Notes of the Seniors Committee Meeting, July 18 2024

 

Senior Committee meeting minutes July 18 2024

 

Present: Richard Westergreen-Thorne (RWT), Jonathan Lean (JL), Barry Donovan (BD), Nigel Underwood (NU), Dave Wood (DW), Tony Lloyd (TL). Apologies for absence: Algy Grimes

1 Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted

2 Matters not arising elsewhere on the agenda

An approach had been received from the organiser of Northampton Golf Club’s social team asking if we would be interested in playing regular matches against them in the future. It was decided that this was more suited to a club event than a seniors event.

Action: TL to kindly decline their offer and pass the correspondence on to Gordon McLeod.

3 Captain’s report (RWT)

Apart from a number of items covered elsewhere in the agenda much of my engagement since the last meeting has been away from the course.

With the new structure of the club coming into place Jonathan attended the inaugural Captains Committee meeting as both Tony and I were away and I then attended the follow up session on my own when Tony was away. This committee is designed to be a sharing session with the Club, Senior and Ladies Captains and Vice Captains present along with representatives of the Juniors and the House, Charity, Golf and Handicap Working Groups.

Subsequently, both Tony and I attended the latest meeting of the committee last week. I have already distributed a copy of the report I tabled about our activities to this committee and Tony and I can update you on what transpired at the session at our meeting.

I also attended the first Golf Working Group Meeting where I presented our Staggered Start Proposal. As you are aware this was forwarded to the Executive Board for their consideration, and I subsequently attended a Board Meeting to present a revised proposal. I was very pleased to report that the request has led to a three-match trial later this year and this is a separate agenda item.

As Tony and I now meet with the Club Captain and Vice Captain on a regular basis at the Captains Committee it has been agreed that, to reduce the workload and avoid duplication, the Vice Captain will not, in future, attend our committee meetings.

I played in the recent Captains Day Competition and attended the pre round breakfast as a guest of the Club Captain. I have also accepted a similar invitation to the Ladies Captains Day in a few weeks’ time.

I am delighted to report that the JustGiving contribution from the seniors to the 54 hole longest day challenge was over £1,750 inc. gift aid. A splendid effort towards the club charity of Macmillan Cancer Support and I can assure Tony that it was very easy to do the 54 holes. It created a lot of interest amongst the seniors and has the potential to be a much bigger opportunity for the club.

We are fast approaching a few weeks with plenty of events and competitions coming up and so I am looking forward to lots of opportunities to present prizes and awards to fellow members.

4 Vice Captain’s report (TL)

TL reported that a member of the senior section was currently in hospital and that he would send a get well soon card on behalf of the seniors

5 Immediate Past Captain’s report (JL)

Nothing to report

6 Treasurer’s report (BD)

1.   Current Financial Situation. As of 16^th July 2024, our cash position is very positive at £5261.14. However, I have had to accrue for outstanding Club invoices for Matchday food (£3072) and £300 for prizes. Additionally, there are outstanding Debtors of £1096 (main Club). Our net position for the year to date is therefore a Nett £666.86, leaving our nett cash position as  £3023.84, once everything has caught up !!

2.      The admin process surrounding Club Matches is still somewhat fraught and we have particularly suffered due to the Clubhouse Manager’s absence due to illness and holiday. However, ever the optimist, I hope these issues will now be behind us !!. The Accruals and Debtors – above – mean at least from a Cashflow point of view – we know where we are.

3.      A point for 2025 – we need to clearly understand what Matches are to operate on a non-reciprocal basis. The Organiser needs to take responsibility for overseeing the payment and collection of food costs as it is not always clear what has been agreed. We have one match still outstanding (which Ian Riches is chasing).

4.      I have requested an update on the Captain’s honorarium and will advise once received.

5.      Christmas Fayre. Over the coming weeks I will be contacting Hurren’s and Piggot’s for costings. Carl is aware that this approach will be happening and is keen to get involved.

Action: Finances of the Bring and Win, Christmas Fayre and Presentation Evening to be discussed at the next meeting

 

7 Honorary Secretary’s report (TL)

Not much to report from me this month that is not covered elsewhere on the agenda.

The 2025 calendar is now complete, with all the competitions and matches agreed with Nigel Tarn and the clubs we play in matches.

I have signed up four new members since our meeting in May: Peter Sweeney, Dave Gabbitas, Euan Gill and Alan Slingsby. Our practice of welcoming new members worked well with at least one “newbie” now playing regularly in the roll ups.

I have had a few issues with the newsletter not being received by a number of members which has entailed me sending it out again to those who missed it. I’m not sure what caused it but I suspect some internet providers, specifically btinternet, are sensitive to what they think may be spam. Last Sunday (July 7) I am pleased to say there were no issues. It made me think that we could do with an IT expert to call on in situations like this.

8 Competition Secretary’s report (JL)

Since the last meeting there have been four competitions.

Annual Medal Trophy and Jubilee Trophy.  83 entrants.  Won by Kevin Cocker with a nett 69

Rex Cleaver Championship Trophy.  92 entrants.  Won by Chris Sullivan.

Reg Batson Trophy.  40 entrants.  Won by Cavan Kendall.

Annual Stableford.  114 entrants.  Won by Rob Bage.

We have at last managed to have one successful Stableford Roll-up on 2^nd July.  Well attended with 20 attendees, 12 of whom submitted cards.  The next one on 25^th July is ready to go.

The Member and Guest Day is full with a reserve list set up.  The draw is done and I think that all the special requests have been accommodated.

The Senior Captain’s Day is also full with 100 entrants.  A reserve list is set up.

The Bailiff Shield on 20^th August is now open for entrants and at the time of writing there were 85 entrants.  Nothing after this until the Gordon Percival in October.

I have started to carry out training for Nigel Underwood.  This will be an ongoing process.

Part of the training was entering competitions for next year.  It was noted that our entry fee is £5 and has been fixed at this price for as long as I can remember.  Should we consider a modest increase to £6?

Action After a discussion it was decided to keep the entry fee at £5 for the time being

9 Match Secretary’s report (AG)

Due to being on holiday from the 5^th to 19^th July, I must offer my apologies for non-attendance at the meeting, so please take the following as my report for the meeting.

 Our last meeting in early May I reported that we had played four matches, two home and two away. Won one, Drawn one and Lost two. Unfortunately, my report doesn’t bring any better news of our fortunes since then.

 We have played seven home and three away, we have Won three and Lost seven. Most were lost by the odd game or two, but there was 6 – 2 defeats at both Saffron Walden and Northampton. Plus a 5½ - ½ loss to Brocket Hall.

 The more worrying fact is that withdrawals have seen quite large numbers with five pulling out of two matches, a total of 25 over the ten matches, two were actually those that had played a Joker.

 Selections have been made for Tranche 4 matches plus the Leighton Buzzard away match which appeared in the wrong tranche.

 Tranche 5 closes on Monday 22^nd July, and I hope to again ask Dave Wood to meet with me to help select the teams. We have a healthy sign up with the exception of South Beds away, only 15 signed up as I write this report, if nobody else signs up I do have some that I can call on.

 

10 Staggered start trial

Action RWT to send briefing note to those playing in the trial matches 

11 Future events

Member and Guest Day: NU gave an updated report on the day’s activities and refreshments

Action JL to email entrants with competition details, TL to organise the raffle with the help of Dave Gauge and take photos of teams if time allows

Senior Captain’s Day TL gave an updated report on progress

Action BD to run putting competition with the help of Dave Gauge

Away Day Nothing to discuss

Swap Day AG to discuss arrangements with Peterborough Milton

Swap Day 2026 A tentative approach from Luffenham Heath offering a swap for a maximum 24 players on a Wednesday was discussed. It was felt these two conditions were too constraining

Action TL to kindly decline and begin the process of finding another venue

12 Honours boards

The boards are nearing completion

Action Find a date for a 6pm unveiling ceremony. TL to invite past winners whose names appear on the boards. TL to check with Justin Thomas whether the new “Captain’s Fund” could help pay for the boards

13 Any other business

BD asked whether there would be interest in a golfing weekend away for senior section members.

Action: BD to come up with an outline proposal at the next meeting