AGM MINUTES

MINUTES

1. Minutes to the last AGM were accepted.
2. Treasurer’s report submitted by JDB. The bank account and the Society’s finances are in a robust position for the 2024 season ahead. Copies of the report are available from JDB.
3. The following positions were elected:
1. Captain: Chris Miller
2. Vice-Captain: Bill Ballard
3. Treasurer: Jane de Beer (re-elected)
4. IT Secretary: Andrew Addison (re-elected)
5. Handicap Secretary: Paul Harling (re-elected)
6. Ordinary Member: Darrell Stacey (re-elected)
4. CM thanked HW, JDB, AA & PH for their hard work and efforts throughout 2023, highlighting that we saw many new members last year and that a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to put the events together. The website contains a lot of information and members should keep an eye on it each month as it is updated for reports and handicaps. Thanks also go to PL for the honours boards and DS for the trophy engraving. CM then talked though plans for 2024.
1. The event schedule shows some familiar favourites for 2024 as well as some new tracks for the Society, details of which are now available on the website. We have a mix which includes a couple of premium clubs to visit.
2. We are also looking to stage a competition against another society in early June, potentially at Horne Park. More details to follow as plans progress.
3. Cost and availability have been factors in where to go this year but with JDB’s efforts with the finances, and the generosity of our sponsors, we should hopefully get event fees down to prior year levels. CM will canvas the FGS community for 2024 sponsors and asked for any volunteers.
4. We are going to add sponsorship of the Road To Dorking to make winning the overall year attractive and competitive. AA has kindly volunteered to sponsor this.
5. The Road To Dorking is seeing its tenth anniversary this year and so whoever comes 10th in 2024 will get their 2025 membership fees paid for.
5. Annual membership fees will remain at £25.00 for 2024.
6. CM explained that, following on from last year’s AGM, he had undertaken a review of the current handicap system after concerns from some members were voiced over their ability to compete. The main issue being the 3/2/1 cuts for placing in the top 3 at an event, and the handicap lag that this created. Analysis was performed, opinions were canvassed and meetings were held. The resulting methodology, which will be tested this season, can be read as an addendum at the end of these minutes.
7. HW provided much positive feedback on the Presentation party held in January where 14 members enjoyed the prizegiving and dinner at The Farmhouse.
8. BB talked through the 2024 Tour to Villaitana in Spain. We are currently at 18 headcount and would ideally like to get to 20 for four-ball logistics so please contact BB if you would like to join. Balances for the package will be due in mid-June and BB will be in touch to communicate details nearer the time. CM added an explanation of why the Tour competition is no longer part of the Road To Dorking.
9. Any Other Business
1. NBH asked for suggestions for a local hotel to stay at for the next Presentation Party.
2. NBH asked for clarity on tied scores when the new handicap system is applied.
3. CM asked BB to contact the courses to see if we can get tee time vouchers to add into prize kitties.

ADDENDUM

Amendments to the FGS Handicap Protocols

1. We will scrap the 28 handicap cap for winning, the ceiling isn't relevant anymore.
2. The Handicap Secretary (Paul Harling) will continue with his CONGU Rules adjustments for player performance with the exception of the 3/2/1 handicap cuts for 1st/2nd/3rd placings in competitions which he will remove from his calculations going forwards from the first event in 2024.
3. Rather than cutting handicaps by 3/2/1 we will deduct these points from players' nett Stableford scores going forwards at sequential events. For example, Player A who wins at an event (never mind their score at the moment, we’ll come to that) will have 3 points deducted from their nett score at the next scheduled event, whether they attend or not. Player A will then have 2 points deducted at the event after that, and finally 1 point deducted at the next event. Player B who came second will have 2 points deducted at the next scheduled event, and then 1 point at the following one. Player C who came third will have 1 point deducted at the next event. We will call these point deductions a Placing Penalty (PP).
4. What this means is:
1. Members' handicaps will fluctuate as a result of their performance but will no longer be touched by the old 3/2/1 rule as we will deduct this from their nett score(s). This effectively means that the current 3 shot cut to a handicap for winning won't adhere to a player for as long as it does today.
2. This could result in a member winning an event with, say, 32 points and seeing their handicap go up as they have not played to their handicap. The 3/2/1 protocol will, of course, apply at the next events.
3. Members who place in the top three again during their period with a PP will incur another PP which follows the same rules.
4. PPs are not carried over into another season (calendar year); the aim of the PP is to flatten out winners' scores and provide a competitive field for the Road To Dorking (R2D) without overly handicapping members for the season.
5. Andy Addison and Chris Miller have volunteered to set up a system to administer the PPs alongside Paul’s calculations, which we envisage will be recorded on each event's start sheet.
5. We will trial this new 3/2/1 point deduction over the 2024 season and review at the end of the year.
6. The committee will review handicaps on an ongoing basis throughout the season based on members' results and may apply further scrutiny if substantial gaps are seen with handicaps versus scoring. An overall review will take place at the end of each season. To this end we have made a couple of resets for the start of the 2024 season.

Whilst the committee cannot legislate against purple patches or downturns in form, or indeed (and quite importantly) frequency of attendance, the aim is to make competition as fair and equitable as possible. Members should be comfortable in the fact that success means a cut but that their ongoing performance is monitored.