2021 President's Report

 PRESIDENT’S REPORT TO THE 13 th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF

THE WESTERN SYDNEY REGION VETERAN GOLFER’S ASSOCIATION

It is with pleasure I present my 10th annual report on the activities of WSRVGA

during 2021 for your consideration and adoption.

WSRVGA currently comprises eight Clubs, being Dunheved, Glenmore, Leonay,

Penrith, Richmond, Springwood, Stonecutters Ridge, and Wallacia.

Discussions took place during 2021 with Lynwood Golf Club who have expressed

interest in joining WSRVGA as a playing member of the Association. Those

discussions are ongoing but were delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions. It is also

hoped that Windsor Golf Club will re-join the Association as a playing member.

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 inter-club events are conducted with ‘shotgun starts’ to enable

players to mix both prir to and after games.

WSRVGA conduct 8 interclub events during the year with each member club hosting

an event. Scores recorded in these events decide the Players (male and female) and

Club of the Year. After Covid-19 social distancing restrictions prevented any inter-

club event taking place during 2020. It was hoped that normal programming of

interclub events would return in 2021.

However, wet weather in the early part of 2021 and then Covid-19 restrictions meant

it was only possible to play 3 interclub events in the year.

Unfortunately, it was not possible to hold enough interclub events during 2021 to

decide Players and Club of the Year therefore those events were again cancelled.

Whilst it was not possible to hold inter-club events during 2021, each club within the

Association saw a strong growth in veteran membership and were able to hold their

own veteran competitions with increased patronage.

Membership of WSRVGA remains strong with 103 new members joining this year

bringing our total membership to 754, of which 655 are members of NSWVGA.

SPONSORSHIP – THE RICHMOND CLUB

WSRVGA have been very fortunate to have some very generous sponsors over the

years, none better than the Richmond Club.

I would like to take this opportunity of acknowledging the outstanding sponsorship of

The Richmond Club. Western Sydney Veteran Golfers are indeed fortunate that The

Richmond Club and their CEO, Kimberley Talbot, recognises and supports Veteran

Golf in Western Sydney. The Richmond Club have again agreed to sponsor

WSRVGA in 2021/22 making it 10 years of continuous sponsorship. Our sincere

gratitude to Kimberley and the Board of the Richmond Club.

Photo of Kimberley Talbot, CEO of The Richmond Club, who has generously

supported and sponsored veteran golf in Western Sydney over the past 10 years.

PUBLICITY – NOEL ROWSELL

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. It is a timely reminder that any Publicity Officer is only as good as

the information he receives, therefore please take time to send Noel all matters of

interest.

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.

Thanks Mick for the time and your expertise in presenting these reports.

WSRVGA HISTORY.

Vice President Noel Byles continues with the arduous task of writing the history of

WSRVGA. I know that it has not been easy and he has become frustrated at times, but

like a dog with a bone, he keeps going and is close to the printing stage.

WEBSITE.

Thanks to Michelle May and Russ Cruickshank for the 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.

NEW SOUTH WALES VETERAN GOLFER’S ASSOCATION (NSWVGA)

Covid-19 has had an adverse effect on many of the tournaments scheduled throughout

the State with the majority of tournaments being cancelled.

NSWVGA hope that a full schedule of events will take place in 2022. A full list of

those tournaments can be found on the public website of NSWVGA.

Amalgamation talks are currently taking place between NSWVGA and the Veteran

Women’s Golf Association of NSW. I have been asked to head up a steering

committee in an attempt to have the two associations amalgamate by the end of 2023.

Should this amalgamation take place I believe it would see the veteran age of

NSWVGA members reduced from 55 to 50 to fall into line with Veteran Women’s

age which is 50.

Our Association might then have to look at changing our Constitution to fall into line

with any changes made at NSWVGA, but that is some time away.

NSWVGA continues to recognise and support Veteran Golfers at club level through

the Grass Roots voucher system. Further information on the Grass Roots scheme can

be found on the NSWVGA Website.

WSRVGA EXECUTIVE

I would like to thank my fellow Executive for their dedication and support throughout

the year. 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.

CONCLUSION

During the last 12 months we have learned of the passing of some wonderful playing

members of our Association. This included Springwood Delegate and Tournament

Organizer John Baker. Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends who

have lost loved ones.

In conclusion, on behalf of my wife and myself, I wish you and your respective

families good health and happiness.

Les Knox

President WSRVGA.