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

The President agreed to Chair the meeting.

RESULTS: Delivered by Brains. Only one 2 this week by Dewey on the 17th. DoD was the unfortunate Brains with 24 points. DD’soD were Crocs and Shagpile with 27 points apiece. The runner up was Kwok with 34 points. Joint winners were the popular duo of Scuttler and Winscale with 34 points apiece.

NO TOASTS THIS WEEK!

MINUTES OF LAST WEEK WERE TAKEN AS READ.

MATTERS ARISING: The President has contacted the St. Boswells secretary who informed him that he was welcome to play the course at any time of his choosing. He will make a decision when the weather improves.

* Shagpile is hoping to secure a visit to Bedlington GC on 29 July. He hopes to plan a return visit for the Bedlington group to play at Morpeth.

* The 15 July is Red Carpet day for Shagpile. He will be placing £75 behind the bar. He has invited several friends of US origin to help him celebrate the momentous occasion and has dusted down the Witton Royal Rose Bowl, which will be awarded to the winner.

There being no further business, the President called a halt to proceedings at 1.15pm.

Burt.

In Attendance: CM JBG ABW FB KS DF MM RH TM PL AL GA DGM JG

In recognition of the significant birthday of the Hon.  President (Soapy) The Chairman was persuaded to propose a special toast to Soapy which he did with his usual aplomb. It was greeted with much cheering and applause.

Results:

DoD was Soapy with 19 points (perhaps understandably given the magnitude of the day). His handicap will go up by 2.

DDoD was our beloved migrant Jockstrap with 20 points. handicap to go up by 1 point.

In second place was the Geezer with a very credible 37 points. He won £4.00 and his handicap is to be pulled by one shot.

The Winner was the ever popular and jocular Croc with a splendid 39 points. He took away £10.00 but more importantly the honour of holding the Soapy dish Trophy for the next 12 months. Handicap to be pulled by 2 shots.

Toasts:

The Chairman proposed a very special toast to Winker Watson who has indicated he is to give up golf for health reasons. As the Chair said however, once a Mohg always a Mohg. Winker will always be welcome in our company and we wish him well for the future.

Rory Mcilroy for winning the Canadian Open

A toast to Her Maj on her official birthday.

Biggles for proposing said toast.

Two Beers for stepping in, and doing so well, as Captain for the match against the Dirty Dozen.

Chris Minto for organising the visit to City for Mohgs on the Seniors Invitation Day.

Minutes of last meeting were accepted

Matters Arising:

The President referred to the proposed trip to St. Boswells on Friday 14th June. Due to the dire weather forecast and the Chair’s other golf commitments it has been postponed.

Jockstrap said that, on behalf of the Dirty Dozen, he wished to thank us for a thoroughly enjoyable day. A  return match at Beamish is proposed for 9th September. The Chair suggested that,in order to ensure there were sufficient numbers on both sides there should be some flexibility as to who played for who.This was agreed by all present.

Shagpile raised the trip to Bedlington and is to investigate dates. Brains suggested that, as there is a comp. on 29th July and so no tee times available for us, we consider that date. Shagpile is to see if that date is possible.

The Chair mentioned the question of County Cards,as previously raised by Herbie, and suggested that anyone who wished to get one should do so. He did, however, raise a doubt about being able to block book using the cards. A degree of ingenuity may be required. Answers on a postcard please!

Meeting officially closed at 1.30.

Post meeting:

President pointed out that he had said entertainment was to be provided to celebrate his birthday. He apologised to the Geezer for the lack of Nubile Dancers and proceeded to introduce a quiz worthy of Mensa. Attempts to answer were brave if not noteworthy!

Shagpile offered thanks to Soapy for an excellent 45 minutes of drink and good cheer. A sentiment that was echoed by all.

The game was organised by Crocs because Morpeth GC was hosting an invitation day.

PRESENT: B.Y, L.W, D.G-M, T.M, D.F, M.S, C.M, F.B, G.A, P.F, J.G(l/e).

RESULTS: Delivered by the Laird who it appears is back to his fighting best after a short period of recuperation following the operation to allow him to collect his winnings more efficiently. He opened by remarking that the weather had been very kind and the course was in good condition. There were no 2’s so the cash was added to the pot. DoD was the unfortunate Brains with 19 points. Winscales was DDoD with a slightly better haul of 26 points. The runner up was Kwok with 34 points. The winner with a mighty 35 points was the aforementioned Laird who nimbly pocketed the cash (kerching), before stressing that today’s game was a one off and the winners would not be pulled, neither would the losers gain shots.

Herbie proposed a vote of thanks to Crocs for organising the event, which was wholeheartedly endorsed by the group.

TOASTS: To 2Beers for standing in at short notice and captaining the MOHGS to their heroic victory over the DD.

To the Geezer who won Saturday’s competition.

BUSINESS: Herbie proposed that all MOHGS should purchase a County Card since the benefits of playing at different courses far outweighed the initial on-cost. There followed a debate on whether or not the expense was justified but no conclusion was reached. This debate has legs and may run for some time.

The Geezer proposed that the MOHGS should all join a ‘What’s App.’ He then proceeded to explain the benefits of such a device for group discussions and deliberations. Head scratching became the order of the day as the technophobes battered the Luddites with a plethora of information. The Chair capitulated in the face of defeat and began to come to terms with the fact that his phone is smarter than he is. The Geezer continued his argument and finished by saying that a County Card plus a What’s App could open up a whole new horizon for the MOHGS. The debate continues.
L.W, P.F, and B.Y apologised in advance for their absence on Monday for Soapy’s Day.

There being no further business, the meeting closed amiably at 3pm.

Burt E. Kwok

THE MOHGS v THE DIRTY DOZEN.

The day was windy but warm as the contestants gathered for bacon sandwiches in the clubhouse. The Dirty Dozen arrived promptly for the start of play and 2 Beers announced the format of the competition, which was a Four Ball Better Ball matchplay which also included a Stableford element. 2 Beers wished all competitors good luck and the battle commenced in pre-arranged groups.

RESULTS: Jock St.Rappe in his old familiar role of Comp. Sec., compiled the results which were delivered by Captain for the day, 2 Beers. He opened his remarks by saying that golf was a series of tragedies punctuated by the occasional miracle. He thanked the Beamish boys for their sportsmanship and looked forward to the return match. The MOHGS won the contest by a score of 5-1. There was a tie for the overall betterball winners between the pairing of Kwok and Wellend and the duo of the Cardinal and the Geezer with 42 points apiece. The DD winners were Sean(?) and Ian Bailey. The MOHGS runners up were Winscales and Monty.

Jock Strap replied on behalf of the DD and began by thanking 2 Beers for organising the day in impeccable style. He remarked that it had been a hugely enjoyable day although the result was underwhelming. He looked forward to the return match which he hoped would be sometime in September to which all were warmly invited. Information will be revealed in due course.

BURT E. KWOK.

Apologies from all those not here.

Present:- JG, PL, PB, CM, DGM, TH, GA, LW, TM, Monty, KS (7 Holes and had to leave)

The Rabbi stepped into the breach again to chair the meeting from an elevated position (a bar stool).

Competition Results;

One two at the 14^th by Brains. £2 in the kitty.

Duffer of the Day was Brains with 25 points

Deputy Duffer was Winscale with 27 points.

Runner up was Two Beers with 37 points.

However, the joint champions of the week were Rabbi and The Cardinal with 39 points.

Handicaps will be adjusted accordingly.

Toasts

Crocs for his 30^th wedding anniversary

The Cardinal for upholding the prestige of the MOHGS by being a member of the winning team in the Darling Buds of May comp. last Monday.

Swears raised £2.60 but Geezers Cards were not in operation.

Previous minutes were agreed after amendment from the Scribe by e-mail.

Matters Arising

Beamish dirty Dozen fixture, Two Beers advised that bacon butties would be served at 9.15am on 3 June (for those who had ordered them) with tee time at 10am.

CM will be booking 3 tee times at the City for around 10.30 0n 5 June.

Meeting closed at 12.55.