2019 President's Report

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It is with pleasure I present my 8th annual report on the activities of WSRVGA during 2019 for your consideration and adoption.

Firstly, I would like to thank and congratulate my fellow Executive, Club Delegates and the Tournament Organizers for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. It is through your efforts that our Association operates so successfully.

Thanks, must also go to the management of our member clubs for making their courses available to host interclub events.

It was with deep sadness that we learnt during the year that our incredibly hard working and dedicated Secretary/Treasurer Chris Evans will not be seeking re-election at the 2019 AGM due to being diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

I am sure that I speak on behalf of all Association Members when I wish you well with your health issues and in thanking you for the work you have done for our Association and as a Member of the NSWVGA Executive Council.

NSWVGA 54 HOLES STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIPS

The tournament, in its 27th year, was played in wet conditions at Richmond, Glenmore Heritage Valley and Stonecutters Ridge.  The tournament was reduced to 36 holes after day 1 at Richmond was washed out.  A capacity field entered the tournament which was won by John Osborn (Mudgee) by one stroke from Geoff Cranfield (Long Reef) and last year’s champion Ricky Allison (Camden Lakeside) in third place.  John’s rounds were 73 and 75 (148).  Nett winner was Matt Kumjew (Hurstville) with a nett score of 138.

Once again, the tournament was an outstanding success with 54 Golf Club represented, including entries from Interstate and one entry from the U.K. The tournament received high praise from all quarters involved. 

WSRVGA will again host this event in 2020 when it will be played at Richmond, Dunheved and Stonecutters Ridge golf courses.  In 2020 NSWVGA will put the hosting rights for the following three years out to tender.

SPONSORSHIP

The Association is indebted to our generous sponsors; The Richmond Club, Frasers Property and NSWVGA.  It was disappointing that Guardian Funerals and One Point Health ceased their sponsorship.  Frasers Property will not be sponsoring the NSWVGA Strokeplay Championships in 2020 but NSWVGA will increase their sponsorship to cover the cost of trophies except for novelty events such as N.T.P’S, ball competitions etc.

CLUB AND PLAYER OF THE YEAR

With one round to be played at Leonay on the 29th October the winners of Club of the Year and Player of the Year are yet to be finalised.  The leading scores are:

 Men - 

Greg Williams (Dunheved) 113, Peter Green (Dunheved) 111, Stephen Cromer (Leonay) 111, and Peter Cromer (Wallacia) 111.

Ladies - 

Judy Loader (Stonecutters Ridge) 108, Elaine Williams (Dunheved) 100, Sue Evers (Springwood) 100 and Carol Carter (Richmond) 99.

Club of the Year

Dunheved (1018) Penrith (1014) Richmond (1008) and Wallacia (1002)

Presentations will take place at the first interclub event in 2020 at Wallacia on Friday, 14th February.

WEBSITE

Thanks once again to Michelle May and Russ Cruickshank for the outstanding work they are doing maintaining and updating the website, ably assisted by Noel Rowsell who provides much material and photographs for inclusion on the site. 

The website is only as good as the information you supply.  Photographs, stories etc., relative to your respective clubs can be placed on the site.  Facebook is a wonderful tool for communicating stories, information etc., therefore all members of WSRVGA are encouraged to join.

ASSOCIATION HISTORY

Thanks to Noel Byles for undertaking the difficult and time-consuming task of writing the history of WSRVGA.  This is a very important project therefore I urge you to support Noel in his endeavours to compile information.

PUBLICITY

Wow, what an incredible Publicity Officer we have in Vice President Noel Rowsell.

Congratulations Noel on the publicity you have achieved in having articles, photographs, results etc., appear on websites and in newspapers throughout the whole of our Association.  

NEW SOUTH WALES VETERAN GOLFER’S ASSOCATION (NSWVGA)

Currently NSWVGA conduct 6 championship events, the Medal & 4BBB play offs, as well as the ‘grass roots’ voucher system as set out hereunder:

• NSWVGA Stroke Play Championships (Western Sydney),

• NSWVGA Mixed Sand Green 4BBB Championships (Grenfell)

• NSWVGA Mens Sand Green 4BBB Championships (Narromine),

• NSWVGA 4BBB Mixed Championships (Tenterfield)

• NSWVGA Sand Green Championships (Barraba),

• NSWVGA Match Play Championships (Newcastle)

• NSWVGA State Medal and 4BBB play offs (Port Macquarie) and

• NSWVGA Grass Roots voucher policy. ($25.00 for 50 members or part thereof) 

The Grass Roots voucher system was introduced this year in recognition of all veteran golfers who are members of NSWVGA providing vouchers for members to play for in club competitions.

INAUGURAL NSWVGA STATE MEDAL – PORT MACQUARIE

Thanks to Sue Evers (Springwood), Carol Carter (Richmond), Steve Cromer (Leonay) and Peter Cromer (Wallacia) who represented our Association at Port Macquarie in this event where all Associations within NSWVGA were invited to participate in what could be referred to as an event to decide the ‘Champion of Champions’.

Sue won the Ladies Division by a whopping 7-shot margin with Carol taking out first place on day 2, finishing 6th overall in the medal.

Peter Cromer finished third in the Men’s Division of the Medal, taking bragging rights over his brother Steve, who finished out of the placings.

This event will again be played at Port Macquarie in 2020 but will take place in early December with date to be confirmed.

RICHARD DOYLE – RETIRING VICE PRESIDENT NSWVGA

I would like to take this opportunity of recognizing the outstanding contribution Richard, who is a member of Glenmore Heritage Valley, has made to veteran golf in NSW.

Richard first became a Councillor of NSWVGA in 2007 and has continuously served on the Executive of the Association, the last three years as Vice President.  Richard recently announced that he would not be seeking re-election at the AGM in November 2019.

During his time over the past 13 years as a member of the Executive Richard has travelled throughout the State representing the Association at numerous venues each year where ‘Weeks of Golf’ tournaments were being conducted.

CONCLUSION.

A number of our members or family members have not enjoyed the best of health during the year.  Our best wishes go to all for a full and speedy recovery.

In conclusion, on behalf of my wife and myself, I wish you and your respective families a very happy and safe festive season.  Hopefully 2020 brings some enjoyable rounds of golf, but above all good health and friendship with fellow veteran golfers.

Les Knox

President WSRVGA