Apologies from all those not here.

Present:- PL, TH, FB, RY, MS, PB, GW, CM, DF, TM, MC, DGM, ABW, MM, JG, LW (golf only)

Competition Results;

Three twos recorded, one by Johnnie at the 8th, one by The Laird at the 14^th, and one by Herbie at the 17^th. They share £3

Duffers of the Day with 84 points were Bumpers, Prof and the Matador. They will have an uplift of 1 shot as per MOHGS rules. Deputy Duffers were Herbie, The Geezer and two Beers with 88 points, unfortunately nothing for DD’s this week.

Runners up with 93 points were Shagpile, Brains and Shotgun, who went away with £2 each but no effect on handicaps.

However, the undisputed champions for this week were The Cardinal, Johnnie and The Rabbi with a quite magnificent score of 97 points. Of course, they will suffer a shot reduction of their handicaps, they pocketed £3 each.

The Laird had felt that his judgement of today’s conditions had been brought into question, however the decision of the leading three ball to play all 18 holes proved to be the correct call. The Laird’s integrity remains intact! (or was that in tacks)

Geezers Cards gleaned a respectable £4

Swears made £5, a very tidy sum.

Toasts:

All the victorious home Home Nations sides.

Billy Morgan was mentioned in dispatches but no toast for third place.

Previous minutes were agreed as a correct record.

Matters Arising None

AOB

Herbie requested clarification on the awarding of Geezer Cards. He was concerned that he was given the three putt card together with the double bogey card. The Chair advised that the correct protocols had been followed. The Geezer was delighted to cock a snoot at Herbie because he had told him that was the case on the course. He went on to describe in some detail that it was possible to be given all five cards on one hole. He claimed that Two Beers had tried to achieve that accolade this morning but marginally failed.

Any new gear requirements to The Chair asap because he will give Del Boy the order in a matter of days.

Crocs gave a yearly review (2017 reflective, retrospective synopsis) of the MOHGS feeling that it had been missed from the AGM:-

The current number of MOHGS is 35 (this questioned by the Handicap Board monitor)

Total games played 43 but additional get togethers against Hobson, Dirty Dozen, Newbiggin and Bedlington. There had been trips to Hunley Hall, Bridle Path, City of Newcastle, Foxton and Bellingham

A total of 57 twos had been recorded by 20 individuals. In 3^rd place Bumpers and Dewey had five each. In 2^nd place was The Chair with 6. In 1^st place were Crocs and The Laird with 9 each.

Trophies, Brains had won the Soapy Dish, Kwok the MOHGS Championship. The Christmas Plate and The Chairman’s Quaich are yet to be played for.

Order of Merit, there were 24 separate winners. In 3^rd place with 4 wins were Shotgun, Brains, The Cardinal, El Matador, The Laird and Crocs. In 2^nd place with 5 wins were Kwok Shagpile and The Scuttler. The undisputed first place to Dewey and Prof with 6 wins.

There had been 20 different Duffers. The Chair and Shagpile with 5 placements, Brains and the Laird with 6 and Prof with 7.

Congratulations to Crocs and The Laird for an enlightening review of the year.

Brains pointed out that next Monday may be in question because of the weather predictions and that the Quaich was scheduled to be played for then. The Chair with his usual aplomb wisely announced that if necessary it would be played for on the first available Monday. This seemed to create some confusion but when he repeated his edict everyone nodded sagely with Herbie.

The Cardinal announced that Ramside Hall were offering DBB and two rounds of golf for £109. He was asked to investigate for warmer times.

The Geezer pointed out that it was nice to play on the proper greens again everyone nodded in agreement.

Apologies for the next two weeks from Bumpers and Two Beers (are they holidaying together?)

Meeting close at 1.10pm only to be reopened when The Laird in his capacity of Assistant to the Competition Secretary reviewed the card of team Herbie, Geezer and Two Beers and announced a disqualification. The Chair on hearing the explanation from The Geezer and Herbie agreed to reinstate their score. It made no difference to the standings.

Could everyone please note Johnnie’s e-mail address:-

lauriewalker47@btinternet.com

PRESENT: D.F, M.S, T.H(n/p), D.G-M, G.W, M.M, C.C, P.F, F.B(n/p), C.M, M.C, C.D, P.L, B.Y, J.G, B.H(n/p)K.S(n/p).

FINANCE: £5.40 in swears. £2.20 in Geezers cards.

The Rabbi had manfully prepared a form for ordering MOHGS Mufti which was circulated for those in need of new clobber.

RESULTS: No 2’s were posted, therefore £2.60 is carried forward. DoD was Crocs with a paltry 27 points. DDoD was the unfortunate Brains. Kwok and El Mat were the joint runners up with 36 points apiece. The winner with 38 points was the ever popular 2Beers.

THE MINUTES OF THE LAST AGM WERE READ AND ACCEPTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY.

There were no matters arising.

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR: The Chair was pleased to report that the society continued to expand, which in itself was a healthy sign but also brought several problems. Notably, the time it took for everyone to tee off, especially with the Whitley Bay boys straining at the leash to start their round. He was concerned that there appeared no be no young bucks prepared to throw their hats into the ring and accept some of the major roles of office, namely the Chairmanship. He proposed that the Chair should be a moveable office, whereby a new Chair could be installed on a monthly basis. His proposals did not meet with universal acclaim. It was suggested that he was the best man for the job and should retain his portfolio. The Chair reluctantly agreed to give it another shot. The Chair returned to the Whitley Bay conundrum and appealed for all MOHGS, with the exception of the poor old Scuttler (pro tem), to be ” Light on our feet,” and make sure we arrive promptly and tee off as quickly as possible in order to avoid unnecessary confrontations. He finished his speech with an appeal that as MOHGS we should be inclusive, flexible, prompt and regular.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT: Unfortunately the Fin. Sec. was absent from today’s proceedings but in a previous statement he declared that the kitty at present stands at £63.90, which includes £22.15 which he recently received from the Rabbi. £150 had been placed behind the bar for the participants enjoyment at the Christmas party. He appealed for all members to continue to swear freely but also to ensure full and prompt payment to the box.

Herbie suggested that instead of fines and Geezers cards, all MOHGS should pay a weekly fee of £1 in order to boost funds. After a cordial debate, it was agreed to continue with fines and Geezers cards and trust the members to be honest with their contributions.

PRESIDENTS STATEMENT: He hoped that everyone would have an enjoyable and fulfilling year of golf.

TOASTS: Newcastle United after a great victory over Man. U.
To the Rabbi for organising the MOHGS new mufti order.
To Herbie on the arrival of his new grandson, Jake.

Crocs apologised for not being able to produce the historical synopsis due to a computer malfunction but added that he hoped to deliver this at the next meeting.

ELECTION OF OFFICIALS: All officers were reelected en bloc.
Brains suggested that the role of Comp. Sec. and H/cap board Sec. be split and that he was willing to take over as H/cap board Sec. This suggestion met with universal acclaim, not least from the current H/cap board Sec.

ANNUAL DIARY OF EVENTS: Brain reported that there were two events still outstanding, the Quaich and the Christmas Shield. It was decided that the Quaich would become a one off event to be held on 5 March. The Shield competition would take place on 12 March.
*Soapy’s Day would be held on 11 June.
*The Championship Trophy would be played for on 2 July.
*The MOHGS year would henceforth begin in April, in tandem with the Golf Clubs change to Summer h/caps.
*The Christmas Party will be on 10 December.
*Jock Strap will organise games both home and away v. Beamish in June and September.
*The Laird will organise a game v. Hobsons which will be away this year.
*Shagpile will enquire about the possibilities of games v. Newbiggin and Bedlington.
* Crocs provisionally offered 23 Feb as a date for a game at the Bridle Path and will confirm at the next meeting.

OVERNIGHTERS: Shagpile eulogised over Foxton as a terrific venue, citing the food and accommodation as exemplary. The Rabbi proposed that we explore the possibilities of courses listed in the Seniors NCG Guide. Craigielaw was proposed by Crocs. All the above will be given due deliberation in the fullness of time.

AOB: It was agreed that members should be penalised with a Geezer Card for going into bunkers even when bunkers were out of play.

Dewey apologised for his absence for the next several months as he has bigger fish to fry in Florida.

The meeting closed very amicably at 1pm.

Burt E. Kwok

PRESENT: D.F, T.H(n/p), D.G-M, C.C, P.F, A.B-W, J.G, B.Y, L.W, C.M, T.M, M.M, P.L, F.B, B.H, M.C, C.D.

RESULTS: Delivered by the silver tongued Laird. Today’s Comp was a four ball better ball. There was one 2 on the 14th, posted by the Rabbi. D’soD were Jocks and Bumpers with a paltry 42 points. DD’soD were Dewey and Crocs with 43 points. Runners up were the Prof and the Laird with 51 points. This week’s winners with an impressive 53 points were the dream team of Brains and 2Beers.

FINANCE: £5 in Swears. £2.50 in fines for non-wearing of MOHGS uniform on first Monday of the month. £2.20 in Geezers cards. Is the swears total a new record???

LAST WEEKS MINUTES ACCEPTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY.

The Scuttler was welcomed back to the fold after his recent successful operation. He was feeling thwarted after buying a new range of winter golfing clothes with the highest TOG rating only to be informed by the doctor that he will be out of action for the next several months.

BUSINESS: The Chair thanked all the members who had taken the trouble to contact him regarding current h/caps. He confirmed that he is on the case and no stone will be left unturned in his efforts to update the system with the correct information before next week’s game.

*Jock Strap returned the Quaich for engraving and only the Christmas Plate is outstanding and will no doubt be returned next week.

*The Chair announced that he is willing to retain his position in the hot seat for another year, but he is more than willing to step aside to allow any new pretender the opportunity to come through the ranks and take over the reins of the society. He was informed that he is by far the best Chair we have ever had and that no one had feet big enough to fill his ample boots.

*The members were informed that it was not possible to be penalised with two Geezers cards for one errant shot.

* The Laird opined that it seemed unfair to fine members 50p for not wearing MOHGS jumpers, when there were other members who didn’t own regulation gear who were not fined. Bumpers has ordered jumpers and is still waiting. The Chair was unwilling to waive today’s fines but would take orders next week from those who did not have jumpers and use his influence with the supplier to ensure the delivery was promptly dispatched.

* The Geezer will be absent next week but ordered an XL Black jumper.

*Jock Strap will be unable to play in his game at the Seniors this Wednesday and appealed for someone to take his place. His tee time is 9.52ish.

* The Chair reported that he had recently spoken to the President and he is still recovering from his bout of flu but hopeful that he will attend next week’s AGM.

* The Rabbi hopes to have more information about the Seniors Open and will report back next week.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 1pm.

Burt E. Kwok.