Captains 2011 AGM Report
8 November Port Shepstone Country Club.
As the sun sets on what can probably be seen as one of the toughest years in the economy, and certainly for me, I can truly say that it is with great sadness that I have to look ahead and ponder the inevitable end to my year of Captaincy, I can honestly say that my year so far has been thorougly enjoyable and that Southern Natal as a club is in a very healthy state especially as far as finances and membership are concerned.
Andrew Mentis Endowment Fund
What seemed like an insurmountable task in the beginning of the year to Rob Harrison my most able and willing Vice Captain has become a walk in the park with his target being reached with very little difficulty. I am truly proud to have been part of Rob’s fundraising efforts and salute him for his willingness to ask for help. Rob you have taught me a lot during my year as Captain and for that I thank you.
Rob has run into problems with one of his beneficiaries, Early Childhood Development Training, and has decided to withdraw the contribution to them pending direction from the Trustees of the Andrew Mentis Endowment Fund. He has identified a new Charity which will be put to the Trustees for ratification.
Membership
We have had a few resignations when the invoices for the new financial year were sent out. Some of the reasons being persistent injury and some being inactivity on the Golf Course in general and some being due to travelling vast distances and lastly some due to economic conditions and the cost of making the playing commitment to Nomads.
We have grown by 15 new members since January but have a net gain of 9 during the year due to resignations.
Membership: Jan – 152 Oct – 161 which in itself is healthy. We are not finished yet and still have 2 months to go.
Golforama
Our Commitment to the winter tour went off without a hitch with Nomads stepping up to the plate to full fill their obligation and receiving accolades from not only Vodacom but also the Tour Players themselves. I had the privilege of playing in the Vodacom Origins of Golf thanks largely to Richard Plumb and Allan Schuman from Bell’s and as most people playing didn’t know my involvement in Nomads at the start I was able to hear first hand from the pro’s and amateurs and the Sponsor’s and the organisers from the Sunshine Tour just how they appreciate the involvement of Nomads and how Nomads has a huge part to play in the professional running of these Pro Tournaments.
I cannot say the same for the Summer Tournament with some Nomads finding any excuse not to help so we have had to solicit the help of the current Vice-President of Ladies Golf - Karen Olivant, who has been more than willing to find helpers. I think it is a poor show that we as Nomads had to ask so many outsiders to help fulfil our duties to Golforama. I cannot thank Norman Sieberhagen enough for the hard work and dedication which he puts into organising Golforama.
Five Southern Natal Nomads have been invited to fulfil Golforama duties at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in December at Sun City.
• Seniors Competition –Rob Harrison, Vince Drew and Trevor Vosloo
• Main Event – Simon Lee and Gary Rodwell.
It is indeed an experience of a lifetime.
Handicap Checks
We have started this process and it is running smoothly with Trevor Vosloo taking up this challenge with great gusto. Thanks Trevor.
Swipe Card System
We used this very effectively at our last monthly game and it went off without a hitch. A huge Thank You must go to Mark Lindstrom and if my memory serves me correctly to Rob Cummings for their hard work in getting this system for Nomads. This just adds to the professionalism of Nomads. Thanks Guys.
Ready Golf
This is alive and well in Southern Natal. I played in the last monthly game with the Captain of Southbroom, Gavin Sole who has also captained the Kwa-Zulu Natal golf team for the past 10 years and he was totally shocked at the speed at which our field moved. Gavin said he has never played in a field that big at his club and finished his round in just over 4 hours. This is a tribute to ready golf.
Nationals 2012
It’s a mere 4 months until we all descend on Paradise and show off our skills at Nationals in Port Shepstone. I am sure that a few Nomads who played Port Shepstone in July will be pleasantly surprised and maybe a little peeved to find out that what they thought was a regulation par 5 on the 11th Hole has now become a little more difficult due to the cosmetic changes which have been made to this hole because of the sepage from the sea onto the fairway. Let me just say if there is a northerly wind blowing most golfers would be happy with a 1 pointer on this newly constructed hole.
Nationals 2011
We took a full contingent to Nationals D’Vine at The Strand with a full contingent in the players’ tournament as well which has resulted in Southern Natal receiving an increased allocation of 31 spots for our home Nationals in 2012.
Although we were in contention for the first 4 days we fell away at the end but a fun time was had by all.
We were also privileged to support our very own National Chairman during his Nationals.
Zimbabwe and Botswana
I was indeed privileged to attend the Zimbabwe Nationals at Elephant Hills and Botswana Nationals at Gabarone Golf Club.
At both these Tournaments we were the 2nd largest contingent from South Africa and for that I thank the Members who attended.
I would recommend to any Nomad to make an effort to attend one if not both of these National Tournaments.
Swazi Nomads
We also took a small contingent to Swaziland for a show the flag game and will most certainly increase our numbers to their inauguration game in February 2012.
National Chairman
Congratulations must go to Simon Lee our own National Chairman for the way he conducted himself during his year as National Chairman.
Simon you are a credit to Southern Natal and indeed to Nomads as a whole. Thank You for Leading Nomads with such Pride and Skill.
Junior Golf
We have increased our prize money for Junior golf as this has not been adjusted for many years. They are very grateful of our increased contribution and to me, Rob Harrison and Peter Stoppel for taking the time out to present their prizes.
Committee
A huge thank you must go to the committee who meet every month to discuss the issues affecting the club as a whole. Thank you all for your openness and sometimes vociferous debate during meetings.
The Ladies
What more can I say but Thanks a million for always being open to suggestions from the committee and also making your own suggestions. Without your contributions to the smooth running of Nomads we wouldn’t survive.
Special thanks to Brenda Smith for what she has to put up with in doing the draw and changing it on many occasions before we tee off.
111th National Management Meeting
We as a club had the honour of hosting the 111th National Management Meeting in Port Shepstone in July and might I say it was a huge success with the National Executive along with all the Captains, Vice Captains and 5 Junior Vice Captains in attendance.
Thanks to all those who helped and especially Madelein Zandberg for all her help in arranging the accommodation. Special thanks must also go to Carrie and Sally and all the staff of Port Shepstone Country Club for contributing to the success of the weekend.
In closing let me thank each and every one of you the members for making my year as memorable as it has been. You are a special breed of sportsmen and people.
A special word of thanks must go again to Rob Harrison for his support and commitment to me. Rob I am truly blessed to have had you as my Vice Captain.
It has been an Honour to have been your leader during 2011 and I look forward to seeing you all at the Gold Cup on the 6th December at Margate.
Gary Rodwell
Captain
Southern Natal Nomads. |
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