MINUTES OF THE BRACKNELL CAVALIERS GOLF SOCIETY

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD AT DOWNSHIRE ON

THURSDAY 17th OCTOBER 2024

Those present:

Graham Pearce, Ray Penfold, Colin Staunton-Lambert, Nigel Jackson, Bob Jackson, Trevor Harvey, Andy North, Nick Aitken, Steve Adams, Steve Faulkner, Philip Faulkner, Terry Harmsworth (Jnr), Alan Papps, Terry Harmsworth (Snr), Ian Begg, Barrie Smith, Tim Houghton, Mike Clothier, Bruce Riddington and Kevin England

The Meeting opened at 19.30

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Stephen Nower, Trevor Rockett, Richard Faulkner, Richard Davis, Steve Moss, Phil Parsons and Warwick Pearce

2. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

Passed

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

None

4. CAPTAINS REPORT – Andy North

In keeping with all the other times I’ve spoken as Captain, this will be short.

The season has been an enjoyable one for me, not least because I actually managed to attend all of the outings …. It doesn’t really matter who you are teamed up with, in a strange masochistic way it manages to be fun. So, thanks to all my playing partners along the way.

Congratulations to all the various the prize winners, and on some outings greedy multiple prize winners.

A captain’s job is a pretty easy one really, in my case, just standing up handing out prizes to everybody else and having lots of pictures taken. The hardest part was badgering everyone for those increasingly elusive pound coins for the Captain’s competition.

The real work is done behind the scenes by others on the committee, so my thanks to Tim, Colin, Graham and on this occasion notably Ray for keeping the society on track.

A final word from me - Ray departs I’m sure, with all our best wishes for the sterling efforts he has put in over the years to give us a great selection of venues at prices we’re all prepared to pay, which has been increasingly difficult in recent years. He’s a hard act to follow as he made it seem easy even when things didn’t go to plan; he always had a smile and a solution to the problem. Thanks Ray

So that’s it, thanks to all for making it another enjoyable golfing year.

5. SECRETARYS REPORT

And so to my final report as Secretary of Bracknell Cavaliers Golf Society. It has been a great honour to serve you all in this role over the past 27 years or more, and I would like to thank each and everyone of you for the help you have all given me. Special thanks must also go to my fellow committee members Graham, Colin, Tim (and previously Michael), with extra special thanks to Colin for taking a lot of the work from me over the past couple of years, which has enabled me to continue in a reduced role. I would also like to thank the various captains over the years

Average attendance remained at 18 this year, although the final few of the year were down even more at around 15. We can discuss this in AOB. We had no new courses visited this year, but there were two that we returned to after a great many years - Tylney Park & Hadden Hill which I understand were well received. Our Membership this year stood at 28. The weekend break this year was at Whittlebury with 16 members making the trip. Next years outing is already booked for The Cotswold, with again 16 members making the trip. Thanks again to Steve Zsibrita for organising this for many years. Steve has decided to make his move to Norfolk permanent, and somebody needs to step up and take on the position after the 2025 outing, so this is something else to be discussed in AOB. Thanks for all your efforts over the years Steve, and enjoy your new life.

As I said at the start, this is my final report. As you all know I have struggled with my golf over the past year (probably longer some will say), and even with the use of the buggy, I can no longer continue, so my playing days are over. I have thoroughly enjoyed the company of you all, and will miss the game very much, but I will still call in for breakfast or lunch from time to time. Remaining as Secretary without playing would make the break even harder.

Steve Faulkner has volunteered to take on the job of Secretary, and I know we still need to vote him in later, although I’m sure that will be no problem, but I hope you all continue to give him the same level of support that you have afforded me over the years. Good luck Steve. Happy golfing everybody.

6. TREASURERS REPORT September 30th 2024

We have a balance of £1274.66 to carry forward into the coming golf year. This is a reduction of £339.43 on the previous year. We had an income of £540.00 from members annual subscriptions.

The main expenditures were as follows.

Subsidies on outings including wine and golf balls.

We purchased new society polo shirts which members paid for, but we are holding a stock which accounts for a deficit of £160.00 but should hopefully come back into the funds.

Many golf clubs are now asking for payment a week before the outing and in many cases will not refund a no show.

Please remember to copy both Colin and myself in on emails related to outings.

Many thanks to Colin, Tim and Ray for another good year.

7. HANDICAP SECRETARY’S REPORT

A copy of the Competition and Handicap report for 2024 is attached to these minutes.

8. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Captain: Ian Begg (Nominated Steve Adams, Seconded Mike Clothier)

Vice Captain: Nick Aitken (Nominated Barrie Smith, Seconded Steve Adams)

Secretary: Steve Faulkner Agreed by all

Treasurer: Graham Pearce Agreed by all

Handicap Secretary: Tim Houghton Agreed by all

Competitions Secretary: Tim Houghton Agreed by all

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

A. Steve Zsibrita leaving. As previously advised Steve will be standing down as the golf weekend organiser so a new one is required, Alan Papps was nominated by Steve and Mike and accepted the role of weekend organiser.

B. Numbers dropping. A discussion was had about reducing the number of holes for an outing to 18 so those who work would only require to take half a days leave. In principle it was agreed that this would be a good idea and, if food wasn’t required, we may be able to play better courses. This is always dependant on courses agreeing to our request. The format of the Summer Trophy was also discussed with a suggestion of including an 18 hole competition for those who only wanted to do 18 holes. This was not agreed so the Summer trophy will stay at a 36 hole competition.

C. Subscription fees. As the society had made a small loss over the year and subscription fees had no risen for 12 years it was agreed that the rate be raised to £30.

D Presentation to Ray. For all the hard work Ray had put in over a number of years the society members had a whip round to give him a suitable leaving present which the outgoing captain presented to him.

There being no other business, the Meeting closed at 20.20.