Attendance:
Algy Grimes (AG), Jonathan Lean (JL), Richard
Westergreen – Thorne (RWT), Tony Lloyd (TL) Andy Shilton (AS)
Apologies
Barry Donovan (BD),
Justin Thomas (JT)
JT attended the meeting for this item. There was a
discussion of the arrangements for the club's 75th Anniversary in June
and various other matters including progress with the new club governance
arrangements and the timetable for roll out.
Minutes previous and matters arising
Two Action Points from last time were confirmed as completed:
It was agreed that JL should communicate with the club our desire to
maintain a £5 competition entry fee for 2023 and to explain the reasons why. JL
has this in hand.
There was a discussion about clubs to approach
regarding future Swap Days and afternoon matches. A list was completed and RWT
will contact these clubs and report back on the response at the next meeting.
Covered in an agenda item.
Captain (JL)
There has been an unofficial meeting of the Golf Committee to allow
members to meet each other and in particular to meet with Rob Earls the new
Chair of Golf. The meeting was also intended to advise members of the new way
that the meetings would be run using RE’s business methods, spreadsheets and
projectors.
There was some discussion about general matters. It seems likely that
the Handicap Committee will be re-formed with the intention of encouraging
members to submit more general play cards for handicap assessment.
The Seniors can assist with the annual review of handicaps by continuing
to record winners of the roll-ups. It has also been suggested by one of the
seniors that once a month the roll-up could be configured as an individual
Stableford rather than 4BBB. This would allow participants to put in cards if
they want to. All roll-up organisers
should be asked to carry out a straw poll to see if this would be popular.
It was agreed that JL would seek further clarification at the Golf
Committee before we ask the roll up organisers to record results each roll up.
I have discussed with Gordon the implications of increasing Honours
Board competition entry fees to £5 from the current £4. Gordon stated that, in
his view, we can do what we like with entry fees but it is better to run this
past the Golf Committee first to ensure that it does not contravene the agreement
made when the Seniors became an official section and the honorarium came into
force.
The 75th Anniversary event diary is now finalised and Seniors should be
encouraged to participate as much as possible in these events.
Vice-Captain (RWT)
RWT has had a number of communications with seniors and he updated the
meeting. He also informed those present that Rod Evans had recently passed away
and that he would notify members in the next Newsletter.
Immediate Past Captain (AG)
AG reported back on the Swap Day at St Ives and that he had compiled the
full list of results. It was agreed that TL would publish the full list on the
blog.
Treasurer's Report (BD)
BD was
unable to attend the meeting but sent in the following report which was
discussed by those present.
Cash
position has increased from £3037.21 to £4082.71.
In addition,
invoices have been raised for all events prior to the Annual Medal. Invoices
outstanding
amount to
- JOG
Finance £1932
- Camb
Country Club £384
I’m still
awaiting invoice details for the Away Day at St Ives
Quick summary
of financials as end of April
Income
Comp Entry
460
Matches
1872
Other 40
Total 2372
Expenditure
Prizes 296
Raffle 36
Other
140.65
Total
472.65
Increase in
Surplus 1899.35
Too early
to draw any big conclusions – but things going to plan.
I have
raised the issue with the Club that to date I have had no food costs for
Matches
played.
Hon. Secretary (RWT)
Not a great deal to report since the last meeting.
My focus has continued to be on the calendar for 2024 and I will provide
an update under this agenda item as to the current position. I have sent a
‘latest draft’ to Nigel Tarn outlining the areas where I would welcome his
input and agreement and I met with him prior to the meeting.
Membership enquiries had slowed but we have enlisted 3 new members in
the past week. The three seniors who are
following up enquiries about membership with a call are doing a good job.
Everyone who joins is different with different interests and needs but the
feedback from their engagement with new members has been very positive.
Jonathan has suggested that we ask the roll up organisers to keep a
tally each session of the winners due to forthcoming handicap changes and it
would be helpful if we discussed this briefly at the session before I send out
a note.
The Annual Dinner questionnaire closes soon, and we seem to have a
sufficient response already to get a decent picture of people’s interests.
Keith Howlett has done a good job setting it up for us and Jonathan has
suggested that we cover the outcomes of the questionnaire at our next meeting.
TL reported that there had been 746 hits on the blog in April.
Action Point:
The survey results to be an agenda item at the next meeting.
Competition Secretary (TL)
Swap Day at St Ives
Forty seniors took part in a very enjoyable swap day at St Ives Golf
Club organised by Algy. We were met by their president who gave us a few tips
about playing the course and joined us later for lunch.
Winners, on 40 points, were Richard Herbert and Trevor Darrington. John
O’Gaunt Captain Mike Tipper and Vice Captain Justin Thomas in turn welcomed the
St Ives players who, it is reported, had a splendid day on our course.
Annual Medal Trophy and Jubilee Cup
The first of our medals, played from the Carthagena white tees, was won
by Dave Wrench with a score of nett 62. The Jubilee Cup, for the best
stableford score for those with handicaps of 21 or over, was won by Richard
Herbert with 40 points. Eighty-eight seniors took part after a few late withdrawals
due mostly to health reasons. It was a shame that the kitchen was closed for
this prestigious event and concerning that our competition was not taken into
account when deciding on a date to carry out essential work. It was hoped that
this would not happen again in future.
Action Point:
JL to raise the lack of catering at the Annual Medal at the Golf
Committee.
Ken Robinson Scramble
The numbers for this fluctuated quite a lot as the date of the
competition approached. Some withdrew because it clashed with an important
funeral but thanks to emails from Richard we were able to keep the numbers up.
At the time of writing we have a field of 80 – perfect for the scramble format
– with two reserves.
Order of Merit
Following our second qualifier of the year, the Annual Medal Trophy, the
Golfer of the Year leader board reads: Dave Wrench 21 points, Andy Brown, 21
points, Paul Hammond and Malcolm Roberts, 20 points.
Match Secretary's Report (AS)
Since the last report we have played three home matches, Wellingborough
(won 5-3), Cambridge Country Club (drawn 4-4), St Neots won (4.5 – 3.5) and
one away to Aspley Guise (Lost 4.5-3.5). Overall performance to date
Played 7, Won 4, Drawn 1 Lost 2. The season is going well.
We have had a few withdrawals (some at late notice), that could have
been avoided. The other issue to report is late changes to handicaps due
to previous day competitions. This has caused some scrambling around on
match day mornings. I think its going to be wise for the organiser or the
captain to have a laptop with them to make it easy to deal with any adjustments
by using the team spreadsheet.
We have seven matches before the next Committee meeting on 20 July so it
will be interesting to see if our good form continues.
Calendar 2024
RWT
shared the latest draft of the calendar for 2024 and invited comments. We are
looking for a club for the Swap Day as Newmarket have had to withdraw and possibilities
for further afternoon matches. The list of clubs to approach was confirmed.
There
are a few loose ends to tie up and there will be some further tweaks but otherwise
the calendar for 2024 is nearing completion.
Action Point:
RWT
to contact the identified clubs to seek to arrange a Swap Day for 2024 and also
explore the possibilities of further afternoon matches.
Member and Guest Day
Nigel Underwood (NU) has kindly offered to arrange the day for us this
year. A discussion took place about the arrangements and costings as the event
will need to be publicised to members shortly and catering arrangements
confirmed with the club.
It was agreed that we would like to keep the cost down to £40 a pair if possible but
also try to get a balance between cost and a good day for those taking
part.
We would like:
-
tea/coffee and a bacon roll on arrival
- a simple
half way house of tea/coffee and soft drinks - we had sale or return last year.
The half way houses to be on the 10th and the 1st (stud bar if wet or just by
the tee if dry)
- a simple
meal of something like ham and chips at the end with people seated when they
come in so start serving soon after the first groups turn up (say 30 mins) and
then it means that there is less of a wait for the results, etc.
Prizes to
be £50 shared by the first pair, £40 for the second pair and £30 for the third
pair – TL will get the pro shop vouchers for this.
Three
nearest the pins, one nearest the pin in 2 on the 11th and longest drive on the
17th.
Once NU has
discussed prices with the club then we will look at the costings for the day.
It was agreed that there is the option of putting some of the captains' honorarium
towards the halfway house and also subsidising the meal from seniors
funds.
In the
meantime we will advertise the day without saying a price except to say it will
be around £40.
Action Point:
RWT to
communicate the draft arrangements to NU and NU to report back on costings when
he has spoken with the club.
Honours Board
Paul Marshall (PM) had previously been in contact regarding the
possibility of increasing the number of senior section honours boards around
the clubhouse. AG had responded to PM and the topic was discussed with a view
to progressing the subject. It was agreed that we should take this further.
Action Point:
AG to raise the possibility with the Club Manager and contact PM with a
view to enlist his help if we are able to take this forward.
Charity Weekend
This had been discussed when JT was present at the meeting and there was
a brief follow up discussion about the Senior Captains Charity.
Date and time of next meeting
Thursday 20th July
Tuesday 29th August
Thursday 5th October
Tuesday 7th November
Tuesday 16th January 2024
