the AGM were
considered and will help inform the work of the committee.
The arrangements for the 2022 AGM were discussed and the need for a 25%
attendance to be quorate as outlined in the revised constitution will need to
be considered when publicising and encouraging attendance next year.
Prostate Cancer Day Update (BW/AG)
Jim Kerr (JK) attended for this item and outlined the current position
with the arrangements for the day.
It was agreed that the Newsletter will be used to ask for help to find
sponsorship of holes and provision of the auction and tombola prizes as well as
promote the event.
JK will come back to the committee if there are other ways the seniors
can help the organisers plan the day.
Maintaining
an adequate level of charitable giving (AG)
Covered
in the Captains Report and will be returned to at the next meeting.
Use
of the Honorarium (AG)
The
Honorarium will not be given as a lump sum but will be there to draw from
during the year.
A discussion took place regarding the ways in which the honorarium
awarded by the club will be spent. This included, nearest the pin prizes,
senior captains’ day expenses and the Member and Guest Day expenses as ways to
defray section costs.
We will receive a 10% discount on food purchases at the club and a 50%
discount on purchases over the bar when we use the Honorarium. We can also spend
money outside of the club and, on receipt of invoices, the expenditure can be
repaid to the seniors using the Honorarium.
We need around 50 bottles of wine a year as prizes and it was agreed
that AG will use his 10% discount at Tesco to purchase a stock and be reimbursed
from the honorarium.
AOB
-
It was discussed whether to run a charity
sweepstake amongst members regarding the name of the Vice Captain for 2023
-
RWT to circulate committee members so that we are
able to offer some dates to new members for games
Date and time of next meeting:
3 March after Match with Ladies (discuss
Prostate Day at this)
12 April after Rex Bullock Comp
10 May after Annual Medal Comp
19 July after Annual Stableford Comp
30 August after Bailiff Shield Comp
11 Oct after Team Trophy
8 Nov after Roll Up before Bring and Win
and discuss Annual Dinner
19 Jan 2023 (to discuss AGM) at 2.30pm
Minutes
of AGM
Tuesday 1st February 2022)
Attendees:
Phil Armstrong, Rafe Bateson, John Baxter, Anthony Bell, Geoff
Beck, Les Bolland, Bill Conway, Richard Coventry, Alan Curtis, David Curwen, Pat
Gilgallon, Tony Goodson, Algy Grimes, Darryl Hayler, Dave Henderson, Paul
Jones, Jim Kerr, Jonathan Lean, Graham Lewis, Tony Lloyd, Tony McClean, Michael
Newstead, Neil Pinnington, Chris Roy, Peter Salmon, Nick Schumann, Andy
Shilton, Ray Smart, Sam Standen, David Streatfield, Terry Sweeney, Clive
Thompson, Bill Walker, Richard Westergreen – Thorne, Fred Williams, Dave Wood,
Derek Young
1.
Welcome by the Captain
Captain Bill Walker welcomed members to the meeting.
Gentlemen welcome to this 2021 Annual General Meeting of the JOG
GC Seniors’ Section.
Before we get into the meat of the agenda, I would like to put this
meeting into context.
The purpose of this meeting is 3-fold. It starts by your committee providing reports of our activities over the past year (Items 1 to 9 inclusive). Then we will review and hopefully approve an updated version of our constitution which describes the system under which we exist at item 10.We then look to the future to elect our committee for 2022 and hear from our new committee on their plans.
Now with a 17 item agenda the main purpose of the chair is to focus the meeting on core business and not let it digress or dive down any rabbit holes. Which is why we have arranged for a less formal Q&A session after the AGM is complete. Needless to say if you have burning questions to address genuine concerns, please raise your hand and you will be given an opportunity to speak. However, if it is just mild curiosity or clarification that can wait until the Q&A session, then I would urge you to do so.
2.
Apologies for Absence:
Robert Bage, Kevin Barbour, Simon
Bettany, Andrew Bowen, Stephen Collins, David Crosby, Gerry Degaute, Alan
Fowler, Keith Fuller, David Gauge, Peter Imray, William Skelding, Ned Yorke,
Chris Walker, John Whitbread, Stuart Wilcox
3.
Minutes of the 2020 AGM (taken as read)
Proposed: Bill Walker
Seconded: Chris Roy
Carried unanimously
4.
Matters Arising
There were no matters arising not covered in the agenda.
5.
Captain’s Report
Given the level of regular communication to you from your committee in terms of the informative, and dare I say entertaining, weekly newsletters from our esteemed Hon Sec Richard Westergreen-Thorne and my occasional Captain’s Corners, my annual report, is what I hope, merely a synopsis of what you already know. That is, if you have been reading all that stuff.
But to get the full picture I must take a step back, some 5 years to 2017 and talk about, what some of you more longstanding members might consider to be, the elephant in the room. Namely, our aspiration for a 2 tee start for our home matches. In 2017 we asked the Club if we could have a 2 tee start to our home matches with other Clubs. We were denied that request on the basis that it would set an unwanted precedent with quote “other societies within the Club.” When I revisited this request to the GMC in 2020 the response, which was unminuted, was “What has changed? Nothing; so why ask the question? The answer is the same” I therefore set out at the end of 2020 to establish the necessary changes in particular the standing of our Section within this Club. “we are not a Society, we are so much more!” we are not a threat to Club Management, we are an asset to this Club, dare I say a jewel in its Crown”. So what followed during 2021 is of course now history but I feel it needs to be recorded as part of our AGM for the year in order to ensure it becomes a matter of record:
On the 27th January 2021 the GM C accepted a statement that we
were a fully inaugurated section of John O’Gaunt Golf Club. Actually, and had
been since 1977.
On August 24th 2021 that fact was visibly substantiated in the form
of a reserved parking place for our Section’s Captain.
On 1st December 2021 the GMC agreed a revised financial structure for our Section that puts us on a par with the Ladies’ Section.
Gentlemen, I feel the need to reassure you that I have been clear throughout
all our negotiations with the Club that I (dare I say we) hold 3 fundamental
principles as sacrosanct: We will maintain
1. Continued Section financial viability.
2. Retention of Section financial autonomy.
3. The right to implement adequate control mechanisms to ensure
the manageability of our Section.
I want to also assure you that while our Section finances have always been robust they will be improved as a result of these new financial agreements. Moreover, I assure you that this could not have been achieved without the immense hard work of your committee and as importantly the vital encouragement and support of 4 individuals: Club Captains Phil Haddow, Peter Horlock and in particular Pauline Aubigne and our Club General Manager Gordon MacLeod who has been a constant advocate of our Section.
Nevertheless, the elephant is still with us in the room. We still have an unfulfilled requirement for a 2 tee start for our home matches.
I firmly believe that a principle of successful negotiation is to
find a win-win solution by understanding the other man’s problem. The problem
the Club has with agreeing our perfectly reasonable request stems from the lack
of control and discipline within our club of its members. Some internal
societies feel that simply because they are long standing members of many years
they can start their roll ups on unauthorised multiple tees. Not just 2 but 3,
4 and more tees. It is my belief that until that problem is properly addressed
and resolved, our request will remain an aspiration and nothing more. The Club,
quite rightly in my view, has no wish to be constantly in conflict with its
members, particularly those who have been members for decades. Nevertheless,
without a clear and enforceable disciplinary structure where rules, dare I say
justice, is enforced and seen to be enforced on this issue and others, we will
not be able to move forward.
Gentlemen, I sincerely hope that over the past 2 years you feel,
upon reflection, that I have lead you through difficult times and our Section
has emerged in an improved state. I must thank what I called at the outset and
will always consider my dream team of a committee, and I can only repeat a much
overly used cliché, it has been an honour and a privilege to be your Captain.
Thank you.
6.
Honorary Secretary’s Report
A very busy season of events despite the ever-present Covid
concerns.
You will remember that we were not able to play matches with other clubs at the beginning of the year due to course and catering restrictions but, as these were relaxed, we were able to start playing what are a very popular part of our activities. As many people commented, it was just great to be back playing matches after no matches in 2020.
As more home matches were at the start of the year and more away
matches at the end we actually played 5 games at home and 11 away during the
season. Over 60 members took part in the games and, whilst difficult to
maintain with injuries and covid positives, etc. we tried to keep to our
principle of ‘fairness’ with team selections. As we had less matches than
normal, the same number of people wanting to play and less holidays all round
to take us away from the course, the ‘average person’ played around 55% of the
times they put themselves forward – a little down from our last season in 2019.
Overall, home advantage played its part and we finished:
Home
Won 3 Drawn 1 Lost 1
Away
Won 1 Drawn 2 Lost 8
Highlight of the year had to be when Peter Jarman and Gerry
Degaute both achieved a hole in one at Dunstable Downs in our last game of the
season – what are the odds?
Both the Away Day and the Past Captains Away Day proved as popular as ever, thanks to Richard Coventry, and we have added a Swap Day for 2022 to our calendar.
We took on the organisation of the Tuesday and Thursday roll ups on the resumption of play and numbers are currently very healthy each week. Many thanks to Steve Cooper for organising the roll up for many years prior to this, to Anthony Bell who stepped in and organised the Tuesday Group for people to get a game on a Tuesday when we had tee bookings and to Malcolm Lee who organised the Whatsapp Group for those looking for a game. All proved really important to keep the section going and people involved.
The Newsletter continues to serve a useful purpose in keeping everyone updated and involved and it ties in well with the blog so ably edited by Tony Lloyd.
A new feature for 2021 was organising games for new members with members of the committee. These proved very popular and also very helpful in getting new members involved and something we plan to continue as a committee this coming year.
Finally, a thank you to everyone for taking part, helping out and
getting involved. Our aim is to provide a range of opportunities so that there
is something for everyone. The fact that over 140 people took part in at least
one activity in 2021 shows that we had a very vibrant year.
7.
Competition Secretary’s Report
It was a year when we were able to return largely to a full
programme of competitions.
We had: -
14 ‘normal’ competitions
The Green Tilley, Holmwood Plate and Foursomes knockouts
Mixed Greensomes with the Ladies plus Seniors and Ladies
Scramble
Members and Guests Day
Senior Section Away Day
Seniors vs Juniors Match
I do not propose to detail all the results in this report as they have been fully documented in Richard Westergreen-Thorne’s excellent weekly newsletters and the brilliant blog – thanks to Tony Lloyd for this.
What was not normal about them was that, due to England Golf directives, we were only allowed to have a one-tee start on the majority of the competitions. The upside of this was that there was theoretically no limit to how many entrants we could accommodate but the downside was that the presentations were adversely affected. Understandably, the early starters were not willing or able to hang around until all the late starters had finished and entered their results.
On this note, as a brief aside, well done to the vast majority of you who managed to enter their results on IG whilst the terminals were temporarily unavailable. The high percentage of successful score entries frequently drew praise from Michael Grace.
Towards the end of the year, England Golf revised their guidelines, and we were able to introduce 2-tee starts to some of the competitions and also revised the tee time intervals to 9 minutes instead of 10. A 2-tee start does reduce the course capacity somewhat. If we stick to groups of 3 we are limited to 81 players on Carthagena and 84 on JOG. If we changed to 4 ball groups this would increase the capacity but result in very slow play, particularly in medals. Shotgun starts which are preferable for the Arthur Lucas Bring and Win plus the Christmas Fayre and Captain’s Day would limit the numbers to 75 on both courses but at least everyone would be around for the prize giving.
What I have done is kept a record of the numbers of entrants to each competition and, where the numbers allow, we intend to use 2-tee starts for 2022 with the exception of the Bring and Win, Senior Captain’s Day and the Christmas Fayre which will be Shotgun starts.
I would just like to thank all those who entered and supported
these events and hopefully enjoyed them. That is the main objective!
8.
Honorary Treasurer’s Report and adoption of
Accounts
It is my privilege to present the John O’Gaunt Senior Section
audited
accounts for the year end 31 st December 2021. This my fifth, and
will be my last one
as I am standing down
At the end of the last financial year to 31st December 2021 our
end of year balance
was £3367, which is down on the £3878 of the previous year. I have
been able to
subsidise events to the tune of £511.
This leaves us with the healthy and sensible final year balance of
£3367 (including
£2134.30 in the current account). This provides us with a sensible
amount to take into
the new financial year and the new finance arrangements with the
club.
.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to William Skelding for
carrying out the
audit this year and for many years previously. William is also
standing down so a
new auditor will be required.
I would also express my grateful thanks to the late John Ellary
who ably ran the
supply of Senior Section clothing and ties over the last few
years.
I wish my successor, Richard Coventry, well for the future
Adoption of Accounts
Proposed: Chris Roy
Seconded: Jim Kerr
Carried unanimously
9.
Appointment of an Auditor
It was agreed that Richard Coventry would undertake a search for a new Auditor to take over from William Skelding and report back to the committee on progress.
William Skelding was thanked for his hard work in undertaking this
role for a number of years.
10.
Constitution
Gentlemen, once again I feel it appropriate that I give some context to the need for this update to our constitution. I believe it to be self-evident that there have been a considerable number of changes since our current constitution was signed off in 2017, particularly as it has remained unamended since that date. However, given the significant changes that occurred in 2021, the need for an update has become paramount.
What might not be so apparent is that this update has been conducted with full consultation with Club Management. Indeed, when a draft was first published in June 2021 the feedback received was that quote “eyebrows were raised” and the question posed of quote “Why does the Seniors’ Section need a constitution and wasn’t this the tail wagging the dog?”
I believe the reason for that feedback was that it caused
particularly the new members of the GMC to actually pick up and read the Club constitution
and realise just how “unfit for purpose” it was. The Club has proposed that the
Seniors’ Section should be able to function on a simple set of rules which
referred out to the Club constitution. My response is that this is a proposal
that I would wholeheartedly support just as soon as the Club is in possession
of a
Constitution that is fit for purpose. However, I am told that the timescales for that are in line with the Club incorporation project which is some time off. Therefore until such time I feel we need a fully up to date Constitution and I hope you will agree.
I am delighted to say that work to create a new Club constitution is underway and I understand that one of our members is leading the way and using our constitution as a starter for ten.
So to business. I hope you have taken the time to read the updated constitution. My thanks to those who have provided feedback in writing prior to this AGM and whose comments have been for the most part incorporated into the latest version distributed with the agenda.
Let me finish by saying that the constitution is a living beast particularly during times of change such as these. So I hope those of you who have any criticism of the document will be constructive by offering alternative wording to that you object to.
To determine how to conduct this review either page by page or comment
by comment can I have a show of hands of those people who would like to raise
any matters of concern?
Proposed: Algy Grimes
Seconded: Richard Westergreen – Thorne
Agreed unanimously to accept the revised Constitution as presented
to the meeting.
11.
Appointment of Officers for 2022
|
Position |
Nominee |
Proposer |
Seconder |
|
Captain |
Algy Grimes |
Bill Walker |
Jonathan Lean |
|
Vice-Captain |
Jonathan Lean |
Algy Grimes |
Richard Westergreen - Thorne |
|
Honorary Secretary |
Richard Westergreen-Thorne |
Algy Grimes |
Jonathan Lean |
|
Honorary Treasurer |
Richard Coventry |
Les Bolland |
Bill Walker |
|
Match Secretary |
Andy Shilton |
Richard Westergreen - Thorne |
Algy Grimes |
|
Competition Secretary |
Jonathan Lean |
Richard Westergreen - Thorne |
Bill Walker |
As there are no other nominations, the
above were elected unopposed.
12.
Address by the Captain
Firstly,
let me say how proud and honoured I am to be elected as your Captain for 2022.
On joining the club back in 2014 I never envisaged being elected to such a
position. So thanks to Bill for asking me to become his Vice Captain.
Bill
has done a fantastic job over the last two years, with so much going on, not
least the latest standing of the Section within the club and the changes to how
we finance ourselves. He has also updated our Constitution which we discussed
earlier. Having stood in for him at a couple of matches, which I enjoyed, it
just goes to show I need to sharpen up my joke telling. (So Andy tells
me).
Thanks
to the Committee for the great work this last year and I hope the next
Committee with a new Match Secretary (welcome Andy) and Treasurer (Richard, of
course returning to the committee) will be up and running very quickly. We meet
after this AGM. We also have a new Clothing co-ordinator Derek Young. (Ties
etc). Continuing with the Blog is Tony Lloyd and looking after the trophies and
organiser of the Annual Dinner is David Wood. I would like to thank them for
their efforts this coming year.
I
would like to formally thank Les Bolland for his work as Treasurer for the last
five years, and present him with a card and gift on behalf of the Section.
I
was pleased to see how much everybody appreciated Bill’s efforts over the last
two years and delighted to present him with this card, together with a pro Shop
voucher, will it be new golf clubs or more lessons?
I
hope you all enjoy the new season, taking part in the competitions and matches
as much as I am sure I will. I also hope you will please support my Charity
which will be UK Sepsis Trust. There are approximately 245,000 cases and around
48,000 deaths each year. Having suffered from Sepsis a few years ago I wish to
support the work they are doing to ensure the symptoms are more quickly
identified so that urgent help can be administered, speed of treatment is key
with this ailment, I know only too well. I wouldn’t be standing here if it
wasn’t for my GP recognising it and getting me into A&E swiftly. Unfortunately,
our friend, John Ellary, was a casualty of sepsis only too recently.
On
the subject of charities may I call on Jim Kerr to tell you about the Jock
Allan Prostate Project Day on 4th April.
Jim
Kerr then briefly addressed the audience to publicise the day and ask for help
with hole sponsorship, auction prizes and tombola prizes.
13.
Address by the Honorary Secretary
We now have an open system for JOG members who are 60+ to participate in Senior Section events as the membership fee has been dispensed with. The committee has agreed that the mailing list for the Newsletter will act as a proxy membership list and that all eligible JOG members who wish to take part in seniors events are encouraged to sign up for the Newsletter. This provides them with information about events, sign up arrangements and all other seniors’ activities and provides the committee with a way to communicate with those who wish to be involved.
There are currently 24 new seniors who have come forward since 2021. Three in the latter part of 2021 and a further 21 since the start of 2022. There were 185 members at the end of 2021 and a further 6 members on the ‘courtesy list’ who were ex playing members now social members of the club. Add the three together and there is a current mailing list of 215 members.
In previous years a number of members decide not to renew their subscription for the new year but this does not apply for 2022 and nobody has indicated they wish to come off the mailing list. I will write to all Courtesy members asking them if they wish to continue to receive the Newsletter and also do the same with the 2021 members.
The weekly Newsletter will continue to be the main means of communication with members during 2022 and this will continue to be supported by the blog which is receiving increasing numbers of hits each month and this was well over 600 in December 2021. Tony Lloyd has also now got access to the senior section of the news area of the club website and has begun to enter articles there. The scope to use this as a communication and promotional channel are currently limited but it will have an increasing value to us.
I encourage members to sign up to events, matches and competitions
this year and am very encouraged to see the numbers who have already signed up
for the first three events of the year that have recently opened for entry.
14.
Address by the Competition Secretary
So, what have we learned in 2021 that we can improve on in 2022?
As I have previously mentioned, I have kept a record of the
numbers of entrants to the various
competitions and where we are able, I will be reverting to a 2-tee
start on competitions with a limit of 84 on JOG and 81 on CAR. The exceptions
will be The Captain’s Day, The Arthur Lucas Bring and Win and The Christmas
Fayre, these will be Shotgun starts.A couple of observations.
Particularly applicable to late starters, please can you all ensure that, once you have finished playing, your score is entered, and cards put in the relevant box before you do ANYTHING else. The competitions cannot be finalised until all the results are in and leading scores checked against the score cards. Also, don’t forget to sign your score cards!
If anyone has to withdraw from an event, please can you make every effort to do this before the draw is done. I understand that some situations cannot be foreseen or controlled but please ensure that every competition you enter is clearly marked in your diaries or calendars to avoid clashing with other events that you have to attend. If you must withdraw, please can you contact me – not Gordon, Michael or Richard Westergreen-Thorne. Text or email is preferred as I then have a record of the withdrawal and can act on it when I am next at my computer. Phone calls are OK provided they are confirmed by text or email. Some of you have contacted me through the IG messaging system. This is OK but a bit cumbersome so if you can text or email please do so.
With a 2 tee start there is a later start time of 9am with only 2 zones – early and late. If any of you have inflexible tee time requirements in order to allow doctors, dentists appointments etc. please let me know before the draw is done. It is much more difficult to do this after the draw when everyone has been advised of their tee time.
There has been some discussion about the playing format of the Scramble competitions regarding whether or not the player whose previous shot is chosen should be allowed to take the next shot. We have discussed this in the Seniors committee, and we would prefer to leave it as it is with only the players whose shot is NOT selected being allowed to take the next shot until the ball is on the green. This is primarily to avoid one low handicap player dominating the group and also to speed up the play in what is typically a slow format.
Finally, as previously mentioned, the main objective is for
everyone to enjoy the competitions no matter how well your performance in the
events. I will continue to do all I can to ensure that this happens and all
constructive and helpful comments as to how to improve will be carefully considered
before being rejected!!
15.
Address by the Match Secretary
Firstly
thanks to Richard Westergreen-Thorne for comprehensive and detailed handover of
the role.
We
will shortly be sending an email with the full details of matches and sign up
arrangements so please look out for that email from Richard in the next week
and get onto the web-site to sign-up. In lieu of that email a few
headlines for your attention:
· We
have a full fixture list of 13 clubs home and away so 26 matches in
total. The only change to previous years is Knebworth being replaced by
Millbrook.
· In
2021 we had more withdrawals than historically we have experienced which led to
some match organisers scratching around for players. This may well have
been exceptional to do with the pandemic impacting availability and holidays
etc. But to mitigate the impact of withdrawals we are going to increase
the number of reserves to 4 for each game.
· We
will also be reintroducing the JOKER where players can choose one away game
that they want to be involved in. This will be managed through a sign-up
sheet on the notice board.
· Historically
we have paired home and away selections against the same club fixture but
following last year’s ballot of members we now just ask you to make yourselves
available for the same number of home and away fixtures.
· We
are not yet sure of the match costs as we are still waiting for final
confirmation of costs from the club but it is likely to be between £20 and
£25. This still represents good value and is the first increase since
2019.
· I’ll
be looking to do as much as I can digitally this year and will provide support
to anyone that needs help to do so. Of course if you cannot work
digitally I will support traditional methods.
I
look forward to an exciting season of club matches
16.
Other Agenda Items – none were received in
advance from members
None
17.
Close of Meeting
At the close of the meeting there was a question and answer
session and points raised by members were taken to the Committee Meeting that
followed the AGM and the notes of which will be published shortly.
