We hope that you all agree that adding another team element to the calendar, with high stakes for the OoM leaders, will make our season closing event just as exciting as the Fed Ex playoffs, or the Solheim Cup.

Please provide any comments to your favourite board member…

The Spoonholder’s Showdown

The Salver will become the Showdown in 2015 and each year thereafter – subsequent boards retain the right to vary the format of the Showdown

• The Spoonholder will arrange a venue, and work with the President to recruit attendees for the November event
• The Showdown will be a team event
• The team Captains will be the two highest placed in the WHV Order of Merit and must be qualified members of the tour who enter the showdown. Ideally this will be #1 and #2 on tour after the Jug
• As part of the event preparations, the two captains will choose their teams in turn, with the highest placed OoM player getting first pick. This may be concluded before the event, allowing the teams to select Cobalt or Navy shirts, or other items of clothing to denote their loyalties
• If the total number of showdown players is divisible by 4, there will be that number of pairs matches
• If there is an uneven number of entrants, then one match will be a threeball, with a ghost player playing to a perfect 18 handicap
• If the number of players is divisible by 2, then the team captains will play each other in 18 hole full handicap matchplay, with the other matches being pairs
• The event itself will follow this format for pairs matches – pairs to be selected by the captains and announced in Presidents Classic ‘big reveal’ style;
  • The first six holes will be a mutliball scramble – full joint handicaps to determine shot holes, with lowest net score winning the hole. Each player shall register a minimum of two drives.
  • The second six holes will be fourball betterball – full handicap, with lowest net score winning the hole
  • The final six holes will be foursomes – full joint handicaps to determine shot holes, lowest net score winning the hole. Pairs will alternate the tee shot on each hole.
• Each match is worth one full showdown point.
• Matches can be halved after 18 holes
• If the overall Showdown is halved at the conclusion of matches, the captains shall play sudden death matchplay down the 19th, with a full gallery of their teams as caddies and acolytes until a winner emerges

• The ranking points available shall be the equivalent of a minor – entrants x 2 for winner and proportional for places
• The Winning Captain will receive 50% of the RPs available for the event, and the Spoonholders Salver
• His winning team members will receive an equal amount of 30% of the RPs for the event
• The losing team will divide the remaining 20% of the RPs equally
• For example 10 entrants
  • Minor winner 20 points, runner up 15 points, 3rd 11 points, 4th 8 points, 5th 6 points, & 6th through 10th 5 points each
  • A total of 85 RPs
  • The Showdown winning Captain would get 42 RPs, his team members get 6 RPs each
  • The losing team gets 4 RPs each
  • Simple Donking

• There will be a Dog and a Shark to determine the winter destinations of these assets – there will be no financial reward for these spot prizes
•  Remuneration – the prize pot for the event shall be calculated using the financial model – i.e. 50% of the entrance fees. All of this money shall be awarded to the Captain of the winning team, and as with the winner of the Tour De France, he is expected, but not obliged, to distribute the prize fund amongst his team mates, and not pay himself (he should, of course, be looking at untold riches for winning the WHV OoM). It is within the Captains rights to withhold payment to any member of the team he may judge to be cheeky, naughty, hopeless, or downright disruptive – the Wiggins Froome factor – and inform the society of this decision.
• Of course, all payments to team members will be recorded to the Donk, and only actually paid to society members attending the end of season social and AGM

We have an amended draft of the constitution in the works, but there are  a couple of interesting developments to post.

Dog to Dog

From the 2015 Web Donk Download, whenever the WHV Society contests a Big Dog challenge on a hole, or a Hulk or other Longest Drive contest, the victory in this type of challenge can only be won by a player who has used his driver, or ‘Big Dog’.

If a player using a club other than his Driver hits a ball, on the fairway, longer than the existing marked longest drive, they may move the marker forward, but they must note  ‘No Dog’ on the marking token.

In the event of a ‘No Dog’ being the longest drive on the fairway, then ‘No Dog’ shall be awarded for the event.

This rule does not apply to any straightest drive challenge,  nor is the use of women’s or children’s drivers excluded – if the club is marked as a Driver or 1 Wood, the Big Dog is in play.

To further clarify, any longest drive contest on a hole can only be won by a drive on the fairway, ratified by the player and a minimum of one other member of the society as being on the fairway – especially where the boundary of fairway is difficult to distinguish, such is the quality of some of the courses we play.

We’ve had a different issue with the most recent tournament though – you may recall that Bruce won, and that Bruce was moving house 2 weeks after winning – this left him offline for a few days and so his report came in 4 or 5 days late. Despite living in the age of the internet where I’m sure he spent some time on his phone checking for some form of ailment allied to moving home or lifting or something, Bruce claimed that he’d written the report but it was on his work computer and he couldn’t access it until the time he went back to work after moving. Seemed fair enough – he was putting this case to the President, who was accepting it in good faith.

We duly received the match report on the 5th day after it was due – this should result in the loss of 5RPs per day – and as Bruce only got 16RPs for winning the Gibbon – this was quite a severe punishment.

Then I opened the report to read what Bruce had written, which was a couple of sentences introducing the Captain’s Log post I added on the evening of the Gibbon. And that was it – very little original content – as you will see below.

Now, things get murky – the board have some vested interest in the success of Bruce this year – the President has wagered with the TD that Bruce will win the OoM – so was unsurprisingly relaxed on both charges of lateness and plagiarism. Having made a case for Bruce repeatedly, he recused himself from the discussion. The TD only engaged after the saga had completed. For some reason, it was also perceived that I had a particular interest in seeing Bruce stripped of points – not entirely sure why I would stake any greater interest in this than any of the other event regulars who should be challenging for the OoM – Millers, Nob, Bacon, Pres, TD et al – but as Secretary/Recorder/Captain, I preferred to stand silent myself after raising the issue with the board. (This is particularly galling given the way that Nob and I handed the countback victory to Bruce by being sticklers for the rules of golf at the Gibbon).

The PR intervened, as the only ‘independent’ board member, and proposed to fine Bruce half of his RPs, which he then decided should be all of his RPs for the event, suspended until the 2014 Jug in the case of further malfeasance regarding competition reporting. According to the PR, Bruce did not take even his suspended sentence happily.

I’m sure I am not alone (I know that our erstwhile Captain and Constitutional Advocate is appalled by Bruce’s behaviour, and the lack of board creativity in coming up with a suitable punishment for Bruce’s bald faced lack of compliance, but with the President having a vested interest, to the enormous tune of £20, the subject was always going to stall. Anyone raising the matter with Dougal will simply be faced with his irrelevant argument about Bruce’s handicap being too high *cough 3 time WHV Open winner himself* and that the OoM was a done deal as a result)

So it turned out that the Gibbon was just as eventful off the course as it turned out to be on the course, and I’m sure the wider membership will be very interested in the priorities of some of the board members.

For the sake of posterity, here is the offending match report, as ‘provided’ by the ‘winner’ of the Gibbon – (you will note it failed to meet any of the requirements of a proper Competition Report – who won the Dog or Shark, how much money was awarded, etc. – but we now know the price of principle – 5 bob at 4 to 1, apparently).

The element in italics is ‘borrowed’ from this website (and worth reading again to understand how the ‘win at all costs’ approach is an increasing problem for our society);

2014 Gibbon Invitation Match Report

Venue:                    The Menzies Welcombe Golf Course, Stratford-upon-Avon

Date:                       1st March 2014

Entrees:                 Pres, TD, PR, Captain, Mike, Adam,  Bruce & NOB

For the 3rd year in row we returned to the Menzies for the Gibbon Invitation, sponsored by the reinstated TD, for another well organised event. Bacon rolls, 18 holes of golf and a Ham, Egg and Chips to finish it all off for the standard £40. And more importantly the sun came out!!!

Now, as I’m sure many of our readers know, and in our Captains words, “I am a sportsman and not a writer”, so here are a few bullet points of the days events, courtesy of our Captain :-

• The reinstated TD was full of vigour, as usual, but I am not looking forward to hearing about the machinations of Heartflood, if the Andover story (and especially the secret Virgin story) are anything to go by. His golf looked as spotty as ever – spectacularly good and spectacularly random
• The President is too used to me being his chauffeur, as he was able to miss the entrance to the car park and drive up the cart path in front of the club house. Good job he could join the caravan out of the car park in the dark, especially after seeing off the foot and half of Guinness for bringing up the rear in the golf – on his way back to the brink of category Z?
• Millers was dressed for an ascent of the north face of the Eiger, when in fact we were blessed with sunshine all the way round. He was also close to bipolar on the course, mumbling and grumbling about his inconsistency and stupidity, whilst still dropping 3 birdies into the mix (which seemed to follow directly from discussions he instigated about man on man loving)
• I didn’t get to play with him, but Gibraltar Mike seemed to be full of joie de vivre following his 42nd birthday, and his brand new Mondeo estate – we heard he was eating up the course, but just kept it steady rather than delivering the goods
• Adam was a revelation – he strode up the first tee, not with the Slammer or other such hand me down, but a pristine Taylor Made Burner 2.0 in pimped out white – and he proceeded to reveal the benefits of investing in equipment. Apparently his pro looked at his old bats and said that Tiger would struggle to find the sweet spot in them. Ads was in contention through 15 holes, but succumbed to the big finish at the Welcombe (as did I, and Millers), playing good solid golf, hitting good shots, and nearly winning Noz Nob some cash from the Gibbon
• Bruce, apparently was having a shocker until we crossed the road for the final four holes – likely in last place at that point. Then he birdied three of the last four (and parred the other) to post 35 points to win on countback – which he felt was justified having lost two tournaments on countback in 2013 (to keep his total to just 4!). So a threepeat for Juice, and renewed calls from the President for a cut – despite Bruce shooting 35 off 15.
• I managed to also post 35, despite putting like an idiot – including missing a 3 footer on the 18th. It was a blob free round – testament to scrambling rather than too much good golf. I’ve just seen Rory tank his tournament, so can’t feel too bad about missing out on a tenner.
• Highlight of the day was definitely the big reveal of Noz’s Hulk, which Nicola had embroidered that morning, and then texted everyone to look out for her handiwork. I have a picture for the match report, but fair to say she wins, again, for creating a new nickname for her husband, who shall henceforth be known as Nob.
• The big talking point was about rules and sportsmanship – which gifted the win to Bruce as both Nob and myself showed true stupidity. On the 15th, as I hacked up the hole to score a single point, Noz was looking to maximise, and had a 15 inch put for a par, but he was worried about it, and about standing on Millers’ line. So he marked the ball, which was then on Adam’s line. Asked to move his marker, Nob did and we all warned him not to forget to put it back. Adam and Millers holed out, and as Millers walked to the hole, he told Nob not to forget to move his marker. He promptly rolled in the putt, but from the wrong place. He claimed a 5 for 3 and then we all told him that it would be a 7 for 1, given how he didn’t move his marker. Cue an enormous amount of grumbling and near petulance, particularly as we walked from the 17th to 18th tees – he wanted to know exactly what the scores were – resulting in me Donking on course whilst Millers, who was moody after another blob, and Adam waited.
  • Completely distracted, and aware of the Big Dog being at stake, I teed up and hit a drive. And was then asked where I was teeing off from – as I’d hit from the ladies tee. Apparently this had been noted by my playing companions, but under encouragement from Nob, they decided not to point it out to me. Feeling like a proper idiot, I reloaded from the correct spot, melted a drive and then a five iron to the heart of the green, but took 3 putts from 20 feet to post a 7 for 1. At this point Nob started to challenge whether I should be disqualified from the hole, as taking 5 shots and scoring 7 wasn’t enough of a penalty in his view (take my point away and he’d be leading on countback – he may be many things, but he is not soft), insisting that I show him the rule where stroke and distance is the penalty for my error – threatening to bring Pete into the consultation
  • This is the second tournament in a row where a playing companion of mine has shown worrying ignorance of the rules of the game in a way that could swing something important in their favour on the last hole – without Pete or Ron or Rob there to speak with authority it would seem that we may need some refreshers to the proper R&A rules of golf to stop me having to try and get a signal to underline my own expertise!
  • I don’t have an issue with Nob trying to win at all costs, he has form for this kind of thing, but both Adam and Paul should really take a long look at themselves and how they’re feeling about sportsmanship, looking at their free Captain’s Kitchen Calendar whilst they’re doing it!
  • Should be noted that Dougal apart, we were all within 4 points of each other – a very tight finish that anyone could have won – but Bruce probably deserved it for as blistering a finish as we’ve ever seen
  • We ended with a good attempt at Ham Egg and Chips – the ham wasn’t really the best, but the bread and butter was a stroke of genius, with Milmore attempting to create the biggest little open sandwich seen in recent history.

All in all another great WHV event and hopefully see lots more of you at the PR Skins on the 12^th April 2014.

The following email was forwarded to me by a former colleague who is now receiving all emails addressed to my old work address. Good job he’s a mate, otherwise we’d not have been privy to such a momentus set of decisions. It’s not like I didn’t set up webdonkey@whvgolf.com for this type of thing!

Excellent work Peter – so we have an agreed system as proposed by Nozzle and as supported by myself and Peter (and therefore ratified by the Board – beautiful).

This means that the President can now furnish us with his proposal to change the RP’s – even more beautiful.

WD – another important decision for the website please – the Board have agreed the following handicapping system for this season..

The Ronnie system to be carried forwards, with the addition of 1) A one point handicap cut for the winner of any competition 2) Butters starting the season of 18.

As our former leading backbencher used to say – “Is it in the constitution?” – until that point it would appear to be rumour only…

And because every post looks better with a picture, here’s one from my collection of such things stored up to pass on to the members.

Nothing too relevant to us here, unless air shots by the Pres are considered as wind.

USGA AND R&A ANNOUNCE NEW RULES OF GOLF FOR 2012 Significant changes include amended Rule on ball moving after address First-ever joint publication of the Rules by golf’s governing bodies Far Hills, N.J. (Oct. 24) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) and the R&A today announced the publication of the new Rules of Golf for 2012-15. Changes in the Rules – which for the first time have been designed, published and presented jointly by golf’s governing bodies – include exonerating a player from penalty if it is known their ball was moved by the wind after address. Following an exhaustive, four-year review of golf’s 34 playing Rules, nine principal Rules have been amended to improve clarity and ensure penalties are proportionate. Significant changes include: Ball Moving After Address (Rule 18-2b). A new exception is added which exonerates the player from penalty if their ball moves after it has been addressed when it is known or virtually certain that they did not cause the ball to move. For example, if it is a gust of wind that moves the ball after it has been addressed, there is no penalty and the ball is played from its new position. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions (Rule 13-4). Exception 2 to this Rule is amended to permit a player to smooth sand or soil in a hazard at any time, including before playing from that hazard, provided it is for the sole purpose of caring for the course and Rule 13-2 (improving lie, area of intended stance or swing or line of play) is not breached. Time of Starting (Rule 6-3a). The rule is amended to provide that the penalty for starting late, but within five minutes of the starting time, is reduced from disqualification to loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play. Previously this penalty reduction could be introduced as a condition of competition. Commenting on the revisions to the Rules of Golf supported by Rolex, R&A Director of Rules and Equipment Standards David Rickman said: “The key point is that the Rules of Golf will remain fundamentally the same. We have undergone a pretty extensive review although what has come out of that has been relatively modest. “The Rules of Golf are constantly evolving and our hope is that what we have produced for 2012 is clear, informed by common sense and reflective of the demands of the modern game.” USGA Senior Director of Rules of Golf Thomas Pagel said: “We have produced a unified code of the Rules of Golf for 60 years and although the context has been the same, we often found the perception that there were different Rules in place depending upon where you were to play the game. “Now the book will not only have the same content, but it will also be presented in a uniform fashion with similar formatting and covers; this will truly be a single code governing the Rules of the game that reflects the strong collaboration between The R&A and USGA.” The most significant change (Rule 18-12b) will see an end to situations like the one witnessed during the final round of this year’s Open Championship when Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was penalized when his ball was moved on the seventh green by the wind after he had addressed it. Padraig Harrington, three-time Major winner and R&A-Working for Golf Ambassador, said: “I am delighted with the changes, in particular the ball moving after address. Every time the wind blows I am worried that my ball is going to move and I am worried about grounding my putter, distracting me from trying to hole my putt. “This change will speed up play, there won’t be as many suspensions and players won’t be getting penalized or disqualified unfairly. It is definitely giving us players a little bit of a break.” There has been a unified code of golf since 1952 but until now The R&A and the USGA have published the same rules in separate editions, thereby giving the impression to some that the rules were different. However, this year sees identical publications with only some spellings and respective logos changing depending whether the edition serves the U.S. and Mexico or the rest of the world. Golfing legend Arnold Palmer welcomed the announcement of a jointly published edition of the Rules. He said: “What has happened with The R&A and the USGA is wonderful. In the years I have been associated with the game and got to know The R&A and what their efforts are and having lived with the USGA all my life, one of the things I have always thought we should be closer together.” Notes to editors The complete text of all changes to the Rules and video summaries of the changes can be found at www.usga.org. The USGA will publish 2 million copies of the Rules of Golf 2012-15, with expected public availability in December 2011. The R&A will publish in English a total of 2.6 million copies of the Rules of Golf 2012-15, with 1.8 million printed in the UK and 800,000 in Australia. About the USGA The USGA conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well as 10 national amateur championships, two state team championships and international matches. Together with The R&A, the USGA governs the game worldwide, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, equipment standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings. The USGA’s working jurisdiction comprises the United States, its territories and Mexico. The USGA is a global leader in the development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game’s history and funds an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” grants program. Additionally, the USGA’s Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents in more than 50 countries. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org. About The R&A Based in St Andrews, The R&A organises The Open Championship, major amateur events and international matches. Together with the United States Golf Association, The R&A governs the game worldwide, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, Equipment Standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings. The R&A’s working jurisdiction is global, excluding the United States and Mexico. The R&A is committed to working for golf and supports the growth of the game internationally and the development and management of sustainable golf facilities. The R&A operates with the consent of 143 organisations from the amateur and professional game and on behalf of over thirty million golfers in 128 countries.

 Not wishing to add my own editorial – here is the potential view of our current leading mutineers (ex-bored men themselves) Noz and Idiot.

Also, it should be noted that T9 on handicaps is obviously out of date.

Finally, although referring to countback, the Donk, as unofficial recorder for the society, thinks the definition of this key feature is lacking in sufficient detail – a full definition of countback should be provided by the board so that it can be understood by all!

Constitution

C1 The WHVGS Board

 C1.1 Life Member – The President and Founder is a Life Member and has the casting vote on split decisions.

 C1.2 Elected Appointments – all other board positions are elected with defined areas of operation, as well as generally acting to improve the society’s well-being

C1.2.1 The Captain is a key legislator, chiefly responsible for ensuring the consistent operation of society rules.

C1.2.2 The Tour Director is the chief operational officer, responsible for tour logistics and financial arrangements.

C1.2.3 The Player’s Representative is responsible for ensuring a balance  exists between the evolution of the society and the requests of its individuals.

C1.2.3.1 The Player’s Representative must be nominated after all other elected positions have been filled.

C1.2.3.2 Board Members are not entitled to propose or vote for the Player’s Representative.

 C1.3 Presidential Right – The President can choose to dissolve the Board without requesting a Vote of Confidence.

C2 Amendment to, and Implementation of, Constitution and Law

 C2.1 Constitutional Change – A membership vote is required to enact any change to the Constitution.

 C2.2 Rule Change – Any change to the Rules of Tour or Competition occurs via Board vote.

 C2.3 Effect – Changes take effect from the time the President notifies the membership.

            C2.3.1 Notification can be via email.

            C2.3.2 Notification can be verbal at a General Meeting.

            C2.3.3 Notification can be by publication on the society’s website.                 

C2.3.4 The notification content need not be precise – it just needs to give the membership a general understanding of the change and potential impact.

C2.3.5 Any board member will explain the precise implementation of the change when requested to by a member.

C2.4 Enshrinement

C2.4.1 Rule changes must be enshrined within the Almanac by the AGM of the tour where they were passed.

C2.4.2 The Captain updates the literal Constitution and Rules.

C2.4.3 Rules enshrined within the Almanac must be sufficiently precise.

C3 Voting

C3.1 Proposals – Where a vote is required it must be first proposed by an eligible member and then seconded by a different eligible member else it is unlawful.

C3.2 Notice – a voting result is valid if all eligible participants were forewarned.

C3.2.2 If all eligible persons are present within the immediate physical locale on a Society event they are considered forewarned and a straw-poll is valid. Otherwise notification is required to forewarn and such notification must be timely (7 days in advance) and appropriate (the eligible member would be reasonably expected to receive the communication).

C3.2.2 Nominations must be seconded within 10 minutes (physical locale) or 24 hours (virtual – e.g. email) or the proposal is defeated.

C3.2.3 Proposals raised at General Meetings are automatically notified.

C3.3 Eligibility

C3.3.1 To be eligible to nominate, second, or vote, the member must have paid their membership fee.

C3.3.2 Prospective voters are automatically ineligible by Absence. Absence means that any individual not attending a society event, or missing the timely and appropriate communication, is ineligible for that vote and can not retrospectively influence the outcome.

C3.4 Carried Votes

C3.4.1 A Returned vote must be unambiguously either for or against the proposition or in the case of an Election Vote a single candidate.

C3.4.2 A Simple Majority Vote (SMV) is carried when more of the Returned and Eligible votes are in favour of a particular proposition.

C3.4.3 A Qualified Majority Vote (QMV) is carried by a minimum of two thirds of Returned and Eligible votes.

C3.5 Standard Votes – Standard voting is by QMV, considered under the constitution to mean a minimum Two-thirds Majority of Returned and Eligible votes. As an example, suppose vote membership consists of 8 persons, with 8 returns at least 6 votes must be for the proposition, with 6 returns at least 4 votes.

C3.6 Responsible Voting – allmembers are reminded of their responsibility to act in the interest of the society during any vote, in order to reduce the likelihood of frivolous proposals or that of the President having to dissolve a weakly elected board.

C3.7 Appeals – eligible members may appeal on grounds of polling validity or unlawfulness in proposal.

C3.7.1 Any WHV Society Member may appeal a proposal, rule change, appointment or direction on grounds of unfairness.

C3.7.2 Appeals are decided upon by the Captain after allowing for representations by the individual and/or the Players’ Representative.

C4 Elections

C4.1 Prospective membership

C4.1.1 Membership can be proposed and seconded by any Member at any Time.

C4.1.2 New Prospective Members must be agreed by a QMV of the Board.

C4.1.3 Players introduced at official WHV tournaments are automatically considered Prospective Members unless they do not wish it or any member of the board objects.

C4.1.4 Prospective Members become full members, with associated rights, on payment of their membership fee.

C4.1.5 Membership grants right of entry to any Society event, and a vote on any proposal opened to membership. Members have a constitutional right to propose, second and vote in Votes of Confidence and Election Votes.

C4.2 Elected Board Positions – nominations may only arise at a General meeting.

C4.2.1 The President decides whether any arbitrary meeting is General. C4.2.2 There is always a General meeting at the End of Season Society bash (Annual General Meeting,AGM). All elected board positions are vacated at this meeting and a new board is elected.

C4.2.3 There is no bar on previous members being re-elected to the same, or a different, board position. All members are entitled to any voting proposition during the meeting.

C4.3 Board Candidate Votes – individuals may nominate (propose) themselves for election. Unopposed candidates are automatically elected. All WHV Golf society members have a single vote.

C4.3.1 Where competition arises, each round of balloting eliminates the candidate with the lowest amount of votes. If candidates with least votes have an equal amount they are both eliminated. Where the vote is tied across the remaining candidates, the President casts the deciding vote.

C4.4 Votes of No Confidence – a vote of no confidence in the board may be proposed by any eligible member. Should the vote be carried bySMVof all eligible members all elected positions become vacant immediately, an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) is held and re-election must start forthwith.

C4.5 Electioneering Behaviour – candidates must behave in a genuine and wholesome manner when electioneering. The President can cause a nomination to be cancelled – without the consent of membership or board – if as a core element of their electioneering the individual:

C4.5.1 Acts unlawfully or unconstitutionally

C4.5.2 Misrepresents or abuses an opposition candidate 

C4.6 Manifesto Pledges – the incoming board will commit to implement items of the successful candidates’ manifestos as long as those pledges:

C4.6.1 Do not contravene the current constitution or rules

C4.6.2 Do not act to the detriment of the Society

C4.6.3 Do not unfairly favour or disadvantage a particular individual, or group of individuals, within the Society

Society Rules of Tour

Should a member or guest breach a Rule of Tour they may be subject to any penalty the board decides. This may range from the requirement to pay a forfeit or fine through to exclusion from Events or even the permanent removal of membership.

T1 Composition

T1.1 Tour Calendar

T1.1.1 The tour period is 1^st January to 30^th November.

T1.1.2 The tour comprises of 4 Major and a maximum of 7 minor events.

T1.1.3 Promotion to, or demotion from, Major Status is a board decision that can only be made during the close season prior to the Tour.

T1.2 Major Events

T1.2.1 The Brizzle Open – 18 individual Stapleforth holes in the West Country organised by the Idiot.

T1.2.2 The President’s Classic – Team event where the President challenges the Captain over at least 27 holes incorporating a Mutliball Scramble and 18 hole individual Stapleforth.

T1.2.3 The PEDRO Masters – An event of character incorporating an 18 hole individual Stapleforth and unique format devised by the Professor.

T1.2.4 The WHV Open (a.k.a. Claret Jug) – WHVGS Tour Showpiece event – 36 hole individual Stapleforth with stayover usually preceded by the Amy Austin minor.

T1.3 Minor Events

T1.3.1 Minor events must be forewarned 2 weeks in advance to the entire membership and can be proposed by any Member.

T1.3.2 At least 6 WHV members must have agreed to play, no matter how many actually make it on the day, for an event to qualify as minor.

T1.3.3 There is a maximum of 1 minor per Tour calendar month.

T1.4 Competition entry

T1.4.1 All events must be open to the entire prospective membership.

T1.4.2 The competition sponsor can only close entry to a tournament in order to ensure a booking can be made.

T1.4.3 Venue and rough tee-times must be confirmed at least 2 weeks before the event.

T1.4.4 Entrance can not be closed until a minimum of 2 weeks following notification of venue and rough tee-times has passed.

T1.5 Clashes – tour events can not be scheduled to clash with other, defined, key sporting activities. These are:-

Football

Any pre-arranged WHV fixture

England International Football Qualifiers or Competition fixtures

The Football World Cup Final

The Football European Cup final

The FA Cup final

The Football League Cup final

The European Champion’s League final

Golf

The Ryder Cup weekend

The Open Sunday

The Masters Sunday

The USOpen Sunday

The USPGA Sunday

Athletics

The Knowle Fun Run

Olympics track & field 100 metre final

Olympics track & field last day

Racing

The Grand National 

Cricket

4th or 5th day of Ashes Test matches

England Cricket World Cup matches

England ICC Trophy matches

Cricket World Cup Final

ICC Trophy final

Rugby

England6 nation matches

England Rugby world cup matches

RugbyWorld Cup Final

Tennis

The Wimbledon Men’s final

T2 Ranking Points

All Tour events lead to WHV Golf Society Ranking Points (WGSRPs). The member with the most WGSRPs is declared the winner of the WHV Order of Merit at the end of the season bash.

T2.1 Qualification

T2.1.1 To qualify for the WHV Order of Merit a member must have played in 2 majors that tour.

T2.1.2 Members are entitled to appeal to the board for clemency if extenuating circumstances have made this commitment impossible.

T2.2 Minor Events scoring

T2.2.1 1st place scores (2 x number of Members actually playing) points.
T2.2.2 Each subsequent place scores 3/4 the points of the previous place with a minimum points score for any competitor of a quarter of the winning points score. For a 10 player minor this would mean scores of 20, 15, 11, 8, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4.

T2.2.3 In Mutliball competitions where individuals play their own ball for the duration, ranking between individuals on the winning team is decided on the basis of holes won/points contributed by the respective individuals.

T2.2.4 For skins tournaments, ranking between players with same number of skins is decided on the basis of most holes the individual has scored at net albatross (or less), then eagle, birdie etc.

T2.3 Major Event scoring

T2.3.1 The points allocated to Minor Events (T2.2) are doubled.
T2.3.2 There is an assumption that at least 6 members play no matter who turns up, i.e. the minimum point allocation to the winner is 24.
T2.3.3 All points are further doubled for the WHV Open.

T2.4 Bonus WHVGRPs

T2.4.1 Bonus WHVGRPs can be allocated to an event – e.g. the Ryder Cup format employed in the Presidents Classic often awards 10 WHVGRPs per winning team member.

T2.4.2 This WHVGRP value must be approved by the board before any such event is played.

T2.5 Countback – in the event of tied points, the OOM ranking is determined by count-back.

T3 Competition Reports

T3.1 Author’s Responsibilities

T3.1.1 The competition report must be written by the winner

T3.1.2 The report must be submitted to the board within a fortnight of the victory

T3.1.3 The standard penalty for the late delivery of a Match Report to the Board, outside the fortnight deadline stipulated, is 5 WHVRPS per day or part of a day late.

T3.1.4 Should the board decide the standard penalty will not adequately punish the author they may also decide to sequester the prize monies earned.

T3.2 Report Format – the minimum constituent parts of a match report shall be:

T3.2.1 A brief description of what took place at the event.

T3.2.2 Details of all prize winners, including cash prize amounts and any other prizes awarded.

T3.2.3 A minimum of 250 words of text.

T4 Lingo

Where appropriate, all written WHVGS communications must refer to ‘Stapleforth’ points and ‘Mutliball’ format instead of alternative descriptions members may have heard elsewhere. Members are further encouraged to use this correct terminology in conversation during Society events.

T5 Apparel

T5.1 Required Attire

T5.1.1 All members must wear an official WHVGS shirt at events unless explicitly authorised otherwise by the board.

T5.1.2 If a member has lost, forgotten or mislaid their shirt they must purchase another one.

T5.1.3 If there is no shirt available, the Member must still pay the full purchase price.

T5.2 Shirt Colours

T5.1.1 A member may wear an official blue WHVGS shirt at any time, including outside of events.

T5.2.2 The Orange (King of the Majors) and yellow (Tour Leader) may not be worn outside of Tour Golfing events.

T5.2.3 The winner of the previous OOM wears the yellow shirt at the first competition of the following season.

T5.2.4 The red shirt is reserved for the winner of the official sporting event at the End Of Year Social and may only be worn during the first golfing event of the next tour, or otherwise on WHVGS social occasions.

 T5.3 Custodian’s Responsibilities

T5.3.1 Official WHVGS shirts must never be re-sold, loaned, leased or donated to another member or outsider.

T5.3.2 Yellow,Orangeand Red shirts must be laundered and returned to the President or Tour Director before entitlement passes.

T5.4 Customisation of Shirts:

T5.5.1 Only the individually procured blue shirts may be customised

T5.5.2 Winners of Major events may embroider the Legend “[Year] [Major Event] Champion” in letters no greater in height than 2cm on the sleeves only.

T5.5.3 Winners of the OOM may place the Official WHVGS star, purchased from the Society – above the WHV badge, one per OOM win per shirt.

T6 Funding

T6.1 Financial Model – Funds are generated under the model devised by the Tour Director.

T6.2 Revenue Streams – the following revenue streams are authorised:

T6.2.1 Competition Fees

T6.2.2 Saleof Goods

 T6.2.3 Penalty Fines

 T6.2.4 Sequestered Prize earnings

T6.2.5 Recompense for the loss of – or damage to – a Society Asset

T7 End of Season Social

 T7.1 General

T7.1.1 The End of Season Social is organised by the President

T7.1.2 It must be held on a date after the competition calendar finishes in December.

T7.1.3 Attendance is compulsory for all WHVGS members between the start and finish times as formally notified by the President.

 T7.2 Non-Attendance

T7.2.1 Any member who will not attend must supply the Board with a written explanation of the reason as soon as they are aware that they will be absent.

T7.2.2 The board will propose the penalty incurred; which typically as a minimum will be sequestering of the player’s prize monies. Only in rare exceptions will the board allow clemency and propose no penalty.

T7.2.3 If the member has supplied no written explanation for non-attendance, this penalty will be immediately applied. Otherwise the entire attending membership will vote for or against its application by SMV.

T7.1.1 Any member present at any part of the End of Season Social who has not qualified to be considered within the Order of Merit will be expected to make a financial contribution to the kitty for the evening at a level agreed by the Tour Director and President.

 T7.3 Agenda – the end of season social must comprise as a minimum, in no particular order:

            T7.3.1 AGM & Board Vote

            T7.3.2 Review of outstanding offences and allocation of penalties

            T7.3.3 Open discussion of membership suggestions for rule change

            T7.3.4 Payment of prize monies earned

            T7.3.5 A vote for the WHVGS SPOTY (Sports Personality of the Year).

            T7.3.6 Some form of nosh

            T7.3.7 Some form of competition where the red shirt can be won.

T8 WHVGS Assets

T8.1 Asset Register

T8.1.2 It is the Captain’s responsibility to maintain a WHVGS Asset Register, the amendment of which must be approved by the board.

T8.1.2 the WHVGS Asset Register must contain an itinerary of all society material or intellectual property

T8.1.3 It is the President’s Responsibility to include the WHVGS Asset Register in the Almanac.

T8.1.4 All assets in the register are solely owned by the society. Individual Custodians have no commercial, financial or intellectual interest in the Asset they have been loaned.

T8.1.5 The value of each asset, with the sole exception of the WHVGS logo, is down to an objective calculation via a series of “Evaluation Factors” as described in the register. The monetary values ascribed to Evaluation Factors are subject to confirmation or revision at the AGM.

T8.2 Loss of Assets

T8.2.1 The board undertake to replace all disposed assets as best as possible; but if this is due to:

• Loss or damage (beyond reasonable wear-and-tear);
• Caused by negligent or deliberate act or omission by Society Member;
• Outside of their performing an executive role;

said member (the “Custodian”, or “Interfering Agent”) is liable to pay the society the full WHVGS Asset Value as recompense.

T8.2.2 The liable party must never seek to directly replace the asset themselves without full board approval, as they can not be sure the replacement suffices.

T8.3 Notification of new assets

T8.3.1 Members can introduce new physical assets at any time. The board must approve conditions of use/access/accessibility

T8.3.2 Any new requirement to use the WHVGS logo must be sanctioned by the board before production of the asset.

T8.4 Attributes – the following must be recorded within the register::

            T8.4.1 Conditions of use/access/accessibility

            T8.4.2 Mandatory employment of   

            T8.4.3 Evaluation Factors

            T8.4.4 Asset Value

            T8.4.5 Acquisition date and donor

            T8.4.6 Custodian if taken out of stock

T9 Handicaps

T9.1 Exact Handicaps & Playing handicaps

T9.2.1 Current exact handicaps are rounded up (where X=whole number) from X.5 and down from  X.4 to give member’s playing handicaps.

T9.2.2 When a persons handicap is reduced below 0, the handicap is written as a negative (e.g. “-1.6”) but referred to as “plus”. The rounding of precise handicaps into playing handicaps applies in the same direction (i.e.  -0.5 is a playing handicap of 0; -0.6 a playing handicap of -1).

T9.2. Handicap Adjustments

T9.2.1 General Play – the Captain has the right to vary exact handicap on general play at any time other than during a competition.

T9.2.2 End Of Year – at the end of each Tour year, the incoming Captain has the option to propose an increase or decrease the starting handicaps of individual Members for next year compared to the prior year’s closing handicap. The Member concerned will then have to opportunity to appeal to the Board, who will then either approve or reject the Proposal.

T9.2.3 Post Event – An automatic post-match formula applies, which is:

• Cut for beating the handicap
  • Playing handicap 19+: 0.8 shots per Stapleforth score above 36 per 18 holes.
  • Playing handicap 18-: 0.4 shots per Stapleforth score above 36 per 18 holes.
• Cut for winning
  • A major: 1.0 shot
  • A minor: 0.5 shots
• Cut for runner up
  • A major: 0.5 shots
  • A minor: 0.3 shots
• Increase for poor performance. Players scoring below 1 Standard Deviation from the Mean for the event will be incremented:
• A major: 0.4 shots
• A minor: 0.2 shots

T9.3 New Members

T9.3.1 New members will receive a 2 point cut (4 points if 18+) to the handicap advised by the introducing members.

T9.3.2 If this handicap proves to be lenient, the introducing member will be penalised.

T10 Practice Rounds

Members must inform the board if they intend to play a Major course in the 2 weeks before that Major Event. A failure to do so may result in significant penalties.

T11 Tour Penalties

T11.1 Dubious Practice – the penalty for dubious practice that may enhance a member’s OOM standing will be the docking of a number of WHVGRPS or removal from membership as decided by the board.

T11.2 Behavioural Offences – The penalty for behavioural or contemptuous offences are determined by the board. Typically – but not necessarily – they will employ the Port scale:

T11.2.1 An insignificant offence will result in the individual purchasing a standard glass of port for the offended member(s).

T11.2.2 A cheeky offence will require the offender to procure and down a Cheeky Vimto.

T11.2.3 A cheeky and naughty offence will require the offender to procure and down a Motown Bolton.

T11.2.4 A serious offence will require the purchase of a bottle of Port, perhaps with standard cheese board, for the society.

T11.2.5 Out-of-order behaviour will require the purchase of a bottle of 20yr old Tawny Port, perhaps with a connoisseur’s cheese board, for the society.

T11.2.6 In the event that the gross amount of Port generated from fines exceeds the society’s consumption capacity, the board will request the monetary value of the Port fine to be paid into society funds in lieu.

T11.3 Breach of Law – it is the responsibility of members to be fully conversant with the Constitution and Rules as published on the website. Ignorance is not a defence and if demonstrated will, in fact, increase the severity of any penalty.

Competition Rules and Scoring

The Rules of Tour supersede any other formal law. Where they don’t apply, Local Rules and the Royal and Ancient Rules of Golf are the sole authorities in that order, with the following exceptions:

R1 Recording of Scores

R1.1 Scores can be recorded on a single unsigned card by a single person if everyone within the recorder’s playing group accedes.

R2 Sponsor’s Competition Rights

R2.1 Core Rights – for the avoidance of doubt, the Competition sponsor has the right to vary the following for their events:

• Event format.
• Event scoring method.
• To allow or disallow the sharing of clubs.
• To allow or disallow the granting of gimmees/tap-ins in a non mutliball format.
• The selection of spot prizes (Nearest the Pin andLongest Drive).
• Implementation of impromptu prizes/forfeits [e.g. hulk, krupnik/niblik challenge should it arise again].

R2.2 Marking balls for spot prizes

R2.2.1 The position of the ball must be marked using the official WHVGS marker if available.

R2.2.2   In any event, the ball must be suitably identified as the current leader of the spot prize competition before the player walks away from the position where the ball has landed having played his next shot, else that player is not entitled to claim the prize.

R5.3 Sharing of clubs – the Competition Sponsor may allow the sharing of clubs, including the borrowing of clubs for shots, under situations other than those allowed by rule 4.4 of the R&A Rules of Golf, but must stipulate the conditions that allow this.

R3 ‘Gimmees’ and ‘Tap-Ins’

R3.1 Gimmees

R3.1.1 The Competition Sponsor may allow ‘gimmees’. He will stipulate the conditions under which they are given, but a player may never grant a ‘gimmee’ to themselves or someone on their own team.

R3.1.2 Scorers for groups should encourage the granting of gimmees if it will speed up play and the recipient is not the group leader at the time.

R3.2 Tap-ins – On the accedence of another player whose ball lies off the green, a player may ‘tap-in’ from the green while the flag is in place in order to not slow the game down.

R4 Lost Balls

R4.1 Provisional – if a player considers there is a significant chance their ball in play may not be found, they must play a provisional ball.

R4.2 Ball in play – in accordance with the Rules of Golf unless a ball is declared lost by a player before being discovered by any player, that is the ball in play and any replayed shot was provisional and is now dead.

R4.3 Strength & Direction – if a ball is looked for, declared lost and no provisional was played, the player has the option of the ball being dropped at a position where the ball would most likely have finished due to the Strength and Direction of the shot.

R4.3.1 The player must have expended appropriate effort and care to look for the ball.

R4.3.2 The player scores as if his replayed shot had landed at this location. This is the equivalent of a 2 stroke penalty – i.e. If the ball was lost from the tee then the shot following the drop will be the 4^th; if the ball was lost from the second shot on the hole it will be the 5^th, etc.

R4.3.3 The ball can never be dropped in a cut of the course where the ‘lost’ ball would have been plainly visible; e.g. fairway or first cut rough. The ball must always be dropped on the nearest surface where loss is likely.

R4.3.4 If the lost area is a copse or similar where there will be natural obstacles to the flight of the next shot, the ball must be lobbed into this area, attempting to mimic the flight of the lost ball to ensure the lie is fair in terms of obstruction to the next shot.

R4.3.5 If the group agree the ball has been pilfered or moved by a 3^rd party then the drop is allowed on any surface without penalty

R4.3.6 If the strength and direction would have most likely placed the shot in a Hazard or Out of Bounds, then the usual scoring and placement options apply under the Rules of Golf or Local Rules.

R4.3.7 The ball must be dropped or lobbed by a person other than the player instigating the rule (or indeed any team-mate of theirs).

R6 Avoidance of Slow Play

R6.1 Pick Up – If the player can not score Stapleforth or has lost a match play hole they must pick their ball up if not caused to wait by the group ahead.

R6.2 Maximum time looking for lost balls – if the ball is lost in a place where it would be hard to find the member can only spend 3 minutes looking for it if not caused to wait by the group ahead.

R6.3 Derestricted honours – players can and should take shots outside of the honours format from tee to green to speed up play.  This includes the temporary removal of a flag (or not if R3.2. employed) to putt while waiting a player to walk to his ball.

R6.4 General competence – when on the green buggies, trolleys and bags must be parked between the green and the route to the next tee.

2010 Board Decisions

2010-1 Claret Jug Weekend Structure and Location

The board reserves the right to delimit the structure and/or location of the flagship Claret Jug weekend to a prescribed standard which the defending CJ champion’s proposal must satisfy. They will invariably do so for important milestones. For example, in celebration of 10 years of the Society’s establishment, it has been decided to hold the 2013 CJ weekend abroad.

2010-2 Annual Membership Fees

Annual membership fees have been introduced. The reasoning behind this is to ensure all Members invest in the future of the WHVGS, not just their own individual golf requirements. It also means that the society is collectively investing in the attempt to make Rob a better golfer, so that he can fully understand and appreciate the rules and the finer aspects of the game. To avoid confusion the Annual Membership Fee must be paid by all Members, annually. Monies collected via membership during 2010 are currently ring-fenced to fund the 2013 CJ weekend.

Failure to pay the annual membership fee during the tour calendar will result in revocation of membership and all associated privileges.

2010-3 Compulsory End of Season Social, including AGM

The compulsory nature of the End of Season Social has been clarified. All members must attend; or submit their reasons for non-attendance in writing to the board as soon as they are aware of non-attendance. The board will decide the penalty incurred; which typically as a minimum will be sequestering of the player’s prize monies. Only in rare exceptions will the board allow clemency and apply no penalty. The membership will vote to pass the penalty.

2010-4 Payment of Competition Prize Monies

All monies due to tour competition prize winners will be paid in person at the AGM as the last item on the agenda. A member’s non-attendance during this final agenda item therefore has significant implications. Clemency may result in the player being paid some of their due monies after the AGM, but the most likely result is transferral of said cash into society funds.

2010-5 Use of Annual Profit

It has been decided to carry a percentage of annual profit forwards into the next tour, rather than spending it all on the end of season social.

2010-6 Voting Members are responsible for the society’s future

Members are reminded to hold the society’s welfare as the most important consideration during a vote. For example, during an election vote, they are advised to consider the candidate’s track history and manifesto pledges.

2010-7 Electioneering Behaviour

Candidates must behave in a genuine and wholesome manner, or the President can cause their nomination to be cancelled.

2010-8 Pledges

All lawful and non-discriminatory manifesto pledges that do not act to the society’s detriment must be honoured by the incoming board.

2010-9 WGRPs for Skins Tournaments

For skins tournaments, ranking between players with same number of skins is decided on the basis of most holes the individual has scored net 5-under, then 4-under, albatross, eagle, birdie etc.

2010-10 OOM Stars

OOM stars must be purchased from the society at the advertised cost.

2010-11 WHVGS Asset Register

As a result of the shambolic and shameful loss of the Pedro Fiver by C. Gregory at or around the time of the 2009 AGM, the Board have decided that there is a requirement to keep a proper register of all Society assets and enshrine liability for funding best replacement within the Constitution.

The liable party must never directly replace the asset themselves without full board approval, as they can not be sure the replacement suffices (ref “Son of the Pedro Fiver” shambles).

2010-12 R4: Implemented by person other than the player subject to rule

During the application of R4, the ball must be dropped or lobbed by a person other than the instigating player or their team-mate.

2010-13 Clarification of plus handicaps

When a persons handicap is reduced below 0, the handicap is written as a negative (e.g. “-1.6”) but referred to as “plus”. The rounding of precise handicaps into playing handicaps applies in the same direction (i.e.  -0.5 is a playing handicap of 0; -0.6 a playing handicap of -1).

2010-14 One minor per tour calendar month

There is to be a maximum of one minor per tour calendar month, and 7 minors in total during the tour calendar year.

2010-15 Events open to all: Notice before closing booking

The Competition Sponsor has the right to close bookings for an event 2 weeks after informing the whole society of the date, time and venue. The sponsor can not reject applications from interested members within this timeframe on the basis of not having booked sufficient tee-times.

2010-16 Days & Times not open  to Tour Calendar

As a result of the 2010 WHVGS Tour clashing with both the FA Cup and Ryder Cup, it has been decided to protect key sporting events in future and bar any WHVGS event from being organised so as to clash with them.

2010-17 Tour Standings on Count-back

OOM standings are awarded on count-back when tied.

Players,

The PEDRO Masters has been booked for the Menzies Cambridge Golf Club

Cheers,

Pedro – Captain, WHV Golf Society

Helping Rob design better products

http://www.menzies-hotels.co.uk/golf/cambridge-golf-club/index.aspx

Tough looking hole for WHV members

All for the price of £32 per person. I was asked to book a later round to allow people to get there so I have negotiated a ‘twilight’ deal: can we please target 13.30 arrival so that the fines system will be understood.  

Important Note: Soft Spikes only

Sunset is due 19.25 and I am informed we will get around before then. I and my fellow board members will be ensuring the new R6 is applied (the Almanac is undergoing a refresh to ensure all updates since inception are presented in a consistent manner). This is awaiting final editorial approval & the inclusion of the WHVGS Asset Register but the content below is Approved by the board and in play.

There are seven or eight of us staying on to enjoy Freshers weekend in Cambridge. Myself and Noz have each donated twin hotel rooms at the Holiday Inn. I have paid for 2 more twin rooms at a total of £212.50, meaning if Ron stays it is a miraculous £26 each.   I would like to personally thank Mr W Spittle for his very generous offer, proving that although he lost his board position due to Ron’s impressive election campaign he very much continues to show huge personal commitment to the WHV cause.   I will not, however, thank Bruce for initially advising me he could put three people up – originally meaning the overnight stay would be free for all. Then clearing it with the missus. Then ‘phoning me to inform me what he actually cleared was that Hannah could have all her friends over, so as well as the three society members he would also now personally require hotel accomodation in his own home town. The Moron.

CAMBRIDGE Holiday Inn
LAKE VIEW, BRIDGE ROAD
CAMBRIDGE CB4 9PH
+44-0871-9429015

Staying Captain Nozzer Pres Moron – see above Ads Miller Bacon

Possibly Staying Ron

Just Playing Donk TD Campo Aust

R6 Avoidance of Slow Play

R6.1 Pick Up – If the player can not score Stapleforth or has lost a match play hole they must pick their ball up if not caused to wait by the group ahead.

R6.2 Maximum time looking for lost balls – if the ball is lost in a place where it would be hard to find the member can only spend 3 minutes looking for it if not caused to wait by the group ahead.

R6.3 Derestricted honours – players can and should take shots outside of the honours format from tee to green to speed up play.  This includes the temporary removal of a flag (or not if R3.2. employed) to putt while waiting a player to walk to his ball.

R6.4 General competence – when on the green buggies, trolleys and bags must be parked between the green and the route to the next tee.

His Idiotry stems from the incredulous reaction to the new ‘You Don’t Get Paid Unless You’re At the AGM’ ruling. He’s joined by Bruce in this, although we suspect Bruce to be driven by personal greed rather than the sporting and societal principles of Mr Hall.

PR – how do I go about questioning the board and this (NO) prize money on the day decision without bringing myself/golf/board into disrepute? The last thing I want to do is discredorate the Society. I’ve searched the website but couldn’t find this particular LAW in the constitution. 

Noz, as is customary in 2010, where his handicap means he is no longer cleaning up, and his status with the rest of the normal folk rather than part of the aristocracy, was grumpy (as usual, check the email threads for his new ‘theme’):

You need to raise it with the players rep, good luck with that

[pullquote]

You need to raise it with the players rep, good luck with that – Noz

[/pullquote]

Doubtless faced with a massive inbox queue following his latest extended soujourn, the President still found time to correct Rob on several points.

Working very swiftly in his new role as Board Enforcer Players Rep, Ron weighed in with his response:

You have gone down the right route already by emailing me the Player Rep with your query, so please do not concern yourself or worry about discredorating the society.

The decision relating to the collection of prize money throughout this years tour for payout at the AGM was made by the WHVGS Board prior to the commencement of the 2010 season. During the closed season the Board worked tirelessly to improve the GS, we wanted to make changes, not for changes sake, but for the continuing improvement of the GS and to even further enhance the enjoyment of the Society for it’s members. Our President sent the membership an email before the start of the season detailing such changes, of which I have to say to the delight of the Board have been extremely well received by the membership.

If you have any further issues relating to this or anything else, please feel free to drop me a note. The Players Rep’s door is always open to help with any issues of the membership. 

Rob’s potential uprising was distracted by juvenile discussions about giving Aust the Horn – surely the primary driver for having a Horn as a trophy.

And then bickering with Dougal about not turning up to the Horn.

PS  Aust, (and anyone else who may care to comment,) for a non attendee it would be nice to have a clear understanding as to whether or not the course chosen by the Sponsor for the Brizzle was up to the standard expected for a WHV Major and the result of a last minute scramble to find a course that would take us on a Saturday – In 2009 one of the Members raised a concern that some the Tour / Major courses were not up to scratch so we need to make sure that this won’t be an issue again!

PPS.  I suggest you refer to the discussion that took place at The Brissle Horn, which you didn’t attend………

Editorial

From being a mutinous malcontent just 12 short months ago, where  he was on the verge of quitting, WHVGolf.com feels duty bound to report more evidence of his complete turnaround.

Now the most zealous promoter of the society, where his efforts and innovations are to be lauded, Ron is displaying worrying signs of megalomania – not enough for him to be part of the board, nor to be acknowledged as the best golfer, ever, to have graced the society, now he wants to WIN IT ALL.

Not content with holding the Red and the Dog (the sting of seeing the Hulk on Noz’s bag must be acute, especially as Bruce has now taken the Shark), Ron has put forward his own view of how the board should resolve my constitutional question about a tie for the yellow.

As Simon has pointed out both him and I are tied at the top of the OOM following the horn – there are no guidelines as to who should wear the yellow vest at the next event.

My suggestions would be:

• Vest to be worn by player recording the most stableforth points
• If the above is tied, Vest to be worn by Player with most wins

(Both happen to be Ron by coincidence, but I think the above makes sense)

Captain, over to you..

Isn’t that convenient? Ron, despite complaining that the yellow he wore at the Brissle was tattered and too small, still cannot face not being THE MAN at the Presidents! My own suggestion would have been for both of us to wear yellow…that’s friendly enough. I’d rather not wear the colour that Noz wore last year, I played with him and although he racked up over 40 points, it might have been more without all of the marsh flies buzzing round him. Or we could look at some kind of countback, like we do with everything else.

But no, Ron is mad with power and wants it all – I’m surprised we’ve not seen him in a hybrid Red/Yellow variant polo shirt, crafted at massive expense by immigrant workers, just to remind everyone of his glories.

I have faith in the board…at the moment – he might sweeten the deal again with a ‘board only’ round at his home course again…

Ron feel free to comment, I pride myself on operating a transparent and equitable website!

Update

The Captain weighed in with a clear constitutional summary of the position…

Countback – Simon is in Yellow, Aust is in Orange, Noz has the hulk, the Captain’s team will win the President’s, Pedro Power will not have to pay out 125 nicker & all’s well in the WHVGS world.