My sincere thanks to Mick Sugden for joining the committee and fulfilling the role of Club Secretary.
As at 30 September 2011 we have the following membership
Full Members 150
Associate Members 17
Honorary Members 7
Honorary Life 1
Sponsor Members 7
Non playing 7
Waiting list 5
During the year I had the pleasure of presenting numerous tie and badge awards of which the following awards were significant.
45 year tie - John Winton
40 year tie - Dick Skinner
35 year tie - John Cole
30 year ties - Manie Snyman, Keith Gillespie, Dave Martin, Lester
Schoeman and Alan Hillary
450 game badge - Mick Sugden
400 game badge - John Cole
350 game badges - Manie Snyman and Keith Gillespie
I have also inducted 5 new members to the club of which 3 are full members and 2 are sponsor members.
Attracting new suitable candidates to the club has to be the priority of not only the Committee, but all our members as well to ensure the survival of our club as we enter our 50th year in existence.
FINANCES
They always say that if you want a good job done then give it to a busy man. That man has been Kevin Phillips and he has handled our finances in an exceptional manner. Thank you Kevin for the way that you have professionally handled this portfolio.
The club is about to undergo a change in auditor, and my sincere thanks go to Charles Reid and Moore Stephens for having handled our audit for the past couple of years. Our newest inducted member, Nevin Davidson will be our auditor for 2012 and we thank him for accepting the appointment.
MONTHLY GAMES
We continue to field close to 128 players at our monthly games, and the balance of playing the so called “budget course” (5) versus the “premium courses” (7) helps us to achieve a close to breakeven situation on the game fee charged.
We are also fortunate to have the continuing support of our “dream team” of Helen Parker and Jenny Sumner doing the starting in the caravan, and Barbara Chelin doing the scoring afterwards, helped by James Dixon and Alan Lukan when required. We can’t thank you all enough for your efforts.
Thanks also go to our stalwart starters John Van Eck, Roy Language and Chris Coe that keep our fields on time.
Attendance at prize giving has been a concern of mine and the committee as this is discourteous both to our playing four – ball as well as our sponsors, especially where the absent player has won prizes. Brian Morris has done a marvelous job of starting our prize giving at 06:00pm sharp and I ask all playing members on the day to support the club.
During the year we were fortunate to share the following milestones at these clubs played;
- Maritzburg Golf Club 125 years
- Umlali Country Club 50 years
ANDREW MENTIS
Brian Morris, our Vice Captain and his Andrew Mentis Committee have done an admirable job to raise the target of R152 000, despite the tough economic times and a curve ball thrown in from the weather gods! The night racing event was rained out, however the dinner still went ahead and was enjoyed by those that attended. The AM golf day at Royal Durban GC was well attended and congratulations to Brian and his team on a well run event which was held on a glorious sunny Durban day.
Brian’s nominated beneficiaries are:
Howick Hospice
Fulton School for the deaf
Micah 6
Orphan Aid
SPONSORSHIP AND ADVERTISING
Brian Findlay has maintained this portfolio well over the past year and has managed to keep our sponsors committed to the cause. Natal is fortunate to have a total of twelve local sponsors which has helped to boost our prize table as well as keeping the cost of our prizes down.
On the media front we have been given coverage in the Club Golfer every month which has given great exposure both to the Club and our national sponsors. The Club Golfer is a monthly KZN amateur golf publication. Thanks to Alan Lukan for securing this and fulfilling a vital PRO roll for the club.
Our Electronic Bell sheet continues to be a success with over 500 hits a month regularly recorded. Thank you Mike Mckenna for professionally handling this portfolio.
GOLFORAMA
John Cole continues to run this portfolio well, and Natal’s only event, the Sun Coast Classic held at Durban Country Club from 20 – 22 October 2011 was a success. Natal will also have two representatives in Keith Forde and Mike Jordan to do Golforama duty at the Million Dollar tournament at Sun City in December 2011.
FURTHERANCE OF GOLF AND JUNIOR GOLF
Our commitment to Junior Golf in the province remains strong, with us having five named Nomads junior tournaments with the prizes being sponsored by Natal Nomads, and we also sponsor the clothing for the U18 Natal interprovincial team, as well as various Regional and National tournaments. For the junior girls we are sponsoring a junior girls 54 hole championship tournament to be held at Selbourne Golf Club in December 2011.
Natal Nomads also gave money to Cato Ridge Golf Club for improvements to the course, and Umhlali Country Club received a new lectern commemorating their 50th Anniversary with the Nomads plaque.
Thanks to Alan Lukan for his dedication and involvement in Junior Golf.
AWAY TOURS / NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS
There was only one anniversary this year being Lowveld’s 15th anniversary and Natal had 5 representatives present. We also almost achieved our full allocation at the SA Nationals held at Boland but both the Zimbabwe and Botswana Nationals were poorly attended by Natal. I would like to thank Allan Hillary and Trevor Larkan for their role as coordinators for these tours.
On the local front, Natal was able to retain the trophy for the annual Langham Edward Cup (Natal vs. Gauteng) as well as the Drakensburg Gardens Hotel Cup between Southern Natal, Natal and Gauteng. Natal also competed in the Rudy Hollenbach Composite league involving Athlone GC and Royal Durban GC and won that trophy too. I would like to encourage all new members to get involved and to play in these events which are both fun, and enable you to meet Nomads from other clubs.
I would like to make special mention of Melville Muir and Willie Stokes that won the regional Old Mutual International Pairs, and who went on to compete in the International Finals held at the Carrick Loch Lomond course, and who finished a very creditable third behind Ireland and Chile. Well done guys, you have done your club proud.
PRIZES
Melville Muir has done fantastic job in this portfolio and has ensured both that he has remained well within budget as well as maintaining the high quality of our prize table. He was highly commended in our National Chairman visit at Zimbali as having possibly the best prize table set up amongst all clubs.
EQUIPMENT
Cliff Cartmel joined the committee and took over this portfolio from Trevor Larkan. Well done Cliffie for keeping us well stocked and looking smart in our playing and club kit.
IN CLOSING
My year can only be regarded as a success with the help and support of my committee and I thank each and every one of them for what they have done for both me and their commitment to the club and its members.
To the 2012 Captain, Brian Morris and his committee, I wish you all the best and am happy that the club will be in very good hands. Savour and enjoy your year as the time passes all too quickly.
Thank you
Richard Agar
Captain Natal Nomads 2011
