PRESENT: F.B, T.M, B.Y, B.H, P.L, C.M, J.G, A.W, A.B-W,P.B, D.F, K.S. & non playing Bumpers back from his jaunt to Los Americas.

APOLOGIES: H.C, G.W, A.L,  M.M, G.A,

RESULTS: One 2’s posted by Team Rabbi \Winker who pocket £4.00 including roll over. Today’s event was a four ball better ball. Joint D’soD were ( Laird & Straggler) and ( Crocs & Brains) and ( Jocks & Shotgun who all achieved  with 44 points. The joint winners with 46 points were teams ( Rabbi & The Winkler ) , (the ever popular Soapy & the Geezer) and ( the Cardinal & Prof.) who all share the proceeds and get docked one shot. The duffers are awarded one customary additional shot.

TOASTS: England R.F.U. for  their  success in the 6 nations.

BUSINESS:

The chair failed to appoint a temporary secretary in the absence of Kwok so no minutes were taken so the following is my recollections of the discussions.

Last week’s minutes accepted.

Swears and Geezers cards contributed an unknown amount to the Mohgs funds.

The chair was irate at the amount of “schrapnel” [copper coinage] offered as payment for 2s etc.

Discussions on out of bounds \in the woods on the right of the 18th took place. Agreed that only one of the two Geezers cards could be awarded if the ball was lost.

Tee time for the Bridle Path on Friday was 10.15 am. Currently 6 participants.

Jocks requested members to confirm they are available for Beamish match and who would require pre-match coffee\tea and bacon sandwiches.

Tee times for next Monday booked from 8.40 am to 9.02 am

Jock St Rappe

PRESENT: F.B, T.M, P.F, B.Y, B.H, P.L, C.M, J.G & a non playing Soapy.

APOLOGIES: H.C, P.B, G.W, A.L, D.F, M.C, M.M, A.W.

£2.60 collected in swears.

RESULTS: No 2’s were posted therefore £1.60 is carried over. Today’s event was a four ball better ball. Joint D’soD were ( Kwoks & Straggler) and ( Crocs & Rabbi) with 45 points. The runners up were ( Geezer & Prof) with 48 points. The winners with an unbeatable 49 points were the ever popular pairing of ( Jocks & Brains).

TOASTS: Team GB cyclists who won the world championships.

The long suffering NU fans who were subjected to yet another miserable performance from their under performing team.

To the newly refurbished bar which was highly rated by the members of the MOHGS.

Kwok apologised for omitting to record last week’s apologies.

MINUTES OF LAST WEEK ACCEPTED UNCHALLENGED.

MATTERS ARISING:

* The Chair will put in a bulk order for jumpers for Bumpers et al when the travellers return from holiday. The Geezer and the Rabbi ordered an extra large white polo shirt and a large red polo shirt respectively, when the final order is made.

* The Rabbi agreed to look after the cash from today’s event.

* Taxi John is still on the case for the Longhirst game.

* The Crocodile has booked three tees for Friday 18th March at the Bridle Path, beginning at 10.16. The deal is a game plus a pint, or a game plus a bacon butty and coffee, for the remarkable price of £10 per punter. There appears to be at least 8 interested parties.

* Jocks has made rapid headway with the Beamish away day. The date will be Monday 11 July at Beamish, with the return leg at Morpeth on Monday 12th September. At least 8 members are interested. He intends to book 6 tee times and estimates that the cost will be approximately £12 per punter. There may be an opportunity to book food for after the games.

* The President enquired about the curry night in Gosforth and proposed a similar event in the Summer. Brains quickly suggested that it could possibly be arranged in tandem with the Bowls Day. This suggestion was warmly received and but will be subject to confirmation by the Laird upon his return from exile.

* The Chair proposed that we turn our thoughts to the Christmas party even though we are 9 months away from the momentous event. He was congratulated for his forward thinking and attention to detail but no further action was taken.

* It was decided that the draw for the Chairmanship Quaich be organised next week.

* The Geezers cards have not been in use for several weeks and this is evident in the resultant drop in revenue, which will no doubt have a knock on effect with regard to expenditure on the Christmas party and away days. The Rabbi has made a fresh set of cards which are good to go, so it was decided that they will make an appearance next week.

* There were expressions of sympathy for the Cardinal and Falcon who are both under the weather at the moment and it is hoped that they will make a speedy recovery and rejoin the fraternity promptly.

The Hon. Sec. apologised in advance for his absence next week, since he will be in Lanzarote with Mrs. Findlay, enjoying a well deserved rest from the onerous duties of detailed and unbiased reporting.

The meeting closed at 1.20.

BURT E. KWOK ( Hon. Sec.)

The meeting was enhanced by the reappearance of the best President we ever had, Soapy. Although the old codger didn’t actually play, his presence after the last few weeks of anguish, was warmly received by the members.

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

Today’s comp. was a 4 ball better ball.

RESULTS: There were 2×2 by (Straggler, Laird) and (Kwok, Prof). The D’soD were (Winker, Rabbi) with 38 points. Joint winners were (Straggler, Laird) and (Kwok, Prof) with 46 points apiece. Winners pulled a shot, losers gain a shot. The President eased his way back into the fellowship by presenting the prizes to the triumphant victors.

£2.60 was collected in swears.

TOASTS: The President was welcomed back into the fold by the Chair.

To Paxo and the Geezer who were part of the team which won last week’s senior’s comp.

To Prof, Laird, Brains and Kwok who were second in the same comp.

To Morpeth Town for winning on Saturday and now go into the semi final of the F.A Vase.

BARRING ONE VERY SMALL ERROR, LAST WEEKS MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED.

BUSINESS OF THE DAY:

* Taxi John has agreed to assemble a team to play the MOHGS at Longhirst at a date to be decided in the not too distant future.

* The Chair has not forgotten his long term commitment to organise a trip to Whitley Bay but for the moment the project is on the back burner, or to put it another way, dead in the water.

* The Chair is becoming increasingly frustrated at the furore surrounding the jumpers for Bumpers. He advised all would be purchasers to look at Delboy’s website to decide on items, sizes and colours, make a decision and then give him the order which will then be only too pleased to pass on to the company CEO.

Starting times next week as per.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 12.55.

BURT E. KWOK( Hon. Sec.)

The clubhouse is in its first phase of redevelopment which meant that access could only be gained through the ladies locker room. Luckily, the Rabbi knew all the door codes and although he was unsure of his bearings in the shower room, he did manage to plot a course to the safer confines of the bar.

It appears that some of the members wives were appalled at the choice of language in last week’s minutes and Kwok was cautioned for reverting to the vernacular on one occasion, through his use of the word a***. In future it would seem that in order to avoid similar malcontent among the female section of our readership that some form of encryption may be required. Anglo Saxon terminology will therefore continue to be applied but only in extreme cases and asterisks will be used in place of significant letters in order to avoid further embarrassment to the sensibilities of the fairer s**.

The Laird was nominated as today’s chairman due to the absence of the Straggler who is down the smoke on business.

PRESENT: P.F, P.L, T.M, M.C, B.Y, R.H(non- playing), P.B, J.G, C.M, D.F, G.A, G.W, M.M, A.W.

RESULTS: There was 1×2 by El Mat who scooped the pot. DoD was the Prof with 25 points. DD’soD were Winscales and the Cardinal with 31 points apiece. The Laird was runner up with 44 points. Today’s winner with a magnificent 45 points was the indefatigable and ever popular Matador.

APOLOGIES: F.B, A.L, H.C, K.S.

TOASTS: The Prof, Kwoks and Shagpile who won last week’s senior’s competition.

To Shotgun who was a member of the victorious team at Newbiggin, last Tuesday.

LAST WEEKS MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED.

MATTERS ARISING:

* Tonight’s Injun at the Ahad will go ahead as planned. 10 members are due to attend and will meet at 4.30 in the County Hotel.

* Mr. Croc O’ Dile will book 3 tee times on 18 March for the Bridle Path at approximately 10ish. The bacon sarnie will be booked for after the game.

* Close House is booked. Members will play the Colt course at 10.30 on Monday and the  Filly course at 10.40 on Tuesday. No evening meal has been booked, therefore members have the option to remain in the clubhouse or go further afield for sustenance. The Comp. Sec asked for members preferences for the format of the contests. It was decided that better ball was the more desired option.

* Brains accepted deposits from the Hunley Hall gang. He has booked the venue for 12 competitors. The details are posted on his email.

** There are no updates on Beamish or Longhirst.

AOB: Bumpers will depart tomorrow, bound for Mexico, through the Trump wall if necessary. However he was dismayed to discover that there were no jumpers for Bumpers, due to the Chair being down the smoke on business. It appears that it will now be quite a while before Bumpers will receive the jumpers. Shagpile was also in a quandary since he was in receipt of a jumper but had been informed that it belonged to someone else and gave it for safekeeping to the Laird, since he will be incommunicado for several weeks, touring the States. Both were assured that they will be immune from fines until the Chair gets his a*** back, to attend to business here rather than business down the smoke.

* Tee off times for next week as per.

APOLOGIES: Bumpers away for next 2 weeks. El Mat absent for next 3 weeks. Shaggers away for next 4 weeks.

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

BURT E KWOK (Hon. Sec.)

PRESENT: B.Y, P.L, P.F, J.G, G.W, T.M.

APOLOGIES: The Chair, the Laird and Jock S. arrived for the meeting but did not compete in today’s event. The Chair and Jock were both crocked and the Laird just couldn’t be arsed. Other apols from the Cardinal and Soapy.

RESULTS: Today’s event was a Texas Scramble in which Kwok, Rabbi and Prof, defeated Brains, Geezer and the Matador by a score of 62 to 64 points. There were 2 x 2’s so the pot was shared.

£1 was collected in swears, which the Laird has retained for safekeeping.

TOASTS: To the Geezer and Paxo who won last week’s club competition with a massive score of 53 points.

LAST WEEKS MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED UNCHALLENGED.

The Chair was gently rebuked for wearing inappropriate dress, in that he appeared in a pair of jeans, albeit M&S specials but nonetheless a slur on the customs and traditions of a fine old club like Morpeth.

MATTERS ARISING:

* The Bridle Path is all but settled. One member enquired if it was too late to apply for a place. Crocs will no doubt be in a position to answer this question at the next meeting.

* The Cardinal has booked Close House for 11/12 April and will require a payment of £92/attendee by next Monday.

* Brains has booked Hunley Hall for 15/16 May. The cost is £99 for a single and £89 for a double. Tee off times will be approximately 1.30 on Sunday and 11am on Monday.

* The Chair reported that Crocs is negotiating a game v a select group from Longhirst GC, along the lines of the Newbiggin enterprise. More information will no doubt follow.

* The Comp. Sec. has been quietly formulating a plan for a game against the Beamish Dirty Dozen and a return match at Morpeth. It was thought that a date in July, possibly the 11th or 18th at Beamish with the return fixture at Morpeth on either the 5th or 12th of September.

The tee times for next week are as per. The Chair gave advanced notice that he will be unavailable as he has business down the smoke.

The meeting closed at 1.10.

Burty Kwok(Hon. Sec.)

Today’s meeting was a genuinely sad and heartfelt affair, after it was revealed by the Chair, that Margaret, the beloved wife of our President Keith, had passed away on Sunday. There was a moment of stunned silence as the news sank in, before each of the members expressed their feelings of sympathy and condolence for the bereaved family and friends at this time of grief. We didn’t know Margaret very well, but we know through many references that she was greatly loved and admired by the President and her sudden passing will leave him In deep despair. We can only imagine his heartache at this time but we would like to assure him of our relentless support as he navigates his path through the many stages of mourning and remorse.

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

APOLOGIES: K.S, B.H, H.C, A.L.

RESULTS: There were 2×2’s posted by Crocs and the Laird. DoD was the unfortunate Prof with a miserable 24 points. DDoD was Brains with 33 points. The runner up was Crocs with 45 points. The ultimate winner and champine of the day was the Straggler with a magnificent 46 points. £9 went to the winner and £4 to the runner up.

TOASTS: Danny Willet who won the Dubai Open.

LAST WEEKS MIUTES WERE ACCEPTED UNCHALLENGED.

MATTERS ARISING:

* Crocs reported that the Bridle Path is available to visitors on Fridays at a cost of £10, which includes a bacon sarnie. It was decided to book a game on Friday 18 March.

* There are at least 12 prospective candidates for the proposed visit to Close House on 11/12 April. The Cardinal will attempt to make arrangements for the visit.

* The preferred date for the Hunley Hall trip was 15/16 May. At least 12 members displayed an interest and Brains will make appropriate arrangements.

FINANCIAL REPORT: The Fin. Sec., revealed that there is a total of £85.55 in the kitty, of which a proportion will be made available to subsidise the injun meal at Ahad’s on 22 Feb. 10 members intend to attend.

Tee times next week are 8.40, 8.48, 8.56 and 9.04.

The meeting concluded in sombre mood at 1.10.

BURT KWOK ( Hon. Sec.)

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.)