2020 President's Report

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It is with pleasure I present my 9th annual report on the activities of WSRVGA during 2020 for your consideration and adoption.

It is the aim of WSRVGA to encourage golf to be played in a spirit of keen competition and good fellowship with a strong emphasis on social interchange. To achieve those aims interclub events are conducted with ‘shotgun starts’ to enable players to mix both prior to and after games.

This year has been like no other year with all scheduled interclub events having to be cancelled.  The first event scheduled for Wallacia was washed out and re-scheduled.  Covid-19 social distancing regulations prevented any interclub event taking place.

At this stage it is not possible to predict what covid-19 restrictions will be in place during 2021 therefore some alternative formats should be put in place to enable interclub events to be conducted during next year.

Whilst it was not possible to hold interclub events during 2020 using the format of ‘shotgun starts’ each club within our Association was able to hold their own veteran competitions.

Results achieved during interclub events decide male and female player of the year, along with Club of the Year, but as no events were played all of these events were also cancelled for 2020.

I would like to thank my fellow Executive for their dedication and support this year and in previous years.  The Association has maintained a very stable Executive which has enabled the Association to operate so successfully.   Thanks also to Club Delegates and Tournament Organizers as you are an integral part in the continued smooth operations of the Association.

At this point I would like to mention our retiring Treasurer, Chris Evans, who will not be seeking re-election.  Chris did not seek re-election at the 2019 AGM, but agreed to continue in the role of Treasurer until a replacement was found.  Thanks Chris for filling the role throughout the year.  I know how difficult it was for you with your commitments in Queensland and the restrictions placed upon travel between the two states.

In all of my years of being involved with administration I have never met a more competent and dedicated treasurer.  It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you Chris.  On behalf of the Association thanks and congratulations on the work you have done for the Association as Secretary/Treasurer and as treasurer over 7 years of the NSWVGA Strokeplay Championships.  Good luck, health and happiness Chris in the years ahead.

AUDITOR – MICK TOOHEY

Our Association is indeed fortunate to have such a dedicated honorary auditor in Mick Toohey.  Mick’s reports presented annually and during the year are clear and comprehensive.

Mick has been working with Judy Jordan to prepare a detailed spread sheet of all Association Members.  This will assist greatly with future auditing and recording of members.

NSWVGA 54 HOLES STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Western Sydney were due to host the NSWVGA State Strokeplay Championships for the 7th year at Richmond, Dunheved and Stonecutters Ridge in 2020.  Due to flood damage at Dunheved round 2 was relocated to Penrith who made their course available only 14 days prior to the tournament. Thanks to Ian Forrester and Jonathan Green (Golf Professional at Penrith) for securing the availability of Penrith at such short notice.

A capacity field of 144 players, with reserves, were entered for the tournament.  Over 40 single figure handicap players, including 3 scratch players had entered the tournament.  Players had entered from 63 different clubs, including 25 Country and Interstate Clubs.

Only a few days out from the scheduled start of the tournament on 23rd March, after consulting with NSWVGA, Golf NSW, host clubs and players the committee reluctantly cancelled the event due to covid-19 concerns and distancing regulations.  

This was the final year for Western Sydney to host this tournament, which will be held at Dubbo for the next 3 years. We wish Dubbo, whose members were strong supporters of the event when held in Western Sydney, well in conducting successful tournaments.

CLUB RENOVATIONS, COURSE IMPROVEMENTS AND PATRONAGE.

Clubs within our Association have carried out work to improve their courses and club houses.

Springwood are continually looking to upgrade facilities, as are all other clubs in the Association, and have a great outlook of the course from club house decking.  

All clubs have seen increased membership, patronage and people getting back into golf.

SPONSORSHIP

WSRVGA have been very fortunate to have some very generous sponsors over the years, none better than the Richmond Club who recently agreed to continue their sponsorship.  Many thanks to our two major sponsors this year being the Richmond Club and NSWVGA.

I would also like to take this opportunity of recognizing the generosity of all clubs within the Association in allowing their courses to be used for interclub events.

PUBLICITY

Extensive publicity has been achieved throughout the year through the tireless efforts of Vice President, Noel Rowsell, the Association is indeed fortunate to have such a publicity officer.

You can assist Noel by supplying information for articles or assisting him with information that he might seek from clubs from time to time.

WSRVGA HISTORY

Vice President Noel Byles has undertaken the arduous task of writing the history of WSRVGA and all look forward to seeing the finished article, which is nearing completion.  Noel, thanks for the many hours you have spent chasing up information and compiling the document.

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.

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 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 (Coolamon),

• NSWVGA Match Play Championships (Port Stephens)

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

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

Apart from the Championship events there are in excess of 50 other tournaments that are in the NSWVGA calendar.  Most events were cancelled in 2020, due to extreme wet weather early in the year and later due to Covid-19 restrictions, whilst some events were rescheduled for later in the year.   The Sand Green Championships at Coolamon did proceed in mid-October but without presentations.  

The Match Play Championships at Port Stephens is scheduled to proceed in from 30 November to 4 December. 

NSWVGA in recognition of the work and expenses Associations/Clubs incurred in preparation of tournaments cancelled were granted a one-off payment of $300.00 by the Association.

The Grass Roots voucher system was introduced in recognition of all veteran golfers who are members of NSWVGA providing vouchers for members to play for in club competitions.  Thanks to Richard Doyle for the work he has done with this initiative.  Richard agreed to again provide his expertise in organizing the grass roots system in 2020 even though he stood down from the Executive of the Association.  As a one-off gesture in 2020, due to covid-19 restrictions, NSWVGA doubled the number of vouchers awarded

NSWVGA STATE MEDAL – PORT MACQUARIE

Unfortunately, this was another event that had to be cancelled in 2020 by NSWVGA.

CONCLUSION

This year has been like no other, as a result of covid-19 restrictions.

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 2021 brings some enjoyable rounds of golf, but above all good health and friendship with fellow veteran golfers.

Les Knox

President WSRVGA