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.)