Minutes of Annual General Meeting of Comiston Ladies Golf Club
Wed. 14th November, 2012, at Murrayfield Golf Club.
Welcome; Captain Rosemary Denny welcomed all 22 members to the second year of our new venue, Murrayfield Golf Club.
Apologies; Sandra Ashurst, Denise Mitchell, Kate Johnston, Deirdre Kinloch Anderson, Alison Bramley, Jacky Burnett,
Sylvia Cunningham, Elaine Weir, Suzie Laughland, Alexis Manson, Hanne Robertson, Elsa Todd, Pat Purser, Carol Smith and Nancy Gow.
Minutes of 2011 AGM; as these had been previously circulated to members, it was proposed that they should be taken as read. Accepted; proposed by Rosemary Williamson & seconded by Christine Clements.
Matters arising; none.
Report of Management: for the 92nd season of Comiston Ladies.
Zandra had welcomed 25 members to the first AGM and dinner at Murrayfield. We had good reports about the venue and the food.
There were 13 apologies.
In the season 2011- 2012 we had 35 full members, 5 social and one non playing member. We have had 4 resignations for next year, 3 of whom never managed to play at all this year and one Kate Johnston has been a long standing member and member of the committee. Many thanks to Kate for her contribution to Comiston over the years.
We were very grateful to Anne who started off the season with an entertaining talk on the new rules. Thank you as well to Rosemary for her hospitality.
With regard to the golfing season it was rather disastrous and certainly we have never known the Braids to be closed as often as it was. Out of our ten medals and stablefords we had to rearrange five of them. This, I think resulted in a lower than average turnout for our comps.
The Baberton match as well fell foul to the weather and was rearranged for August. Thanks to our team who just won at Baberton this year. Our turn at the Braids again next year.
By the time of our invitation greensomes our new Captain was near despair but suddenly she was blessed with a lovely day. This year we had 13 couples which was good but unfortunately leaving a six at the end. The gods were definitely in her favour as she and her partner won with Christine and her partner runners up.
For the first time this year we entered a team for the LGU Scottish foursomes. Pam, Sandra and Viv were our team. Pam and Sandra played the first round against two from Murrayfield over Murrayfield and just lost. Hopefully we may get a better draw next year.
Even the Morison Millar was beset with problems with the weather and only one round was played in the afternoon on a very boggy course at Murrayfield. Our Team this year consisting of Anne Brownie, Zandra Mathieson, Sandra Ashurst and Alexis Manson who replaced Pam as our reserve, didn’t do as well as last year. It was won by Murrayfield players. Certainly didn’t have the same buzz about it with only one round being played.
Anne was the winner of the Red Cross eclectic.
The Coronation fours was won by Sandra and Moira who played in the next round at Broomieknowe.
The spring and Autumn Outings were as always well attended despite the weather. Kilspindie was certainly not for the faint hearted, being wet, cold and windy. Not a good combination. The day was better for West Linton.
The Hole and Hole and Championship rounds were also very affected by the weather meaning that the final of the foursomes was finally played last week!!
We have had good meetings with Edinburgh Leisure and other Braids clubs over the year. It has helped to ensure that we are still recognised as one of the affiliated clubs. In fact we can play in the Silloth next Year on the 8th September. This is an invitation for all affiliated clubs. So choose your best partner.
There appear to be no dramatic changes for next year. A 3% increase is most likely in the cost of a round but has yet to be confirmed. The winter composite course starts on the 1st Dec and finishes on the 1st March.
A special thanks this year to Rosemary as she has a difficult year not only with the weather but also with issues over the CDH and handicapping. More of which we will discuss later. Thanks to Anne as well for her help as co-opted member. Her expertise has been invaluable.
We look forward to a better season next year.
Proposed Viv Curran and seconded by Ruth Brown
Treasurers Report:
Rosemary gave her report starting with the fact that the outings Paid for themselves and subscriptions and entries pay for general expenses and prizes.
Last year we made a loss of £71.00 and this year we made a profit of £367.00.There are several reasons for this. We were more economic over the Morison Millar, those who didn’t play at Kilspindie forfeited their deposits, and we ran a raffle at our open and had one or two donations.
The raffle was part of a fund raising to help pay towards our new website this year and the domain name.
We are not proposing any increases to fees for this year but may in future put a small increase onto those members who keep their handicaps at Comiston to help pay for computerisation and annual update of software.
The reserves from this year will help towards computerisation.
Captain's Report:
I have to confess that I was very reluctant to take on the job a Captain because I felt
that I lacked the in depth golfing knowledge. However, I was reassured and eventually agreed to take on the Captaincy hoping for quiet and stress free year with lots of support. I certainly did get the support but the golfing gods had other ideas regarding the stress free aspect of my year as Captain.
I should have seen the signs when the opening fun competition saw a group of bedraggled ladies huddled under umbrellas as the rain poured down. The competition was abandoned and, as you have already heard, this set the tone for the whole season with competitions having to be cancelled and re-arranged. My congratulations and thanks to Zandra who managed to reschedule all the competitions apart from one Stableford and the very last Texas Scramble.
2012 was also the year that the R&A brought out their changes to the Rules. Our thanks have to go to Anne Brownie who gave us a very informative talk and demonstration of the major changes. When we did manage to play golf at least we were all up-to-date with the new rules and regulations.
2012 was also the year for big changes in the Congu handicapping system and the introduction of the Central Database for Handicapping computerised system. Four Comiston ladies (Zandra, Anne, Viv and I) attended a SGU/SLGA road show held at Glencourse Golf Club. The presentation explained not only how the CDH system would work but also the changes to the calculation of the CSS. There were concerns raised about the effect these would have for Category 1 players but the meeting were assured that the adverse effect would be minimal and this has proved to be the case even in competitions with small fields. We would like to encourage members to all come and play in competition because the greater the number of entrants the less impact to the handicaps of the better players.
The one thing that did become very clear at this meeting was that Comiston Ladies’ Golf Club would need to become computerised. The SGU assured us that once the CDH system was up and running with the large golf clubs they would be looking at ways to help smaller golf clubs. I am pleased to be able to report that this has indeed happened and we are now looking at the possibility of obtaining a grant for the purchase of a computer and hopefully through the efforts of the SGU a very basic software programme for computerised handicaps. Our thanks have to go the Anne
Brownie who has put in many hours of communicating with the SGU and applying for the grant. Members will be kept up to date and hopefully by the start of the new season we shall be up and running.
The weather this season may not have been kind to us but our members did manage to play our competitions and I must congratulate those who have been successful:
Championship - Louise Fraser (winner) Ruth Brown (runner-up)
Hole-and-Hole - Singles Christine Clements (winner) Zandra Mathieson (runner-up)
Foursomes Ruth Brown & Zandra Mathieson (winners)
Pam Townsend & Alexis Manson (runners-up)
Other successes to mention:
Louise Fraser - Louise Fraser (winner of the Pitlochry Highland Open)
Ruth Brown – runner-up in the Finals of the Scottish Vets Championship at Blairgowrie
Denise Mitchell – runner-up to Isobel Hastings in the East Vets Singles
Jackie Burnett – winner of the Bronze Hole-and –Hole Midlothian
If I have omitted to mention any other successes please forgive me.
Finally, I would like to say thank you to all the Committee Members who have work tirelessly for the Club throughout the season with a special mention to Rosemary Williamson (Treasurer); to Kate Johnston and Viv Curran for arranging the catering for the Invitational Greensomes; to Kate Johnston for arranging our match against Baberton; to Viv Curran for organizing the Spring Outing at Kilspindie and Su Cowie for organizing the Autumn Outing at West Linton; Anne Brownie (Auditor) and last but not least to all of our members - without your support our Club would not exist. A very special and personal thank you must go to Anne Brownie who has been my mentor throughout the year; to Zandra Mathieson for all her work as the Secretary; and Maggie Salmond (Vice-Captain).
My final duty as Captain is to pass the badge of Office to Maggie Salmond your new Captain elect for the coming year. I am sure that you will enjoy your year as Captain of Comiston Ladies’ Golf Club and hopefully the weather will be sunshine all the way.
Election of Office bearers.
The following committee members were elected.
Captain: Maggie Salmond proposed by Z. Mathieson, seconded By A. Brownie
Vice Captain: Pam Townsend proposed by R. Denny, seconded by Z .Mathieson
Hon. Secretary: Zandra Mathieson
Hon. Treasurer: Rosemary Williamson
Handicap Secretary: Rosemary Denny
Auditor: Rosemary Denny
Committee: Viv Curran, & Sue Cowie and co-opted Anne Brownie
Incoming Captain thanked Rosemary Denny for her work over the year as Captain, all done with efficiency, charm and good humour.
Hole and Hole and foursomes proposal
These had been sent out prior to the meeting and were no objections to implementation. Hopefully this will ensure ties are played within the time limits.
Challenger will have ten days from start date to contact opponent to offer three dates and if not forthcoming the opponent should take the initiative. If not able to agree a date within the timeframe then the match may have to be conceded unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Profile of the Club
This paper was also circulated before the AGM regarding the idea of attracting new members and with computerization encouraging the fact that members could play in the competitions at other times on the day of the comp. Members were in support of this move.
A.O.C.B. Liz Duncan asked if it would be possible to use the newly refurbished building opposite the clubhouse for our coffees after playing.
We have explored this and unfortunately we will not be able to use it as Edinburgh Leisure has other plans for it. We are hoping however to have more chairs returned to the small area we used to use.
The new Vice Captain, Pam Townsend gave a vote of thanks to the Chair and committee.
The company then moved to the dining room for dinner, followed by the Prize Giving.
The vote for the outings resulted in Gullane for spring and Dunbar for autumn.