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

APOLOGIES: E.E, A.L, H.C, G.W.

Only 11 holes played today due to the strong winds which made conditions extremely hazardous. The comp. was four ball better ball.

RESULTS: There were 2 x 2 posted by Shagpile and the Laird. D’soD were Bumpers and Straggler with 24 points. Brains and the Cardinal were runners up with 29 points. The winners with a magnificent 30 points were Prof and Crocs.

Before today’s meeting, the Prof presented Kwok with a collection of minute books and an attaché case, with which to carry the books, and a selection of pens of differing colours, to record the salient events of meetings for the next ten years. Kwok was immensely grateful for this act of unbridled generosity since he has been forced hitherto by the upper echelons of the society to bear the cost of stationery from his own meagre financial resources. Kwok was hopeful that he would live long enough to make good use of the new stationery since at his present age he realises that life is very tenuous and has already stopped buying green bananas.

The Chair stated categorically, that in future he will never ever question the decision making of the Hon. Comp. Sec., after today’s decision to curtail the number of holes played to 11.

TOASTS: Terry Wogan RIP.

Jamie Murray and partner for winning the Australian tennis championship.

LAST WEEKS MINUTES ACCEPTED UNCHALLENGED.

* The Rabbi has made up 4 new sets of Geezers cards. He expects 5 cards to be returned after every game and will penalise any member who loses a card, with a fine of 50p.

* The Chair was cautioned by the President for omitting to bring his gavel.

* Bumpers announced that the bar refurbishment would begin on 22 Feb. and assured the group that sufficient finance had been obtained through the selling of 3 life memberships. The MOHGS were reminded that they had pledged £25 to this cause.

* No news about the Bridle Path.

* The President has enquired about arranging a special meal at the Char Mausum and was thanked for his efforts but it was decided that a venue in Gosforth, namely  the Ahad was the preferred option, preceded by drinks at the County Hotel, at approximately 4.30, on 22 Feb.

* It was decided that the Close House deal was excellent value and the Cardinal will probe further.

* Brains has made further enquiries about the availability of Hunley Hall. There are vacancies on 16/17 and 22/23 May. B.H proposed that we attend Close House early in the season and H.H later. It was agreed that all interested parties should contact Brains before Friday, stating their preferred date and or availability. The cost of the expedition would be £89/person.

* The arrangements for the visit of the Rubble gang are well under way. 14 members are required to make up the team and preference will be given to those who played at Ainsdale. There will be a meal afterwards and the President is confident that there would be enough food to cater for extra guests if required. The game kicks off at 9.40 on 9 May. The President will be captain for the day.

* St. Rappe announced that the Beamish date is now even more flexible in the light of the present uncertainty of future fixtures.

BUSINESS OF DAY:

* The Laird, having checked last week’s spreadsheet, enquired whether the Comp. Sec. had allocated the correct division of cash to the winner and runner up. The Comp. Sec. said he would look into it.

* All swears money for this week and last is now in the safekeeping of the Cardinal.

* The Comp. Sec., presented as food for thought, the notion that all officers of the c/tee should be in post for a maximum of 4 years. The Cardinal was of the opinion that this was a matter for discussion at the AGM.

* The Chair promised to contact Delboy about the possibility of making a new order for MOHGS mufti. There was also talk about the possibility of ordering hats which included the logo. There was general agreement that a fine of 50p should be levied on those members who neglected to wear the MOHGS jumpers on the first Monday of the month. Those members who did not yet possess the MOHGS regalia would be exempt from fines.

The meeting closed at 12.30.

BURT E. Kwok (Hon. Sec.)

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

APOLS: B.H, P.B, H.C, M.M, A.L.

RESULTS: There was 1 x 2 by M.C. Today’s comp. was a four ball better ball. D’soD were Kwok and the Laird with 43 points. DD’soD were the Rabbi and El Mat with 44 points. Runners up were the Prof and Straggler with 49 points. The winners with a massive score of 52 points were the Geezer and Crocs.

£2.60 was collected in swears and is in the safekeeping of the Chair.

TOASTS: George Woodward R.I.P.

Brains and the Prof. who won last week’s senior’s comp.

Noel and Fee on the good news of their pregnancy, and to the Chair, who is revelling in the reflected glory.

THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING WERE ACCEPTED WITHOUT CHALLENGE.

BUSINESS OF THE DAY:

* The Chair felt that the Christmas Party was rather cluttered and proposed that the AGM should be held either before or after the party and thus leave more room for gaiety on the day itself. The proposal aroused general support and the date of the AGM will be considered at a future meeting.

* The Chair considered that the members should be more focussed on deciding venues for away days. The Bridle Path was put forward for consideration and C.M will enquired about availability.

* The Cardinal, it was reported, has discovered a deal at Close House, which includes DB&B for £99 as well as 2 rounds of golf.

R.H and E.E entered the meeting at this point and were warmly welcomed.

* Brains volunteered to check the availability of Hunley Hall on or around 22 May.

* Barney Rubbles crew are here to do battle on 9 May.

* The Comp. Sec. reminded the group that we are due to play at Beamish on 16 May but that the date is flexible.

* The Rabbi welcomed Marcus Chisholm to today’s event and asked if he had given consideration to a nickname. Marcus recalled that his nickname at school had been Bumpers and this immediately impressed the members, who agreed that this would become his future monicker.

* The Geezer in a unilateral display of generosity revealed that he was willing to carry Jock’s clubs at a future date. Jocks tearfully thanked the Geezer but declined the offer, insisting that his back problems were receding and that he was confident that he would be sufficiently recovered to carry his own clubs next week. Brains enquired, tongue in cheek, if the Geezer was up to giving Jethro a piggy back around the course, whilst buggies were out of commission. The Geezer made no comment.

* The Chair asked for support for a Cockney themed event but was snubbed by everyone save the Geezer and Kwok who then delivered an impromptu rendition of “Roll out the Barrel.”

* The new rules of golf insist that h/caps should now be based on 9/10’s rather than 3/4 of the full h/cap. The Comp. Sec. observed  that this new rule would pertain during his watch.

* The Laird proposed that in future the 6 or more Geezer card should be replaced with a double bogey card. The proposal was approved.

* Shotgun asked for clarification on the in the trees card. He was informed that, in the trees, also includes under the canopy.

* Thanks were extended to Shagpile for organising the away day to Newbiggin and for the hospitality that was extended to the visitors.

* It was decided to ditch the Char Mausum as a venue for an Injun, in favour of an Injun,TBD, in Gosforth on 22 February.

* Marcus gave his email address as, ” marcuschisholm@btinternet.com .”

Tee times next week are, 8.48, 8.56 and 9.04.

The meeting closed at 1.10, since there was no further business.

BURT E. KWOK ( Hon. Sec. )

PRESENT: B.Y, J.G, K.S, J.P, B.H, P.F, M.M, P.L. ( G.W attended for the meeting only.)

APOLOGIES: All absent friends.

Nobody was prepared to stand in for the absent Chair so the meeting was rudderless.

RESULTS: The contest was a better ball comp. played over 15 holes due to the inclement weather. There were three 2’s all by the Soapy-Paxo team. D’soD were Kwok-Prof with 34 points. Rabbi-Shagpile were runners up with 37 points. The winners with a superb 40 points were  Jocks-Brains. All current handicaps will remain in force until 1st. Jan., when they will revert to club handicaps.

40p was collected in swears and delivered to the Rabbi for safekeeping.

TOASTS: To Andrew Murray for winning SPOTY.

To a young boy suffering from Spina Bifida who won the Helen Rawlinson award.

To all absent friends.

The President thought it would be a nice gesture if everyone donated individually to the cost of the new bar refurbishments. Arguments were made for and against his proposal, so it was left hanging and no Gordian knot was cut.

Brains was lauded for his attempts to get the Events Diary up and running although it was reported that many members found it impossible to open the attachment. He assured the gathering that the glitch had now been rectified and he had posted a new refined itinerary and sent it to all members. The Secretary must have been missed off the list because he still awaits the revised version.

Talk turned to expectations for the new year and Paxo revealed that he had noticed a great deal to be had at Roxborough, where D, B&B as well as golf could be had for as little as £79 pp.

At this point in the meeting, fragmentation occurred as well as juvenile bickering and sniggering and sniping. This was no doubt due to lack of solid leadership.

AOB: It was decided to have a celebratory curry in the new year when all the weary travellers return. The Char Mausum was mentioned as a possible venue.

There are at least 4 members who are willing to play on Monday 28th. Dec., otherwise the next competitive game will be on Monday 4th. Jan.

The meeting closed at 1pm.🕐

BURT KWOK(Hon. Sec.)😆😆😆⛳️

PRESENT: B.Y, K.S, B.H, M.M, P.L. F.B, N.B.

APOLOGIES: All absent friends.

RESULTS: One 2 posted by Prof. [R.Y.] on the 4th. Duffer was Desmond [N.B.]-35 points and Deputy duffer was Shagpile [M.M.]-37 points. Joint runners up were Soapy [K.S.] and the Prof [R.Y.] with 41 points and the winner on the day was the Rabbi [P.L.] with an outstanding 46 points.

TOASTS: To Charlie Heaps, the 6 year old grandson of Shagpile [and future Mohg?] who won the painting competition as reported in the Morpeth Gazette, sponsored by the Sanderson Arcade and BMW Garage.

To Paxo who achieved a “Hole in One” today in an alternative sweep.

FINANCES: No swears money or Geezers cards.

LAST WEEKS MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED. —- No matters arising.

AOB: Tee booked for next Monday from 8.48 – 9.02 am when club handicaps will come into force.

Jock St Rappe (Comp. Sec.)

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

The President, rather  gallantly distributed a very good quality box of mints which had been donated for the occasion by his daughter in law with the inscription “Grumpy old Gits mints.” The members were then regaled with a glass of hot punch which hit the spot and set the scene for more Christmas hilarity. The President revealed that he had shared a Christmas flask of whisky with the Comp. Sec. during their round of golf and he was now 3 sheets to the wind.

RESULTS: There was one 2 by Brains on the FIRST hole. Yes I said the FIRST HOLE. DoD was the Kid with 20 points. I said 20. DDoD was the Cardinal with 21 points. Runner up was the Prof with 28 points. The winner of the Christmas Plate with a grand total of 29 points was the indefatigable and ever popular Shotgun.

The President presented the Plate to Shotgun. He then presented the Quaiche to Jocks and the Chalice to Crocs. Crocs was the Golfer of the Year, with the best eclectic score of the year.

All trophies were in pristine condition, save for the Plate, which in the opinion of Tommy Cassidy had been maltreated. The twat.

THE MINUTES OF LAST YEARS AGM WERE ACCEPTED AS A TRUE RECORD.

MATTERS ARISING: The President was keen to know when the Whitley Bay trip would be organised. The Chair again kept his powder dry.

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR: The Chairman named and thanked all the officers of the society for their continued pursuit of excellence. He hailed Brains for his new initiative in compiling a diary of events. Shagpile indicated that he would be prepared to continue the good work of diary secretary next year. He also welcomed the new members- Shaggers, Winker, Winscales, Paxo and Shotgun. He spoke warmly about the away days and thanked the organisers. He thought that we should look northwards for future away days and bemoaned the fact that we were unable to visit Hunley Hall this year. He insisted that he would personally ensure that we visit Whitley Bay next year. He finished his speech with a toast to Her Majesty which has now become an annual ritual and end to his musings.

FINANCIAL REPORT: The Fin. Sec. declared with a flourish that today’s meal would be paid for from the contents of the swear box. He was delighted to report that swearing had increased exponentially and the Geezers cards had also swelled the kitty. He further reported hat there was a reasonable reserve of £80 in the box. It was decided that due to the extremely healthy financial situation, we would donate £25 towards the cost of the bar refurbishment.

COMP. SEC. REPORT: There were 52 competitions this year. The Rabbi was top attender    with 45 tournaments under his belt. B. Kwok was the most successful contestant with 9 wins and 3 runners up places to his credit. Crocs had the most 2’s, followed by the Laird. Crocs was the eclectic champ with an average win/game, including 2’s, of £1.79.

He listed the away days and reported that all venues and outcomes had been very enjoyable in different ways. He listed the winners of all events and the paper copy of his musings is available for inspection c/o the Hon. Sec. One event of note was the inaugural competition for the Chair’s Quaiche which was won by the Comp. Sec. himself.

The Comp. sec. congratulated all winners and reflected that the year had been memorable and enjoyable. He was pleased with the h/cap system.

The best Comp. Sec. we have ever had, finished his statement with a veritable bombshell by announcing that this would be his last year in post and that next year he intended to step aside and allow a new member to take over the reins.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2016: All current officers were re-elected en bloc for the 2016 season.

TOASTS: To Colin Montgomery, Jamie Donaldson, Blyth Spartans, NUFC and all our absent friends.

The meeting closed at 3.05 and the Yuletide festivities began.

BURT E. KWOK(Hon. Sec.)

PRESENT: P.L, P.B, B.H, C.M, J.G, B.Y, F.B, K.S, P.F. — M.M attended meeting but did not play.

APOLOGIES: To all absent friends especially the Laird, the Geezer and Winker, who are all on long haul flights to far flung regions.

RESULTS: There were 2×2’s by the Straggler and Crocs. DoD was the unfortunate Cardinal with an almost respectable 30 points. DDoD was the Rabbi, with 33 points. The runner up on 40 points was Brains. The winner for the second consecutive week with 44 points was the indomitable Kwok, whose h/cap descends to its lowest ever point of 16, and now puts him in range of the big guns of the sport.

FINANCES: Crocs and Kwok were awarded £1.20 each which was due to them for last week’s 2’s comp. The Rabbi handed over £4.10 to the Treasurer which had been in safekeeping since last week. There was £2.60 in swears. The Fin. Sec, revealed that he is willing to subsidise next week’s Christmas party to the tune of £100. This news was greeted warmly by the members.

TOASTS: To all absent friends.

To the Kid and Crocs who successfully predicted the correct score and the scorers of the Newcastle v Liverpool match.

To the Comp. Sec. who won £4 from his Beamish buddies on the outcome of the same match.

CHRISTMAS PARTY: Some doubt was expressed as to whether or not, next week was THE Christmas Party. The President was in no doubt and assured the throng that his mince pies and mulled wine would be available to add a festive touch. The AGM agenda was accepted, as presented recently by the admirable Kwok. The Soc. Sec. declared with a flourish that chicken curry, nan bread and poppadoms would be available. A straw poll revealed that at least 9 people were committed. The Chair kept his powder dry.

The President was keen to have a New Year party when the boys are back in town.

The Rabbi has booked the tee for 10am next week.

The competition will be for the Christmas plate, using 3 clubs and putter over a shortened course, which may be dependent on weather conditions.

LAST WEEKS MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED. —- No matters arising.

EVENTS DIARY: Brains proposed that the MOHGS should give serious thought to drawing up an events diary for 2016. There was broad agreement that this was a top idea but that a certain amount of effort and dedication was needed to get the project up and running. After a deal of good natured banter, Brains agreed that since it was his idea, he was willing to begin compiling a diary but stressed that he didn’t envisage that this would be a permanent position and that others would be willing to take up the cudgels in subsequent years. Brains was given a gentleman’s agreement that this would indeed be the case.

AOB: The Crocodile revisited the thorny old debate about the damaged Christmas Plate, which for the last year has been in the safekeeping of Kwok, the current holder. Kwok declared emphatically that the trophy was in perfect condition when he passed it on to Crocs, who then delivered it for engraving to the former footballer Tommy Cassidy. Tommy C. informed Crocs that in his opinion someone had been chucking the Plate around like a frisbee and occasioned damage on the revered trophy. Apropos nothing, the Chair jumped in with both feet and declared that he was 99% convinced that Kwok was guilty of inflicting the damage. Kwok scoured the flint faced looks of his colleagues for some sign of solace or sympathy but none was forthcoming until the fair minded Cardinal suggested that it could possibly have been damaged whilst in transit from Crocs to Cassidy. Crocs shook his head in violent rebuttal and insisted that Kwok was the perpetrator of the monstrous act of desecration. The kangaroo court appeared to have made its decision. Kwok was hung out to dry.

NEWBIGGIN: Shagpile has made arrangements for a game on 18 Jan. The cost will be £12/person for a round of golf and a bacon sandwich, starting at 10am. He will be looking for definite numbers in the new year.

MORE AOB: The Chairman’s Quaiche and the desecrated Plate will be presented at the AGM.

Burt E. Kwok (Hon. Sec.)

PRESENT: B.Y, F.B, C.M, P.L, P.F, D.F.

Conditions were diabolical and the outlook was bleak but 6 brave souls turned for what  resulted in a truncated game of only 15 holes. The adverse weather conditions finally forced the gallant participants to forego a full round.

Apologies: All our absent friends.

RESULTS: Presented by the Laird. There were 2 x 2’s carded by Kwok and Crocs. DoD with 19 points was the Prof. DDoD was the Laird with 31 points. Crocs was runner up with 34 points. The outright winner with a magnificent 36 points was the indomitable Kwok. Other scores were,F.B—32, P.L—33.

FINANCES: The Laird, who will shortly embark on a 6 week holiday to Oz, admitted to holding £3.70 in swears and Geezer’s cards, which he promptly delivered to the safekeeping of the Rabbi. The President is owed 50p of this cash for a 2 which he scored recently but for which he was not paid.

TOASTS: To team GB for their recent victory in the Davis Cup.

To Jamie Vardy for his record of scoring in the last 11 premiership games.

To Tyson Fury for defeating a Klitchco on his way to the world heavyweight title.

LAST WEEKS MINUTES ACCEPTED AS A TRUE RECORD.

There were no matters arising.

CHRISTMAS PLATE: The Crocodile reported that there had been some damage to the Christmas Plate, whilst in the possession of the current holder, Kwok. Kwok denied all knowledge of the damage and furthermore, swore to the fact that it was in good nick when he handed it over to the Croc. One of life’s little mysteries? Or is there something more sinister afoot?

Christmas Party: The Rabbi will attempt to book the tee on 14 Dec. as near to 10am as possible.

The Chair at this point, wished Bon voyage to all the members who will shortly embark on their festive holidays, many to far flung places. He also remarked that there had been a very disappointing turnout for today’s game especially considering that today was the original date for the Christmas Party.

The President and Jethro arrived at this juncture but unfortunately the meeting had run out of legs and the Chair called time at 12.30.

BURT E. KWOK(Hon. Sec.)

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.)