Welcome to Wanstead Vets

Minutes of AGM held on Friday 16th December 2022 in the clubhouse 

1. Apologies for absence - David Rodwell, Martin Grimshaw
    
2. Minutes of the AGM held on Friday 17th December 2021 were unanimously approved and
    

there were no matters arising. 

3. Secretary’s report. 

As I stated in my report last year, some clubs dropped us last year due to dwindling numbers and also our inclusion inside the ULEZ zone. This meant that we only played 7 other clubs home and away. The upside of this was that we had a surfeit of players for most matches although this did of course mean that some members were asked to be reserve more than once. 

Our record was the best we have managed since I have been involved in the Vets with 9 wins, 2 halves and just three defeats, none of these of home soil from our 14 games. Peter Hamilton was the only member to make himself available for all matches whilst Joe Few, Gerry Caley and Andy Marsh had the most consistent records. We only had one debutant this year in Paul Mansfield. Paul Captained us in 6 matches, with Kofi leading in 5, Rousey, Andy and The Riddler one each. My thanks to these four who stood in for Paul in his absence. My thanks too to all those who not just partnered the captain but also collected the money. Most of all though my thanks goes to those 33 players who made themselves available and represented the club so effectively this year. Looking forward, I think that it is fair to say that Vets golf will continue to change. Despite approaching three potential new clubs in Muswell Hill, Highgate and Chigwell, none of these were able to offer us fixtures this year. However both Muswell Hill and Chigwell have said that they will keep us in mind if they have space on their schedule in future. 

At our peek we were playing some 26 matches a year. I felt, like many other members that this was too much organised golf especially after we had added our internal competitions. Given that many of our ‘regulars’ are available for fewer matches I think that the move to fewer matches is a positive move and I am now confident that we will continue to field full sides, something that I would not have been so sure of had we still had 26 fixtures. 

Unbelievably the web site now receives over 30,000 hits every year and is in its eighth year of use. Well done to all those that have embraced the technology and made my life so much easier. Thank you to all members for embracing the new technology. I appreciate not everyone has found it easy or straightforward. Please continue to check the website frequently, especially during the playing season as it is continually updated and where possible sign up to events early. 

The working party continues to do sterling work throughout the winter months. A huge vote of thanks to all vets who give up their Monday’s for the clubs benefit. 

Sadly I have to report that we lost more friends this year in Ron Townsend, Eric Weldon and Vi Fegan, Len Kerridge & Gary Beasley. 

Trophy winners for the past year were as follows:- 2022 

Doughty Putter
Roberts Quaich
King Shield
Presidents Cup
Pajwani Trophy
Mixed Greensomes “Tail-end-Charlie” Eclectic Alex Laing Greensomes Alex Wilkinson 

Bill Stirling Trophy
Effor Foursomes
Geoff Cole Memorial Cup Stan Suggate Trophy 

- Russ Dunlop - Andy Marsh - Mike King
- Joe Few 

- Joe Few
- Giles Brown & Julia O’Sullivan
- Gerry Caley
- Peter Hamilton & Noel Walsh
- Baldev Sehmbi
- John Yeo & Bambos Panayis
- Joe Few & Gareth Jones
- Andy Marsh, Gerry Caley, Peter Hamilton - Kofi Agbolegbe 

Vet of the Year - Peter Hamilton 

4. Treasurers Report 

Monies collected match catering costs with a small excess which pays for tips. Not sure we will have a surplus next year but section will pick up any shortfall. 72 members paid subs last year. Over 200 members are eligible to become vets. Derek asked for a list. Subs to remain at £10. Peter said we had enough money to pay for extra balls. Accounts were accepted unanimously. Ed Flack asked if it was not reasonable to increase subs given that costs were rising. Peter said that we had £1300 in the bank so he did not feel this was necessary. 

5. Social Secretary’s Report 

Two well attended quiz nights this year. We have 4 events planned for 2023. Two quiz nights and two candlelit suppers. Derek asked if the quiz nights had been diarised - Andy confirmed they had been. Andy offered to help members who were 80- to arrange a celebration. 

6. Captains Report 

Read by Kofi. Paul was very pleased to be asked to be Captain by Bob Skidmore but was sorry that he was not ever present. He thanked those people that stood in for him. He thanked those people who joined him for his away weekend. Paul thanked Ed for his work throughout the year. He also thanked Peter Hamilton and Andy Marsh. He thanked the green staff, kitchen staff and office for their work. He also thanked Derek for reminding him of his responsibilities. He wished everybody a happy Christmas and good times in 2023 and thanked members for their camaraderie. He wished Kofi all the best for next year. 

7. Incoming Captain. 

Kofi said what a privilege it was to serve the section as Captain and said that his vice Captain for the coming year would be Bob Rutter. He thanked Paul Siggins for appointing him as vice Captain for this year. 12th July will be Vets Captain’s Day and he would be looking to add a stable ford competition on 21st July to celebrate his 80th birthday followed by a party on 22nd to which he extended an invitation to all vets and partners. He would be running some Ghanaian evenings during the year. He would be trying to work closely with other captains to project the Vets section. He said his charities for this year would be Prostate Cancer Research and Akito Foundation Development - his old primary school in Ghana. Alan Walters reminded members that drive in day was for Kofi as well as the club captain. David Hamilton reminded members that tickets for Captain’s drive were available. Alan reminded members that Baldev would be Club Captain in 2024. 

8. Appointment of Officers 

All standing officers were unanimously re-elected. Andy Marsh made everybody aware that Stuart Phillips would be looking after the Vets clothing in 2023. Andy presented Terry McDowell with a new tie. 

9. Proposals 

Ed explained that David Riddle had donated two glass bowls engraved with the club crest via the Cancer Research shop. Ed proposed that these become a trophy for a new 4 ball better ball competition which would be a charity competition with half the proceeds going to cancer research and half going to the captains charity. Will be called Vets Charity Bowls. Proposed by Ed and seconded by Peter Hamilton. Gerry Caley and Alan Walters both offered £50 as a donation to 

Cancer Research and Peter Hamilton offered £100 paid by the section. Bob Skidmore donated £20. Carried unanimously by vote. 

Bill Stirling is currently an 18 hole competition but is rarely played over 18 holes as the field is often closed. The proposal was to make it a 14 hole competition. It went straight to vote and was carried with a 2⁄3 majority. It would be played over top 14 holes. Russ Dunlop and Baldev Sehmbi felt there may be a problem cutting in. Ed agreed that those coming in from the field would take precedent over the competition. Andy made the point that the proposal had already been carried. 

10. Any other business 

Peter Hamilton said that the rules had last been updated in 2017 and he had brought them up to date. Current prizes were 3, 2 and 1 ball per competition. Recently captains had been giving out 3, 2 and 1 sleeves. The Captain had discretion on prizes. Pete wanted a members vote on which of these they preferred. Kofi said that there were other options for prizes such as clothing. Ed explained that this would be much more costly and subs would have to increase. David Hamilton said that membership could vote on this via email. 

Ed thanked members for attending and closed the meeting at 3.35