2010 Newsletter

Message from the Chairman:

Dear Members,

We go into 2010 with a slightly different look to the committee.  Mick Evans stood down after many years of service to the Society and we thank him for all his hard work and dedication.  One of the first actions of the new committee was to award him honorary member status and he now joins a small but august group whose names appear on our website.  Berny remains as your captain (where would we be without him?) with Kevin as Vice Chairman, Jill and Trevor remain as Treasurers and Dickie as Handicap Secretary.   Trevor has agreed to fill the role of General Secretary. 

The introduction of more varied formats of competition, both singles and team events seemed to go down well last year so we will continue with them as well as old favorites like the pairs league, singles knock out, stroke and scratch play tournament and hopefully our very own Masters which was such a success last year at Black Mountain.

As always information on our activities is on the website or the notice boards but you can use our email service or contact a committee member in need.  The committee would like to thank all the members for your support in making the Hua Hin Golfing Society what it is – a great opportunity to play golf, make friends and have fun.

Thank you,

Mike.

COMPETITIONS

Apart from the usual weekly competitions on Tuesdays and Fridays we have a number of tournaments and away trips throughout the year:

‘Lovers Away’ Trip – Chiang Mai, 25^th to 29^th April

This enduringly popular trip will take in the new Alpine Chiang Mai (formerly Lampun), the Highlands course which we have visited before and the venerable Royal Chiang Mai.  Details and sign up are on the board.

Summer Pairs League, mid May to September

Pick a partner and enter before the 25^th April by signing up on the notice board.  The number of entrants will determine whether we run one or two leagues and entry is 500 Baht per team, payable before the first match.

No changes in partnership will be allowed after the first match has been played and in the event of a team having to withdraw, the points gained by the other teams already played will be deducted.  It is 3 points for a win and 1 for a draw; no extra holes.

Play is from regular society tee boxes with the strokes allocated as ? of the difference off the lowest handicap in the 4 ball.  The stroke index is taken off the men’s card if any differences arise.  Please agree the result hole by hole with your opponents.

Matches will be played every 2 to 3 weeks and we will allocate dates and venues which will be on society days.  Matches have to be played on the specified day with any no-shows resulting in your opponents getting the points.  Some commitment is required to make the league a success so please be sure you can make all the dates.

Gentleman’s Away Trip – Pattaya 27^th June to 1^st July

A selection excellent golf courses is in the process of being chosen for our midyear gentleman’s trip to Pattaya.  Put the dates in the diary and watch the website and notice boards for full details.

Toby Memorial Trophy – 23^rd July

See the web or notice board for details as they become known.

Ladies Away Trip – 6^th to 9^th September

Not to be outdone, the ladies will have their own trip to a region to be decided, but if anyone has any suggestions or preferences, we would like to hear from you.

Hua Hin Society Masters – 21^st September

Following last year’s successful tournament we plan to repeat it so keep the date free.

Singles Matchplay – 19^th October to late November

This is your chance to be the Matchplay champion for a year.  Look out for more details as they become known.

Society Championships (gross and nett) – 26^th November and 3^rd December

This is a two day competition to find the best players in the club both gross and nett.  Separate strokeplay competitions are held on each day.  Venues and times will be advised later.

AGM – ANY OTHER BUSINESS

This is the chance for members to raise suggestions or issues for the new committee to consider.  The topics raised and deliberations of the new committee are as follows:

Hans Rouppe asked that the AGM Agenda be published in Thai language also. It was agreed that this was not feasible as we have many different languages within the membership.

Hans Rouppe asked what the situation was with Palm Hills regarding Green Fees. He was told that Palm Hills now wanted to increase the society rate by 250baht to 1250baht but that any Palm Hills members would only have to pay a caddie fee.  This was not acceptable so we have cancelled bookings for the remainder of the ‘High season’ and we will approach them again to obtain a ‘Low season’ rate.

 Tom Duzanica said that whilst the Christmas charity day was again most enjoyable and successful that we look to make it a 2 day event having the Golf on Tuesday and the Dinner/Raffle/Presentation on the Wednesday. This would enable people to enjoy the evening function as this year many people left early as they had been up at 5.30am for the golf. It was agreed that this should be the format for 2010 but that we should keep the whole event as a Charity day and that in future the Annual ‘Major’ prizes should be awarded at the AGM.

Billy Porter asked if Society Handicaps could be published on the website.  This was agreed upon and has been implemented.

 Adrian Salt asked if we could publish all members E-mail addresses.   The Committee felt this might be seen as an infringement of privacy by some members so would not be done.

 CHARITY REPORT

The Charity activities that the Society has been engaged in for a number of years are in the process of being formalized into a properly constituted foundation under Thai law.  Under the stewardship of Jill Moore, Roger Perrin and Boom Devonshire, we are targeting to achieve this by the end of May but until then activities will slow down somewhat.  The dormitory and shower/toilet block at Baan Peang Tawan Orphanage has been completed however and we do however have a robust and workable Development Plan for 2010.  The charity should go from strength to strength.  Details of completed projects are on the website and of course if any members would like to be more directly involved, please contact Jill, Roger or Boom or any Society committee member.

OTHERS

Local rules – please remember that we have a comprehensive set of our own local rules, many of which the R&A would do well to adopt to be honest so if you are not familiar with them, have a look at the website.

Dance floor etiquette – a bane of modern golf despite the disappearance of spiked shoes is the ploughed field that faces players later in the day on the putting surfaces.  This is caused by people walking carelessly on the greens or twisting their feet.  I’m sure none of us are guilty, but please pad down any scuff marks you might accidentally make.

Slow play – I’m sure this plea goes out at every golf club every year.  Please try to keep up with the group in front at all times, mark score cards on your way to the next tee, not on the green you have just holed out on, shake hands off the back of the 18^th so the group behind can play on.  We did have a number of players unable to complete rounds due to bad light last year and that’s not fair on them.

Thank you and enjoy your golf.