It feels like I’ve just got to grips with the job and I have to give up the reigns already. I have enjoyed every moment of this trying year and have made some wonderful friends.

We have had a very busy year in the Natal Club in 2009.

2009 NATIONALS
Two long years of preparation culminated in the “The Grand Nationals 2009” which was ably co-ordinated by Jay v. Rensburg and his committee. The week was thoroughly enjoyed by all and the functions were well attended. To this we have to thank Royal Durban Golf Club, Greyville Racecourse and their management teams. Our sincere thanks to Glenn Sander who organized all the functions and catering and to each portfolio manager and their sub-committees who all did a sterling job. Special mention must be made of Alan Michell who acted as liaison between Royal Durban and the Nomads team and was also instrumental in making the event a huge success.

FINANCES
Our club remains strong financially and we have to thank Tony Graham for his efforts during his tenure as Treasurer. We have tried hard to spend our excess funds over the year and have purchased new 2 way radios, a laptop and are in the process of installing a Trophy Cabinet at our new “home” Beachwood Country Club.
We will all be under pressure financially as clubs battle to fill fields thereby charging more for green fees, prizes become more expensive and our sponsors pull in their reigns. We are for the first time in our history having to pay for Accounting and Audit Fees which is placing a strain on our finances.

ANDREW MENTIS
Alan Lukan has done a superb job in raising funds for our Andrew Mentis charities. We donated funds to SPCA, a jungle gym for Pathways for Mentally Challenged children and ablution facilities to a church which provides meals to unemployed people. These folk can now have the use of a shower once a day when they come to collect their food.
To all our members, thank you for supporting all our fundraising initiatives and for giving so generously.

AWAY TOURS
We only had the Southern Natal 25th Anniversary to attend this year which was an enjoyable weekend organized by our junior club.
Sadly our “400 Miler” was again cancelled this year, due to a very busy calendar and the future of this event needs to be looked at by the incoming committee.
Only Fred Worster was able to represent us at the Zimbabwe Nationals, and 7 Natal Nomads travelled to Botswana for the Zebra Sprint. This is always a worthwhile trip as it is short and sharp, not inflicting too much damage to the body.

JUNIOR GOLF
We have a very close relationship with Shelagh Digby of NGU who organizes all the Junior Events in KZN.
We assisted in starting the field each day during the U18 IPT week held at Royal Durban during December 2008.
This year we are supplying them with prizes for each of the Junior Tournaments and the young girls and boys really seem to enjoy these tournaments.
This year we are assisting the U18 team with clothing through one of our sponsors and sponsoring prizes for the Girls Championships in December.
We have been very active at presenting prizes at these golf events held during the School Holidays and we will no doubt see future stars rising from these ranks.

GOLFORAMA
We only had 2 events this year being at Prince’s Grant and Durban Country Club. Assisting at these events is not onerous and newer Nomads are encouraged to step up and assist for a few hours a day. John Cole runs these events very admirably with his faithful team of helpers.

MEMBERSHIP
Garth Enslin has again looked after our membership accurately despite having been put up against the egg-timer at meetings. Thank you Garth for your meticulous records and hopefully some new captain will purchase a new laptop for you one in the near future.

The membership stands as follows:

Full Members - 160
Honorary Members - 10
Honorary Life Members - 1
Associate Members - 15
Absentee Members - 1
Non-playing Members - 5
Sponsor Members - 9
Waiting List Members - 17

During the course of the year, I presented numerous tie and badge awards to my fellow Nomads, the standouts being the following:
40 year tie - Tommy Haddon (who sadly passed away)
35 year tie - Peter MacNaughton
30 year tie - Roy Hutton, Terry Young & John Crimes
25 year tie - Bruce Groves, Howie Munro, Mike Jordan, Geoff Henebrey, Graham Blackburn and Ralph Clarke

450 Game Badge - Roy Parker
350 Game Badge - Peter MacNaughton, Alan Gooderson & John Crimes
300 Game Badge - Roy Hutton

Sadly two of our stalwart members, in George Haddon and Tommy Haddon passed away during this year and these members both held Nomads in the hearts.
George Haddon has been doing our Bellsheet for close on 30 years and by the time we hold our AGM we should have all received our first “Electronic Bellsheet”.
Tommy Haddon was also a truly committed Nomad, even though he hasn’t played for years, still sponsoring Andrew Mentis in Zimbabwe despite having left there many years ago.

MONTHLY GAMES
We have attracted average fields of 130 this year despite a fair deal of travelling for which each of you should have by now received your “Voyager Miles.”
These games do not just happen and in this respect we have to thank Richard Agar for running the days, Jackie Chisholm, “Bones” Cochrane and his stand in, Roy Language for getting us off the tee in time.
Of course these days would just not even happen if it weren’t for Helen Parker, Jenny Sims and Barbara Chelin. We are eternally thankful for all your hard work.

ADVERTISING/SPONSORSHIP
Brian Findlay stepped into the breach in this portfolio and has taken this portfolio to a new level. Our sponsors now have a dedicated contact person and your efforts in securing longer term commitments from them is appreciated, especially in the tough economics times we face at the moment.

BELLSHEET
As mentioned earlier Haddon’s production of the “Bellsheet” came to an end and Mike McKenna has acted as the go-between for us. Your articulate use of words is appreciated and we thank you for your time and effort. We are sure that as we enter the “Electronic Age” your touch will not disappear. Phil Hodgson also has to be thanked for his photographic work and for the Slide show he produces each month.

EQUIPMENT
Ilse we will miss your smiling face at the equipment table trying to find shirts, trousers and jackets to fit our vast array of different sized bodies. You have done a sterling job, even earning an accolade form the National Chairman who said we were the one club where he saw no dress violations during his visit, well done.

To all the Past Captain’s whom I have phoned for advice during my tenure, I thank you all. It is reassuring to know that one has a wealth of experience to fall back on. Thank you for this advice.

Finally as I move off into a stress-less environment, hopefully my golf will improve, and I won’t have to be the baggage master for next years Nationals.
One thing that can’t be taken away is the camaraderie and the friendship I have experienced over the last year, not only from our members but also from ordinary members at the clubs we visit.
In closing to Carol, my wife, thanks for the encouragement and support during my term of office, and to all my fellow Nomads, thank you for allowing me the privilege and honour of being the Captain of this great club.

Thank you

MARK BRYANT
CAPTAIN NATAL NOMADS 2009