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

APOLOGIES: Biggles, Falcon, Prof, Shagpile.

RESULTS: Two 2’s were posted by El Mat and Soapy. On 22 points, the DoD was the unfortunate Jocks. The DDoD on 23 points was the Laird, but in mitigation, he had only 4 hours kip after returning from his vacation in Tenerife at 3 in the morning. In joint second place were Soapy and Kwok with 37 points apiece. This week’s champine after a long absence and convalescence was the indomitable Jethro with 38 points.

TOASTS: Jethro proposed a toast to all the Celtic nations for their remarkable triumphs over the weekend in the Rugby World Cup.

The Chair at this point, rather petulantly, gave an unnecessary rebuke to Strap, after being correctly advised by the Strap on the meeting’s running order.

FINANCES: £5.60 was collected in swears.

GEEZERS CARDS: G.W(40), P.F(20), G.A(80), K.S(20), B.H(20), F.B(40), P.L(20), J.G(80), P.B(40), E.E(40), J.P(20), T.M(40), C.M(20).——–£4.80 At this juncture the Comp. Sec. made haste to repair to the bar for refreshments and inadvertently chinned the Chair, who fell in a heap a la Diego Costa, and looked around for sympathy which alas was nor forthcoming. He then rather sheepishly rubbed his chin and continued hesitantly with the meeting.

LAST WEEK’S MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED AS A TRUE RECORD.

There were no matters arising.

BUSINESS OF THE DAY: Soapy took centre stage and distributed a tome of literature to the lucky participants of the Southport jolly. He then produced a map and fluently described the directions to the course. There are currently 11 registered travellers, who should arrive at the destination no later than 1.30, for a 2 pm tee off. Some of the guests may wish to avail themselves of the par 3 course, which takes an hour and a half to complete and for which places are allocated on an ad hoc basis. Paxo agreed to give a lift to the Chair, whilst the President will be ferried to the event by the ever generous Shotgun. It was suggested that the group should leave their bases at 9-9.30 in order to arrive in good time. Soapy appealed to all contestants to rendezvous at the clubhouse as near to 1pm as possible.

The ever generous President, revealed that he intends to award special prizes to the player who loses the most balls in the water hazards and to the player who loses the least.

In the light of the recent revelations about David Cameron’s initiation ceremonies at University, the President was asked if he had succumbed to any such tomfoolery whilst he was a member of the Oxford set. The President took to his feet and revealed that he had indeed been inveigled into a sect called the Woodpeckers. He then produced pictorial evidence of the select group of eight finely tuned young male athletes as well as a well worn jumper with the woodpecker logo embellished on the midriff. Soapy would not be drawn on whether or not the sect was exclusive or indeed if their was a pecking order of peckers, but the intimation was that as peckers go, Soapy was the dogs bollocks!

CHRISTMAS PARTY: The Chair called for immediate action on the Christmas party and informed the group that there would be a detailed discussion in two weeks time. The proposal on the table at the moment is for the usual game of golf and then a trip into Morpeth for an Indian. No date has yet been set although both the Laird and the Geezer will be away after the first week of December. There was a proposal to have the party on 1 Dec. in order to accommodate the aforementioned but some thought that this was too early. The President proposed a pre and après Christmas party, tongue in cheek, but he did feel that we ought to support the Golf club by celebrating the festive occasion in the clubhouse.

The Geezer asked that the group give serious thought to having a Texas Scramble at a future Monday fixture.

The Laird revealed that the Gosforth Bowling Club were thankful for the MOHGS donation after the recent outing.

Brains has booked two tees for next Monday at 8.40 and 8.48.

There was no other business so the meeting closed at 1.40.

BURT E. KWOK( Hon. Sec.)

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

APOLOGIES: D.F, P.B, P.F, T.M, H.C, A.B-W.

RESULTS: There was one 2 posted  by C.M. DoD with 28 points was Shagpile & DDoD with 30 points was the Straggler. Biggles was the runner up with 36 points. The winner with a creditable 38 points was the ever popular Soapy.

GEEZERS CARDS: A.L(80p), R.Y(40p), J.G(40p), C.M(60p), G.A(20p), F.B(20p), —-£2.80.

SWEAR BOX: Total of £2.20

The Rabbi took charge of the Geezer’s Cards & Swear Box funds totalling £5.00

TOASTS: To the G.B. Tennis team led by Andy Murray for their defeat of Oz. And reaching the final of the Davis Cup.

To Soapy and The Straggler for their succeses in the last Seniors Competition

To Jocks for the organisation of the match etc. at the excellent away day at Beamish Park G.C.

LAST WEEK’S MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED.

MATTERS ARISING: The Straggler reported that he had received criticism from certain parties on the fact that he had represented the Dirty Dozen at Beamish and that if he had played for the Mohgs and Jocks had played for the Dirty Dozen the result would have been 3-3. This of course has no scientific basis as there is no way of knowing what the results of different individual matches would have been with the revised pairings chosen by the captain. The D.D. were one short and as the Straggler was an ex member of BPGC and Jocks had stated in the past that in these matches he would play for the “away” team when possible the Straggler agreed to play for the D.D. who were one man short in the interests of friendship and comraderie. The situation was further complicated when Desmond [N.B.] dropped out after the pairings had been finalised but this was overcome by the inclusion of the 2nd reserve Shagpile with slight adjustment to the pairings in order to allow him to share a buggy with Soapy.  J.G., G.W., and M.M. departed about this time if not before.

A.O.B. : The Rabbi and Jocks had played the final of the Chairman’s Quaich which was won by Jocks 5&4 who was presented with the said Quaich which he humbly accepted and was asked to immediatelty return it to Crocs for engraving the allegedly solid silver trophy.

TEE TIMES NEXT WEEK: Tee booked next Monday @ not known.

Meeting closed about 13.15 pm

Jock St Rappe

Temp. Sec.

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

APOLOGIES: B.H, D.F, A.L, K.S, P.B.

RESULTS: There was 1 x 2 by T.M. DoD with 23 points was Shotgun. DDoD with 24 points was Shagpile. Crocs was the runner up with 35 points. The winner with a remarkable 37 points off the white tees was the resourceful Rabbi.

GEEZERS CARDS: P.L(20p), B.Y(60p), P.F(20p), G.W(20p), J.G(40p), C.M(20p), H.C(20p), J.P(20p), F.B(20p), M.M(20p), A.B-W(80p).—-£3.40.

THERE WAS NOTHING DEEMED WORTHY OF TOASTING.

The swears total was £2.40.

LAST WEEKS MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED.

MATTERS ARISING: Delboy was spitting pips about the fact that he was reported as being behind with his payment for the Southport trip. He allegedly contacted Soapy for his bank details in order to transfer the cash into the Old Codgers account but received no reply and is indeed still waiting for a reply. The other Beaton brother, the Chair, is under the impression that Soapy owes him and that in recompense, Soapy will be paying for his accommodation.

AOB: H.C was unhappy with the fact that no one seems to have a scorecard on Mondays and they are becoming too reliant on the Chair to provide the cards. The Chair shrugged his huge shoulders and reassured Harry that it was no big deal and that he was more than happy to provide this little service for the boys.

BEAMISH: The Chair appealed for everyone to attend promptly next week. He suggested an arrival time of 9-9.30, in order to leave plenty of time for coffee and sandwiches.

There was general consensus that there is not enough sand in the bunkers. The Chair agreed but counselled that it was the responsibility of others to make appropriate arrangements.

The Falcon and Kwok apologised for their absences for the next couple of weeks.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 1.15.

BURT E. KWOK( Hon. Sec.)

PRESENT: FB ‘The Straggler’ (who did a prompt bunk after the first toast), PL ‘The Rabbi’ (who took the chair), DF ‘The Laird’, JG ‘Brains’, CM ‘Crocs’, KS ‘Soapy’, GW ‘El Matador’, GA ‘Windscale’, AL ‘Biggles’, BY ‘Prof’

TOASTS: To Soapy who won, down in East Anglia, for the honour of the MOHGS, one of the oldest trophies in golf, the Sib-Sud Cup, purchased for half a crown. This venerable trophy, used in annual matches which have been contested for 50 years, was tabled. ‘Sib’ has played in the past with the MOHGS, and he will be most welcome on his next visit, with a suggested nickname of ‘Meccano’.

To Mo Farah for winning everything in sight.

APOLOGIES: On this Bank Holiday the list of absentees was long – Jockstrap, Bert Kwok, The Cardinal, The Geezer, Shotgun, The Falcon, Shagpile, Paxo and Jethro.

MINUTES: Crocs requested amendments to last week’s minute, “One 2 was carded by lucky old Crocs who pocketed a whole heap of cash”. He was ruffled by the two adjectives preceding his name. This grave matter needs full debate when the Secretary is next present.

RESULTS: No 2’s were achieved, but The Laird, who was presenting the results, embarked on a lengthy aside describing how very close he came. He was cut short, since all present simply wanted to hear the facts of the day – for 2’s, £2 was carried forward.

Duffer of the Day was Windscale, with 28 points, earning +2 on his MOHGS handicap, and Deputy Duffer was The Straggler with 29 points, raising him by +1.

Runner Up with 34 points was the rampant Rabbi who gets reduced by 1.

There were no less than 4 winners, all with 36 points. Hence this was the day of the big chopper, and those who are now 2 points shorter are the brilliant Biggles, the mighty Matador, the peerless Prof and slippery Soapy.

The split of Prize Money, ‘£7 for first, and £3 for second’, was about to call for advanced arithmetic, when the acting Chairman stepped in and cut the Gordian Knot with supreme generosity. He had already pocketed the runner up’s money, but handed back £1 (with perhaps a little reluctance), so that all 5 winners received £2. The meeting felt that this rare voluntary gesture should be recorded for posterity.

Other scores, to complete the Comp Secretary’s records, were Crocs 30, Brains 31 and The Laird 32.

SWEAR BOX: The funds were enriched by £1-80, including an on the spot addition from The Laird, complaining in fruity language that he had been addressing his ball when the President shouted across the 9th fairway to the Chairman that wee noggins had been left by the 10th tee.

GEEZER’S CARDS: In total £3 was tabled: from Biggles 80p, Rabbi 20p, Prof 40p, Windscale 60p, Crocs 80p, and Soapy 20p.

THE FUNDS: In view of his magnificent magnanimity, it seemed fitting that The Rabbi should pocket all the revenues detailed above, for safe keeping.

CHRISTMAS PARTY: The Acting Chairman ruled that today there should be no discussion of this weighty matter.

DIRTY DOZEN: The Captain of this forthcoming match, Brains, reported that he had one withdrawal, Noel Beaton, but he hoped to fill the hole with Shagpile, who would  be consulted on Wednesday.

PRESIDENTIAL PERAMBULATION TO SOUTHPORT: In answer to the Acting Chair, Soapy confirmed that all was tied up, and was then asked if everyone had paid. This is largely so, with two brothers now being the leading debtors.

TEE TIMES: Times for next Monday have been booked as usual.

APOLOGIES FOR NEXT WEEK: Biggles will be missed; The Laird and Soapy are playing in the Seniors’ match at Matfen, and The Rabbi is first reserve for this.

FINISH: The Acting  Chair closed the proceedings with impressive efficiency at the notable time of 12-58.

Soapy the Scribe

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

RESULTS: One 2 was carded by lucky old Crocs who pocketed a whole heap of cash. DoD was a rather forlorn Kwok with a measly 25 points. The Geezer was close on his heels as DDoD with 26 points. There were 3 runners up in the form of Prof, Soapy and Crocs all with 35 points. The winner was the affable Shagpile with 36 points. There was much discussion as to whether or not, the Chair should be totally or only partially humiliated after the Comp. Sec. revealed that he had played off the wrong h/cap. The Chair threatened to fire the Comp. Sec., who in turn decided to resign before he was pushed. The President attempted to appease the situation but only managed to pour oil on troubled waters. An atmosphere of uncertainty and acrimony hung heavy in the air. Has the Chair lost all credibility? Is the Comp. Sec. still with portfolio? The meeting progressed and the Chair continued manfully to steer the ship through choppy waters but had been holed below the waterline and struggled to hold his course.

GEEZER’S CARDS: F.B(20p), K.S(60p), A.B-W(60p), E.E(60p), P.L(20p), J.G(20p), C.M(20p), P.B(60p), P.F(40p), B.Y(20p), M.M(40p)——£4.20.

TOASTS: To the Geezer who won the Seniors Comp. 2 weeks ago.

To the Prof and Laird who won last week’s Seniors.

To Jessica Ennis Hill and Mo Farah for winning gold medals at the World Championships.

LAST WEEK’S MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED.

MATTER’S ARISING: There was confusion as to the monicker of Geoff Ainsley. The President admitted that as the only octogenarian, he was entitled to senior moments and he may have had a part to play in the uncertainty over Geoff’s nickname. He then revealed that the Chair was responsible for non de plume ” Windscale,” which in his opinion was a master stroke of lateral thinking by the Chair.

BOWLING: The Laird declared that arrangements were well in hand for the Bowling day in Gosforth on Thursday of this week. There are 8 interested parties who should attend at 10.45 for an 11 o’ clock kick off. Flat shoes should be worn. Access to the Green can be gained by the road to the Newcastle side of the Loch Fyne. The Chair described the Bowling Green in glowing terms as the Lairds little haven. Someone else added, “Without the caravans.”

MOHGS v DD: The Comp. Sec. announced that the DD cannot raise a dozen, whereas the MOHGS can muster more than a baker’s dozen. Therefore the Chair has agreed rather gallantly to represent the opposition on this occasion in order to keep both teams equal. The colour drained from Brain’s cheeks upon hearing this news, since he has been struggling with the formation and pairings of his team for the past two weeks. He rather belligerently accepted that his plans were in disarray and it was back to the drawing board in order to adjust his pairings due to the Chairs deflection to the opposition camp.

HUNLEY HALL: The Comp.Sec., rather chivalrously, took it upon himself to enquire about the availability of HUNLEY for the dates of 20 and 21 Sept. He was perturbed to discover that the venue is fully booked for those dates. The Chair insisted that the Soc. Sec. would therefore be obliged to look at other dates which might be more suitable. The Comp. Sec. replied in no uncertain terms that in his opinion, the Soc. Sec. had more than enough on his plate, running the Seniors and should not be expected to take on more work. Kwok ventured rather nervously that the Chair himself might like to make a few enquiries. The Chair replied with a barrage of expletives. The Chair pulled himself together and delegated the job to the Comp. Sec. The Comp. Sec. declined categorically to be the patsy and unequivocally announced that he was not for turning. It looks as though HUNLEY is off.

AOB: Jock St. Rappe attended today’s meeting, looking resplendent in knee length breeches. The Geezer suggested a whip round for some fake tan, to give his legs a glow.

It was suggested that in future, if there are large numbers attending on a Monday and if the number is divisible by 4, it may be prudent to play Texas Scramble.

There was a proposal that if a member took two shots to escape a bunker and was in receipt of a Geezer card, he should pay twice. The proposal was rejected unanimously.

CHRISTMAS PARTY: The Chair has sampled the delights of the Wetherspoons menu and proposed the venue as worthy of consideration for the Christmas bash. Failing this he was in favour of returning to the culinary delights of the shared table, however this would not be possible under the clubs present catering arrangements.

RECRUITMENT: Soapy admitted that he is not actively recruiting at the moment but he was pleased to welcome his latest cohort to the group. The Comp. Sec. reminded the assembled throng that the philosophy of the society was built on the premise that a warm welcome would be extended to all who wished to become involved and that we were an open house, not a closed door.

Jethro will be absent for the next 4 weeks. It was good to see him back today after a long period of convalescence.

Tee times next week—– 8.40, 48, 56, 04.

BURT(Hon. Sec.)

PRESENT: F.B. P.B. D.F. J.G. R.H. P.L. C.M. E.E. A.B-W. M.M. J.P.

APOLOGIES: P.F.  G.W. H.C. T.M. A.L. B.Y. Note : K.S. Played but left before the meeting.

RESULTS: No 2s posted therefore the proceeds were handed over to the Cardinal for safe keeping. Duffers of the Day were Team Crocs\Shagpile [C.M.\ M.M.] with  a miserly 34 points. Their handicaps will be increased by 1 to 12 & 15 respectively. In joint 2nd place with 38 points were Teams Jocks \ Rabbi [R.H. \ P.L.] The Cardinal \ The Laird [P.B. \ D.F.] & Paxo \ Shotgun [A.B-W. \ J.P. ] and the overall winners were Team Straggler \Brains [F.B \ J.G.]  with a respectable 40 points and will have their handicaps reduced by 1 to 9 & 29.

TOASTS: To “Paxo” on his 1st of and [we hope] many sorties with the Mohgs.

To Andy Murray  for his victory over Novak Djokovic.

The Tigers for their wily efforts in restricting the Wolves to a share of the points in their own back yard.

Australian Jason Day for his victory in the last “major” of the season – The US PGA.

LAST WEEKS MINUTES were accepted as a true record though the Straggler spluttered something about Geoff Ainsley’s nickname [Windscale] of which there was in fact no mention in the minutes.

MATTERS ARISING:

Bowling Day : The Laird confirmed that the bowling will commence at 11.00 a.m. on Thursday 27th August at the Gosforth Bowling Green. Of those present C.M.,D.F.,R.H. & F.B. confirmed their attendance. C.M. will contact V.P. &  others not at the meeting would of course be welcome and should let the Laird know of their intentions. Flat shoes or pumps will be required and is expected that we will partake in refreshments in the local hostelries following the sport.

Hunley Hall : Rabbi, Brains, Crocs, Jocks, the Laird and the Straggler wished to be included. Others who wish to be included should confirm forthwith to the Straggler who, possibly with the help of the Cardinal is arranging this event. The proposed dates are Sun. 20th – Mon. 21st September. Note : interest has been shown by Bluewatch.

GEEZER’S CARDS: JB/DF (60p), JP/AB-W (60p).CM/MM(60p), KS/EE (40p), FB/JG (40p) PL/RH (20p) Total – £2.80.

TEE TIMES NEXT WEEK: Tee booked next Monday @ 8.40,8.48,8.56 & 9.04 am.

Meeting closed about 13.45 pm.

Jock St Rappe

Acting Hon. Sec.

P.S. If anyone has Jim Paxton’s e mail please forward this to him.

PRESENT: A.B-W, C.M, G.W (left early), B.Y (left early), J.G, P.F, F.B, K.S, A.L, P.L, B.H, H.C, T.M, E.E (present for meeting but didn’t play).

APOLOGIES: The Laird and the Cardinal. The Cardinal will be playing later in the day with his chums.

RESULTS: B.Kwok was the DoD with a miserable 24 points. The DDoD with 26 points was Biggles. There were three runners up all with 37 points, the Falcon, Brains and the Prof. The winner and champine of the day was the ever popular Geezer with a magnificent score of 38 points.

TOASTS: To the Cardinal who was the winner of the Les Wigham Trophy last week.

To Mark Wood from Ashington who scooped the final wicket in the Ashes Test Series.

To the whole Ashes team who beat the crap out of the Aussies. In particular to Stokes, Root, Broad and Cook.

To Shane Lowry who won the Bridgestone Invitation.

To the British Swimming team who won a whole heap of medals.

To Jethro who is fit and healthy and ready to step back into the cauldron of competitive golf next week.

LAST WEEKS MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED AS A TRUE RECORD. SOAPY WAS THANKED FOR STANDING IN FOR THE ABSENT KWOK AND CONTINUING THE TREND OF NOBLE REPORTING.

MATTERS ARISING:

The Southport jaunt now has 9 committed competitors. Soapy referred to his recent well thought out encyclical for details of cost, sleeping arrangements and tee off times. He admitted that there is still work to be done but is confident that, barring untoward and unforeseen obstacles, the event will be memorable and continue the long line of expeditions which continue to enrich MOHG folklore.

The Strap presented the erstwhile captain, Brains, with a list of MOHGS who will do battle in the DD game on 14 Sept. Brains was faced with the challenge of pairing the MOHGS for the contest. Brains puffed out his chest in a show of bravado and then furrowed his brow as he took in the enormity of the task and the weight of expectation which had been placed on his shoulders.

The Laird was absent therefore no progress on the bowling day.

The Chair intimated that he found himself suffering from Hunley Hall withdrawal symptoms and that his need would only be satiated when a date could be decided for a visit. It was therefore proposed that 21 September would be the obvious choice and all competitors should signify their intentions next week.

GEEZER’S CARDS: K.S(40p), H.C(20p), C.M(40p), J.G(20p), G.W(20p), B.Y(20p), P.L(60p), B.H(20p), P.F(20p), A.L(40p).———£3.00.

TEE TIMES NEXT WEEK: AN important announcement by the Rabbi, revealed that due to a ladies match, the tee times next week will be—-8.32, 8.40, 8.48 and 8.56. He urged all participants to be punctual.

The Geezer and Kwok apologised for their absences next week.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 1.40pm.

Bur T Kwok( Hon Sec.)

Present: The Chairman FB (the Straggler), NB (Desmond), A B-W (Shotgun), DF (the Laird), JG (Brains), BH (Jockstrap), PL (the Rabbi), MM (Shagpile), TM (the Geezer), CM (the Crocodile), KS (Soapy), GW (El Matador), BY (the Prof)

Results: All the above named competed for the MOHGS Annual Championship 2015, over the white course, aptly described by the Chairman as our Blue Riband Event, and there were times that the wind did indeed echo a sailing contest. The winner was Crocs, on count back from the Laird (2nd), both achieving 33 points.

Duffers of the Day were Desmond and Shotgun with 25 points, and Deputy Duffers with 26 points were Brains, Jockstrap, and Soapy. The handicaps of all 7 above named members will be adjusted accordingly. There were no 2’s on the day.

The Trophy was presented to Crocs by Brains, who made an eloquent and moving speech – he was sad to relinquish it, but his triumph in 2014 is permanently engraved for posterity.

Absentees: the few who could not attend were not formally named, but all were missed.

Toasts: to Jockstrap for the splendid organisation of our recent match against Beamish Dirty Dozen; to the Morpeth green staff for the condition of the course and especially the greens; to our Chairman for his very close result in the Scratch Competition against Michael Brown (ex County player); to the England Cricket team for their roaring come back in the 3rd Test; to Crocs for being our Champion Golfer of 2015; to the Geezer for his generosity in sharing his courtesy golf openings with MOHGS.

Minutes: taken as read, and readily accepted.

Finance: The Rabbi assumed responsibility for the funds. He had brought £4.50, and the day’s proceedings added £7.30 from swears and cards, with a further £2.60 in the two’s.

Beamish Away on 14th September: we needed a Captain for MOHGS in this match, and Brains was unanimously elected. Jocks then clarified attendees and their various requirements. He has the whole organisation at his fingertips, as always. It seems that he now has the full complement.

Bowls Day: The Laird has provisionally arranged two dates, Tuesday 25th August or Thursday 27th August. WOULD ALL INTIMATE TO HIM THAT THEY WISH TO ATTEND, AND THEIR PREFERRED DATE?

Formby & Southport: This outing is on October 4th and 5th. At present, booking is made for 9 golfers, and this could be increased up to 12. Changes in numbers can be made up to 21st August, and I am away w/c 17th. My current list is 7 definites – FB, JB (John Beaton ‘Del Boy’), JG, BH, PL, CM, KS,  and 2 possibles DF and TM, with interest from MM and A B-W, and perhaps other Morpeth golfers?  CAN ALL CONFIRM THEIR OK? We arrive at Formby Hall for 3 tee times from 2-12 pm. We stay there overnight with dinner, bed and breakfast. This whole package is £109 (5 are booked at £89). CM has a single room which is +£35. On the Monday we are guests of Noel McQueen (Barney Rubble) and his mates at Southport and Ainsdale, for a match from approximately 10 am. Playing with members will cost us £20-25, a lot less than the usual high green fees for this championship course.

Tee Times: In view of current numbers, an extra tee time will be booked in future. PL needs additional entry codes and passwords, and several members obliged.

Christmas Party: a member wished to discuss this, but the Chairman wisely and firmly ruled that it is for later discussion.

Any Other Business: Shagpile announced that he knows where to get special deals on a good night out. This turns out to be Wansbeck Rotary’s 25th anniversary at the Holiday Inn on 30th Oct, with referee Mark Clattenberg as speaker.

Quitting Time: the Chairman closed the meeting at 14-16 hours, surely a record late finish.

Soapy the scribe.

Today was the long awaited battle between the MOHGS and the Dirty Dozen from Beamish golf club. The draw had been made and the battle commenced at 10.48 after coffee and bacon sarnies in the clubhouse. There was a full compliment of MOHGS plus a reserve, Shagpile, who in the event was not required but whose attendance was noted by the Comp. Sec. and mentioned in dispatches following the game.

RESULTS: Mr. B.H, who had assiduously organised the event, delivered the results with aplomb. He thanked everyone for their attendance and remarked upon the camaraderie and spirit of friendship and sportsmanship which had been on display. The result was an overwhelming win for the MOHGS by a score of 5.5 to 0.5. The stableford winners with a massive 45 points were Crocs and Brains. In second place were the Geezer and Kwok with an equally impressive 43 points. Dave Greener and Jack Parker were a close third with 42 points. All the winners were presented with a golf ball to commemorate the occasion. The Comp. Sec. retained a ball which will be presented to the noble sub, Shagpile, at the next MOHGS get together.

It was suggested that there should be a return match at Beamish, which was greeted with enthusiastic applause by both teams.

Ian Hodgson, on behalf of the DD, thanked Mr. B.H for organising the competition, a sentiment that was endorsed with loud cheers by both groups of competitors.

Kwoks will be absent for the next three weeks.

BURT ( Hon. Sec.)

PRESENT: A.B-W, J.G, P.F, B.H, K.S.

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

The forecast for inclement weather plus a senior’s team competition may have had a detrimental effect on the poor turnout, but in the event the rain eased and the few members who did attend, enjoyed a festival of golf. One new member was included in the competition, by the name of Alan Beaumont-Wigham, who was introduced to the group by the ever amiable President, Soapy.

RESULTS: Kwoks and Jocks jousted in the Chairman’s Quaich and the winner, who played out of his skin even though he was pushed to the limits, was the resourceful Jockster, who won the game by 3 and 2. He will now face the Rabi in the final. It must be noted that Kwok holed a chip of at least 100 yards on the fifth but this effort did not dislodge the steely resolve of the ultimate victor.

There were no 2’s posted therefore £1 will carry over to the next game. The DoD was Brains with a paltry 23 points. DDoD was Soapy with 30 points. Kwok was runner up on 33 points. The winner on a massive 38 points was the ever popular Jockster.

£1.20 was collected in swears. £1 of this was donated by Soapy, who did not actually swear, but who had some very dark thoughts. The money was collected for future distribution by Brains. The Geezer’s cards were not used at today’s event.

TOASTS: To the England cricket team for their victory over the Aussies.

To the winner of the Scottish Open, Rickie Kwok.

To Michael Fish for today’s weather forecast which was spot on.

LAST WEEKS MINUTES WERE ACCEPTED AS A TRUE RECORD.

BUSINESS: Shagpile attended for a short period before the meeting and confirmed that he will be available for the DD encounter next week. However he is aware that he may only be a first reserve in the event that all the MOHGS attend. The competitors should arrive for bacon sarnies at 10 am. The first tee is booked for 10.48. The runners and riders, rules, regulations, costs and instructions are all expertly detailed in the appendix, compiled by Jock, accompanying the minutes. The Geezer’s cards will be operational apart from the 6 shots or more card.

AOB: No new info on the Bowls Day.

Huntley Hall remains to be bottomed out for an away day.

Soapy’s trip to Formby Hall, Southport and Ainsdale has been booked for 9. So far, 7 people have signified an interest but he is confident that the spare places will be filled in time for the event to go ahead.

Today’s meeting was ably chaired by Jocks in the absence of the Straggler. He was thanked for his stalwart efforts by the President.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 1.30.

BURT ( Hon. Sec.)