Notes of the Senior
Section Committee Meeting
7 November 2023
Attendance:
Barry Donovan (BD), Jonathan Lean (JL), Richard
Westergreen – Thorne (RWT), Algy Grimes (AG), Tony Lloyd (TL) Andy Shilton (AS)
+ Dave Wood (DW) for the Annual Dinner item
Apologies:
Justin Thomas
Minutes previous
Accepted
Matters
arising
- current honorarium balance and spending plan
Since the last meeting JL had ascertained the current balance from the
club. This stands at around £600 and a discussion took place about the
commitments already made and the spending options available.
It was agreed that some of the money would be used to put two bottles of
wine on each table at the Annual Presentation Dinner. It was also agreed to use
some of the funds to purchase some prizes for the Christmas Fayre.
Action Point: to be an agenda item at the next
meeting
- communicating that we will use gender neutral tees for competitions in
2024 to members
It was agreed that this would be shared with members in the next newsletter.
The implications for handicaps and shots given and received in the
knockouts was also discussed.
Action Point: TL to take advice from the club and
report back at the next meeting.
Captain (JL)
Since the last meeting things have really started to slow down with just
2 competitions and the match against the juniors plus the scramble with the
Ladies section.
The main issue to report on is the Golf Committee Meeting. The main
points to be discussed were as follows.
The 2024 calendar is approved. However, from 2025 onwards, it was
reported that all home matches may need to be on Tuesdays to avoid staffing
issues for the catering.
It is now officially approved that we can have 15 matches against other
clubs. If we want to introduce other clubs into our match schedule, we will
have to drop an existing fixture.
We now have approval for an additional 4 competition boards to be placed
in the bar area where our existing boards are. These will be: -
Golfer of
the Year
Annual
Medal
Rex Cleaver
Reg Batson
The issue that I raised some months ago concerning Tee Furniture (ball
cleaners, waste bins etc.) has been raised again at the General Committee and
is being handled by Justin Thomas.
All concessions to external golfers regarding green fees are under
review by the club.
The only other issue to report is that, in case anyone missed it, at the
annual dinner Justin Thomas advised that his Vice Captain for next year will be
Peter Wade.
A discussion took place about the arrangements for the new boards, their
siting and how many years to go back, etc. AG offered to continue to liaise
with Paul Marshall who has offered to help with this matter.
Action Point: AG to report back
at the next meeting.
A discussion also took place about the 2025 calendar and AS raised
several points from his attendance at the recent General Committee Meeting. It
was agreed that AS would clarify the minutes from the General Committee Meeting
and relay the outcome of this to the committee.
It was agreed that we need clarity about any constraints regarding the
2025 calendar by the time of our AGM in February as this signals the start of
the process of making arrangements with other clubs – some of whom will contact
us in advance of this date with suggested 2025 dates.
Action Point – AS to follow up
and email committee members with the outcome and it will also be an agenda item
at the next meeting.
Vice-Captain (RWT)
RWT explained his contact with members since the last meeting who are
unwell or injured, etc.
Immediate Past Captain (AG)
Nothing to report.
Treasurer's Report (BD)
1/ Current Financial Situation. As of
6th November we have a comfortable surplus for the year.
There are still several large costs to
incur and some outstanding invoices to and from the Club. The key costs and
income to be met by end of the year are:
a. Seniors Dinner. This was budgeted
as a zero net cost – but will end up costing the section more than planned income due to subsidised costs of guests' dinners.
b. Christmas Fayre. Costs for this are
still to be finalised. However they are significantly higher than 2022. This has been
discussed extensively and the committee have agreed a sensible way forward
c. Competition winners' prizes. Minor
costs still to be ordered (GOTY/Green Tilley/Holmwood). £260.
d. Staff Christmas box. This covers
the Catering and Bar staff.
e. Captain's Charity. Tradition has it
that £1 from competition entry is allocated to the Captain's Charity. This year’s
entries are 1143 up from a budget of 1077. Additionally, we have several other
entries.
i.
Captain's Day off course £678
ii. Donation from member £100
iii.
Andy Shilton £30
iv.
An alignment with previous years contributions from surplus funds
2/ 2024 Matches
Algy and I have met with the Clubhouse
manager to discuss next year’s menu options. This will enable me to set a
budget for 2024.
3/ Christmas Fayre (again!).
I would like to thank Richard , Tony
and Algy for their planned assistance ahead of the Fayre.
4/ 2024 Budget
Not yet produced but once we agree the
Match fee this can be sorted quickly.
5/ 2023 Annual Accounts.
I have discussed this with Trevor
Darrington. I will finalise the year's accounts in December and get the books to
him early January. Final report for the AGM will be finalised in January.
6/ 2024 Match Payment process.
As mentioned during the month a new
process has been agreed with the Club on Match payments. It is important that
Match organisers are made aware of this.
a.
Following the conclusion of each game the Match organiser should send the list
of JOG players to Paula (ClubhouseManager@JOGGC.Co.UK) – with a cc copy to me
b.
Paula will process the IG charge during the same week
c.
I will invoice the main club. Sue Bolton (Accounts) can then reconcile IG to
our Invoice)
After a discussion it was agreed that
the arrangements for payments to and from the club for 2024 as suggested by BD
were approved.
Match arrangements and pricing,
Christmas Fayre and Annual Presentation Dinner arrangements – see following
agenda items.
Action Points:
- BD to bring a draft end of year
(2022 – 2023) and 2024 – 2025 budget outlines to the next meeting - BD to
provide information for the next meeting to be able to confirm the contribution
from funds to the Senior Captain’s charity
Hon. Secretary (RWT)
I have been consulting with Dave Wood
regarding the arrangements and publicity for the Annual Presentation Dinner and
Dave will attend the meeting to update us and check on the final arrangements
for the evening.
I have also been liaising about the
arrangements for the roll up with Bill Walker and the plans for next year.
Whilst the second trial of the singles stableford roll up was hampered by the
weather the general opinion still appears to be favourable from members to
continue in 2024 and this is an agenda item for the meeting.
I have also been looking ahead to the
AGM and the arrangements for the 2024 season so that we are set up and ready to
go from the early part of the year. Once the nominations have closed for
officers for 2024 I can then go ahead and share contact details and
arrangements both within the membership and with other clubs, etc.
You will see from the Newsletter that
I have publicised the 5 remaining senior section ties and Derek Young and I
hope that we will find a few members to purchase them. Once the ties have been
purchased we should thank Derek for his efforts on our behalf with the clothing
stock.
Two new members have joined since the
last meeting. One is a club member who joined the club fairly recently and now
has more time for golf and the other is the current Ladies Captain who is
interested in taking part in 2024.
RWT updated at the meeting that just
one tie remained and it is hoped that the final tie will be snapped up shortly.
Competition Secretary (TL)
The past month has seen three competitions played and the conclusion of
all three knockout competitions.
The 3 Clubs and a Putter Competition on Oct 10 attracted a field of 60,
in line with previous years, and was won by David Tamsitt.
The Autumn Singles Stableford Trophy on Oct 17 was switched on the eve
of the competition from a water-logged John O’Gaunt to Carthagena. The winner
was Neil Pinnington, recording his first Senior Competition win in 12 years.
The result of the Autumn Singles Stableford confirmed Andy Brown as the
Golfer of the Year followed by Richard Knell, Dave Wrench, Rob Bage and David
Tamsitt.
The Ladies/Seniors Scramble on October 31 was a resounding success with
a full house of 88 entrants playing all 18 holes of John O’Gaunt – the first
day the course had been fully open following restrictions imposed due to recent
heavy rainfall. The winning team consisted of Andy Brown, Sara Fowler, Catie
Heathfield and David Scott.
This month also saw the completion of the three knockout competitions.
Clive Bassindale beat Steve Collins in the final of the Green Tilley, Paul
Dobson and Jan Murphy beat Paul Beasley and David Tamsitt to clinch the
Foursomes Knockout and Paul Jeeves beat Barry Donovan to win the Holmwood
Plate.
We have a full house for the Arthur Lucas Cup (bring and win) on Nov 14
and Paula has been briefed to provide a table for the
prizes.
We have almost reached the maximum 100 entrants for the Christmas Fayre.
Only 75 places are available and priority as in previous years will be given to
those with the most GOTY qualifiers.
Currently there are 76 entrants with four or more qualifiers so those
with four will go into a draw.
Lastly, I informed the Ladies Section of our intention to play all next
year’s competitions from gender neutral tees – either white or yellow – with
the exception of the two matches with the ladies where red tees will continue
to be used for the ladies. I am pleased to say that I received a very positive response
from Lady Captain Lorna Jerome.
Match Secretary's Report (AS)
There have not been any matches since the last meeting as the season has
been completed and AS supplied a very comprehensive summary of the end of
season outcomes at the last meeting.
AGM
RWT shared the draft arrangements for the upcoming AGM and it was agreed
that he would circulate the Notice of Meeting in December and Agenda for the
meeting in January as proposed.
Action Point: to be an agenda item at the next
meeting where RWT will provide an outline of the arrangements and voting
procedures.
Seniors Annual Presentation Dinner
DW joined the meeting for this item and outlined the current position
regarding numbers – there are some spaces left for the general membership to
attend.
DW also outlined the arrangements for the dinner, and it was agreed (see
above) that two bottles of wine would be supplied for each table from the
Honorarium.
DW took the committee through the draft programme for the evening and this
included the arrangements for the presentation of trophies to the winners.
There is currently one trophy unaccounted for.
DW will continue to liaise with RWT if any issues arise.
Matches 2024
AG and AS outlined the progress with the arrangements for sign up and
selection of players for 2024. The use of the matrix is currently being
investigated with Alban Macdonald.
AG and BD have been in liaison with the club over menus and pricing for
2024 home matches and AG updated the meeting. It is hoped that the 2023 cost of
playing of £24 can be maintained for 2024 whilst still providing a range of good
quality meals.
BD and AG were thanked for their efforts.
Action Point:
It was agreed that AG and AS will continue with the planning for 2024
and at the next meeting the sign up and selection arrangements along with the
costings of matches for 2024 will be confirmed to allow time to circulate to
members prior to sign up starting.
It is also hoped that the Match Organisers for 2024 would also be able
to be confirmed at the same meeting.
Christmas Fayre
BD and AG outlined the work they have undertaken to supply the meat, drinks,
and other prizes for the event to date and what needs to be completed. Both
were thanked by the committee for their efforts and the final arrangements were
agreed.
TL and RWT to assist on the day before the event with the labelling and
storing of prizes and TL is organising a system for distribution of prizes on
the day and will call on other committee members for help on the day.
Arthur Lucas Bring and Win
The arrangements for collection of cards, leaving of prizes and
arrangements at the end of the competition were agreed.
Rules of Golf session for seniors
Joan Cocksedge has agreed to run a session for us in the spring.
AOB
1/ Peter Imray raised two matters concerning the distribution of
stablefords and medals within our competitions and the possibly of additional opportunities
to complete cards for handicap purposes.
After discussion Peter was thanked for his contributions and RWT will
respond to him.
2/ Pace of play in seniors’ events and roll ups was discussed and Bill
Walker will be asked to promote speed of play at roll ups via the roll up
organisers.
Date and time of next meeting
Tuesday 16th January 2024
Action Point:
At the next meeting RWT will propose dates for meetings in 2024
