President's report:

President Roger suffered by becoming the Club's first member to go down with the CoVID virus. He is recovering at home.

In Roger's absence Vice President Peter Garbellini welcomed members to Keysborough and praised the course and co-operation of the Club in having our 66 starters play there in beautiful weather.

Following Marg Holden's breakthrough win of C grade for the ladies at Waterford Valley Bev Jenkin went one better and with a score of 38 won the Bill Fitzsimmons Trophy on a countback. Let's hope that Bev's win can encourage more ladies to join the Club.
While the Club's constitution never precluded having lady members it was the leadership of former Captain Harold Hayes which enabled the Club to actively pursue ladies to join.

Golfing achievements

Members were asked to nominate their golfing achievements over the last month, but the only one mentioned was 45 points (24 in round 1 and 21 in round 2). Quite rightly the player shall remain anonymous.

Sponsors:

Please remember to support our Club sponsors- The House of Golf and Jimmy's Jams for which we are extremely grateful.  Members can purchase a 3 jar pack for $20 from David Heraud at our events.

Presentation function 2021.

With CoVID in the air a smaller number than usual attended our Presentation/Christmas/End of year function at Rossdale. Those not attending missed a great social day and the chance to catch up with friends and partners. A full report of the event can be found here.

Congratulations to our Trophy winners: Club Champion: Bruce Keenan, Captains Trophy George Weaver, Presidents Trophy: Don Barbour, Age 55 to 69 Trophy: Shay McQuade, Age 70 to 75 Trophy: Roger Selwood and Age 76 to 99 Trophy: David Vine.

Note: These trophies were awarded based on the combined results of 2020 and 2021 as neither year afforded an adequate number of games to award a trophy.

2022 Golfers digest

Our Marketing Manager, Daryl Edwards is taking orders for next years Golfers Digest which is RRP $30 but if purchasing through our club you can obtain it for $15.  Great value and discounts at courses throughout Australia.

AGM coming up:

Our AGM will be held at Rossdale following the days play. There are a number of important issues for members to consider. Secretary Jeff will be emailing the AGM documents to members.

Included with the papers will be a nomination form to join the Committee. Outside of formally becoming a Committee member several Committee roles need assistants and members to assist in this area if the Club is to survive beyond the Current Committee whose average age is 77.

Assistance is specifically needed in the following areas:

1. Secretarial assistant. There is a document covering the details her available for Secretary Jeff.
2. Marketing assistant. Daryl has now had over a decade in this role and wishes to resign.
3. Handicapping assistant. Since our assistant handicapper Peter Ross has taken over the Treasurer role non-one has taken on this necessary role. Please contact Handicapper Ray if you can help.
4. Webmaster assistants. There are several ways to contribute to the web site and all are documented. The only requirement is to be computer comfortable. For the long term future of the web site we need several people with individual tasks rather than one widely skilled member doing it all. Please talk to Webmaster Laurie if you can help.

Next years fees

The Club is in a good financial position and the Committee has recommended that we retain the same fees as agreed on in 2019:

1. Joining fee: $65
2. Annual fee: $40
3. Playing fee: $60
4. Lunch only at event day fee: $15
5. Playing fee at course where you are a member**: $15

** The club only holds records of your home course. Steps are underway to record any additional courses where you are a member and therefor eligible for the lower payment.

Changes to Rules

New rules of golf were released late last year.

These changes are unlikely to affect us, but, if you are concerned you'll be pleased to know that as from January 1^st this year you can remain an amateur as follows:

(Copied from R&A website)

Modernisation of the Rules of Amateur Status

As part of the modernisation effort, the new Rules identify only the following acts that will result in a golfer losing their amateur status:

• Accepting a prize with a value exceeding the prize limit (£700/$(US)1000) or accepting prize money in a handicap competition.
• Playing as a professional.
• Accepting payment for giving instruction (although all current exceptions still apply, such as coaching at educational institutions and assisting with approved programs).
• Accepting employment as a golf club professional or membership of an association of professional golfers. 

To achieve this simplified approach, the following key changes have been introduced:

• Distinguishing between scratch and handicap competitions in terms of the prizes that may be accepted. 
• The prize rule applies only to tee-to-hole competitions played on a golf course or a simulator but no longer apply to long-drive, putting and skills competitions that are not played as part of a tee-to-hole competition.
• Eliminating all advertising, expense-related and sponsorship restrictions.

The new opportunities provided by lifting sponsorship restrictions and the ability to accept prize money up to the increased limit of £700 or $(US)1000 in scratch-only competitions will be of significant benefit to elite amateur golfers looking for ways to fund golf-related expenses.