John O'Gaunt Golf Club Seniors Section: November 2023

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 16^th January 2024

Action Point:

At the next meeting RWT will propose dates for meetings in 2024

One of our members, namely Chris Walker, also belongs to the British Golf Collectors Society (BGCS) and after he scored a hole in one with a hickory club in the Three Clubs and a Putter Competition in October we asked him to write something about the BGCS. He hopes that one or two of you might even join up !!

Chris at St Andrews in 2021 for the Hickory Grail, the biennial hickory match between European and American members of the BGCS

By Chris Walker

The British Golf Collectors Society was formed in 1987 but has subsequently grown to have approximately 780 members worldwide. A subset of these play golf with original hickory shafted golf clubs dating from before 1935 but all BGCS members have an interest in the history of golf.

The majority join so as to obtain copies of the BGCS’s quarterly magazine, Through The Green. This covers activities of the society but also well researched articles on golf history. Chris has offered to lend back copies of this magazine to anyone who is interested.

For more information on the BGCS, go to https://www.golfcollectors.co.uk/. Membership costs only £50 per annum but applications have to be proposed and seconded. Talk to Chris if you are interested or email him on chris@seiswise.com.