In attendance: Tony Lloyd (TL), Algy Grimes (AG) Richard Westergreen – Thorne (RWT)
Barry Donovan (BD) Dave Wood (DW) David Barlow (DB) Nigel
Underwood (NU) Jonathan Lean (JL),
Apologies: None
Minutes previous: Agreed
Matters arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda:
None
Captain's report (TL)
TL used the meeting as an opportunity to share his
draft presentation to the AGM and the final version will be recorded in the
minutes of the AGM in February.
It was agreed that a presentation to a long-standing member of the section would take place at the start of the AGM.
Treasurer's report (BD)
BD outlined the current financial position and the
progress with completing the annual accounts in time for the AGM in conjunction
with Trevor Darrington the Auditor. Copies will be placed on seats at the AGM.
He also covered the likely charity donation for 2025, his assumptions regarding
numbers playing in competitions and his draft financial planning for the 2026
season..
.Vice Captain's report (DB)
Nothing to report.
IPC report (RWT)
Nothing to report.
Secretary’s report (RWT)
RWT shared his draft presentation for the upcoming
AGM which will be recorded in the minutes
of the meeting.
In addition, the seniors at Spalding have been in
touch asking if we were interested in matches with them. Given the distance of
travel and our full programme it was agreed that RWT would contact Spalding to
see if they are interested in a Swap Day in 2027 or 2028. He would also enquire
about their willingness to share 4BBB vouchers.
Competition Secretary's report (NU)
Two competitions rounded off the Golfing Year of
2025. The Scramble with the Ladies, rearranged from October, was played on Nov
25th. Scoring a nett 61 on the JoG, the winners (after a Steward’s enquiry !!)
were Jenny Edwards, Nicola Hunter, Phil Farrow and yours truly. A very
enjoyable event, albeit with a somewhat smaller field than originally had
entered.
The finale of the Year was the Christmas Fayre and
Baz Backhouse Trophy on Dec 16th. Overnight weather had been dire but within a
few minutes of teeing off conditions improved and an excellent competition
ensued. The light lunch after play and the convivial atmosphere (not to mention
everyone getting a prize !) resulted in a fitting conclusion to the golfing
year. The winner was Trevor Darrington, with 41 points, followed by George
Burnham on 38 and Warren Churms on 37.
This year’s competitions are nearly all loaded onto
IG, some issues remain to be resolved, notably with GOTY, competitions
involving 2 tee starts (not popular with IG !) and the label printer software
but all will be in place very soon.
For the AGM, I propose a very short summary of
competitions from 2025 including entry numbers, withdrawals (slow play ?!!?)
but to focus on developments including the extra stroke play competitions,
divisional prizes, the extra prizes in the “bring and win” and the “Abandon
Play “procedure (see below).
An abridged version of the “Abandon Play” procedure
was discussed which is ready to go out
in a newsletter at some point and I suggest copies on the seats at the AGM, and
I will talk it through then. Also attached are some ideas in response to
Richard’s questions regarding the proposal to add stroke play competitions to
the Rex Bullock and Bailiff Shield events.
Match Secretary's report (AG)
The season of matches is not that far away with the
first match being only a couple of months before we are at Bedford & County.
The running totals finished last season as Won 13,
Drawn 2, Lost 15.
I have already asked some of last year’s organisers
for their availability for 2026, I will be contacting others shortly. A contact
list of other clubs is being put together as they hold their AGMs and let us
know the new post holders.
Saffron Walden have contacted me about the
following; “we have yet to address calendar creep. I am proposing we push back
next year's fixtures by one week to address this issue. Hence we
propose the following dates: SW - Wed 19 May & JOG - Tues 17 August
2027.”
How does that fit with us, we must get the same
problem?
As we have had a number of new people joining the
Section, I will be issuing a note to all about arrangements for matches. The
menu and pricing is yet to be confirmed by the General Manager and cook despite
me sending two emails. However, it was agreed by the Board that the prices
would increase by 5% on last year, except for the coffee which went up from a
pre-discount price of £3.00 to £3.85 which is just over 28%! The 10% discount
off food will still apply to both teams. Therefore, if the most expensive food
is chosen from the menu to highest discounted price will be £25.17 which would
mean a £2.00 increase on the match fees to £26.00 to help cover the cost of the
wine prizes. If we didn’t offer the two most expensive meals on the menu the
upper cost would be £24.13, so we could charge a £25.00 match fee, only a £1.00
increase.
So, the question is; Do we want to increase match
fees by £2.00 or curb the choices so only a £1.00 increase is needed?
I have sent Alban the list of matches and he has
built the new season’s system, both Captain elect David and I have tested it.
We have offered the chance to sign up for a tutorial on the system, so far only
8 people have asked to be included. Alban will arrange a get together in the
near future.
It was agreed at the meeting that the cost of
playing in matches would increase to £26 for 2026 given the increasing expenses
that have to be covered and the desire to keep the range of match meal choices
currently available.
It was agreed that TL would contact Saffron Walden
regarding the proposed change after considering the implications for other
fixtures.
Trophy Custodian's report (DW)
Elements of this report will form the basis of the
presentation at the AGM
The Trophy Custodian now has responsibility for 26 Trophies which
includes the
Captain's Gavel and the four new Seniors Honours Boards. 2024 saw the
Jock Allan
Prostate Cancer Competition adopted by the Seniors Section with the
Trophy
becoming the responsibility of the Custodian. The trophies are stored
securely in a
trophy cabinet situated in the Committee room at the club.
We are proud to be able to allow trophy winners to take the trophies
home following the competitions and after the Presentation evening. I will contact the
winners prior to the anniversary of their win to request the return of the trophy to
the club in time for its presentation when the competition is played again. All trophies
must be returned to the club by 1st November each year for engraving with the
winners’ name(s).
The Baillif Shield, our largest shield, lacks space for new cartouches.
Myself and Wendy are searching the internet for a large shield to attach to the
rear of the shield to prolong its life. Current prices are around £100 for an appropriately
sized shield – we will continue to search for a more acceptable price. I have contacted
Jim Kerr and will be meeting him this week to discuss whether he is able to make
a large backing shield and will report back when I have any further information.
The Captain's Gavel suffered some damage during 2025. This has now been repaired and is ready for a few more years careful use.
Rex Bullock Shield
I am able to confirm that the shield is inscribed and dedicated as
“Annual Full Handicap Stableford Competition on the Carthagena Course”.
Bailiff Shield
Will be returned later this week so that I can check what it says on the
inscription about the competition format.
Honours Boards
The Seniors Honours Boards and the Senior Captains’ Board will be
updated with the 2025 winners on Wednesday 14th January.
Presentation Dinner
The presentation evening this year was attended by 65 Diners, including
10 Captain's guests. This is slightly up on last year’s figures, but it is
noted that 12 competition winners were unable to attend the event. There may be scope
to increase the numbers if proposed additional competitions are added this
year.
55 paying diners = £1650.00
10 Captain's Guests = £300.00
Having received a number of appreciative emails and comments, I believe
it safe to say that the evening was a success, although there were some comments
about slow service of the meal for the higher numbered tables. I understand
that there was a shortage of staff on the evening. I will liaise with the F&B staff
before next year's meal to see if something can be done to alleviate this
problem.
I am open to any suggestions to improve the event.
The Presentation Dinner raffle this year realised a total of £326 after expenses.
Swap Day – Newmarket Links, 27th October 2025.
This year I undertook to organise the Swap Day with Newmarket Links
which took place on 27th October. Everything went to plan until I arrived at
Newmarket to find that a Traffic Accident on the A14 road works held up most of the
players from JOG.
My carefully prepared Score cards were of no use as I had to rearrange
each four- ball round using the JOG players as they arrived at the Club.
Thankfully, with help from Committee members, the rearranged matches
were slotted into our allotted tee times without too many problems.
On the whole the day went well, with everyone enjoying the golf and the
meal. We must remember to calculate playing handicaps to the decimal point in future.
Stoke Rochford: 2026
Confirmed in the Club Diary for 5th October 2026. Richard has previously invited the club Captain and their swap day
organiser to a round of golf at John O Gaunt to set things in motion and to discuss
arrangements. I have asked Darrel and Steven Major for their availability and will
arrange the round when I have their response. Darrel has responded saying that he will
contact me for the round/meeting early in 2026. Following this meeting I will commence
with the finer details of the swap day. I still await their reply.
I would like to thank everyone on the Committee for your support and encouragement in my endeavours in 2025. Thank you also to all the
Seniors Section members for your support at the Presentation dinner I will do my utmost
to serve you and work in your best interests in the coming year.
Tour 2026
Two spaces have become available and, a note in the Newsletter, led to
one of them being filled but there remains one space to fill.
Competition Formats 2026
Peter Imray joined the meeting for the latter part of this agenda item.
The meeting looked at the various changes proposed and agreed:
-
To confirm that the trial undertaken in the
latter part of 2025 of divisional prizes be introduced across the whole seasons
for 2026
-
Two competitions would have medal elements
added to the stableford competitions meaning that there would be two sets of
prizes for these competitions. One of the competitions would have the medal
element becoming the result that would go towards the GOTY to move the balance
a little between the two types of competition within GOTY to 6:3 from 7:2
-
The arrangements for additional trophies and
total prize funds for competitions that result from these changes
-
A table of the new arrangements showing each
competition was agreed and will be circulated to members after confirmation by
the committee over the coming days.
AGM 2025
The meeting ran through the draft agenda for the
meeting and the nominations for officers and secondments to the committee. The
agenda was confirmed and RWT will circulate to members.
The arrangements for the day were agreed including
the items where a vote is required. Sign in sheets will be available for
members when they arrive.
Dates of Future Meetings
Tues Feb 3 2026 (AGM)
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Tuesday
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03 February 2026*
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Thursday
|
05 March 2026
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Thursday
|
09 April 2026
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Thursday
|
07 May 2026
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Thursday
|
11 June 2026
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Thursday
|
02 July 2026
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Thursday
|
06 August 2026
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Thursday
|
10 September 2026
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Thursday
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08 October 2026
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Thursday
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05 November 2026
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Thursday
|
03 December 2026
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*after the AGM
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