MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
THE LADIES SECTION
HORNE PARK GOLF CLUB
Held on Thursday 04 November 2010
Present:Pat Oakley Lady Captain – Chairman
Lorraine EverardVice-Captain
Helen PhillipsCompetition Secretary
Heather DrysdaleMatch Secretary
Loraine ChappellSocial Secretary
Doreen BensonImmediate Past Captain
Helen OmidiranLady Professional
Plus 25 lady members
Apologies:Louise VincentTreasurer
Carole GrinstedSecretary
Chris DaviesHandicap Secretary
The meeting opened at 1900.
The Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting were proposed by Sue Francis, seconded by Yvonne Creasey and accepted unanimously.
Lady Captain’s Report
I have spent quite a lot of time over the past few days considering what I am going to say this evening. It still feels like a ‘work in progress’ – but has to be presented right now.
The past year in my golfing life has been mixed. We had a bad winter, with snow, ice and rain. The course was closed for quite long periods – but then, we probably couldn’t have got our cars out of our drives to get here anyway. On the frosty days after the snow the ball bounced in some very interesting ways and unexpected directions. I remember one particular shot from a long way back on the ninth fairway which veered towards the pond, bounced about thirty feet in the air off the ice and landed on the green. I enjoyed that!
The spring was lovely, in spite of a few days of very heavy rain. But hey, everything balanced out, and the green-keepers worked hard to keep the course in as good condition as possible whatever the weather threw at them. Thanks are due to them for all their hard work throughout the year (applause). Thanks are also due to Neil, Bill and Kay for all the arrangements necessary for our matches against visiting clubs (applause).
In the late spring one of our longest-playing ladies, Sheila Still, sadly died. Sheila was a stalwart of Tuesdays and Thursdays and it was always a pleasure to play with her. Her infectious laughter could be heard all over the course, and her well-known “Oh no!!” when she mishit a shot will never be forgotten. Several; of us were able to go to Sheila’s funeral to pay our respects, and we were pleased that her daughters were able to join us for the inaugural Sheila Still Memorial Trophy. This trophy will be played for each year as a memorial to Sheila – those of us who knew her will never forget her. Rest in peace, Sheila.
Summer was – well, and English summer. We had a lot of very hot we3ather, when some people flagged in the heat. Then we had days of torrential rain which refilled the lakes and the bunkers. Testing times, guaranteed to make the golf more interesting.
As you will hear elsewhere, we did well in our friendly matches against other clubs. We were happy to resurrect the Ladies versus Juniors, which we managed to win narrowly. We also played Ladies versus Senior Men, which has not been played for a couple of seasons. We came second!
As always, the Ladies Section turned up trumps on Charity Day, raising just under £700 towards the Captains’ charities. It’s always a fun day, and the sun shone on us, which was a real bonus. Lorraine and Gavin are to be congratulated on a very successful day.
The Ladies Invitation was blessed with super weather, and we and our visitors enjoyed a lovely day, with the course looking its best.
I chose the Kent and Surrey Golf Club, at Edenbridge, for my Lady Captain’s AwayDay in September. We had a good day, although the weather – the one thing i could not control – did not co-operate and we all got rather damp. But i have to commend the delicious bacon rolls and coffee before we started, and the superb carvery when we returned, wet and hungry. The desserts were pretty good as well. And i received some lovely gifts from you all – thank you so much.
Over the past year many people have asked how i am enjoying my year as Lady Captain. My answer has usually been, “It has its moments”. So now i need to consider some of those moments. What have been the highlights?
Well, I was very proud when, after many headaches and nightmares, false dawns and let-downs, our Ladies Team turned out for our first match of the season in our new club colours. The colour has proved popular with out ladies as well as being admired by our visiting teams.
One of the most memorable moments was when I was able to ring Nicola, who sadly isn’t here tonight, and tell her that her handicap had dropped by five shots. My hearing only took a couple of days to recover!
Another incident was at the very start of the season. I had said to myself that as Lady Captain I really should win something. And lo and behold, I managed to win the first qualifying Stableford competition. Just as well, because my golf was not brilliant for the rest of the season!
There have of course been other moments – the smile of delight when some of our new ladies gained their handicap – the thrill when a huge putt fell into the hole – the agony when a vital shot missed its target – the exquisite tiny mushroom Yvonne and I found on the eighth tee the other day – the sudden shrieks from the other side of course, sometimes agony and sometimes ecstasy. Golf is a great game. Out in the open air, surrounded by the beauty of nature, and sometimes the violence of nature. Exercising bits of our bodies most of us had forgotten about,. Meeting new people with a common interest.
Of course there have been less pleasant bits, but i am not even thinking about them this evening. Only the good bits will stay with me as I hand over to Lorraine. I would just like to thank everyone for all the help and co-operation I have received throughout the year, and I look forward to more relaxed golf in the coming years. Thank you all.
Treasurer’s Report
Firstly I apologise for not being present at this AGM.
I have enjoyed my role of treasurer. Most of the funds I handle have come through other sources and therefore other committee members will cover this.
However, I would like a special thank you to Lin Halls who has found fun games and prizes to involve the new members and keep the regular supporters involved and feeling needed. This has raised £190.50 for our funds and new members for the Ladies Section of Horne Park Golf Club. A big thank you to Lin.
Thank you, and I look forward to taking your money from you next year.
Chairman: Louise has left handwritten accounts, but just before the meeting we noticed something was missing, so we can’t give this information to you. It looks as though there will be approximately £20 shortfall over the year. Accounts will appear on the website when available.
Secretary’s Report
First of all my apologies for not being able to be with you this evening, but I shall be thinking of you all whilst I am lounging in Business Class, drinking champagne, winging my way to the other side of the world for five weeks!
This, my first year as Secretary, has been a learning curve for me and I am grateful to everyone who has come to my aid. But the year has been made most enjoyable due to the addition of so many enthusiastic new lady members and as a Committee we are here to help and encourage all new ladies to achieve their handicaps and to take part in as many competitions as they wish.
We are affiliated to the Surrey Ladies County Golf Association and this year the cost of our subscription for playing lady members was £372 and next year the amount will be approximately £469. With more lady members joining, this figure will continue to rise and we may have to consider alternative ways of collecting these fees.
The cost of the SLCGA County Cards rose this year from £7to £10. Although the card offers you the choice to play at other golf courses in eighteen counties, most people were of the opinion that better deals could be had when searching online. However, we will continue to offer this facility for those who wish to participate.
Lastly, it has been a lot of fun meeting and playing with the majority of our new lady members, but for those of you who have not had the pleasure of my company whilst playing golf, I do need your contact details for future occasions. So please leave me your name, telephone number and e-mail address, if I don’t already have this information, so that I can add these to our contact list.
I am looking forward to working with our new committee and I am confident that we can produce an entertaining and enjoyable golf year for all our lady members.
Thank you.
Handicap Secretary’s Report
I am sorry not to be with you this evening.
I have updated the spreadsheet giving details of the ups and downs of handicaps over the season.
Members with playing handicaps are in total 73, which is a huge increase from last year when we had 54, and certainly the most in the last ten years.
Seven ladies have inactive handicaps. Just a reminder that in order to keep your handicap active you need to play in a minimum of three qualifying competitions over the season. Ladies with an inactive handicap are not eligible to enter knockout competitions.
Two ladies remain on our list although they have left – both called Jill Green!
Twenty-eight ladies have reduced their handicaps this season by at least one shot. Notable reductions are:
Lesley Barr, Kathy Sells and Jill Green3 shots
Mary White, Lorraine Everard5 shots
Nicola Cunningham6 shots
And one staggering reduction
Zara Eng10 shots
Competition Secretary’s Report
MONTHLY STABLEFORD/MONTHLY MEDAL Both competitions run from April-October and results are passed to the handicap secretary for handicap adjustments. Both competitions are open to all ladies with an official handicap. Ladies are able to compete in both competitions twice per month. This will continue next year.
MEDALS OVERALL WINNERSSTABLEFORDS
Doreen Benson APRIL Pat Oakley
Doreen Benson MAYDoreen Benson
Mary White JUNEYvonne Creasey
Nicola Cunningham JULYDoreen Benson
Shirley Luckman AUGUSTHelen Phillips
Chris Davies SEPTEMBERSue Wilcox
Kerry Gould OCTOBERHelen Phillips
WINTER AND SUMMER KNOCKOUTS
Entry forms are available tonight. Ladies entering these competitions must have played in at least three qualifying competitions in the previous twelve months.
BIRDIE TREE AND WINTER ECLECTIC COMPETITIONS
Birdie tree runs from 1st April – 31st October Eclectic competition runs from 1st December – 31st March.
The birdie tree and the winter eclectic competitions have been organised this year by Doreen Benson, both competitions will continue and be organised in 2010-2011 by Pat Oakley. New members are invited to discuss these competitions with Pat and hopefully join in. As per this year it is the individual ladies responsibility to enter the details of their birdies (GAINED IN COMPETITION) on the list that will be provided. Rules and recording details of both competitions will be posted in the ladies changing room.
EXTERNAL COMPETITIONS – FIRST ROUND RESULTS
DAILY MAIL Foursomes - Lin Halls + Loraine Chappell
PING Fourball Betterball - Mary White + Lorraine Everard
PEUGEOT Coronation Foursomes - Mary White + Lorraine Everard
We will continue to support all three competitions next year. New members will be encouraged to enter and can receive more information nearer the time of entry from the competition secretary.
Helen Phillips 2010
Match Secretary’s Report
2010 Friendly Matches
Ten friendly matches were played in 2010: 5 x home and 5 x away. Very good results again this year for Horne Park ladies: won 7 matches, drew 1, lost 2.
WinsDraws Lost
Cuckfield 3.5-0.5 home (March) Farleigh Court 2-2 away (Sept) Cuckfield away 3-1 (July)
The Oaks 3-1 home (April) Foxbridge 4-0 away (August)
Farleigh Court 2.5-1.5 home (May)
Falconwood 4-0 home (May)
Effingham Park [score?] home (July)
Redhill and Reigate 3.5-0.5 home (July)
Pachesham Park 2.5-1.5 away (August)
2010 Social Matches
We have continued our social matches with Edenbridge Probus Society. Edenbridge invited us to Darenth Valley course. Horne Park ladies had a good victory over the Probus and retained the trophy. They have invited us for another golf outing Wednesday 17 August at Vila Golf.
The tri-match between Horne Park/Horsham/Foxbridge has been postponed until November because of difficulty of the other two teams finding enough ladies to play on the September date.
2011 Fixtures
Nine matches arranged – 8 friendly and 1 social, and 3 further match date to be confirmed. The 2011 fixtures will be put on the notice board in the ladies locker room.
This year it was encouraging to note that the friendly matches were popular and there were plenty of ladies who volunteered to take part. Next year we hope to add a new fixture at Brighton and Hove golf club on the South Downs. With thanks to Lorraine Everard for the contacts. At their request, we will also play Pachesham Park home and away in the same year
We hope that there will be continued interest in the matches next year.
sHeather Drysdale
Social Secretary’s Report
Last year’s Christmas party was great fun with over thirty people there. We played some fun games with lots of little prizes. The random seating worked well and this is good for our new members to get to know everyone and vice versa. We had our Secret Santa to the value of £5, but this year will be a little different, You, and you alone, will actually know who you are buying for, so you will be able to buy something a little personal, and I am sure there will be a few laughs when these are opened. This year’s Christmas dinner is happening on Thursday 9 December, 6.30pm for 7.00pm sit-down. Louise will be available to take your money for this after the meeting, and the price is still £18.
Another very good year socially. I actually only managed to get a couple of away days arranged this year.
About 20 people played Addington Court in late February and Chelsfield Lakes in April, with about 15 attending. These away days are a very good way of playing different courses for little money with a bit of food thrown in. They are usually very good value for money.
I will endeavour next year to add a few more away days as they are great fun – so please watch the notice board.
Let’s hope next year as as good as this one was. Thank you.
PRESENTATION OF PRIZES
Winter Singles WinnerMary White
Winter Singles Runner-UpLorraine Everard
Winter Pairs WinnersLin Halls/Loraine Chappell
Winter Pairs Runners-UpRosemary Dunn/Diane Coombes
Winter Eclectic, Categories 2, 3 and 4Lorraine Everard
Winter Eclectic, Category 5Lin Halls
Summer Singles WinnerHeather Drysdale
Summer Singles Runner-UpLorraine Everard
Summer Singles Plate WinnerSue Francis
Summer Pairs WinnersLin Halls/Loraine Chappell
Summer Pairs Runners-UpChris Davies/Heather Drysdale
Mixed Pairs WinnersLin Halls/Barry Petch
Mixed Pairs Runners-UpPat Oakley/Joe Sheridan
EWGA Club MedalMary White
Order of MeritMary White
Twelve recorded a total of 84 Birdies in qualifying competitions between April and October – that’s a great total. The winner, with a phenomenal total of 29, is
Birdie TreeMary White
In second place, with 26 Birdies, was Lorraine Everard.
There is one more trophy on the table which has already been presented. We thought it was the right thing to have it on show this evening. It is the EWGA South West Regional Medal Final trophy, and the winner was Lorraine Everard. Let’s give Lorraine a round of applause for this great achievement.
Now just a few personal presentations. I would like to record my personal thanks to the Committee members who have been such a great support throughout the year. Special thanks to Helen, who is standing down after two years as Competition Secretary.
When I was in Austria a few weeks ago I saw something I knew I had to buy for a certain person. Then I had to find an appropriate time to give them to her! This is it.
Doreen has been a tower of strength to me throughout my year as Lady Captain. She has always been there for advice, counsel and a shoulder to cry on. Thank you so much for everything, Doreen – and of course it’s something ‘catty’!
Election of Committee Members