Fees for Vets Competitions on Thursdays
I am sure that all our vets are aware of the difficult financial position we face as a club. The main committee has made a request that we, along with other club-organised competitions, should consider the levy of an additional 50p per person on those playing in our competition each Thursday. The purpose of this levy, which is voluntary, is to raise additional funds to support the payment for a specific item of equipment to maintain the greens and to help pay for the services of an additional part-time greenkeeper during the summer months.
This request has coincided with suggestions from some of our members that we should increase the £2 fee to provide enhanced prizes on Thursdays. Your committee has agreed to raise the fee to £3 to incorporate both these suggestions. After the presentation of prizes at the competition on Thursday 29th March I announced the intention to proceed with this. The announcement was well received and no-one dissented. However, as not all our players stayed for the presentation and some were not playing at all last Thursday, I am publishing this explanation on our notice board
The relevant minute of our committee is published below and I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you that the full minutes of all our meetings are available on file in the clubhouse following their acceptance at the next meeting.
Minute 4.02.12: The committee ratified the decision of the main committee to raise additional funds to support the payment for equipment to maintain the greens and to pay the wages of an additional part-time green keeper during the summer. To this end, the £3 fee for Thursday competitions will incorporate 50p per player (voluntary) to be paid into the club account. The additional money raised from the increase to a £3 fee will be used to enhance the raffle prizes and to award a bottle of spirit (gin, whisky etc) to the individual winners of qualifying competitions in each division. It was noted that this announcement at the end of play today was received well by the members present and that no-one had dissented.
I sincerely hope that we will have everybody’s support in helping with this initiative.
Jeff Paul
Vets Captain
Well what a great start to my captaincy, rain and more rain depressing or what? Hopefully you guys don’t blame me for the course closure.
As I have said, I have been very impressed at the increase in attendance of our Thursday gatherings and I hope that this will continue throughout the year.
As I’m sure you are aware by now, I have taken on board what has been suggested and have delegated, where possible, those tasks that, in my opinion, have put previous captains under pressure.
I consider that the captains’ lot is to guide his team and hopefully that will be accomplished with the help of those members who have agreed to be involved with the various duties. The list can be seen on the vets’ notice board. I thank them for their support and wish them every success in the coming season. I shall of course give any support that they may deem necessary to assist their decision making.
One thing I am keen to establish is that we are all “singing from the same song sheet” so to speak. To that end, I am very hopeful that all vet members will consider themselves confident enough to be considered for selection for “friendly fixtures” and, for those of you that want more competitive golf, I ask you to place your name on the appropriate list s when they appear.
Our North Devon Vets league this year will see us playing against Libbaton, Ilfracombe and Royal North Devon. I agree, this is not the most desirable combination, but we are stuck with it and I hope you will support the section and offer your services. We have done well in previous years in this competition and we should try to keep our standards high. The three clubs mentioned are all difficult by virtue of their differences to H.G.C. Two of them are not courses that are favoured by everyone, and as I have said on many, some say too many, occasions; we need to play these courses more often to “get to know them”.
It was very noticeable from the results of 2011 H.G.C. vets’ open that many prizes were won by members of visiting teams. That, in itself is not a problem, as it will encourage a return of those players next season, but it does indicate that other clubs are prepared to get to know the vagaries of H.G.C. sufficiently to get good scores, we should take a tip and follow suit. If we want to return decent scores at any venue we need to play there and become aware of possible pitfalls.
The Emerton Court competition is of course an unknown quantity as yet, as we have no indication, at this time, as to whom we will meet in any of the rounds. I hope you will consider putting yourself forward for selection and strengthen the “squad” availability. I’m sure that the team selectors would be delighted to have too many rather than, have to plead for your support, as was the case last season.
Please be aware that you will need to join the DMVGA to be eligible for this competition, see Colin Walmsley re: membership. Being a member also allows you to enter DMVGA competitions which are spread around the county.
Can I take this opportunity to wish you all good golf, good health and good luck in the coming season. I look forward to playing with as many of you as possible throughout the year.
Jeff Paul
Vets Captain