PRESENT: D.F, P.B, A.W, P.F, F.B, C.M, K.S, G.A, P.L, J.G, J.P, B.Y.

APOLOGIES: T.M, B.H, G.W, E.E, H.C.

Winker and Winscales will be absent for the next several weeks.

RESULTS: The results were delivered by the caretaker Comp. Sec., Mr. D.F. There were no 2’s carded therefore £2.40 is carried forward. DoD was the Straggler with 28 points. DDoD was Soapy with 29 points. Paxo was the runner up with 37 points. The winner with a magnificent 41 points was Winker Watson. Other scores were: P.B-34, D.F-36, P.F-32, J.G-30, P.L-31, C.M-32, B.Y-32, G.A-36.

TOASTS: To Rory McIlroy who won the Race to Dubai.

To David Givens who is in hospital preparing for a double hernia operation.

LAST WEEKS MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED AS A TRUE RECORD.

There was really only one topic today, which was the date of the AGM. It was decided by a majority decision to change the date of Soapy’s Yuletide bash, from 21st to the 14th of Dec. Brains pointed out that this was historically the approximate date of previous parties. The AGM will be held on the same date. Soapy will provide the mince pies and appropriate accompaniments. There will be unbridled jollifications and competitions. The Chair expected the event to kick off at 10ish with 11 holes of golf using 3 clubs and a putter. In inclement weather, the party will go ahead and the AGM will take place. Kwok is the current holder of the Christmas Plate and will hand it over to Crocs on Wed., for engraving. The Cardinal volunteered to ask the caterers if they would include curry on the menu on the 14th.

FINANCE: The Fin. Sec. Reported that there could be up to £100 in subsidies for the party, depending upon the number of members who attended.

The 21 Dec. will  now be just an ordinary Monday, with all members at Liberty to attend.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 1.25.

BURT (Hon. Sec.)

The largesse of the Chairman is fast becoming the stuff of legend. He not only provided a bottle of honeyed rum, which was imbibed on the first and tenth tee, but he also insisted on buying a round for all present on our return to the clubhouse. He further insisted on leaving an open tab behind the bar for those who wished for extra sustenance, which as it happened, turned out to be just about everybody. This Open House policy of unmitigated generosity is embodied by the Chair and is a lesson in selflessness to all members. Long may the Chair reign and hearty congratulations on reaching the milestone of your 70th. birthday.

PRESENT: M.M, P.F, A.B-W, F.B, B.H, P.L, K.S, D.F, C.M. ( G.W came for the meeting but was a non combatant).

APOLOGIES: P.B, J.G, T.M, A.L.

APOLOGIES FOR NEXT WEEK: G.W, B.H, M.M, A.B-W.

RESULTS: Today’s game was a Texas Scramble. One 2 was posted by Crocs, Soapy and the Laird. D’s o D were the Straggler, Jocks and the Rabbi with 66.6 points. The winners were Shagpile, Shotgun and Kwok with 61.4 points. The other result was Crocs, Soapy and the Laird with 62.6 points.

TOASTS: To the Chair who was 70 very recently.

To the England R.L team, who defeated New Zealand.

To Karen, the Saga rep, who donated today’s tot of rum.

LAST WEEKS MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED AS A TRUE RECORD.

MATTERS ARISING: It now appears that a good number of MOHGS will be unavailable for the Christmas Party on 30th November, either on holiday or upholding H.M Justice system. G.W, A. B-W, B.H, C.M, M.M, will be unavoidably absent. The Chair was quite rightly perplexed by the large number of prospective absentees and asked for reflection and further consideration of the whole Christmas extravaganza.

The Laird was quick to propose that Christmas be cancelled this year.

St. Rappe was in favour of cancellation and proposed a New Year festival of golf as an option.

The wise and wily old president who had henceforth kept his powder dry, proposed that the tournament for the Christmas trophy be played for on the Monday before Christmas. He further proposed that he would supply mince pies, appropriate accompaniments and jollifications.

At this point in the meeting whilst the membership attempted to come to terms with the enormity of the aforesaid proposals, the Chair noticed that drinks were becoming dangerously low and insisted on providing top ups all round. The Hon. Sec. was seconded to take orders and dispatch the drinks to their grateful recipients. The Chair was once again toasted and lauded.

The Laird suggested that no deal could be done without the nod from the Soc. Sec.

The decision to play for the trophy accompanied by Soapy’s mince pies was overwhelmingly agreed by a vote of 9 for and 1 against.

Shagpile will need to know the number of members who are interested in playing at Newbiggin.

There is no date as yet for the proposed game at NUGC. It appears that there are at least 6 willing participants.

R.H proposed that the Geezers cards should include a water hazard card.

AOB: The President was in receipt of correspondence from Barney Rubble and the Rouble Rousers from Ainsdale. It appears that they have booked accommodation at Matfen on Sunday 8 May and intend to play at Morpeth on the 9th. Soapy has already booked tee times. There could be up to 14 of them. B.H was confident that there were more than enough MOHGS to combat the Rubble gang. The Chair somewhat sheepishly declared that he would be unavailable, since it was his wedding anniversary and he would be spending the time with his sons playing golf at St. Andrews.

B.H proposed that Soapy should be Captain on the day of the visit. This proposal was unanimously carried.

The Chair informed the group that the MOHGS Blog has been taken down by Lord Snooty since it has been under used since its inception. It now floats aimlessly in cyber space.

There was no further business, so the meeting closed at 1.45.

Tee times as per next week.

BURT(Hon. Sec.)

PRESENT: B.H, C.M, M.M, P.F, A.W, J.G, P.L, G.A.

APOLOGIES: D.F, F.B, A.L.

Alan Watson (Winker) was welcomed to today’s meeting.

F.B was airborne on his return from holiday, therefore P.F became acting Chair as well as continuing with the onerous task of scribing.

RESULTS: No 2’s were posted. Today’s comp. was 4 ball better ball which was conducted under extremely windy conditions. The D’soD were P.L, G.A, J.G and A.W on 19 points. The runners up were Crocs and Jocks with 22 points. The winners were Kwok and Shagpile with 24 points. Only 12 holes were played due to the inclement weather. Conditions were harsh but on the plus side, all combatants finished with rosy cheeks.

TOASTS: To Russell Knox who became the first Scotsman to win a World Championship in golf.

LAST WEEKS MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED AS A TRUE RECORD.

MATTERS ARISING: Mr. Robert HALLETT announced that he has been called up for Jury Service over a period which includes the date for the forthcoming Christmas party. Apparently there are several other people who have now discovered that they are also unavailable. This fact prompted some members to question whether the date for the party could be changed or whether the date is indeed set in stone. It was decided to resolve the problem at the next meeting when more members might be present.

The Geezer arrived at this point and revealed that a bad back was the reason for his absence from today’s game.

The Geezer announced that he had given thought to preparing explanations for his cards, but had discovered that this was not as easy as he first thought and would require reams of paper to provide detailed answers. He is now looking at producing graphics to explain the pertinent facts and this also will be time consuming. He may have more news next week. He did concede that the 6 or more card should be replaced with a double bogey card or go to the golfer who does not complete the hole.

AOB: The Fourball at NUGC will be discussed next week.

Shagpile gallantly offered to organise a game at Newbiggin during the month of January, when the Morpeth course is more likely to be closed due to bad weather. He hopes to negotiate a reasonable fee which would include a bacon buttie. He hopes to persuade a group of members from NGC to compete against the MOHGS in a friendly competition.

The Geezer asked if the MOHGS were following the ‘ RIGG RULE.’ He felt that balls should be played from the tops of Riggs but not nearer to the hole. The rules at present appear to state the the ball should be moved no more than a club length from the bottom of the RIGG, which is often not sufficient distance to reach the top and therefore leave the golfer on a downward slope or in a worse position. It was decided that the MOHGS would play from the top of the Riggs but no nearer the hole.

The Rabbi thanked the Strap for booking the tees next week. First tee time is 8.40.

Due to today’s early finish, the meeting closed at 12.20.

KWOK(Hon. Sec.)

Apologies from everyone who was not present.

Nine hardy souls ventured forth to the course and were rewarded with a lovely day. The golf took second place to the camaraderie, wit and repartee.

One two was recorded and the spoils pocketed by Shagpile

Duffer of the day was Jethro

Deputy Duffers were the ever popular Cardinal and Crocs.

In second place and sharing £3 were Rabbi, Geezer, and Strags (The Chair)

But the winner and overall Champ for the week was the brains of the outfit, Brains.

Geezers Cards were recorded

Chair 20p, Geezer 20p, Rabbi 20p, Cardinal 40p, Crocs 60p, Laird 20p, Jethro 40p, Shagpile 20p.

Crocs and Cardinal both contributed £1 to the swears box! Was that a reflection of the company or the golf!

Toasts to Shagpile for winning the Club Competition last Saturday and upholding the golfing prowess of MOHGS.

Justin Rose for winning the HK Open and upholding the prowess of MOHGS (Is an honorary member?)

Louis Hamilton for winning his third world championship.

Little further was discussed, since Christmas has been brought forward, the agreed date for our Christmas Party is 30 November. The Cardinal has been charged with arranging a suitable meal in the clubhouse. Please let him know if you wish to attend.

Apologies for next week.

The Chair, Cardinal, Jethro, Shagpile.

Meeting closed on a convivial note.