Attendance:
Algy Grimes (AG), Jonathan Lean (JL), Bill Walker
(BW), Richard Coventry (RC), Richard Westergreen – Thorne (RWT), Tony Lloyd
(TL) Andy Shilton (AS)
Apologies: Tom Simm (TS)
Mike Tipper (MT)
JL to invite Nigel Tarn to attend the next meeting
for a few minutes so that the committee can introduce themselves to him.
Minutes previous and matters arising
Agreed with no matters arising not covered on the agenda.
Captain's Report (AG)
Following on from the last committee meeting I reported that the
proposal for a Swap Day had passed through the Golf Sub-committee and was
awaiting ratification by the GCM. This has been forthcoming so we can arrange
one Swap Day each year from now on. The next one being on 17th April with St
Ives.
I must congratulate my Vice-Captain Jonathan on winning the Arthur Lucas
‘Bring & Win’ competition in November. He beat two others on countback with
35 points. Well done. I was hoping to announce the successful bidder for the 4-ball
voucher to the Cambridge Country Club but unfortunately there were no bids. I
therefore asked the Ladies Captain to send a message to her members to seek a
bid. We got one from one of our Senior members, so we split the proceeds
between mine and Lorna’s charities.
We held the Annual Presentation Dinner in December where I presented the
various trophies and certificates for the year. Well done to all prize winners.
I would also like to formally thank David Wood for organising the event, in
particular guiding me through the different trophies to present to the
appropriate winners. However, it was very disappointing that the Charity
representative cancelled at short notice which didn’t give time for them to
arrange a substitute. The cheque presentation will now take place at the AGM.
The total amount raised through the year being close to £6,600.
At the last event of the year, the Christmas Fayre, the Baz Backhouse Trophy
was won by Nigel Underwood with 47 points, outstanding round, shame it wasn’t a
qualifier and a handicap cut! A great result with 18 temporary greens. Thanks
to Richard Coventry, helped by Tony Lloyd, for organising refrigeration of the
meat and the other prizes so well. As usual Jonathan Lean managed the results
and raffle winners to again make my role so easy.
Apart from this meeting I have one more Golf Sub-Committee meeting which
is next Monday 23rd , after that it is on to the AGM and handing over the
captaincy, and most importantly and unfortunately the car park space to
Jonathan, I will miss that more than anything.
Finally thank you to all on the committee for the hard work you have put
in to make my year so enjoyable, I really appreciate it.
Vice Captain's Report (JL)
JL reported on his contact with members since the last meeting.
Immediate Past Captain's Report (BW)
There was one dispute since the last committee meeting that
arose during the bring and win competition. This dispute was addressed,
resolved through amicable discussion and documented in the disputes log.
Treasurer's Report (RC)
RC provided a copy of the accounts that have been ratified by the Auditor
and will be presented at the meeting and these were discussed by the committee.
He raised several further points regarding financial matters which were covered
under AOB.
It was agreed that BW would present the report at the AGM as RC is not
able to attend.
Secretary's Report (RWT)
We have ended the year with around 240
‘members’ and just under 250 people receiving the Newsletter each week. I have
put a note in the Newsletter asking if anyone wants to be taken off the mailing
list and will look at the list and match it to the club membership list once
fee renewals have been completed.
The numbers have increased by around
50 from the previous year when we had subscriptions, but it has had less of an
impact on entries to competitions and match entries than this figure would
suggest. We have gained a number of people to the mailing list who like to
receive it out of interest rather than because they wish to play.
One of our key challenges for 2023 is
to ensure that we encourage as many new members as possible to join in our
activities. For example, the increase in club membership in the Autumn gained
us quite a few new members, many active golfers, when it was too late for them
to be able to participate in our events. We need to get them to join in with
the new programme of events this year.
I have explained in the Newsletter the
reasons why the matches are skewed with regards to when home and away fixtures
are played, and Andy references it as well in his note that will soon go to
members about signing up for matches. I will refer to a couple of points about
the 2024 calendar at the meeting. I have already had offers of dates from other
clubs for 2024.
We will look at adjusting the balance of
home and away matches in 2024 but we are restricted by the number of competitions
taking place in September. If we want to address the imbalance we may need to
look at moving some competitions to free up some Tuesday slots.
Action:
RWT to liaise with JL, AS and TL with
possible options to move one or more competitions to free up Tuesday slots for
matches and then report back to the committee.
The Swap Day is in place with St Ives
on 17th April and St Ives are in contact with Amy about their
arrangements for the day. I would like us to agree at the meeting the
arrangements we would like for ourselves when we go to St Ives and I can then
agree them with our hosts.
Gordon has been in touch as he has had
an enquiry from Newmarket about holding an Away Day at JOG in 2024 and he has
got back to them to see if they are interested in switching to a Swap Day. They
have responded to show initial interest which they are going to take up with
their club. Whatever happens with Newmarket we will need to start looking soon for
a club to swap with in 2024.
It was agreed that the Swap Day would
have a similar format to the previous year to differentiate it from the Away
Day and that it would be held in the earlier part of the year to avoid a clash
with the Away Day.
Now that it is an established part of
our year the Secretary needs to be involved in arranging the Swap Day as it
impacts on the calendar for the year and fixing the right date is important.
However, it would be good to give someone the opportunity to organise the day
rather as a Match Organiser does and I would like to propose that we look to
find an organiser each year.
Action:
Agreed and RWT to publicise the
organiser role in the Newsletter
Finally, I am pleased to see the fantastic
numbers looking at the blog each week and would like to congratulate Tony Lloyd
for his efforts with this throughout the year.
Action:
The handover of email addresses to be discussed by the various committee
members affected. To be confirmed at the next meeting when a draft officers contact
details form will be agreed for circulation to members, club staff and club
officers and other clubs.
RWT has been in conversation with Gordon Macleod regarding publicising
the opportunity to play in seniors events to the club membership and in
particular those reaching 59/60 years of age.
It was agreed to confirm to Gordon that we would like him to send our a
message in his regular communications with members and also to send a targeted
email to those aged 59/60.
Action:
RWT to coordinate with Gordon.
Competition Secretary's Report (JL)
Since the last meeting we have had the following competitions.
The Arthur Lucas Bring and Win on 15th November was won by rank outsider
Jonathan Lean with 35 points. Second also on 35 points was David Streatfield.
Third on countback but also on 35 points was Chris Dennis.
The Seniors’ Christmas Fayre and Baz Backhouse Trophy on 20th December
was won convincingly by Nigel Underwood on 47 points. Second on 43 points was
Terry Domagala and third on 42 points was David Wrench. Nick Schumann and Peter
Wade just missed out on countback with 42 points also.
All 2023 competitions are now on the system, but I have a couple of
minor issues about tee times that hopefully by the time of this meeting will
have been sorted out.
The entry fee for the knockouts has been altered to £4 as per club
standards.
Tony Lloyd has been very helpful over the past few months in learning
the ropes so that he can run the competitions next year.
The Green Tilley and the Foursomes Knockout both open for entries at 4pm
on 7th February. Both the Match with the Ladies on 9th March and the 4BBB on
14th March open for entries on 2nd February.
Action::
The tees, handicaps and cards to use in the knockouts if a male plays a
female member needs to be confirmed and circulated to members. JL and TL to
investigate and publicise on the sign-up page of the website and all of the
rules for knockout matches to be communicated via the Newsletter.
Match Secretary's Report (AS)
Arrangements for next season are making good progress. All matches
are now set up on the system ready for players to enter.
We have had several of the Match Organisers drop out. These are David Price, Tony Goodson, Bill Walker, Peter Jarman, Nick Schumann. With the change from Dunstable to Northampton Brian Bullen is without a game to organise. I’ve written to all the MO thanking them and to Brian separately thanking him and asking him if he wants to take on another match. He has verbally said he’ll get back to me but hasn’t yet.
An appeal for organisers last week gave us two volunteers (David Streatfield and Nigel Underwood). This week’s Newsletter will repeat the request.
The ‘Matches Special’ is ready to go after this meeting signs it off. A draft for comments was circulated prior to the meeting.
The final piece in the matches jigsaw is the cost per game. I’m still waiting for the final menu from the club. Hopefully I’ll have it by the time of the meeting. I’ve had discussions on the previously discussed desire for a fixed price from the club. The clubs’ position is this is preferable, but it can only happen if we reduce the menu further to items of a similar price. This is for discussion at the committee meeting.
Action:
Annual Dinner and Trophies
New Member Liaison Role
BW outlined that the next Prostate Project Charity Day will take place
on 3 April 2023. This is a Club event that will be managed and organised by
Bill Walker, Algy Grimes and David Barlow.
The format of the day will be similar to previous years with a pairs
golf competition with a shotgun start, followed by a meal and presentation of
prizes. During the preceding weeks and on the day itself there will be an
on-line auction, a raffle and other opportunities to donate to the Prostate
Project Charity. To date there have been meetings with past event organisers
and various Club representatives and an outline plan drawn up. A further
meeting of the organising team took place on 12 January 2023 adding more detail
to the plan and allocating actions. Plan implementation will now progress in
earnest with a further meeting towards the end of the week commencing 5th
February 2023 shortly after which the event details will be published.
Close coordination with activities during the Club charity weekend will
be achieved through a Club Charity Committee. Future updates will be provided
as and when required.
Action:
It was agreed to publicise the Prostate Day in the Newsletter and offer
the organisers support if required.
Senior Member and Guest Day
It was agreed to seek a member to take over the running of the Member
and Guest Day from AS that takes place on 1st August.
Action:
To publicise the opportunity in the Newsletter
AOB:
Honours Boards
Paul Marshall had asked about having more seniors’ honours boards on
display in the clubhouse.
Action:
Paul to be thanked for his query and, after discussion, it was agreed
that BW would respond to him on behalf of the committee.
Cost of entry to competitions
RC raised some issues of consistency across the range of competitions
and it was agreed that all competitions would have a £5 entry fee with £1 going
towards the raffle – profits to the Senior Captains Charity. The exceptions
will be the matches with the Ladies which will be a £5 entry fee but some
differences with financial arrangements, and the knock outs at £4 as they do
not include a raffle.
Cost of playing in matches and reciprocal
arrangements with other clubs
A discussion took place regarding both matters and AS is awaiting
costings from the club to enable us to make a final decision on what to charge
players.
We want to be fair to our members and it is difficult to compare pricing
with that of other clubs. For example, some have a subscription, some subsidise
catering at matches, some levy for staff tips, half way house, etc. All clubs
are different.
Action:
Both matters to be returned to at the next meeting when, hopefully, the
cost of catering at JOG is known.
JL will enquire about the arrangements at other clubs and what they
charge participants during the coming year. To be revisited at a future
committee meeting when further information is available in time to inform
decisions for 2024.
Date and time of next meeting
7th February after the AGM with further dates for 2023 to be
proposed by JL at the next meeting.
