Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 16th May at 1.00pm at Beadlow Manor Golf Club can be found below.

Next Meeting Dates:

AGM	NEXT BLCGA MEETING	NEXT BLCGA JUNIOR MEETING
Monday 5th November 2012 at Bedford & County Golf Club	Monday 5th March at 2:00pm at Mount Pleasant	March (tba)

PLEASE NOTE - THE NEXT COUNTY MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 2PM, NOT 1PM

Minutes from Previous Meetings:

Previous AGMs	Previous Meetings	Junior Meetings
Monday 7th November 2011 Minutes will be published after 2012 AGM	Monday 16th January 2012 at The Bedford	Wednesday 10th October at Bedfordshire
Monday 1st November 2010 at John O'Gaunt	Monday 5th September 2011 at Leighton Buzzard	Wednesday 25th August at Leighton Buzzard
Monday 2nd November 2009 at Leighton Buzzard	Monday 4th July 2011 at Beadlow Manor	Tuesday 20th April 2010 at c/o Sharon Allen
Monday 3rd November 2008 at Bedfordshire Golf Club	Monday 16th May 2011 at The Bedfordshire	Tuesday 20th April 2010 at c/o Sharon Allen
	Monday 14th March 2011 at Pavenham Park	Tuesday 10th March 2010 at Bedfordshire
	Monday 10th January 2011 at South Beds
	Monday 6th September 2010 at Aylesbury Vale	Regional CJO Meeting 12th April 2010 at Newmarket
	Monday 10th May 2010 at Caddington
	Monday 8th March 2010 at Bedford and County

BEDFORDSHIRE LADIES COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION
www.blcga.co.uk
www.bedsgolfpartnership.com

MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE MEETING
held on
Monday 16 January 2012 at 2pm

THE BEDFORD GOLF CLUB

The County Captain welcomed everyone and thanked The Bedford Golf Club for hosting the meeting.

David Sweetnam made a presentation on behalf of Bedfordshire Schools Golf Association. His notes were previously circulated to all attendees. Shelagh Cormack, County Captain, thanked David for his presentation.

THOSE PRESENT
Margaret Watchorn (President & B&C), Shelagh Cormack (Captain & B&C), Cess Holden (Vice Captain & JOG), Paula Foot (Secretary & B&C), Margot Norris (Seniors Captain & AG&WS), Maureen Dawson (County Junior Organiser & BGC), Jacky Levinson (Hon Treasurer, Caddington), Heddwen Molloy (Handicap Adviser), Joan Cocksedge (JOG), Claudine Tate (Competition Sec & DD), Kathy Harris (Beadlow), June Barton (Tilsworth), Carolyn Taylor (MP), Mary Peilow (MP), Linda Weedon (Caddington), Chris Pike (AG&WS), Pat Parrot (SB), Alison Haywood (DD), Suzanne Kearns (The Bedford), Sheila Fairey (Bedfordshire) Liz Gagshaw (Golf Partnership) Paula Cox (LB) Gwen Walpole (PP)

1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Gill Smith, Anne Harris, Joss Faris, Elaine James, Lorna Jerome, Eleanor McKirdy, Brenda Lee, Cally King, Jackie Martin

2 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING ( 5 September 2011)

The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as a true record of the meeting and the County Captain signed them - proposed by Kathy Harris and seconded by Linda Weedon.

3 MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising.
4 CORRESPONDENCE
There had been one letter from the EWGA confirming that the application of Bedfordshire Ladies' County Golf Association for membership of The English Golf Union was approved by the Board at its meeting on 4 January 2012.

5 EAST REGION DELEGATE'S REPORT (Joss Faris) - Joss had sent her apologies and there was no report. The next regional meeting will take place on 20 February, so Joss will report to the next meeting in March.

6 TREASURER'S REPORT (Jacky Levinson)

It's been quite quiet on the financial front for the last couple of months. However, now we're in January the annual subscriptions are due to be paid by 31st of this month. So far, I have received cheques from 6 Clubs, namely Aspley Guise and Woburn Sands, Aylesbury Vale, Chalgrave Manor, Colmworth, Colworth and Leighton Buzzard so there are still sixteen payments to come. Can I therefore ask the delegates from these 16 clubs to please remind whoever holds the cheque book that the BLCGA subscriptions are now due.

We have received a cheque for £279.17 which was our share of the residual balance following the dissolution of the East Anglian Championships.

I have received a number of requests and payments for the 2012 County Cards and, as soon as these are received from the printer, I will send them out. The 2011 County Cards remain valid until the end of March.

7 COUNTY CAPTAIN'S REPORT (Shelagh Cormack)

Informed the delegates what the 1st, 2nd and Juniors (if involved) what training we are doing over the next couple of months:

Fitness Training with Laura Collin still be arranged

Psychology - how to deal with issues as they arise on the course and to stay in the moment during matches - first session 18th February at JOG

Chipping - in the process of arranging chipping session but must have a competitive element to make them worthwhile

Driving Range - Meeting on a Wednesday evening at Beadlow Manor at 7pm to hit some balls and have a coffee afterwards mainly to get to know each other and develop team spirit. Anyone come along they will be more than welcome.

8 VICE CAPTAIN'S REPORT (Cess Holden)

Arrangements for all 2nd team matches have now been finalised. They will be playing in finals day and also they will be playing the juniors this year for the first time.

9 COMPETITION SECRETARY'S REPORT (Claudine Tate)

I have so far received only 23 entry forms for the 2012 County Knockout Foursomes. I'd be grateful if you could remind your ladies that the closing date is 19 February - the Preliminary Round to be played by the later date of 9 April.

We have received last year's surveys back and are currently compiling the results.

The first event in our calendar will be the 2nd Division Spring Meeting - this year to be held at Aspley Guise on Wednesday 18 April. The committee had a discussion before this meeting and decided that this competition will again be 18 hole medal.

10 HANDICAP ADVISER'S REPORT (Heddwen Molloy)

The CONGU Unified Handicapping System is updated every 4 years in line with the R&A Rules of Golf and to ensure that all Bedfordshire ladies' handicap secretaries are fully aware of the changes, we are scheduled to hold meetings on Friday 20 January at South Beds and Saturday 28 January at Bedford & County, to explain these changes in detail.

We have had a good response regarding attendance but a few clubs have not as yet replied. I would strongly recommend that handicap secretaries attend either one of these meetings. I have also included a few extra items of interest.

W.e.f. 1 January 2012, the CSS will be calculated using the percentage of categories 1, 2, 3 and 4 players who return scores of SSS+BF or better. The calculation previously used SSS+2. This will not make a significant difference where category 1 players are concerned but where a large percentage of the players are in category 4 (i.e. the average ladies field) it will mean that more players are included in the calculation and will help to reduce the incidence of Reduction Only competitions. RO competitions are self-perpetuating in that players do not go up and often remain under-handicapped.

It is now possible to have a Par 6 hole - for ladies this is more than 560 yds.

The CONGU year is 1 January - 31 December. (LGU year was different and there has been some confusion resulting)

Handicaps may now be allocated using Nine Hole scores. Three 18 hole scores were required to obtain a CONGU handicap but it is now acceptable to use a combination of scores to achieve the 54 holes required. Now returns for handicap may be 3 x 18 hole scores as previously, (2 x18 holes) + (2 x 9 holes), (1 x 18 holes) + (4 x 9 holes) or 6 x 9 holes. Obviously cannot count scores on individual holes. Clubs must have registered and received a 9 hole SSS for the course.

It is no longer acceptable for a club to require a player to achieve a certain standard before they will issue a CONGU handicap. Some clubs used this clause and others did not. Some men's sections did not implement this and some ladies did - often in the same club. So it was decided to delete the clause.

The computer software will now flag up "exceptional scores" i.e. nett differential of -4 or better (4 under handicap or better). The first score it will only flag up and take no action other than the usual reduction in handicap. The second exceptional score will trigger a calculation that suggests the player's handicap should be reduced by a further amount in addition to the usual one. This calculation is based on the number of returned scores between the two exceptional ones. Clubs should be aware that everyone is entitled to one good round and one good score does not suggest that a handicap is too high. Additional good scores within the playing season however, may require a handicap reduction so this should help committees when a player is reducing her handicap rapidly. (Juniors and players new to golf?)

There is ongoing discussion regarding the handicap allowance for 4BBB competitions. The general feeling is that the use of ¾ allowance may be too low and that 90% may be more appropriate. Simulations have been carried out but the findings were inconclusive so further research is to be carried out from actual 4BBB competitions before a decision is made. EWGA has requested that if any club has 4BBB records that can be used would they please contact EWGA and forward the information. The more information they have the better. Meantime, current allowances are mandatory and must still be used.

We continue to receive requests for Rules Evenings and are very pleased to be able to help.

Finally, clubs are reminded that although DMDs are now allowed in County competitions and also now in EWGA competitions, when playing in opens, etc. or when playing in other countries, players should always check whether or not the organisers of those particular competitions allow them. Clubs are recommended to draw the attention of their members to Appendix IV.5 in the new Rules of Golf Book (it is not in the old one) so that they are aware of exactly what is allowed and what is NOT allowed under any circumstances. The section spells out clearly the R & A position regarding distance measuring devices.

There was a request from the delegates as to when the County yellow books will be distributed - usually middle of January.

11 JUNIOR ORGANISER'S REPORT (Maureen Dawson)

This has obviously been a quiet time for the Junior girls. Yesterday, 15 January, we had a "get together" at Bedfordshire Golf Club for the girls and their parents. 14 girls attended and heard about our plans for the coming year, were introduced to Shelagh and Cec, and took part in a golf quiz, before enjoying cake and drinks.

This year the first team will not be playing in matches spread throughout the summer but will be taking part in a Junior County Week from 20-22 August. It will be played at S. Herts Golf Club and the girls will have the experience of staying together in an hotel.
We are also setting up again a comprehensive programme of training sessions, including for those girls beginning or just getting going with their golf.

Two years ago we asked all the clubs if they would consider making one of their competitions a "fund raiser" for the Junior girls. I am now asking if you would please do this again this year. We would, as before, have a small prize for the winner of this competition. Last time you raised for us approx £700 so PLEASE go back to your committees and ask them to consider us again.

12 SENIORS' CAPTAIN'S REPORT (M Norris)

Senior's membership is now due. I have had forms from six Clubs - Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands, Beds & County, The Bedfordshire, Beadlow Manor, Dunstable Downs and Leighton Buzzard. There may be some here awaiting me today. Could I please ask the Club reps to remind their Clubs to send the subs in as soon as possible? I have a copy of the form here or I can email a copy to any reps who needs one. Thank you.

I am very pleased to have received, on behalf of the Seniors, a card from the County Junior Organiser Maureen Dawson, thanking us for our contribution of £195 donated to the County Juniors. These funds were raised from the Seniors ball sweeps in 2011.

The Senior matches are all in place for this year with the first fixture against the County 2nds at Leighton Buzzard on 23rd April.

13 PAST CAPTAINS' CAPTAIN'S REPORT (Anne Harris) Anne had sent her apologies and there was no report - but she did ask that everybody be reminded to return their past captain's forms to her. These were given out at the AGM.

14 Any Other Business
14.1 Bedfordshire County Partnership - Liz Bagshaw

Liz welcomed this opportunity when there may be some new county representatives at the meeting to say a little about the Bedfordshire County Golf Partnership, its purpose and activities. The Steering group which runs the partnership consists of representatives from the Bedfordshire Ladies County Golf Association, The Bedfordshire County Golf Union and the Bedfordshire Professional Golf Association. There are also representatives from partner organisations such as Team Beds and Luton (the local County Sports partnership) the golf Foundation, schools representative and England Golf.

The purpose of the Partnership is to promote golf in Bedfordshire by encouraging increasing participation and providing opportunities to join and improve. It follows on therefore from all the work Dave Sweetman described earlier within Bedfordshire Schools such as Tri-Golf and Maureen has described in County Junior Golf, such as the County Academy coaching, so developing the talent we have in Bedfordshire. It's also about encouraging all sections especially young people and women to try, learn and hopefully take up the game of golf - so its about helping clubs to increase membership. The partnership draws down funding through England Golf to enable these projects and initiatives, so its important that you are all aware of the potential opportunities for help for your clubs both financial and through the dissemination of ideas and experience.

The partnership also has a key development function with clubs through ensuring that where there are funded projects within clubs they are meeting standards in child protection, health and safety and equality etc and therefore our Development Officer encourages and assists clubs to reach the Golf Mark and other standards.

Currently the partnership is looking to recruit 2 or more representatives for BLCGA to join Liz. Meetings of the Steering group take place quarterly and are not arduous! Your input however would be invaluable. Anyone interested can get more information via the web-site www.bedsgolfpartnership.com or chat to Liz, Margaret or Cess.

It was agreed that a report by The Bedfordshire County Partnership be a regular agenda item for future meetings and that Liz be added to the delegates group list for correspondence etc.

14.2 Yellow Books

Shelagh reported that she is looking to arrange a Captains' meeting again at The Bedfordshire Golf Club - possible 25 February - this date still to be confirmed by email asap.

14.3 The question was raised as to whether the £50 grant for clubs is still available - Jacky (Treasurer) answered that it is - one per club - and should be supported by evidence of what it is to be spent on.

14.4 Was there any more news since the merger? Shelagh said that the meeting scheduled for 20 February should throw more light on this matter.

14.5 The quilt made by Gill Smith, Vice President, and auctioned over last summer, was won by Christine McDermott of South Beds and made £316.10.

15 DATE & VENUE OF NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING

The next County meeting will be the AGM which will be held on Monday 5 March at 2pm at Mount Pleasant Golf Club.

Shelagh thanked The Bedford Golf Club for their hospitality and closed the meeting at 3.30pm.

Signed ___________________ Date _________________