Veterans Golf Club of Victoria
Minutes of 68th Annual General Meeting held on Monday 6th February 2017 at Rossdale Golf Club.
1. Opening
President Bernie opened the meeting at 1.15 pm and warmly welcomed all members present.
2. Apologies
Apologies were received from Lance Bolam, Ken Durling, John Farrow, Reg Davey, Alan Millard, Roland Neef, Robin Millar, Chris Tierney, Chris Proctor, Bill Dooley, Neil Street, Kel Tyler, Chris Donald, Tom Govern, Chris McGeorge, Joe Cirnigliari, Noel Valle, and Mike Bainbridge.
3. Minutes
Bernie stated that the minutes of the 68th AGM had been circulated to all members either by email or post and asked whether there were any matters arising from these minutes.
Moved: Peter Charlewood Seconded: Peter Ross
All those in favour - carried
4. Annual Reports
Bernie stated that all reports had also been fully circulated to each and every member and that he did not propose that they all be read out. Each report is attached.
4.1 President's Report
President's Report - Bernie stated that 2016 had been a busy year for the committee and that revamps of the Website, our Handicapping System and our Administrative Procedures were now complete and fully operational. In particular, he mentioned that again we had increased attendance at games and that was very pleasing. He thanked the committee for their tireless work and in particular, he thanked the committee for their patience with him over the years, as this was his last year on the committee. He felt it time, after 11 years as a committeeman, to move aside and let others place their imprint on the Club. He wished the new committee all the best in the future.
President's report for year 2016.
Happy New Year to you all.
2016 has been another remarkable year with a number of major achievements, namely:-
- Attendance at games was very high, with some great golf played, despite the wet weather;
- Our team won the Club's first major trophy at a Victorian Veterans' Golf Association event;
- The updated and modernised handicapping system has now been fully tested; and
- Development of our club web site has been completed and we are using the site for game bookings.
All these are significant developments - it is hard for those not on the committee to appreciate the enormity of the administrative changes made to our club over the last few years.
In December, most of us attended the Cub Presentation Lunch at Rossdale and what a great day it was. It was particularly pleasing to see so many members and wives socially interacting with each other at a purely social event, other than a game of golf.
I would like to thank the committee for showing outstanding dedication and drive towards providing great golf and support for our members. In particular, thanks to our Captain, Donald, who this year worked so hard to seek out great courses to play on at advantageous prices, despite some health issues himself. Also a special thank you to our Secretary, Jeff, who has to meet all the administrative demands we throw at him all year.
To all our members who played during the year, thanks for being such a friendly group, who are great fun to play with. A number of you have experienced health problems in 2016 and I hope that 2017 will be a better year for you and your families.
Again, my thanks to the committee for their support over the years, as this is my final year as President and on the committee after twelve years. I will miss my role as a committee member, but it is time for me to stand down and give others a chance to influence the further development of our great Club.
Finally, I wish you great success and good health in 2017.
Bernie Coyle
President, January 2017
4.2 Captain's Report
Taken as read.
Captain's report for the year 2016.
In 2016, I think it's fair to say that our golf club grew in stature. The core fabric of our club, namely, membership, camaraderie and healthy competitive levels of golf, all continue to strengthen. This is epitomized in the wonderful inaugural victory achieved by our representatives at the State Veterans championships (VVGA). Congratulations go to Jeff Taylor, (individual champion) and our winning team, Jeff, Laurie Comerford and Harold Hayes. Terrific work guys!
In addition we have strengthened our administrative processes, including online bookings and course directories, courtesy of the magnificent work done by our webmaster, Laurie Comerford. Thank you Laurie!
As mentioned earlier, there is a keen sense of competitive golf across all grades. This is facilitated in no small way by the excellent work done by our handicapper, Ray Desmond. Gone are the days when too much time was spent over disputed handicaps. Thank you Ray!
My thanks also go to Harold Hayes who has stepped into the Vice-Captain's role with great enthusiasm, adding much to the spirit of "happy campers" around our club. Thank you Harold!
Notwithstanding these very positive trends, we continue to face some serious challenges in common with many other golf clubs. Membership of this age group will habitually face reasons to retire and decline in numbers. We need to encourage friends, acquaintances and fellow golfers to come and join a remarkable social golf club. Word of mouth continues to be our best recruitment tool, one that many members have deployed in this past year. On behalf of the Committee, our thanks go to all of you. You are the true essence of this club.
In 2017, we can offer an attractive opportunity, both in golfing competitions and genuine camaraderie. It may be that other golfers are considering scaling back their commitments to a private golf club, or simply taking up golf in later life. We have much to offer these individuals. Please encourage new members when you can.
Financial strength and sustainability is another ongoing challenge. We manage to play quite a few 50 dollar courses while only charging 40 dollar fees. This is only done by a combination of membership fees and a very successful monthly raffle, which is superbly managed by Daryl Edwards and John Hiscock. We are indebted to both these members. Thank you Daryl and John!
Please continue to support the monthly raffle as much as possible. The pressure on fees from our list of host clubs continues to rise.
You will see the details of the very successful 2016 season laid out in Appendices 1-3. Enjoy the read and prepare yourselves for the upcoming 2017 schedule. We were severely impacted by rough weather on a few occasions this year. This had a 'knock-on' effect to our golfing numbers, particularly at Churchill Park, Patterson River and Ranfurlie. Despite claims to the contrary, your Committee has yet to have any influence "upstairs" with those in charge of the weather.
Our 2016 Club Champion is Ronnie Chong who picks up the mantle for the second time. It is a magnificent achievement, and thoroughly deserved. Well-done Ronnie! Our congratulations also go to all our worthy winners in 2016. (see Appendix 3).
Donald A. MacDonald
Captain, January 2017
- Appendix 1 List of 2016 monthly winners
- Appendix 2 Number of players each month in 2016
- Appendix 3 2016 awards list
Appendix 1 - List of 2016 monthly winners
- January: Churchill Park - Lindsay Quennell (25) 44 pts.
- February: Rossdale - Terry Donohue (17) 40 pts
- March: Waterford Valley - Chris Tierney (28) 41 pts.
- April: Keysborough - Stan Odachowski (24) 43 pts.
- May: Cranbourne - Ronnie Chong (28) 39 pts.
- June: Southern - Ronnie Chong (28) 39 pts.
- July: Churchill Park - Jeff Stevens (21) and
(4BBB)* Jeff taylor (28) 41 pts. - August: Patterson River - Chris Tierney (29) 37 pts.
- September: Sandhurst - Roger Selwood (25) 44 pts.
- October: Ranfurlie - Lance Bolam (17) 35 pts.
- November: Cranbourne - Don Barrett (22) 42 pts.
- December: Centenary Park - Roger Selwood (19) 41 pts.
* Presidents / Captains Trophy - Pairs Competition.
Additional Events:
- July 2016 Eagle Ridge Winter Challenge : Winners; Colin Wiseman and Noel Valle (16.75 joint h/cap) - net 69.25
- September 2016 Brighton Challenge: Brighton GC defeated Vic Vets by a few points for their 1st victory
Appendix 2 - Number of players each month in 2016
- 50 Players at Churchill Park in January.
- 58 Players at Rossdale in February.
- 50 Players at Waterford Valley in March.
- 55 Players at Keysborough in April.
- 48 Players at Cranbourne in May.
- 51 Players at Southern in June.
- 31 Players at Churchill Park in July. (muddy and wet)
- 41 Players at Patterson River in August. (extremely wild weather - only 31 finished)
- 52 Players at Sandhurst in September.
- 44 Players at Ranfurlie in October. (wild weather)
- 56 Players at Cranbourne in November.
- 58 Players at Centenary Park in December.
Total number of Competitors for 2016 - 594 (2015 - 562)
Average number of Competitors per month: 49.6 players (2015 - 46.8)
Additional events:
- Eagle Ridge - 38 members played.
- Brighton Challenge - 44 members played.
Appendix 3 - 2016 awards list
- Club Champion: Ronnie Chong
- Presidents award: Joint winners - Jeff Stevens & Terry Donohue
- Captains award: Roger Selwood
Runner-up: Chris Proctor - Age 55 to 69 winner: Gary Morland
- Age 70 to 75 winner: Harold Hayes
- Over 75 winner: Lindsay Quennell