KENT COUNTY LADIES’ GOLF ASSOCIATION

Kent Captains and Delegates Meeting
Thursday 23 ^rd February 2012 at Bearsted Golf Club

Bullet Points

136 Members in Attendance representing 54 Clubs.
Apologies from 9 Clubs


Golf England – our new Governing Body following the EGU/EWGA Merger on 1.1.12. Added bonus of the Merger is that DMD’s are now allowed in ALL competitions.

County Week at Princes 11 – 15 ^th June 2012 – please come along in your Blue and White and support your County Team. Preparation and training is very much under way and going well.

County Website – do keep an eye on the website which features news/information and photographs from around the County as well as Competition Results and Entry Forms to download. Did you know the Kent Delegates have their own dedicated Delegates section?

Senior/Single Figure and Junior Golfers – do keep us informed of these players from within your club. Forms can be found at the back of the Blue Yearbook.

County Cards – a snip at just £3.00. Contains all entry forms to KCLGA events as well as the added benefit of reduced Green Fees at participating clubs throughout the County and beyond.

Kent Young Ambassadors – recruited, trained and deployed at The Open 2011 to promote golf through such sporting events and lower the age demographic for golf. Their work such a huge success they won the PGA European Award. ‘We want to build on this success and our hope is to work with other County Golf Partnerships and their volunteers at future Opens’.

‘Tri Golf’ – KYA’s can offer these ‘taster’ sessions at your club and Kim Brusadelli (CTO) and Mo Gregory (CJO) have PGA Level 1 with funding to offer an introduction to new lady/junior golfers. ‘Nearly There’s’ and Junior Coaching continues to grow and is the natural path to progression to Ladies Coaching within the County and beyond. Contact Kim/Mo for further details.

CONGU Handicap Changes – to date CSS been SSS + 2, will change to SSS plus buffer zones for each category (still only includes players up to category 4). Should result in lower CSS outcomes and fewer ‘RO’ competitions.

Golf England - 2012 will be a year of implementation with ‘no looking back’ and acceptance of change. The various Committees will work hard to streamline England Golf and avoid duplication of roles, thus saving money and will also make a determined effort to restore membership to Clubs and try to attract nomad golfers to come under the banner of England Golf.

KCLGA Competitions – as previously explained at the AGM, we have had to pass on the rising costs we are being charged by clubs to host KCLGA competitions. Please do encourage your ladies to continue to support these popular and historically enjoyable and successful events. If you think your club might be a suitable venue for a 2013 competition, please do let us know.


Q&A

Shell Foster (Handicap Adviser)

Q. North Foreland – Mixed Gender Competitions remain unpopular with Ladies at the club due to the difference in the SS on the Mens to Ladies Card. Any thoughts from any other clubs?

A. Unfortunately, that is the system. The calculations are correct and there is no way around the difference in SS.

Q. Weald of Kent – Why is it so difficult to get a handicap cut in a 9 hole competition?

A. Unfortunately only half buffer zone is given in 9 hole competitions and possibly the competition is being played on the hardest 9 on the course.

Marilyn Brown (County Representative to South Region of England Golf)

Q. Whitstable & Seasalter – Following the Merger, will Medal Competitions still be called ‘EWGA’ Medals in 2013?

A. At this stage, we have not been advised.

Q. Tudor Park – To date there have been a maximum of 24 EWGA Medals in one playing year, however the men are offered more than that. How will this difference be resolved?

A. Men are offered ‘Club Medals’ which results in more competitions being played. Further clarity to be sought at the next meeting.

Q. Bearsted – Please expand on Counties being ‘Incorporated’?

A. The move to Counties being ‘limited by guarantee’ is a legal procedure that will safeguard the Officers and Members of the County from a legal/financial standpoint.

Dorothy Featherstone (Competition Secretary)

Q. Wildernesse – unfortunately, some of the County Events clash with our Club Events.

A. We do apologise about this and stress that we encourage Clubs to be aware of our Event dates at the Incoming Captain Meetings that are held twice a year.

AOB

Q. Hilden – we are disappointed that the ‘slope’ system is being ‘abandoned’. Why is this?

A. (Marilyn Brown) The ‘slope’ system is by no means being abandoned. The Ladies are in fact further ahead with the course ratings than the men.

Q. Bearsted – why do the Ladies not have a ‘Lifetime Membership’ to the County in line with the men?

A. (Marilyn Brown) The reason for this is that the Ladies have capitation (by way of each club member paying an Affiliation Fee) and the men are individual members of the County.

Marilyn Brown also added – Men currently have a Members Benefit Card. Following the Merger, the Ladies will be joining this. Discussion continues but there is a suggestion that this will include a Nationwide County Card.

Please advise Sarah if you change your email address and when your Kent Delegate changes – this way we can make sure you always receive the most up to date information.

KCLGA Secretary – Sarah Brooks – pumplodge@aol.com 01622 761841